Page 11 of Group Studies

Having my own kids hadn’t ever occurred to me. The idea was so foreign I struggled to even wrap my head around it.

We made it to the locker rooms. Roisin was waiting for me by the door. She scowled at Saffron for whatever she saw on my face. I didn’t elaborate, and Roisin knew better by now than to pry.

By the time we’d changed into our athletic uniforms and lined up with everyone else, Saffron was already with his group of friends. He gave me a lingering once over, before dismissing me like he always did in front of others.

My stomach sank. We were alone on our walk here with my magic coursing through his veins. He might have opened up, but nothing actually changed.

I looked around for Ashe, but he often cut GS, and today was no exception. General Sports was one of the only classes we had together, as he tested mostly into the middle tiered classes. This morning he’d mentioned joining a Coterie too, more time apart.

Instead of asking him what he was thinking about joining, I moved on like he hadn’t said it. Jealousy I shouldn’t feel ate at my heart. He was my friend, we were the team who didn’t fit in. Now even he was adapting better than me. I was a terrible friend, and Ashe was way too good a guy to get stuck with me and my morally questionable magic.

“It’s kickball today!” Coach Robin announced.

I leaned my head back and groaned. Minutes later I was separated from Roisin as well. I stood with a group, including Ram, as Mercedes lectured us on strategy. Fortunately, Ram, looking like the meat head powerlifter he was, left me alone. He seemed solely focused on a cute blonde girl I didn’t know.

Once all the rules were explained, I found myself standing uselessly in the outfield. Not ten minutes in one of the red balls of hate hit me hard enough to take me out of the game. Coach Robin let me keep the bag of peas I had pressed to my shoulder.

After changing back into my uniform, I took a deep breath. Today Saffron had his Coterie right after GS. He and Mercedes always went to his martial arts club together. Although Roisin or Tanwyn might have waited for me, I sincerely doubted it. I needed to be strong like I was in the busy cafeteria or halls. I had to stop being afraid of being caught out alone.

After a very brave peek through the doors revealed nothing. I scampered out, booking it for the closest entrance to my dorm wing. Part way there, movement out of the corner of my eye made me glance to the side.

About a hundred feet to my left, two MA agents flanked a student. I recognized the tweens' posture and sucked in a breath. Derek, my freckled friend who taught me how to use phones and filled me in during my remedial classes, looked between the two agents.

I didn’t hear what anyone said, but I watched in horror as Derek’s eyes flew wide. He brought up his hands to protect his face, but the MA agent changed the direction of his punch and nailed my friend in the gut. Derek went down. The MA’s laughter traveled to me as the two headed back toward the Institute. I stayed frozen until I was sure they’d not seen me. Once they disappeared, I bolted to my friend’s side.

Derek got himself up by the time I arrived.

He flushed. “Nothing happened,” he said, moving his hand away from his stomach. “I uh, tripped.”

I shook my head. “No. They hit you. I saw it. Ashe says they’re the good guys. They shouldn’t be hitting anyone.”

“Ashe says they’re the good guys,” Derek mimicked.

I swallowed. “I didn’t say I believed him.”

“No, I didn’t mean about you,” Derek said. He put his hand on my elbow. “Pretend nothing happened. Are you helping us with potions still? Do you want to stick together and head there now?”

I nodded, relieved not to walk alone. “Should you go to the medical wing?”

“No,” Derek answered, walking a little stiffly. “It’s good, I’m good, everything’s good.” He held out a hand. “May I walk you to our lounge, my lady?”

I narrowed my eyes and placed my bag of peas in his palm.

Neither of us said anything as he pressed the plastic to his stomach.

I forced a smile I didn’t feel on my face and took his offered arm. “Let’s see what unique chemical reactions you’ve discovered this week.”

Derek’s own forced smile joined mine. I tried to shake off the bad feeling creeping into my stomach but couldn’t.

Chapter 4

I loved working with Derek and his friends. By the time we figured out what they did wrong during class, my spirits were sky-high.

The dinner rush had just ended when I waltzed into the cafeteria and sat at my little table tucked into a far corner. Roisin spotted me and left her usual knitting Coterie to join me.

“Ouch, Coach Robin let you keep the peas this time?” She asked.

I pressed the bag of now warm green dots a little harder against what would be a nasty bruise on my shoulder.