Misha the Beast Tamer.

It was now the last week of my first year at the academy. The final week was dedicated to exams. It was a highly stressful week, and most students would do their exam, study, eat and bathe, study again then repeat the routine the next day.

The halls were quiet, there was an occasional whispered conversation, but a heavy silence polluted the halls.

I was stressed as usual, Aqila kept her cool, as usual. We hardly talked. I wanted to tell her that I had received a letter from my werewolf family. They wanted to meet a week before I returned to start my second year at the academy. They were at least polite enough to let me have Christmas and the beginning of the new year with my human family before meeting me. I couldn't wait to see Stefan, my father, my mother and David.

But Aqila was so involved in her studies and revisions that I don't think she'd be interested, let alone listen if I did tell her.

It was hard holding the excitement and nervousness inside. I couldn't even write a letter to Zac, he had not written to me for months, not even begging me to give him another chance. He had definitely found another person to love, another person to accept him for who he was. Here, I thought I was the only person to accept him. My heart filled with sadness and loss. I shook the thought of Zac from my mind, and focused on the pile of notebooks on my desk. I sighed, over - welmed, I didnt know where to start.

When the final day of exams arrived, the silent, polluted halls were now buzzing with excitement, flashes of smiles and loud chit- chat. The halls and classroom's seemed brighter somehow.

Once the day was over the whole academy was abuzz. Some of us would be leaving today, the others, including myself would be starting to leave tomorrow. I could barely contain my excitement, I hadn't seen Stefan since the first break of the year, and tomorrow he'd be here to take me back home. I'd be home in two weeks, after that id spend four whole weeks with my family and the remaining two weeks, I will travel back to the academy, stopping half way to meet the Conri's, Emrick, Rose and Ronin.

I couldn't stop smiling as I opened the door to our room. Aqila was shuffling through her wardrobe and hastily packing items into a case. It was unexpected, I thought she wasn't leaving until the beginning of next week.

I coughed to get her attention,

"Aqila, are you okay? I thought you weren't leaving until next week."

She paused, glanced up at me, her amber eyes looked tired.

"Something has come up, so I must leave today." She answered, before continuing to shuffle in her wardrobe.

"Do you have a way to get home?" I questioned, concerned that the 'Something' that had come up was a lot more serious than she was letting on.

"Yes, Misha. I was lucky enough to find another student who will travel straight through my city on her way home and had enough room in her carriage for me. The problem is she leaves in twenty minutes. So if you'll excuse me Princess, I need to finish up. I'll see you next year." She continued packing, without saying another word.

I sat on my bed and closed the curtain separating our beds. I felt disappointed and alone. I sighed sadly to myself, I should probably do the same thing I whispered. I hadn't even started going through my things, and sorting through what items would stay and what items would come back with me. We didn't need to clear out our rooms completely, as we would be staying in them for the entirety we spent at the academy, unless we requested to change rooms.

I opened the door to my wardrobe, I knew the fancy clothes I brought with me would be returning home, they were much too fancy for school. I folded them up neatly and put them in my case. I heard the door to our room slam, Aqila left without saying goodbye. I felt even more alone now that Aqila was gone, and it stung a bit that she left without saying goodbye.

In my mind this was not the way those who were partnered would act towards each other. I noticed that Aqila had been acting strangely since the partnering ceremony, maybe she wasn't too thrilled that I was her best match.

I sighed loudly as I continued folding my clothes. I had to stop my thoughts from venturing to the negative side of things.

Aqila was always a loner, she had always been serious and hid her emotions well, the only time she would show them was if she had too much drink.

It took me close to two hours to finish my packing and it seemed I had finished at the right time. It was dinnertime and it was a feast in the main dining hall. Nothing fancy, just the remaining students all celebrating the end of the year, the end of their yearly exams and having some fun.

I was racked with nerves as I entered the hall. Aqila was my best and only friend. The others were acquaintances. My plan was to grab a plate of food, eat it, return to my room, bathe, then go to bed. My plan was foiled when Erik noticed I was by myself with no Aqila by my side. He approached me and smiled, his smile was beaming, my face burnt. He was very handsome and when he smiled it highlighted how handsome he really was.

"Well, hello Princess. No Aqila to guard you tonight? Where is she? She never leaves your side, especially when Im close by." He said.

"She left for home today. So it's just me. Until I leave tomorrow." I replied.

Erik smiled,

"Well come and join us. If it's not too embarrassing for you to eat with the teachers?"

"Okay." I replied and followed Erik to the teacher's table.

I sat down and glanced around nervously, but my glances were met with smiles and nods of greeting. They continued on with their conversation and tried their best to include me. I was relieved, at least I was not eating by myself shunned by those around me.

It was slightly depressing though, I had been at the academy for a whole year; I shared classes with most people sitting in this hall, and still they saw me as nothing more than a snooty Princess who was pampered and privileged. Even though I had shown them I was not anything like they perceived me as.

The night dragged on, my eyes were heavy, I needed to sleep. I excused myself from the teacher's table and started to go back to my room. As I was leaving, I heard Erik call my name. I turned and he was by my side. He yelled above the chatter of the hall and said,

"Wait, Princess. Let me walk you to your room, since Aqila is not here to walk you back."

I nodded, Erik smiled and we matched strides, we started a conversation

"You need to make some friends, Princess. Tonight should've shown you how reliant you have become on Aqila." Erik said,

I wasn't really expecting this to be our topic of choice. So he caught me off guard.

"I've tried Erik, but they will always see me as a princess accustomed to a luxurious and pampered lifestyle, not as an equal."

He murmured something, under his breath.

"Let's hope that in the future, their perceptions of you will change, Princess.

I can see the thirst for knowledge and adventure you have. I know you hate being a princess and crave your independence and freedom which only becoming a beast tamer can give you.

Not all of us see you as a pampered, weak, snooty, Princess. Keep doing what you're doing and you will be independent and free."

Hearing those words from a teacher, and someone who was a respected beast tamer; seemed to cheer me up and give me a new found sense of confidence.

We arrived at the door to my room, Erik gave me a shake of the hand,

"You've done well this year, Princess. Keep it up. Hope you have a great time with your family, and I'll see you next year. Farewell and good night."

He waited until I was safely in my room before he returned to the dining hall. I was excited, in mere hours I will see Stefan again. I'd forgotten how much I missed him.