The Mating School

Chapter 33

A week had passed, and Lily had still not been able to tell Anne and Sophie about the ..adjustment to her schedule. She'd missed two Agility classes and the third was just about to start.

She walked with Anne and Sophie from the dining hall. It was nice to be there, with them. Particularly now when things had changed so much. That at least for now.. in this moment it was like it had been at the start of school.

She'd have to tell them about the Lycan classes though. She wasn't sure why she stalled so much. Maybe because it felt like admitting she was different... Then again.. she had already really. It was just that this schedule change seemed like a more obvious ..segregation. Segregation from her friends, but from the other students also.

Then again, the students in the hall walked far away from her already. And Sophie and Anne.. they knew, and they walked with her still.

Would they tease her about having classes with the strong and attractive Lycan Ryan? Anne would tease no doubt...

Lily knew the time had come to tell them. They were getting closer to the courtyard. Her class was in the other direction. 

"Hey guys?" said Lily.

"What's up?" said Sophie.

"Um.. well. Um, actually," said Lily.

"Are you ready," said a new voice. The voice of Ryan.

"I-" said Lily. She could practically hear her friends' thoughts. Anne was surely thinking, 'Omg, they're mates.' While Sophie was thinking, 'They do make a nice couple...'

"It's not like that!" said Lily at last. "I have to go.. for class. For new class." There she'd done it.

"A.. new class," Anne said behind her hand to Sophie with a giggle. 

Sophie giggled too, but mostly because of how uncomfortable Lily was looking. "Sounds like fun."

"Hi Ryan!" said Anne once he got closer. "Heard a lot about you-"

But she broke off when Lily elbowed her. 

Lily wasn't sure what to say. The first thing that came to mind was, 'Anne hasn't heard anything actually. She's lying.' But she caught herself before she said it. "Can't take you anywhere," she said instead to Anne. But she couldn't help but laugh with them. It was nice to laugh despite all the stress and change that had happened recently.

Besides, she might as well let them think what they will about her and Ryan if it makes them happy. The reality was they were not mates. And yet, as Lycans, it seemed their fates had been irrevocably entangled. 

Walking with Ryan towards the grand staircase, Lily couldn't help but feel that, that wasn't a bad thing. 

"I would have gotten to the new classroom on my own you know," said Lily.

"Naw, you would have been late," said Ryan. "I watched you leave the dining hall. Going in the wrong direction. Their reactions were very enjoyable. Well worth the detour."

"Laugh all you want," said Lily. "I'm the one who will have to try to convince them we're not a couple."

"They'll figure out that we're not sooner or later," said Ryan. "No need to spoil their fun."

"I suppose you're right," said Lily. They were getting closer to the new classroom now. "I guess there are more important things to be focusing on now anyway."

Ryan nodded as he opened the door. Inside Lily was surprised to see Christy.

"Hi, guys! Hurry up would ya? We have magic to be learning!"

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