wrong direction [Harmony, Chase]

[Nikolai Campbell]

Signing up for home economics was an easy decision. It was a way to earn an A for his report card without seeming like he was slacking in school, and it provided a life skill, even if it was one his father had already given him a foundation in. But to Niko's surprise the easy grade wasn't as gratifying as he thought. Most of the things he did in class he could- or had- done at home, and anything new he learned was somehow less important without James or Chase to share it with.

Which explained why Nikolai was making cookies while most of the class tried their hand at parfaits. It wasn't exactly encouraged for Niko or others to deviate from the lesson, but there proved to be no harm in allowing it, either. Once the cookies cooled he spent the class period drawing on them with frosting he made and colored himself. Two finely scripted "dad" cookies and ten other random designs later, Niko was left to his Monday lunch period to deliver them. The plan was to store them in James' office until he was through with classes. They'd probably last in there.

It also meant Chase got his cookie first. Niko sifted through his messenger bag- where the individually wrapped cookies had been carefully arranged- to find the chocolate chip cookie with 'dad' in orange lettering, complete with an outline of a blue shark. Brushing past the one with the original blue shark outline and the two attempts he'd made at a decent, symmetrical sun, Niko managed to find the one he wanted as he began walking down the familiar hallway.

With the single cookie still held tightly in his hand, Niko stopped in his tracks a few feet from the door. Surprisingly, his father wasn't in his classroom during the lunch period. Niko guessed he was handling a rowdy student or something of the sort. More surprisingly, someone else was there. A girl, no less, breaking in. Like Mia. Not Mia.

"Uh... Excuse me..." Niko murmured. He couldn't decide what else needed to be said: maybe, hopefully, she'd get spooked and just run.

[Harmony Muller-Barton]

Harmony had a perfectly legitimate excuse for why she was kneeling in front of Mr. Campbell door trying to pick open the lock.

Actually, she thought she was kneeling in front of Mr. Meian's door. And although if she had taken the time to read the sign she would have realized her mistake, she was in a bit of a hurry.

See, she was trying to get in and get a look at his file on her. She was sure there would be something horrible in there. And since a few of her teachers had been hinting at the fact that if she didn't get her act together her mother would have to get involved. And since Harmony had no plan to start co-operating, she decided she needed to do a little re-con and find out just what kinda dirt she was up against.

She had of course considered just teleporting through the door, but since she had recently heard horror stories of people teleporting into areas they didn't know the layout of well and ending up half-phased through a wall or piece of furniture. And while Harmony was never one to admit fear, she couldn't get the image out of her head. Besides it would be bad enough to get caught, but getting caught after an accident would be worse.

And while she usually didn't worry about adding on punishment...maybe Tomer and his brain were starting to have an effect on her...maybe.

Speaking of getting caught, Harmony about jumped out of her shoes when she heard a voice coming towards her.

"Geez dude, you trying to give me a heart attack?" she yelled. "What are you doing sneaking around here anyway?" Maybe if she acted like he wasn't supposed to be here, he would forget what he'd just seen her doing.

[Nikolai Campbell]

There was nothing like being yelled at to make you realize you had no idea what you were doing. Niko's expression shifted to surprise at the question, then muted guilt. Perhaps he shouldn't have startled her.

"I was just going in there," Niko gestured with his free hand to Chase's door. "But I can wait." Niko didn't specify that he meant wait for Chase's return, not Harmony's success. As an afterthought, Niko drew his free hand back to his backpack, pulling out a cellophane wrapped cookie with the unsymmetrical yellow sun. A peace offering of sorts- he had enough to share, and he did sincerely feel a bit bad for scaring her.

Then again, she was breaking into Chase's classroom, so how much sympathy did she really deserve? Niko hadn't decided. Truthfully, he was a bit amused that she was breaking into a classroom at all.

"Sorry. Cookie?" Niko took a few careful steps forward, holding out the cookie toward Harmony. He kept Chase's at his side. His next question was almost, 'what are you doing?' but Niko was certain it'd seem accusatory, so he settled for a small smile and the second best question he could think of.

"Did Chase confiscate something? I can get it back for you, if you want." Niko offered. It was the most likely reason someone would be breaking into his father's training room. At least, the most likely that came to mind now that he was considering the possibility. "Or... if you need help with that," Niko's attention turned to the door. "Maybe I can help?"

