[h2][color=007236]Stella Herbalem[/color] & Jamie Drummond

Just outside the Breakfast Hall, 7:15 AM[/h2]

Stella waved good-bye to Tobias and looked over the map. [color=007236]“Now, where is the home EC room,”[/color] she said to herself, getting a bit turned around. A new school was nothing to sneeze at, and Stella’s directional sense had not proved to be the best there was. She paused in her confusion and looked up from the map. [color=007236]“Okay, now I’m really lost.”[/color] 

“Hey, uh, Freshie – what are you in?” The voice came from down the hall and was accompanied by a whistle trying to get her attention. It was an upperclassman, unkempt, shirt untucked and blazer unbuttoned.

Stella turned to look, and pointed at herself. [color=007236]“Are you talking to me?”[/color] She asked. She figured he was, but she had to make sure. 

“Yup. You look – dazed and confused.”

[color=007236]“I guess I am rather lost… I was looking for the Home EC room. Do you know where it is?”[/color]Stella asked, moving closer to the upperclassman. He also had an accent, like Tobias, but it was different. She looked at him, still a bit curious. Her emotions were a mix of confusion, surprise, and delight. She need the help and if he was offering, she would happily take it. 

He nodded. “‘Course I do. Home Ec classes are small, so we’ll be lumped in together I bet. It’s [i]this[/i] way.” He pushed open one of the heavy oak doors that was only half-open to reveal another hallway, and waited patiently for Stella to follow.

[color=007236]“Thank you,”[/color] she said and followed him. She wasn’t quite sure what to say, beyond that. But she realized she didn’t know his name, and so, [color=007236]“Ah, may I ask for your name please? So I know who is helping me out?”[/color]

“Jamie Drummond, at your service.” At the last door on the right, Jamie stuck his head through the open doorway to note the half-empty classroom complete with all the miniature kitchen units that made up a typical cookery class. “Hey, Miss. Is it a mixed year group again this time around?”

Another voice that was probably the teacher’s replied, “Freshmen to Seniors, Jamie.” He turned back to Stella, head tilted to the side.

“Right. It’s in here… Uh. What’s-your-name.” Jamie rubbed the back of his neck in a seemingly nervous gesture.

[color=007236]“Stella, Stella Herbalem. Nice to meet you. I’m guessing you’re Miss Standiford?”[/color] Stella asked, looking at the teacher. 

“That’s right. Miss… Herbalem, then – since I get to be your first subject, welcome to Northwood.” A bright smile from the teacher, even as she tossed two thin purple aprons towards the two. Her eyes quickly focused on Jamie, who shrugged wordlessly to some unasked question. “Senior-Freshman partners for cooking since we’re so short on numbers. Jamie, do you mind?” 

Another shrug.

“We’re making scones,” Aveline continued.

The senior looked over at Stella, “Hell yeah.”

Stella gathered from this that she’d be working with Jamie for Home EC and simply nodded. [color=007236]“Sounds lovely.”[/color] She felt like she was missing half of a conversation here, but, she didn’t mind. She was use to not getting things at first, since her head was in the clouds. She put on the apron and waited for class to start. 

At their workstation up the back, Jamie sat up on the corner of the countertop, in front of the microwave. “Hey, hey – Herbalem? I’m hoping you’re good at cooking ‘cos I’m sure as hell not.” 

[color=007236]“It depends. Baking I’m alright at. I learned to make cookies and brownies from my mother. Beyond that, I’m not that great. That is why I signed up for Home EC, to get better,”[/color] she said, looking at the recipe and paused in thought. [color=007236]“This, however, should be simple enough. Hardest part will be kneading and shaping the scones,”[/color] she said. 

“Yeah. Can’t too it too much since it makes it tough and ruins the lightness of it–” Jamie paused for a moment as other students filed in to grab the equipment out of the main cupboard. “Or at least that’s what Aveline says.”

Stella stared at him. [color=007236]“I do believe you’re lying to me Jamie… but no mind to that. I’m sure you have your reasons, but I would appreciate the help,”[/color] she said and looked at him. There were more secrets here… however she shrugged it off. Stella was starting to get the feeling there was more to Northwood than anyone let on. However the thought left her mind as she covered her front with flour. [color=007236]“Oh darn!”[/color]

Jamie didn’t do or say anything at first, smiling instead. “Yeah, that’s what the aprons are for.”

Stella went to get a wash cloth and nodded. [color=007236]“Yeah, that is what they are there for.”[/color]

Jamie seemed content to not even mention Stella’s earlier statement, still possessing that easy grin. “Believe me when I say that I have a tendency to burn myself and spend half the lesson with my hand under a tap.” He shrugged. It rang a little hollow. “But yeah…”

The lesson went by rather quickly after that, and at the end, both Jamie and Stella had a container of fresh scones. [color=007236]“Thank you again for showing me here. I hope I won’t get lost from now on,”[/color] she said, picking up her things.

“Just gimme a shout anytime, right?” Jamie seemed somewhat distracted, glancing over towards Miss Standiford every so often. “Well, not [i]anytime[/i] – preferably not after 5 PM. I’m just gonna–” And he walked off to the teacher’s desk, brows furrowing.

Stella blinked and nodded. [color=007236]“Will do,”[/color] she said, and watched. She raised her eyebrow a bit and turned to leave. She guessed that Jamie and the teacher were close, but this seemed odd to her. However, those thoughts would have to wait for another time, since she had to leave for her second class. She gave a quick wave to Jamie and Miss Standiford and headed off.