Page 62 of Self Studies
The Alchemist continued, “It doesn’t excuse you for not having your book out; we’re on page thirty-seven.”
I hurried back to my seat, trying to remember if she’d told me that when I came in or not.
I couldn’t help but glance at the other students. Saffron sat, scowling, front and center, along with a few others from Metaphysics. Including Ram. Yasmine, one of the Dealership, smiled and gave me a wave. I couldn’t handle any more judgment today. I averted my eyes to the floor before I could even try to interpret their expressions.
Alchemist Blickenstaff lectured efficiently. Much like her alchemy class, once through, she released us to practice on our own. I sighed. The calligraphy pen in my hands felt familiar, in a good way. Peace I’d not felt all day settled into my chest as I drew patterns that soothed my soul.
“It doesn’t look like you need to practice that one,” a baritone voice said.
I smiled to myself, still lost in my work. “Repetition creates control. Nothing in the world matters more than control.” Damon’s words slipped out of my mouth. I flinched, the calligraphy pen making a streak across my rune.
“Careful,” the man said.
I dropped the pen and looked up at the speaker. The Natural Mage from Metaphysics gave me a shy smile. My fingers curled as I remembered his dream dog’s fluffy coat running between them.
I ducked my head. “Tanwyn, was it?”
“Tanwyn it is. Good memory.” His tattooed hands sliced through the air as he spoke.
I drew my attention back to his face. “Is there something I can help you with?”
My pulse raced, and I braced myself, waiting for the temperature to suddenly flux or maybe the floor to rise and hit me on the back of the head.
He cleared his throat. “Um, well, no. I was taking a little mental break and couldn’t help but notice how clean your runes are.”
I eyed him suspiciously. “I like runes. I like the patterns.” My neck hurt a little with the force of my nod as I felt the truth of my words. “They’re soothing.”
“I see,” Tanwyn said awkwardly. “I like them too, though maybe not as much as you.” He smiled, and his dark features lit up. A piece of straight black hair fell into his eyes, and he brushed it away.
I blushed and cut off my babbling. “I’m sorry. Can you just talk before I make this more awkward?”
His smile grew, dimpling his cheeks. “What class do you have next? I’ve got Advanced Alchemy, same room, so that’s nice.”
“Same and then ending with GS, again.” I wasn’t at all excited about that.
“It looks like Kickball might not have been your best activity,” Tanwyn responded.
I rubbed the purple bruise on my cheek and studied the wood grains on my table.
Tanwyn took a step closer. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
I shook my head and looked back up at him. “It’s not that; I’m….”
“You don’t have to explain,” Tanwyn said as I trailed off.
His hand found mine, and he gave it a brief but comforting squeeze. “Um, sorry if this is too forward. Do you want to exchange phone numbers?”
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. But as of yet, no new terrible things had burst into my subconscious or tried to burn me. I fished out my phone. Tanwyn took it and hunched over, giving me a glimpse of Saffron trying to burn holes into the Natural Mage’s backside. Tanwyn stood straight, blocking my view of Saffron, and set my phone down on the table. “I better get going before Abe notices I’ve left my workstation.”
“Abe?” I asked.
“Alchemist Blickenstaff – ‘A’ ‘Be’, Abe. It’s what a lot of us call her when she’s not listening.”
“Listening to what?” Alchemist Blickenstaff seemed to appear out of thin air in front of my table. “Off with you, Tanwyn. Aphrodite, I want you to go into the ingredients closet and begin sorting and labeling everything in there alphabetically. You don’t need more practice on this. Let’s confirm your alchemy skills in advance, shall we?”
Alchemist Blickenstaff gave me a terrifying smile. I slid off my stool and moved to the chilled pantry. She might be trying to punish me, but jokes on her. I love sorting, and inanimate objects were way better than people.
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