“Let’s go beat the maze and get to the mansion.” That’s what November had said when she approached me. Her large, golden eyes were full of hope and expectation; her huge, clunky braids draped over her shoulders and snaked down toward her waist.

I blinked in confusion and some measure of disdain. My opinion of her had been way too high to think she might get caught up in that maze and mansion nonsense. “Are you serious?”

“Yes! Arrow!” She grabbed my shoulders. I pulled back instinctively, but she didn’t let go. “If anyone can do it, it’s you.”

“Well, that may be,” I began as I pried her hands off of me, “but that doesn’t mean it’s worth doing. I was sure you realized that.”

“What about it isn’t worth doing?” She looked at me earnestly. I searched her face for some measure of sarcasm or humor, but found none. She seriously wants to try the maze!

“What has gotten into you?” I didn’t try to hide my distaste from her. November had been my only friend for many years. She seemed to be the only person in the world who thought the way I did. Great minds and all that. If she was now planning to venture into the maze, I had to worry she was beginning to succumb to the hive mind that seemed to be shared by most of the locals.

Her frustration from being rebuffed was beginning to show. “Arrow, you don’t have to be such a contrarian. Maybe there’s a reason everyone wants to get to this mansion. Now listen here. I’ve joined up with a group–”

“Dear world.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Oh, Vember–”

“Shut up Arrow! Listen to me.” She grabbed my shoulders once again. “We can do this! This is the largest group that has ever assembled to beat the maze.”

“Yes, well. Good luck with that. Power in numbers and everything.” I jerked away roughly, feeling almost betrayed.

“Oh, come on, don’t get your feelings hurt just because I’m not always the committed lone wolf you are.” Her words stung, but I wouldn’t let her know that. “Arrow, I want you to join us.”

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I threw my head back in exasperation. “Vember! You know me better than that! Or at least I thought you did. At least you should. So no, I will not join you and your ridiculous little group.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t have to be so mean, Arrow. It’s not ridiculous.”

“It is ridiculous, and I’ll tell you why.” I took a step toward her. “It’s ridiculous because you’re not going to try anything that hasn’t been tried yet. It’s not possible, Vember. Why do you think you’re going to be able to do what a thousand people before you couldn’t? You and your group aren’t original, and if you really think you’re going to be the ones to get through, you’re a bunch of idiots.”

November didn’t say anything for a long time. My insult was left hanging in the air, impossible to be ignored, and waiting to be acknowledged. I knew at that moment that this discussion wouldn’t be ending in my favor. “Well then,” she finally sighed in a flat tone, “I guess I’ll just go without you.”

A rare pang of guilt hit, and I shook my fists in the air in frustration, knowing I was losing this battle. “Oh, Vember,” I groaned, “why do you do this to me?” She had always had a way of testing my temper, pushing me beyond my limits, then making me regret it immediately. I believed she knew this, too.

As she sensed my guilt, a small smile hit her lips. “You know how you could make this up to me? You know, for your attitude and everything?”

I covered my face with my hands and let out a long sigh. “You can’t make me do it. You can hold the grudge forever if you must.” I knew what she was getting it. I wouldn’t allow it.

“Oh, come on, Arrow!” One more time, she grabbed my shoulders. “Even if you don’t think we can do it, just try it with us, just for fun! Aren’t you the least bit interested in trying it out?”

I moved my hands and stared at her quietly for a long time. The truth was that I was curious about the maze. Not curious enough to want to take a stab at it, but I did tend to enjoy learning more. As my emotions began to deflate, I contemplated whether it might be worth my while to just give in and join her. “Well, what’s your grand plan for solving the maze? At least tell me that much before I make a decision.”

Her small smile evolved into a wide grin. “We’re not going to solve the maze, Arrow. We’re going to destroy it.”

Involuntarily, my facial expression grew to match hers. Whether it worked or not, smashing things was my favorite way to get by obstacles. Even if it was a ridiculous way to attempt to get through the maze, I was willing to hit it as hard as I could, if just for the fun of it. I put my hands on her shoulders as well. “Well then. I suppose there’s no harm in trying.”