Not going to admit it.

Althea sat on a bench, twisting a piece of cloth in her hands. She wasn't going to admit it, but she missed Cuthbert.

Dante was on the phone, grumbling and complaining about something.

Althea heard a voice and jumped. She wasn't alone!

Dante sighed, putting down the phone and running a hand through his hair.

Althea, of course, fell onto the ground.

"Ow..."

Dante looked over. "You okay?"

Althea nodded. rubbing her butt and wincing.

Dante came over. "You sure?"

"Yeah. I just fell off the chair and whacked my arse," Althea said, making a face.

"Ouch..." Dante said. "I'm Dante by the way..."

My name is Althea. Not the most dignified of meeting points, but it's as good as any," Althea said, and smiled.

Dante smiled lopsidedly. "I would like your opinion of this school...I've only just arrived here..."

"It's a good place, I think," Althea smiled. "It's a bit sexist, but that's probably not really of interest to you."

Dante blinked. "Sexist? In what way?"

"Girls do ballet and gymnastics and sewing and cookery. Boys do basketball and football and woodwork and electronics. I'm not all that keen on cooking, myself."

"We don't get to cook?!" Dante exclaimed, disappointed.

"I'd love to swap with you. I much prefer sawing wood down to size."

"I doubt we'll be allowed to swap...I always end up hurting myself doing woodwork..."

"Sorry to hear that. I always burn myself cooking. See?" Althea said, showing him her hand. There was a scar from a burn down her palm.

"Ow! How did you do that?!" Dante asked, seemingly worried.

"I got boiling cheese on my hand," Althea said, laughing.

Dante blinked. "Wow..."

"More ow, actually," Althea said with a sheepish smile. "I'm really clumsy."

"No...your eyes are really pretty..." Dante said, suddenly realising.

"Oh, wow. Thanks," Althea said, blushing. "Nice non-sequitur."