In many ways, the inside was a miniature version of the classrooms in the main building, with a few tables, stools, microscopes, and solar-powered lanterns that hung throughout the space. They weren’t on now, but I imagined it would be a magical place to work in the evening.
The scent of pine and other fresh woodsy aromas I couldn’t place was strong, and I inhaled deeply as I approached the desk where Professor Bowellia sat. His skin tone was similar to the deep, rich color of the trees, and he wore a local SCC baseball team cap. I deemed him to be in his thirties, and his style was more that of a college student than a professor. No wonder Callan had referred to him as P.B.
“How was the climb up?” He asked, lifting his gaze to meet mine. There were slight crinkles at the corners of his eyes.
“Fine, though Callan helped get me over the last little bit,” I admitted.
Professor Bowellia chuckled. “No surprise there. So, you’re here for your affinity test.”
It wasn’t a question, but I nodded. Professor Bowellia stood and looked out the window to where I assumed Callan’s group was still collecting leaves below.
“Are you afraid of heights?”
I braced myself, wondering what this task was going to ask of me. “A little.”
“Let’s start with the tree ring, then.” He returned to his desk and handed me a tree ring the size of a hubcap. “Tell me how old this tree is.”
I took the ring and set it on a nearby table, starting to count the tree rings as I’d learned in elementary school.
“Not like that,” Professor Bowellia said, voice kind. “Hold on to it for a moment. For most of those with tree affinities, you will be able to tell how old it is without counting the rings.”
Startled, I gripped the ring in both hands and studied it, but I didn’t feel anything.
“Nothing?”
“It… just feels like a piece of wood,” I said, feeling slightly embarrassed.
“That’s all right. Some people have an affinity to the forest, even if not to individual trees. Trees are social creatures, after all. On to test number two.”
I relaxed at his words and followed him out the other side of the tree house with a little more confidence. He seemed so easygoing after the near hour I’d spent with Dr. Lemna.
“We’re going to see how you do with tree walking.”
My feeling of calm quickly evaporated. “Treewhating?” I repeated, trying not to panic at the chance I might have heard him correctly.
“All with tree affinities can walk effortlessly through the canopy, just like they can climb them with ease. The branches in this portion of the canopy are thick and close together. They’ll move even closer to make a path for you, if you have the affinity. It’ll be no more difficult than walking along the plank bridge like you did when you first came up here.”
I tried not to let my shock show. “But, Professor Bowellia, what happens if I don’t have the affinity?”
“Don’t worry. You won’t fall. Remember how Callan helped you up those last few rungs?”
I looked over the railing and saw Callan leaning casually against a tree below us.Great. Of all the people who could be watching as I fell to my death, I would prefer it not to be him.
Professor Bowellia nodded toward the next tree over, and I took a deep breath. If I was going to fall out of a tree today, at least no one could say I hadn’t tried.
I eyed a nearby limb that looked sturdy and, after one last nod of encouragement from P.B., stepped away from the roped path. I let out a sharp gasp of fear as my full body weight transferred to the branch and it sagged slightly.
“Good. Now step to another branch.”
I felt, more than looked, for a close branch and removed one trembling foot from the first branch to step on it. I tried to imagine my fearless childhood years of scrambling up trees, but my legs shook. As I went to transfer my second foot, I let out a scream as I felt myself fall.
Half a breath later, I was still screaming as a gust of air tucked underneath me—as it had when I’d climbed the rungs—and I was floated like a feather to the ground, where I landed with a soft rustle. I could feel my arms and legs shaking, and Callan calmly made his way to my side.
“Are you all right? I’ve never done that without a tree affinity, but I’ve heard it’s no joke. You’re safe on the ground now.”
Professor Bowellia called from the path above. “There’s no surer test than that one. Callan, float me her journal.”
Callan reached for the journal I’d left at the base of the tree with the rungs and floated it on a gust of air and leaves into Professor Bowellia’s hands. A few moments later, he sent it back, and I knew the affinities page now had an additionalnon parsignature.
