Stella sighed as she gazed at the mountain of work on her desk. With the school year rapidly coming to an end the teenage guidance counselor found her workload to be almost overwhelming. Students moving on to high school needed to have their files sent to their new schools. Incoming students files needed to be reviewed, Stella having to make note of any student that would need some extra attention for the next school year. For the 14 year old guidance counselor she now worried that her workload was so overwhelming that she would have to take it home with her for the weekend.
"Ugh sometimes I hate my job," she grumbled. "Now I know why my parents always look so exhausted on a Friday night." Opening another file, Stella now blew a stray hair from her face as she began to peruse yet another student evaluation.
The sound of Stella's door opening and closing quickly now drew the raven haired teen from her work. She didn't have any scheduled appointments for today. Looking up she could see that the person appeared to be a young teenage girl, her auburn hair falling nearly to her waist. "Can I help you," she asked.
The teenage girl now slowly turned to face Stella. Dressed in a short sleeve tshirt and jeans, Stella didn't recognize this student. She appeared around her age however Stella had trouble placing her face. The teenage girl now pushed her hair behind her ears, Stella gasping in shock as she noticed that they were pointed.
"Abby!?"
"Shhh," Abolith hissed, gesturing for Stella to keep her voice down. Stella simply stammered, stunned to find the elf assassin once more reduced to a young teen and standing in her office. Quickly Stella now ran for the door, quickly locking it before staring at Abolith. "What are you doing here," she whispered. "And why are you my age again?"
"This was the Catalysts doing," Abolith said softly. "However I've come at the request of Fukushu."
"Why though?"
Abolith now fidgeted in place, the teenage elf smoothing out her shirt as she searched for words. She hadn't been happy with this idea but realized after some soul searching that maybe this was for the best. "Fukushu believes I should talk with someone," she sighed. "My...trust issues are a bit overwhelming."
"Wait you want to see me," she gawked. "As your therapist?!?!?" Abolith sighed, giving the young teen a sad nod. "Yes Stella now may we sit down? This is proving to be more difficult than I thought."
Stella nodded, pulling a chair out for Abolith as she now sat behind her desk. Abolith now lowered her head the elf unsure of where to begin. "So," Stella asked awkwardly. "How did you know where my office was?"
"After I snuck in here I ran into that Soul Drive janitor," Abolith stated. "It was quite odd honestly. I had no idea robots could actually song."
"Yeah Pam had artificial lungs installed in Otis," Stella replied. "Its funny though, summer is right around the corner and Otis is the only one sad to see the school year end. He's really happy that Pam let him work here."
"I didn't even realize Pam owned a Soul Drive," Abolith responded. "Regardless I asked him where your office was. He was helpful however it was a tad embarrassing. He treated me as if I was a lost child. Asking if I needed him to walk me here."
"Otis is just helpful," Stella giggled. "But I'll talk with Pam. Let her know that he doesn't need to escort students to my office like their five."
Abolith now thanked the teen, an awkward silence now lingering between the two. Abolith was obviously out of her element while Stella wasn't sure where to start with the elf assassin. "Can I offer you something to drink," she asked. "I have water and soda in my fridge. I can even grab some coffee if you like. I'm not really a fan of coffee myself though, its a bit bitter for me."
"Water will be fine thank you," Abolith replied. Stella nodded, reaching under her desk as she retrieved a bottle of water and a soda for herself. Taking a sip the two teens now gazed at one another. "So why choose me," Stella asked.
"Well," Abolith stated. "When last we talked I noticed we seemed to make a connection. You are quite skilled and wise despite your youth."
"Thanks Abby," Stella smirked. "But in case you haven't noticed we're the same age right now." Abolith sighed, fidgeting slightly at Stella's observation. "True," she grumbled. "And once again I find myself being referred to as Abby. Must you? Its so...juvenile."
Stella giggled, giving the elf a warm smile. "Just being friendly Abby," she said. "Its hard to think of you as some cold blooded killer when you look like..."
"A child."
"I was going to say peer," Stella stated. "Which begs the question, I'm sure there are others you could have worked out your problems with. Why choose me?"
"Believe it or not I don't exactly have a plethora of friends," Abolith stated. "The number of people I trust I can count on one hand with room to spare."
"So you trust me," Stella asked, astonished by this admission.
Abolith shrugged, shyly averting her eyes before answering. "I do actually," she stated. "Which is difficult for me to even admit. You and your friends have shown nothing but kindness to my son as well as myself."
"Well aside from you flipping Neela over we've never had a problem," Stella said. Abolith now frowned as she gave the raven haired teen a sour look.
"She started it! The girl is over confident and head strong. Acting tough when she confronted me," Abolith sighed, rubbing her eyes before gazing at Stella. "She reminded me alot of myself. Stubborn, confident, fearless. I respect her bravery, even if she does have a way of irking me."
"That's Neela," Stella laughed. "But you'd be surprised. As confident as she is she's absolutely terrified of telling Ewart that she likes him. She's a bit of a dichotomy."
"Arent we all," Abolith grinned. Abolith now paused, a warm smile cracking across her delicate features. "I want to thank you all for saving my life," she said softly. "You, Neela, Gail, Pam. You didn't have to go to the lengths you did. I am in your debt."
"What are friends for Abby," Stella smiled. "And I would be happy to talk out your problems with you."
"Thank you Stella," Abolith said, a small smile spreading across her face.
"Your welcome Abolith."
Abolith now paused, taking a breath before answering. "Stella you may call me Abby.: