Chapter 37 37- Do Not Assume ‘Mine’ Is Just a Nickname
LEXI
After breakfast, we still have a bit of time before classes since we went so early and skipped the line. It was all very efficient. Almost suspiciously so. I can’t decide whether I feel clever for it or faintly guilty. Probably both. After we finish eating, I ask Blake to go for a walk with me.
“I spent most of yesterday lying down, I’m a little antsy.” I explain. It’s true. My body feels fine now, but there’s a restless energy under my skin, like I need to move just to remind myself that I can. Blake shrugs, easy and unbothered.
“Sure, why not.” He agrees easily. He gets to his feet and, without hesitation, takes my hand and loops it over his arm like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Not possessive. Not showy. Just… Settled. Like this is where I go. And I’m getting very used to it. I started reaching for his arm before he even grabbed my hand this time. Off we go. As we walk, I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I pull it out with my free hand and glance at the screen. Messages from Mum.
Mum: Are you and your friend still coming on the weekend?
I smile despite myself and tilt my phone toward Blake so he can read it too. He barely needs to glance at it before nodding.
“Yes.” He agrees. Immediate. No hesitation. No qualifiers. I feel something warm bloom in my chest at that.
“Great.” I murmur, already typing.
Lexi: Yeah we will. I think we will leave here Saturday morning, so we will probably get there at about 11? And then we might stay the night if you’re happy to set up the guest room?
The reply comes quickly.
Mum: Sure, no problem. Does your friend have any dietary restrictions or other requirements for staying over?
I pause, reading it twice. Then I tilt my head toward Blake again.
Lexi: I don’t think so? He prefers to eat meat though. I’ll check if there is anything else.
Mum: Sure.
I lower my phone and glance up at Blake.
“Hey, is there anything you’ll need to stay at my place this Saturday night? I told Mum you like eating meat and stuff. Is there anything else? She’s asking.” I inform him. He slows slightly as we walk, thoughtful. There’s a brief hesitation, not discomfort exactly, just… Consideration.
“So yes? What is it?” I prompt lightly.
“Well…” He says, then clears his throat. “
Does your home have good heating? If not then… Some thick blankets or something.” He suggests. I blink, caught off guard. For half a second my brain stutters, then it clicks.
“Oh. Yeah. That makes sense.” I agree. He likes warmth. Needs it, probably. I don’t know why that detail feels oddly intimate, but it does. Maybe because it’s kind of like he’s almost admitting a weakness.
“The heating’s fairly good. But I’ll let Mum know anyway, just in case.” I reassure him. I type it out and send it off. Mum responds with a thumbs up almost immediately.
“There we go. Easy peasy.” I say brightly. Blake watches me like I’ve just performed a minor miracle. There’s a faint crease between his brows, something like confusion. I don’t think people ask about his comfort very often. I change the subject, not wanting to make a big deal out of it. Stuff like that SHOULD be normal.
“I heard the Academy has a really cool library.” I add, eager to shift the mood back to something lighter.
“Can we go there later tonight? Before dinner? I want to check it out.” I ask. He raises an eyebrow, considering, then shrugs.
“Alright.” He agrees.
“Then a movie after dinner?” He adds, as if it’s simply the next logical step in the plan. I nod, smiling.
“Sounds perfect.” I answer. I pull my daily schedule out of my bra. Blake’s eyebrow goes up again and I shrug.
“I don’t have pockets in this outfit.” I inform him. He huffs out something between a laugh and a sigh as I unfold the paper.
Schedule – Alexis Elle
Daily schedules can be found on the table by bed each morning. Please carry it with you at all times. Schedule may change at any time.
THURSDAY
5am – Early wake up / Reading
7am – Get ready
8am – Breakfast / With Blake Nyvas
9am – Basic Potion Making
10.30am – Basic Spellcasting
12pm – Shifter Basics
1.30pm – Lunch break / With Blake Nyvas
2.30pm – Medicinal Magic
4pm – Free time / Individual Study – Library / With Blake Nyvas
7pm – Dinner / With Blake Nyvas
ANNOUNCEMENT – Dance Theme to be announced at dinner.
