Chapter 58 58- Never Return A Gift
LEXI
The next morning I am up bright and early. And by that, I mean my alarm goes off and I roll over in bed and refuse to move. The sound cuts through the room far too sharply, insistent and cruel for an hour that feels entirely unreasonable. I burrow deeper into the blankets, turning my face into the pillow like that might somehow make the noise stop. The alarm gets louder. I continue to ignore it, groaning and hiding under the blankets, my body heavy and uncooperative, limbs refusing to remember how mornings work. The magical alarm of the Academy is annoying because there is no snooze button. No button at all. No actual alarm either. A moment later, the blankets fly off of me and the world, or maybe my mattress, tilts sideways. I fall straight out of bed and crash onto the floor. And because I am so tired I just can’t be bothered to even catch myself properly, letting gravity have its way with me.
“Ow!” I grumble, staring up at the bed from the floor and glaring at it like this is somehow its fault. I know I needed to get up, but did the Academy have to be so pushy? Rude. I huff out an irritated sigh as I use the edge of the bed to haul myself up off the floor, muscles protesting as I straighten. Well, let’s look on the bright side. I probably just bruised myself again somehow. I’ll have a chance to practice my healing magic. That’s something at least. For later though. Right now, my feet are kind of achy and I have a slight headache, the dull, lingering kind that sits behind my eyes. From the music? Or maybe just from being up so late. If I did not have to get up and get ready for the trip home right now, I would DEFINITELY be sleeping in. The good news is I don’t need to pack or anything. I didn’t really bring much here, so all my stuff is still at home. Blake might need to bring a few things.
“Hey, can you make sure Blake has stuff for an overnight stay at my home please?” I ask the Academy politely, directing the words toward the air like that’s normal now. A light flickers in response, brief and subtle. Hopefully that means yes. I go splash some water on my face, the cool shock helping just enough, then get dressed. Jeans and a peach coloured t-shirt, comfortable, familiar, low effort. I put on the bracelet and necklace with the pink diamonds, the weight of them settling reassuringly against my skin. I also pull the compass necklace over my head and tuck it into my shirt. Good thing it’s so small. Then, I grab my phone and send off a quick text to my mum.
Lexi: Hey mum. Blake and I are gonna grab breakfast, then we will hop on a bus and head your way.
Mum: Okay sweetheart. I’ll see you both soon! <3
Lexi: See you soon!
It’s still pretty early. I don’t think breakfast is actually available yet… It doesn’t start until 7:30ish I think. But by the time I grab Blake, return the fire diamond jewellery and we walk down there, it might be? It’s worth a shot. I carefully collect the scary expensive jewels, my movements slow and deliberate. I carefully place them all back in the fancy box, checking about ten times to make sure they are all there. I even polish off a smudge, rubbing gently until the surface gleams again. I intend to return these in absolutely perfect condition. I pull on some heeled boots, then head out, the box carefully secured in both hands. I clutch it to my chest as I knock on Blake’s door, acutely aware of the weight of what I’m holding. He answers immediately. He is fully dressed and looks ready to go, like he’s been awake far longer than I have.
“I wasn’t sure if you were up yet.” He comments, his tone casual, eyes already assessing me. I shrug.
“The Academy gave me a rather forceful but efficient wake up call.” I tell him flatly. He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t ask, which somehow feels very on brand. Actually, he doesn’t seem even remotely surprised. I hold out the fancy box. Blake makes no move to take it.
“You could just keep them.” He suggests again, like this is the most reasonable solution in the world. I narrow my eyes.
“We already had this discussion. Unless you want to explain why it matters so much, I’m not keeping them.” I say firmly, not leaving any room for negotiation. Blake makes a face, something between annoyance and reluctant amusement, but eventually reaches out and takes the box.
Blake disappears back into his room and I follow a few steps into the doorway, leaning lightly against the frame as I watch him carefully place the box back on the shelf where it belongs. He doesn’t rush it. He sets it down with deliberate care, like he knows exactly where it goes and exactly how much space it needs. Only once it’s settled does he step back. That’s when I notice a black satchel on the edge of his bed, resting there like it’s been waiting patiently.
“All packed?” I ask, nodding toward it. He nods, but there’s a funny expression on his face, somewhere between irritation and disbelief.
“What?” I ask.
“I’m packed… Sort of.” He says.
“I didn’t pack anything myself, but about twenty minutes ago my closet flew open and this bag was basically launched across the room right at me!” His tone sharpens at the end, clearly offended by the audacity of it. I burst out laughing, the image forming far too easily in my head.
“Academy! That’s not nice.” I lecture, directing the words toward the room at large. The closet door rattles in response, a sharp, petulant sound. Blake narrows his eyes at it suspiciously, shoulders tightening like he’s deciding whether it’s a threat. I giggle, unable to help it.
“Sorry.” I say, still smiling.
“I asked it to make sure you had stuff for tonight. I didn’t think it would launch it at you.” I tell him. My gaze flicks back to the closet, and I can’t help but think about my bedroom door flying open last night, the way the Academy had been so unapologetically physical about getting its point across.
“Hey, you didn’t happen to say something rude to the school, did you?” I ask carefully.
“Or like… Cause any kind of property damage?” I ask, not wanting to accuse him of anything, but it’s a possibility. Blake frowns, genuinely taken aback.
“What? No. I haven’t had a reason to.” He pauses.
“I might have THREATENED to burn down the potions lab but-” He’s cut off as one of his shelves starts to rattle violently. Blake’s eyes widen. He looks alarmed and rushes over, grabbing his collection of random items off of it before anything can fall. I don’t think I have ever seen him look so concerned before. I press my lips together, failing miserably at hiding my laugh.
“I uh… I think the Academy is mad at you.” I tell him, trying for helpful and not quite succeeding.
“Maybe don’t threaten anymore property damage.” I tell him. Blake rolls his eyes but nods, jaw tight as he sets the items down more carefully this time.
“And I bet an apology wouldn’t hurt either.” I suggest lightly. Blake freezes.
“You want me to apologise to a building?” He asks flatly, like he’s daring me to say yes. I shrug.
“Or you can just hope all your stuff is how you left it when you get back tomorrow afternoon.” I say casually. He glances at the shelf, which is still rattling faintly, and lets out a heavy sigh that sounds deeply put-upon.
“Fine. I apologise.” He grumbles. The words look like they physically pain him to say, his posture stiff, shoulders rigid. The shelf immediately goes still.
“See? That wasn’t so bad. Now, breakfast?” I say, pleased. Blake nods.
“One thing first.” He says. He puts the stuff he was holding down, then without hesitation strides straight towards me. He stops right in front of me, close enough that I don’t have time to overthink it. He hooks a finger under my chin, tilts my head back, and kisses me. It’s quick and sweet, warm and certain, over before my brain can catch up, but not before my heart does. He pulls back just enough to look at me.
“Good morning.” He says softly. Then he grabs his bag, hooks my arm over his like it’s the most natural thing in the world, and leads me out the door, locking it firmly behind him.