The truth was - her laptop was both expensive and heavily customized.  She had had some serious help with the customization that would be tough - not impossible - to repeat.  So she resumed her place at the table, looking back at Troy and ducked her head in a smile as he chowed down on the boudin.  Mom’s cooking was great.

She had caught him saying something to the kids at the other table, but the angle was too oblique to tell what it was.  But judging from the rude gestures and the indication Troy made to his arm she could guess what that was about.  She smiled even broader.  She knew she shouldn’t.  Violence never solved anything.  Right.

“Where were we?  Oh right, enough shit being thrown at you.  Yeah, I get that.  But one should also be ready to handle what people try to throw at them…”  Diane’s eyes were only semi focused, like she was somewhere o somewhen else…

The air became electric.  They could feel it - all but Diane apparently.  She seemed oblivious.  Her awareness seemed to have stretched out to the whole room, maybe further.  Then Ash and Troy saw it.  Jess and Sam had their backs to the the source of the threat.  The school’s quarterback was cocking back his arm to throw his football.  His aim was clearly targeting Diane, who seemed to have started making a couple notes.  Then almost as suddenly she smiled and the lid started to close on her laptop. 

For Ash and Troy the scene unfolded in slow motion.  The power.  Raw, untapped potential.  This was the Law of Three.  Karma.  It was one of the greater powers.  But the way she was using it, noone unawakened would recognize it for what it was.  And she didn’t even believe she had power.  But it was unmistakable.

The football launched forward.  It was Troy who had the better point of view who saw what was about to happen.  The ball was gaining too much altitude.  The guy had overcompensated for the mild injury to his arm and overthrown.  But that wasn’t the best part.  The corners of Diane’s lips quirked upwards as the lid on her laptop finished closing.  Then her eyes started to widen in alarm as she spotted the incoming football.

Sam and Jess had the perfect seats to watch the finale.  As he football sailed over their heads and the table they caught the eyes of Diane and Ash tracking the football.  What neither saw was the teacher walking behind them with a tray of food.  Bullseye.  The football landed square in the center of the tray.

Then time resumed its normal course.  Diane whirled about and stared.  Then she smiled.  “Well, I did warn them about Karma.  Reap what you throw?”  She spun back around.  “So … 232 … right?”  She glanced over at Troy and kneaded her right shoulder and grinned.  Then she looked at Ash, blushing.  She gave a puppy dog eye look.  “He liked my Mom’s cooking.  Oh … and I might have a better place for you to meet if you prefer privacy - like lots of acres.  Maybe that is something for the weekend.  It’s an old ranch.  But I have permission from the owner to go camping or whatever.”

Diane was completely ignoring the scene of the teacher raising his voice to tell the quarterback to head to the Dean’s office.

+++++++++++++

[color=f26522][b]Monday Aug 12, 2019
After School  Room 232[/b][/color]

(Holding up in case folks want to arrive first … or change up the location)