Chapter 9 9- Do Not Trust Anyone With That Smile
LEXI
I am minorly concerned that Blake doesn’t seem to see anything wrong with potentially murdering people and burning down villages if they mess with him. But it’s not like he said he’s PLANNING to hunt people down for no reason. So it’s not likely to be a problem unless someone screws him over… Which now that I think about it is entirely possible based on how I have seen everyone treating him so far. Well damn… I decide to change the subject to something less destructive.
“What’s your class after lunch? I apparently have Medicinal Magic.” I tell him. Blake checks his schedule then snorts.
“Flying Basics. Which is stupid. Like I haven’t been flying my entire life.” He grumbles.
“Fair, but you’re not the only person IN the class. Besides, there’s a difference between doing something and understanding it. Maybe the class will surprise you. No one knows everything. If there isn’t anything new, well at least it will be a relaxing and easy pass class for you.” I reason. Blake looks contemplative.
“You’re a bit of an optimist, aren’t you?” He comments, making an overdramaticised expression of disgust. I shrug.
“Maybe.” I pull out my phone to check the time. We have fifteen more minutes.
“We should probably figure out where our next classes are. I THINK I know where mine is.” I go to put my phone back in my pocket, then pause.
“Can I get your number?” I hand Blake my phone. His eyes widen and he gives a stiff nod. He takes my phone and takes a moment to type in his number and hands my phone back. I open the camera.
“Smile for your profile pic!” I say in a singsong voice. Blake raises an eyebrow doubtfully and I snap the photo.
“Perfect. Now, just a second.” I text him a smiley face and wait for his phone to go off.
“Now you have my number too.” I tell him. I am just slipping my phone back in my pocket when I hear the camera sound from Blake’s phone. I look up and raise an eyebrow, he has a smirk on his face.
“For YOUR profile picture.” He says. I shrug.
“Alright, well we had better find our classes.” I stand up.
“I will walk you to class first.” Blake says firmly. I smile. That’s awfully chivalrous of him. And we have time, so I’m not going to complain.
“Sure, if you want. I think it’s this way.” I answer. It only takes a couple of minutes to find my classroom, and when we reach the door, Blake hovers in the hallway like he doesn’t actually want to leave. Or, more accurately… Like he doesn’t want to go to his class at all.
“I’ll talk to you later, alright?” I tell him, leaning lightly against the doorframe.
“We can get dinner or something. Text me. But you really should go now, you don’t want to be late for class.” I point out. Blake snorts, unimpressed.
“No, we wouldn’t want that.” He says, dripping sarcasm. Yeah, I’m starting to think he is not the most dedicated student on campus.
“I’ll see you later then.” He adds. Then he gives me one last glance before turning and heading back the way we came. I watch him disappear around the corner, then take a breath and slip into my classroom.
I’m early for class, earlier than I meant to be, and only a couple of students are here already. They’re sitting together near the front, chatting in the easy, familiar way people do when they’ve known each other for years. Which… Yeah. Most of these people probably have. I slip into a seat in the middle of the room and let out a slow breath. It feels like a safe choice, not too ‘eager front row,’ not too ‘hiding in the back.’ Neutral. Invisible. My morning went fairly well… I think. Blake was surprisingly easy to talk to once he got going. He’s quiet, but there’s a steadiness to him that makes me feel grounded instead of nervous. He seems nice. Well… Nice to me at least. I doubt that anyone else here would agree. But they aren’t particularly nice to him either. Still, I think he and I will be good friends. I’m less sure about Mallory… She’s sweet enough on the surface, but there’s a scattered, ‘everyone is my best friend’ energy about her that feels… Flimsy. Like she stretches herself thin to be liked by every single person in the room, which usually means she doesn’t actually have anyone she’s close to. And definitely not someone who stands their ground. She seems like someone who wants to be liked more than she wants to be genuine. I could be being a little judgey right now, but her attitude toward Blake was a giant red flag. I cannot stand when people judge others based on gossip or family expectations or old grudges. If you’re going to dislike someone, at least meet them first THEN decide that they suck. The room fills up quickly after that. Chairs scrape, the low hum of conversation builds. Within minutes, almost every seat is taken. Except the one beside me. Of course. I try not to take it personally, honestly, it makes sense. I don’t know anyone and they want to sit with their friends. But it still stings. Even with Blake’s number in my phone, the empty chair acts like some kind of spotlight on how out-of-place I am here. Right before class starts, the door bangs open and Mallory rushes in, breathless and frazzled, like she’s been sprinting across campus. Her eyes sweep the room. I watch her take in the sea of occupied seats, see the relief flicker… Then die as she spots the single empty chair next to me. Her posture stiffens. Her expression flickers. Then she plasters on a bright, sugary smile that is so painfully fake it gives me a toothache. She sits.
“Hi, Mallory.” I greet, trying to keep my tone light.
“Hello, Alexis.” She says, her tone neutral. Alexis? What happened to calling me Lexi. I notice her tight expression. Oh. So that’s how it’s going to be. I guess ignoring her warning about Blake was enough to downgrade me from ‘new potential friend’ to ‘formal acquaintance she’d rather pretend she doesn’t know.’ I push on anyway. What’s the worst that can happen? She ignores me? Been there. Done that.
“How’s your day been so far? Did you like our first class? I thought it was interesting, but then again I don’t know anything so it’s all new to me.” I say cheerfully. Mallory exhales sharply, an annoyed, weary little sigh, then turns to face me properly. Her expression softens in that condescending way people use right before they tell you something they think you need to hear.
“Look, you seem nice, really you do. But Aaron hates dragons, and if you’re talking to Blake, I really can’t afford to be seen talking to you. None of the wolves in this school will.” She tells me. Her tone implies that she’s doing me a favour right now. I blink at her. Hard.
“Are you telling me that if I am friends with Blake, you won’t be friends with me?” I ask bluntly. Mallory gives a helpless little shrug, like SHE’S the victim here, like this is some tragic inevitability.
“It’s just how it is. You can’t play both teams. You have to pick a side.” She answers. I laugh. Loudly. Because the alternative is screaming. I laugh until I realise she isn’t joking, her expression is earnest, almost pleading, like she genuinely thinks the world works this way. Like this is a normal conversation to have before your second class of the day. What is this, kindergarten? Pick-a-side recess politics? Absolutely not.
“Fine.” I say, straightening in my seat.
“I’m taking my own side. And MY side says I can talk to whoever I want. If YOU choose not to speak to me, that’s entirely on you. Don’t make your problems my problems.” I say firmly. Her mouth falls open slightly, like she can’t believe I didn’t fall in line. Before she can respond, the classroom door opens and a woman in teal robes steps inside, the teacher. I turn toward the front of the room, entirely done with Mallory and her wolf-pack-approved social rules. Her stunned silence lingers at my side like a confused little cloud, but I ignore it completely.