𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬

13 | Introductions: Second Attempt

          I decided that Lyric reminded me of a jester.

Not the kind Christina mocked me with while playing Go Fish, but a true jester of the court forever enslaved to humour. He was a falsehood entertainer that became the merriment of laughter, a certified clown which forced out smiles for others.

No, Lyric wasn't as carefree as he made everyone else believe.

I was also playing the same charade, it was like scrutinizing a mirror and all you saw was yourself.

My feet dragged behind his confident steps, still exhausted from the night prior and early morning activities. The blond would send friendly greetings and jokes towards people I've never met, their eyes following our odd descent down various hallways.

"Are you excited for the holiday break?" Lyric grabbed my hand for the hundredth time as it tried to escape the crook of his arm.

My insistent tugging was futile against the student's stronger hold. "It means no classes, so yeah."

"I'll be grateful to toss this stuffy uniform, I bought a ton of new outfits from Italy this summer!"

The nightingale continued his ramblings as I recalled a recent conversation with Connie, stating that I would be staying in the castle, with his own private plans unknown.

"You should come visit me over the break." Lyric grinned as we entered the dining hall, waving to more people that I didn't know.

More students gave us strange looks as I was attached to his arm like a second limb.

"I don't know." My stomach growled as the different flavours of gourmet food wafted through the eating space.

Lyric gave it a pat, ignoring the scowl I sent. "Oh, you probably missed dinner yesterday!"

I clutched my empty abdomen with a sour expression, which seemed to be answer enough for the male.

"In that case, let me help you!" The blond began filling two trays with everything he could find, only giving a sharp glance as I tried to walk off.

My face held amusement as I watched his frenzied actions, impressed by the speed and balance. I was about to tell him that I'd rather sit with my friends and explain last night's absence, but he quickly steered us away.

"Ah, ah, ah—today you're sitting with us."

That can't end good.

We approached a table situated dead center, acknowledging the variety of different expressions coming from its occupants. Zelda gave a zealous wave, grinning widely as we sat down on empty seats. Fable sent a consoling smile for Lyric's flamboyant ways, while Leon obviously did his best to ignore my presence.

Ender and Benedict gave their peer a pointed look as they witnessed my disheveled body being dragged across the room like a ragdoll.

I slapped Lyric's hand away as he attempted to spoon feed me, earning a pout from him.

"Novalie, I hope you made it back to the dorms in one piece last night." Benedict steered his soup. "I would've walked you back if there wasn't so much homework to finish."

"Why is your uniform filthy?" Ender ran his calculating gaze down my form, eyes lingering at places I'd rather he not stray. "There's a branch in your hair."

He watched my hands as they brushed off the small twig.

"Lyric found me this morning leaving the... dorms, he asked if I could help bring fertilizer to the greenhouse." I lied through my teeth, giving a side peek towards Lyric as he merely sent a not so subtle wink.