Niko's backpack had pens, pencils, and a few lone sharpie markers, along with notebooks and cookies, but nothing that could be used particularly for lock picking or breaking. Still, Niko was willing to try. He could always see if James had a spare key, too, though he wasn't sure how he'd pull off getting it from him. It seemed his best bet was learning to get past the lock if he wanted to be useful.

[Harmony Muller-Barton]

Harmony smiled a bit at the boy's obvious confusion. Sometimes it was just too easy. Still she was trying to figure out just how to explain why she was here. If this kid was that gullible, Harmony worried that he was probably also one of those goody-two-shoes who would turn her in as soon as she turned her back.

"Wait for what?" Harmony asked, cocking her head to the side. Did this kid mean that he knew a staff member was on their way. Or that he was expecting Harmony to hurry up and pick the lock. She considered outright asking, but she didn't want to admit her guilt just yet.

"A cookie?" she asked, now completely confused. "How old are you?" Seriously, who went around offering people cookies randomly.

"Chase?" Harmony asked. Two things dawned on her. A) She was trying to break into the wrong room. Great. And B) This kid was referring to Hammel staff by their first names. And that was never a good sign.

"I...uh...I..."she said, wondering whether she should knocked the kid to the ground, take off, teleport, or some combination of all of the above. And then the boy threw yet another curve ball at her.

"Help me?" she asked. "You mean, you can get in here." True, it was still the wrong room but Harmony didn't want to loose an opportunity like this. "I was just trying to find something I lost. I'm pretty sure I left it in here. It wasn't confiscated or anything. Just figured if the door was open I wouldn't have to bother Mr. Campbell...I mean Chase...with it." Hopefully he would buy that lie.

[Nikolai Campbell]

"Waiting for Chase. He likes treats," Niko clarified. "It is his classroom. I thought he'd be here." Niko's attention wandered to check the hallway, as if expecting to see Chase sauntering toward them at any moment.

"Besides, trainers deserve a little credit. Maybe a cookie will cheer him up," Niko added. Actually, dad's who were able to talk to their children's teachers needed periodic treats to cheer them up. But trainers, too.

"I made them in home ec class. I don't want to carry them around all day or let them get smushed. If you don't want one, I don't care." Niko shrugged, his extended hand returning to his side. Maybe it was a bit strange, but he was already holding one in his hand that he wanted to divert attention away from.

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind. But if it's important to you, I can try." Niko knelt down to get a better look at the door, even going so far as to squint at it. He wasn't really sure what he was looking for, but hey, careful observation before beginning a task always made you look cooler... right?

"Or, we can ask Dr. Campbell to let us in." Niko suggested, stealing a glance over at Harmony. It wasn't as likely- whatever she needed was probably not worth the effort of doing more than just waiting for Chase. His reasoning was far less straightforward- hearing her call Chase Mr. Campbell reminded Niko that he should probably do the same. It was a bit late to go back on calling Chase by his first name, but he hadn't referred to James yet. And James seemed far less relaxed about his title than Chase did, anyway. Which was precisely why Niko was beginning to rethink his offer. It seemed slightly less likely than before that she knew Chase if she called him Mr. Campbell.

"I'm Niko, by the way." Niko smiled. Maybe he'd recognize her name as one Chase had mentioned recently if she offered hers in return.

[Harmony Muller-Barton]

So this kid was one of those. Sucking up to the teachers every chance he got. Harmony immediately started to judge him. "Pssh trainers," Harmony said, rolling her eyes. "Good for nothing, just like the rest of the lame staff at this lame school." Yeah Harmony may have just been caught red-handed trying to break into a staff office. So maybe it was the best time for her to proclaim her thoughts and feelings about the staff. But then again, Harmony was never one to consider all that.

Cookies he made in home ec? This kid was looking more pitiful by the second. Clearly he needed someone to open his eyes to the ways of the world. Or at least the world outside his goody-two-shoes, teachers pet world. Not that Harmony was against cookies or anything. Thanks to her uncle's boyfriend she had plenty of cookies to snag when needed. But it was a point of principle now that she wasn't going to take one from this kid.

She was a bit shocked when he actually came forward to help. "Do you even know what you're doing?" she asked. Not that she really had any idea either. But seriously if this kid could pick a lock she might die of amazement.

"I don't think teachers just let you in to take...er borrow, stuff." She added, rolling her eyes again. Seriously didn't he know anything? She let him stare at the doorknob for a bit before stooping down next to him and attempting to shove him out of the way.

"I'm Harm..." she stopped suddenly, wishing she had thought to come up with some sort of alias, but it was too late now. "...ony."