Chapter 6: <><><><><><><><> “Grady Ruewen!” My head snaps up from my notebook. “Yes, sir?” Sir Casting narrows his eyes at me—annoyed-style, not Mesmer-style. “Have you decided that just because you’ve manifested, you no longer need to pay attention?” I practically wither in my seat. I’m usually a really good student. But I can’t stop thinking about Edaline. She’s the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen—and she’s brave, too. I’ve never seen any girl as brave as her. The last time I had a crush, I was five years old. It was on a girl named Myria. I got over THAT one pretty quick when she got sent to Exillium, though. I’m still not completely sure why, but I haven’t seen her in nine years, so I don’t really care. But Edaline is so much better than Myria. She’s prettier and braver and kinder. Myria was nice and all, but she would have never stuck up for me the way Edaline did. “No,” I mumble. There are no Mesmer mentors at Foxfire, so instead of being placed in a special-ability-training class like all of the other kids, I was placed in an Advanced Elementism class. I’m honored to be in an advanced class, but I wish I was in a training class. All of the kids in this class look at me like I’m an imp fart. THEY all have special-ability training classes. “I’m sorry, Sir Casting.” He sighs. “It’s fine this time, Grady. But please try to pay more attention in the future.” I nod and turn back to my book, mumbling, “Yes, sir.” In the cafeteria at lunch, I see Edaline sitting alone at a table, reading a book. She glances up, notices me, and waves, beckoning for me to come over. Tray in hand, I head over to Edaline, trying not to get too excited. “Hi,” I say, sitting down. “Oh, um, thanks again. You know, for standing up for me earlier.” She shrugs. “No problem.” It’s silent for a minute, so I point to her book. “What are you reading?” Edaline slides it across the table, and I examine the title. “‘Tips on Manifesting for the Young and Talentless’,” I read aloud. I don’t really know what to say to that, so I just remark, “Nice.” “I’m having trouble manifesting.” Edaline sighs. “I really want to be a Mesmer.” “You’re joking, right?” I raise my eyebrows at her, shocked. “No! Didn’t I tell you earlier? I’d give anything to be a Mesmer!” Edaline smirks. “I would say ‘you’re so lucky’, but I know you’re just going to deny it, so I’m keeping my mouth shut.” I smile. “I’m sure you’ll manifest soon.” Edaline grins back. “Thanks.” She takes a bite of her lunch—the ice-blue mush that tastes like chicken, turns out we have the same favorite—and adds, “Congratulations on manifesting.” It’s the first positive thing I’ve heard about my manifesting—from someone besides my mom, that is. “Thanks.” I blush. “Want to come over to my house after sch—” Edaline starts to say, but she’s cut off by loud snickering. It’s Juren, with a stone-silent Terik standing slightly behind him. Terik’s looking at me, his eyes practically begging me to look back at him, but I don’t. I just stare at my bowl of ice-blue mush, wishing I was allowed to mesmerize them into going away. “I see Grady’s got a girlfriend,” Juren says. To my horror, Terik lets out a weak laugh behind him. “Hey, bro, c’mon.” Juren whirls around and glares at Terik. “I could probably feel your guilt from the Forbidden Cities. What’s up? You’re telling me you actually feel SORRY for this jerk?” “You’re the jerk,” Edaline mutters. “What’d ya say?” Juren demands. “Nothing.” Edaline looks down at her bowl, too. “And by the way, he’s not my boyfriend. We’re just friends. He needed one, after Mr. Popular here dumped him.” She looks directly at Terik, and he withers under her sharp gaze. Edaline’s bravery gives ME the bravery to say, “Just leave us alone, Juren.” “Don’t tell him what to do,” Terik says to me. Stirring my ice-blue mush, I snap, “Shut up, Terik.” “You shut up!” Terik yells back, causing a bunch of kids to look over at our table. “Why don’t we all shut up?” Edaline yells back. “Terik! Juren! Leave us alone.” And with that, she takes her spoon, fills it to the top with mush, and spoons it right onto Juren’s tunic. Juren shrieks. “You—you—” He’s so angry he can’t get the words out. Terik’s keeping himself from smiling, I can tell. I don’t even try to hide it. I burst out laughing. “Weirdos,” Juren grumbles before grabbing Terik by the arm and leading him to the popular kids’ table. Edaline’s laughing, too. We look at each other, our blue eyes crinkling at the corners from our laughter. “That was awesome,” I tell her. She stuffs a mouthful of food into her mouth, swallows, and says, “I try my best.” Her teeth are perfectly white. “Oh, by the way, Edaline?” “Yeah?” “I’d love to come over to your house.” Edaline smiles widely. “Awesome! We can hail our parents after school and make sure it’s okay.” “Actually, I’ve gotta run home first. I have to feed our T-Rex,” I lied. I was REALLY going to change shirts when I got home. I wanted to look nice if I was going to Edaline’s house.
Credit to @Winter-Rain5 for the cover! GRADY IS SMITTEN ♡♡♡
