Chapter 23 Courtesy Requires Reciprocity
Cecilia Blackwood's POV
Suddenly, there was a knock at my dorm door. Thinking Kane had forgotten something and come back for it, I hurried over with a smile. "Did you forget—"
My words died on my lips, and the smile vanished from my face. Standing there were Rowan and her two friends. "What are you doing here?"
My tone wasn't friendly, but I had every reason. After they threw my mother's necklace into the fountain, we weren't friends anymore—we weren't even acquaintances.
Eddie forced out a strained smile. "We… we came to apologize."
"Apologize?" I was confused. "For what?"
Domi jumped in. "For what happened in class this morning, of course. We were wrong to report you to the teacher. We're sorry."
Rowan quickly bowed her head. "Please forgive us."
Seeing the three of them so humble and respectful left me stunned.
These were the same girls who'd been so arrogant before. The contrast was jarring. And why would they apologize for such a minor incident when they'd never apologized for throwing my necklace away? It made no sense.
Just then, students from other rooms, drawn by the commotion, emerged into the hallway.
"What's going on with those three? Why are they all bowing? Are they apologizing?"
"God, how embarrassing. Three people showing up at night to apologize—what did they even do?"
"Are they trying to butter her up so they can get close to that Dark Mage?"
At that last comment, all three visibly tensed. As if they'd ever want to get close to Kane! Even lies had limits.
I was still too dazed to respond to their apology.
Rowan took a deep breath and bowed even lower. "We know we were wrong. Please forgive us."
"Huh?" I finally snapped out of it. "Oh. Fine, I forgive you. Just don't bother me again, and I won't bother you either."
I could keep that promise. After spending so long being invisible, I was an expert at staying out of people's way.
The three of them didn't linger. They turned and hurried off, clearly eager to escape.
After they left, I stood frozen in place, unable to process what had just happened.
"They actually apologized? Why would they do that? A sudden attack of conscience? Is that even possible?"
Just as I was puzzling it over, I spotted Kane in the distance. Everything clicked into place.
It was Kane! It had to be him!
I rushed over to him. "Did you make them apologize to me?"
"Yes," Kane nodded calmly. "They should apologize."
"What did you do to them? Did you use force?" My voice rose with worry—not for Rowan and her friends, but for Kane. If this got reported to the academy, he could be in serious trouble.
Perhaps I hadn't even realized it yet, but I'd grown so accustomed to Kane's presence. He couldn't afford any trouble.
"No," Kane shook his head. "I just had a word with them."
The phrase "had a word" made me laugh despite myself.
First of all, would someone like Kane really "have a word" with anyone? And even if he did, would they actually listen?
"You're sure you just talked? You didn't use force?"
"I'm sure."
Hearing his confirmation, I relaxed slightly. "Good. As long as you didn't use force. But you need to remember—never use force on campus!"
"The teachers and students already have issues with you. If you start using violence, you'll definitely get expelled!"
My expression was deadly serious. This wasn't a joke.
Kane nodded again. "I understand. Get some rest. I'll bring you breakfast tomorrow."
"No, no, I can get my own. What do you want? I'll bring you something." I felt guilty always having Kane bring me breakfast.
Like I'd said before, we were friends. That meant things should be equal. We should take turns bringing breakfast.
"I'll bring it."
But Kane's stubborn streak was showing again. I could only give in. "Fine, fine. You can bring it. But just for this week. Next week, it's definitely my turn!"
I was about to leave when Kane pulled a black bracelet from his pocket and held it out to me.
It matched the ring he'd given me before—clearly part of a set.
"What are you doing? Another gift?"
"Yes."
I shook my head firmly. "No way. I shouldn't have accepted the ring last time. That was only a few days ago, and now you're giving me a bracelet? You can't keep doing this!"
"We're friends. If you keep giving me gifts, I'll feel terrible!"
This was the truth. So far, I had no idea what he needed or what I could possibly give him in return.
If I just kept accepting gifts, it felt like our relationship was becoming unbalanced.
Kane shook his head. "You won't feel terrible. These two items are a set. They should be with you."
"Still no. I haven't given you anything. How can I keep accepting things from you? It's not right!"
"It's right."
"It's not right."
Kane's lips curved into a faint smile. "It really is right."
I slapped my forehead, completely at a loss.
Perhaps seeing my distress, Kane finally compromised. "When my birthday comes, you can give me something then."
"No!" I rejected the idea immediately.
I still didn't know when his birthday was. What if he made up a date or claimed it had already passed this year? When would I ever get the chance? And in the meantime, Kane would probably give me even more gifts. What then?
I thought for a long moment before finding a solution. "How about this—we're going to Marina's next week, right? I'll bring gifts for both you and Marina!"
"You don't need to. We—"
"If you won't accept my gift, I won't accept this bracelet. And I'll return the ring you gave me before too."
"If you won't accept my gifts, I can't accept yours. That's only fair!"
In the end, Kane couldn't argue with me. He nodded. "Alright. I'll do as you say."
I smiled with satisfaction. "That's better. Don't always think about giving. Otherwise our friendship won't last."
Kane's body visibly stiffened. His voice dropped to barely a whisper. "It will last."