Chapter 54 Changing Your Mood
Kane's POV
I followed Evelyn out of that damn classroom door. The cold air from the ancient stone walls in the hallway didn't cool down the anger boiling inside me—instead, it was like adding fuel to the fire.
I turned my head and looked at Evelyn walking beside me.
Even though she put on a brave front and walked right out of class with me, I could still feel her grip on my hand tighten — her knuckles going just a little pale.
I could see her unease. She kept her head down, her eyelashes lowered, covering her eyes completely. I didn't know if she was hiding something, but that posture made me feel like something was off.
"Evelyn."
I slipped my hand into my pants pocket, feeling a slight wave of nervousness.
I'd originally planned to slip it on her hand tonight when she wasn't looking, to surprise her, but now... I guess it'll just have to be a little gift to cheer her up.
I came to a halt and gently took out the bracelet — one finely woven from a rare Paleveil Crystal and Frostsilver.
They say it helps stabilize emotions and steady magic power. And the main stone set in it—I picked that out myself. Its color was almost identical to the glow that sometimes flickered in her eyes.
"This... is for you."
"Don't let that person ruin your mood."
I placed the bracelet in her palm, trying to rein in the anger radiating from me, speaking as gently as I could.
Evelyn was clearly drawn to what I said. She looked at the bracelet in her hand. I thought she'd at least show a little smile, but she just shook her head lightly and handed the bracelet back to me.
"Kane, I don't want a bracelet. Let's just stay together. Just having you with me is enough."
The way she said it broke my heart.
She reached out and hugged my waist tightly, burying her face deep in my chest. Her voice came out muffled and full of hurt. "But just now... I felt so useless. I can't even manage a simple transformation. Am I really that stupid?"
Right then, the bracelet in my hand felt incredibly heavy — as if I could hardly bear its weight.
I suddenly realized that for her, filled with self-doubt right now, no expensive gift could fill the unease and emptiness in her heart.
What she needed wasn't a gift to cheer her up, but a deep sense of security, an acceptance and recognition of her own identity.
And I hadn't given her that fundamental recognition in time.
"You're not stupid."
I put the bracelet back in my pocket and wrapped my arms tightly around her. I knew I was using a lot of strength and it might hurt Evelyn a bit, but I just wanted to give her the biggest hug, to let her feel my warmth. "It's that old man Ambrose who's blind and can't teach properly. You just haven't found the key to unlock that door yet. It's not your fault at all."
"Besides, we're still figuring out what kind of shapeshifter you are, right? Once we find out, none of this will be hard for you."
Since things like bracelets couldn’t lift her mood, I would try another approach to distract her.
"Come on, I'm taking you somewhere."
I took her still-cold hand and instead of heading back to the dorm, I led her through the long corridor to the cafeteria.
We bought a bunch of her favorite foods—sandwiches stuffed with thick ham, orange juice, those strawberry cakes she loves with thick frosting, fresh yogurt, and a whole bunch of other stuff.
Then I brought her to the hidden little lawn behind the library.
This was the most privatized and peaceful part of Thornwick Academy, enclosed by tall yew trees. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, creating dappled patterns of light and shadow on the grass.
I spread a checkered picnic blanket on the soft grass and carefully arranged all the delicious food.
I set out a fluffy little cushion for her, with a folded fleece blanket nearby.I was afraid she might get cold in this weather, but when you're feeling down, fresh air and the outdoors are exactly what you need.
"A picnic?"
Evelyn looked up at me, surprised. The gloom in her eyes finally lifted a little, and they began to regain some of their old sparkle.
"Yeah, a picnic."
I sat down beside her, picked up a piece of strawberry tart, and carefully brought it to her lips, then covered her with the little blanket. "Just the two of us. No one to bother us."
She took a bite of the strawberry cake, and that sweet flavor seemed to chase away the very last bit of sadness lingering in her heart. The corners of her mouth finally curved into a faint smile.
We sat on the grass like that, shoulder to shoulder, enjoying this rare afternoon together, temporarily forgetting the unpleasantness from class.
As we ate, she suddenly seemed to remember something. A mischievous smile curved her lips, and her eyes lit up.
"Kane, you know what? In Basic Potions today, that irritating Sally tried to mess up my herbs, but in the end, that whole bottle of Silvermoon Dust spilled all over her hands and all over her body."
As she said this, there was some satisfaction of revenge in her tone, not hiding her dislike for that person at all. "She was screaming, never expecting the academy to help me. Professor Martin kicked her right out."
"And just now, when we walked out of the classroom, that heavy door just swung open by itself with a 'bang'! You saw it, right? I think... the academy is helping us."
She looked at me, her eyes twinkling like stars, and just kept chattering on without a pause. It seemed she had really let go of everything that had upset her before.
I listened to her description, wondering why the academy would help her.
"Kane? What's wrong? Why are you spacing out?"
Seeing me silent for so long, Evelyn waved her hand in front of my eyes, interrupting my thoughts.
"It's nothing."
I quickly came back to myself and gave her a glass of orange juice, concealing the questions in my thoughts.
Time flew by. Three o'clock in the afternoon.
Evelyn's next class was Vicky's Magical Healing and First Aid 101.
Evelyn really liked this class. She'd told me she wanted to learn how to save people, how to protect those around her. She no longer wanted to be the helpless one who needed protection.
"Kane! Let's go, I need to get to class, or I'll be late!"
"Okay, let's go!"
She slipped her hand into mine, and together we walked toward the academic building.
I watched her walk into the classroom. "I don't have class this afternoon. I'm going to the library to look up some information. When your class is over, I'll come get you and we can go eat together, okay?"
"Okay."
Only then did she let go of my hand with relief and turn to walk into the classroom.
I stood at the door, watching her form vanish behind it — until the door was shoot finally shut again.
Then I turned around and headed to the library.
I needed to research Evelyn's characteristics again and figure out exactly what kind of shapeshifter she is. I can't let today happen again, or I'll really lose my mind.