Chapter 86 - Don't Touch Me Part 1

After fastening the belt on Ariana's robe, Edlyn patted Ariana's back, encouraging her to walk forward. Ariana took a few steps forward and started to shake. "I'm a freak." She whispered. Edlyn sighed and grabbed Ariana's hand. "No, you are you. Noth-ing more and noth-ing less. Take it as a bless-ing or a happy mem-ory. You lost your scar the same day I learn-ed to speak. So for-get the past and come enjoy the pres-ent." Ariana nodded her head and gave Edlyn a gentle smile. "Thank you for being my friend."

The girls walked up to the entryway of the womens bath. There was a fancy, white silk curtain drawn to the side. Swirls of irony sparkled in the light. They walked in and down a twisted corridor until the reached another change room. Steam, laughter and happy conversations were in the air. The girls became a little self conscious about taking off their robes. There were many females walking around in the nude while others had a white towel wrapped around their bodies. Ariana gripped her robe's collar and walked over to the wall where the towels were hung. A sign was posted above. "Trade your robes and slippers for a towel." She read out loud.

She clenched her jaw and flushed a bright red as she ripped off her robe. Her hands trembled as she tried to grab the towel with the number 13 on it. To her surprise the towel wouldn't budge. She tried pulling harder but again it didn't move. She could feel her cheeks turn an even darker shade of red when it hit her. She slipped off her slippers and put them into the pockets of the robe. Then brought the robe up to the towel. The towel fell, revealing a silver hand. It reached out and grabbed the robe. She quickly picked up the towel and wrapped it around her body. Just like the robe the towel magically adjusted itself to cover the important parts of her body. "I figured it out!" She said as she waved the others over. The each did as she did and were ready to take their shower.

The decided to sit with eachother, so they searched for an open spot along the wall for four people. Edlyn found it easily and they rushed over. They sat on small, plastic stools infront of an adjustable shower head bar. Liquid soap and shampoo dispensers were located beside the shower head's station. They all silently scrubbed, feel too embarrassed to talk to one another. Once they rinsed off the followed some people to a bamboo divider.

They walked through the opening and were dumbstruck with the structure. The room had been enchanted to look like the countryside at night. Rolling grass hills, whimsical firefly fairies, a brilliant starry night sky with visible milky way. The moon was full making the room bright and lively. The bathing pool itself was huge. Steam rose upwards as small glowing stones made up the floor of the pool. Women were sitting along the bath, in the bath, on sitting in submerged ledges and benches, by small rock formations and standing wherever they pleased.

"Well, let's go enjoy ourselves." Halina said as she tightened her towel. The girls nodded their head and walked in. The moment they went into the water, they were surrounded by the other women.

"Aww you must be first years! Look how smooth and flawless your skin is!"

"Your hair! Your hair is so pretty!"

"Ahhh! This one is so squishy and cute! I just want to eat you up!"

"Your the one that beat Vera." A girl said as she grabbed Ariana's chin.

"No way this one did that!"

"There's no way! Look at her! Not a scratch on her!"

"No callouses, no bruises, no scars. There's no way she could have beat Vera without cheating!"

"Do you really think Hana's information is wrong?! If Hana says it's her, it has to be her!"

"Answer! Are you the one that beat Vera?" Hana said as she yanked Ariana's chin upwards, forcing her to look into her eyes. "Yes." Ariana answered loudly. Hana let go of Ariana's chin and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. "It just goes to show you, never judge a book by it's cover!" She yelled and everyone cheered. "Relax we are just impressed by you that's all." Hana said as she released Ariana and gave her a playful wink.

The girls relaxed and started chatting with everyone. They didn't think they could get to know the other students but were happy to find out that they were all very friendly people.

Ariana beamed as she tied her into a braid, she realized she was worried over nothing. Edlyn was right, no one knew about her scar, no one cared if she was imperfect, their image of her was someone who should have had battle scars and imperfections. She smiled as she rolled the braid and pinned it to the back of her head.

After she was done she looked over the up do one more time in the mirror. Her face was slightly flushed from the bath, her skin looked radiant and her hair was glossy with moisture. She felt pretty. She grabbed a complimentary folding fan from the counter and joined the others. "Don't you look nice." Edlyn said with a wide grin as they all walked out. "Thank you but it's not anything special. It's easier to have my hair up after a bath." Ariana said as she started to fan herself with the basic white fan.

"Good evening ladies." A familiar voice said as they stepped out. Ariana froze as she turned her gaze to the greeter. "Xander, good evening. How are you?" Edlyn said sweetly causing Xander to turn a deeper shade of pink. It was useless, whatever Xander said next to Edlyn was completely drowned out by the beating of Ariana's heart. Standing before her was Xander, Icarus, an unknown grey haired male with streaks of white and silver in his hair, he had sharp, neon pink eyes and a devilish smile while next to him was Cayden.