Cursed by Wendy Owens Page B

Gabe replied with his own question.
    “Is there something going on between you and this Neru?”   Uri clarified.
    “What?   You can’t be serious.”   Gabe defended himself.   “I just met the girl today.”
    “Well, if nothing is going on, than I would say you have nothing to worry about.” Uri said disdainfully, not entertained by the couple drama going on all around him.   “I have known Sophie for a long time.   She blows hot, but eventually cooler heads will prevail.”
    “I hope so.   I don’t really get what her problem is.   I’m friends with Dina and she doesn’t care about that.   I don’t really understand the jealousy.   She has never acted like this before.”   Gabe griped to no one in particular.   He shook his head in disbelief of the situation.   “If anything, I should be mad at her.   She is the one that completely ruined my first year of classes.”
    “What?   What are you talking about?”   Uri asked, confused and frustrated by the turn of the conversation.
    “Sophie took on an independent study this year, so now we won’t have any classes together.”   Gabe even thought his words sounded petty as they left his lips.
    “What independent study?” Uri asked, glancing over at Haim who was piling in the food as quick as the spoon could facilitate it.
    “I don’t know.   Something Professor Beatrice asked her to do with cataloging the artifacts.”   Gabe replied.
    “The ones Raimie and Dina went to retrieve?” Uri furrowed his brow as he asked the question, trying to better understand the situation.
    “I don’t know, I guess.” Gabe sounded annoyed as he replied.   He was confused by Uri's interest in the unimportant details.
    “So you are mad at her for not following you around like a puppy all year?”   Uri accused, staring directly into Gabe’s eyes.
    “No, that’s not it, I ….” Gabe struggled.
    “This is what Sophie does.   She loves that stuff and if you can’t get that, maybe she is not the problem.”   Uri reproached.
    “Well, wait.   It’s not so much the fact that she is doing the study.   I just know the real reason behind it.”   Gabe contended, straightening his posture a little.
    “Now you lost me, Gabe.” Uri replied.
    “Me… too.” Haim mumbled between bites.
    “I know Michael is behind this.   He wants to keep us apart.” Gabe stated proudly, as if uncovering some huge conspiracy.
    “What are you talking about, Gabe?   Why on earth would Michael be involved in some conspiracy to keep you guys apart?”   When Uri asked the question, Gabe began to doubt his own logic.
    “He told me I needed to spend less time with Sophie and then suddenly she is given an independent study.   Just seems odd, doesn’t it?”   Gabe inquired while squinting his eyes in disbelief.
    “So he wants you to concentrate more.   That doesn’t mean he is trying to split you guys up.   It’s not like it would do any good anyways.”   Uri’s words didn’t seem to bring Gabe any comfort.
    After a moment passed, Gabe asked defensively, “What do you mean it wouldn’t do any good?”
    “Come on, Gabe.” Uri began, giving Gabe a wink and a nudge.   “It’s like you and Sophie are written in the stars practically.”
    “Huh?” Gabe was genuinely confused by Uri’s statement.
    “After the Oracle spoke to Sophie, it was like none of the rest of us even had a chance.” Uri added.
    “Wait a minute.” Gabe said, lifting a finger as he tried to process Uri’s statement.   “I don’t even know where to start with that.   How about the part of the rest of us having a chance.   Do you have the hots for my girlfriend?”
    “Oh please, Gabe, don’t be so naive.   Before you came here, who do you think Sophie spent all her time with?   It was clear where our friendship was headed.”   Uri’s words sounded spiteful.
    “Come on, Uri.   Don’t do this.” Haim pleaded.
    “No.   He is the one complaining about Sophie.   I