Playing hookey.
Katima elected to stay home from school after the incident with the football team and the cheerleaders.  It wasn't that she was afraid of them anymore; Alerron had shown them pain and fear without even doing anything.  It was more that she felt terrible for what had happened and more than that for just how disconnected she had been.  School had taken a lot out of Katima, perhaps more than anyone realized.  She wasn't exactly socialized as a child.

Which is why she decided that with the house to herself, cartoons and Lucky Charms were in order.  The funny cereal was remarkably like something she barely remembered having as a child on Korugar before everything changed for her.  Tucked up on the couch, she took a deep breath.  She hadn't realized how very stressed she was feeling.  And how awkward.