8pm – Movie / With Blake Nyvas
Academy Gates are locked at midnight. They will not be open again until seven am for any reason.
“Oh!” I perk up.
“Hey, did you see that? We get to find out more about the dance tonight. Probably a good thing since it’s literally tomorrow.” I comment. Then I grimace dramatically.
“I sincerely hope the Academy is planning to provide our outfits like normal, because I am not prepared otherwise.” I point out. Then, without thinking twice, I speak out loud.
“Academy?” I ask. Blake gives me a bemused look.
“I don’t think it’s going to answer you.” He says, vaguely amused. I shrug. At that exact moment, we pass a tall window. The glass rattles gently, just once, like someone tapping it with a knuckle. There’s no wind. No one nearby. I glance at it, then smile to myself.
“I think that was my answer.” I say happily, feeling reassured. Blake keeps walking, oblivious. I don’t say anything else. He’s not quite convinced yet. That’s fine. The Academy, apparently, has patience.
My first class is, of course, potions class. And I am… More than a little nervous about it today. I don’t say anything at first, but Blake knows anyway. He always does. There’s a subtle shift in his attention, the way his steps match mine a little more closely, the way his posture adjusts, like he’s bracing for something before it happens.
“You don’t have to go.” He says calmly. Not harsh. Not demanding. Just stating a fact, like it’s an option he’s genuinely prepared to support. I frown up at him.
“Of course I do. I want to learn. And my grades are important to me.” I remind him. He studies me for a moment, golden eyes steady, assessing, not doubting me, just making sure this is my decision. Then he nods once.
“Alright. Let’s go then.” He agrees. That’s it. No argument. No warning. No visible tension. It’s… Almost suspicious how easy he accepts it. Which probably means he’s very confident that whatever he did yesterday worked. That thought is vaguely alarming. But Blake did say he handled it, and while I don’t necessarily approve of his methods, I trust his results. Blake doesn’t bluff. He doesn’t posture. When he decides something needs to be done, it simply… Gets done. He walks me to class, steady and unhurried at my side. His presence is solid, grounding. Like nothing bad could possibly happen while he’s here, because he simply wouldn’t allow it. I dream of having that kind of confidence. When we reach the door, I pause, automatically expecting him to let go of my hand. He doesn’t. Instead, he just keeps walking. Right into the classroom. I blink, startled, as he leads me inside like this is exactly where he’s meant to be.
“Which seat is yours?” He asks, not lowering his voice at all.
“Uh… That one?” I point. He nods and guides me over without comment. Only once I’m safely seated does he release my hand, stepping back just enough to give me space, my space. Around us, the room has gone strangely still. Other students have frozen mid-motion, mid-conversation, unsure what they’re witnessing. No one speaks. No one even seems to breathe properly.
“Thanks for walking me, Blake.” I say softly. He nods, acknowledging it, but he doesn’t move. At all. I glance up at him, confused. He stands beside my desk like a silent sentinel, arms relaxed at his sides, gaze slow and deliberate as it sweeps the room. He isn’t glaring exactly. He isn’t threatening. He’s just… Present. Unmovable. Then Professor Matthews walks in. The moment he sees Blake, the colour drains slightly from his face. He falters for half a second before schooling his expression. Blake turns his head just enough to meet the professor’s eyes. It’s a brief look. Calm. Measured. But unmistakable. Professor Matthews gives a tiny nod in response. Message received. My stomach flips. That is… Unsettling. I glance between them, suddenly very aware that I might be sitting in the safest seat in the entire Academy, or the most dangerous. Blake notices my expression instantly. His posture softens. He steps closer and reaches down, carefully hooking one loose strand of hair that’s sticking out of my ponytail. His fingers move slowly, gently, smoothing it back into place with practiced ease. The touch is light. Familiar. Reassuring.
“Take care. Call if you need anything.” He says quietly. Not if something happens. Not if there’s trouble. Just if you need anything. I nod, suddenly unable to find words. Blake straightens, gives one last deliberate look around the room. There’s no anger in it, just a promise, and then turns and walks out without another word. The door closes behind him. And for the first time since yesterday, I realise something important. I’m still nervous, who wouldn’t be? But despite everything that happened, I’m not afraid.