“And that’s the final test.” Professor Snakewood announced he looked around the class one last time as Magnus Black sheepishly returned to his seat. Snakewood picked up the stack of papers. “I will run these through the grading artifice. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves until I return.”

  “Wow. That was a lot harder than I’d expected.” Yunaivis murmured, scooting over to sit beside me, her warmth emanating even from a foot away. She brushed back her dark brown hair to reveal her flower of the day, a lavender clover. I set my head on the table. “How was it for you, Holl?”

  “It felt terrible.” I muttered.

  “Ah, you’re just saying that.” Ash said with a smirk, sitting in the newly emptied seat beside me, I glanced over at her. “We all know you’ll get into the top five test scores, again.”

  “Probably top three. You were one of the first few completions.” Yunaivis said, I slowly lifted my head. “And besides, you don’t need that test to get into any universities.”

  “Thanks.” I muttered, letting out a sigh. “I’m just glad it’s done with and I can take a break from relentless studies.”

  “For two weeks.” Ash nodded, her amber eyes seemingly growing duller at the time constraints. “Then it’s right back to classes.”

  “I can’t wait to get home.” Melody came over, butting into the conversation. She flared out her dress as she sat on the desk in front of me. “My mother sent me a message before the start of my test, I’ve already received seven application returns.”

  “That sounds great.” Yunaivis nodded.

  “Now I’m not too excited to get out of here.” I grumbled.

  “Oh shut up, Holly. You’ve probably got five acceptance letters, and twenty other letters asking you to attend indie schools.” Ash snapped.

  “Yeah, you’re third in our year.” Melody said, eying me. “You’ve got literally nothing to worry about.”

  “I suppose you’re right.”

  “We are!” Ash hissed. “Stop being a worry-horse!”

  “You know she can’t help it.” Yunaivis defended, wrapping an arm around me as if to protect me. “She’s eternally anxious about classes!”

  “And we all know why that is.” Ash said with a grin crossing her face. My face suddenly went hot as my mind realized what she implied. “Speaking of whom…”

  “How’s it going, girls?” A boy asked, stepping up to our four with group. He swung his arms to stretch them, each time flashing his newest bruise. He looked around at our expressions. “Did the test really go that bad?”

  “Certainly not.” Ash replied. She glanced at me. “Holly is just doing her self-doubt routine.”

  “It’s not a routine!”

  “It most certainly is.” John Graves said, stepping out from behind Jareth, the boy who had spoken first. “So, Melody. How’d it go for you?”

  “Alright, I guess.” Melody replied, I shot a glance to Ash, then to Jareth, both of them instantly recognizing John’s attempts. “I can’t wait to find out I was accepted to my father’s alma mater.”

  “You’re confident.” John nodded.

  “It’s the only one she applied to… everyone else is begging her to attend their academy.” Yunaivis laughed.

  “Very funny, miss only-apply-to Vermillion Gardens.”

  “They’d be an idiot to pass her up for that place.” Jareth nodded, glancing at Yunaivis who smiled sweetly. I resisted the urge to cast a hex at her. Then he looked at me. My stomach twisted as I realized he refocused to me. “Hopefully you applied to Vermogen?”

  “Of course she did! That’s all she’s ever talked about.”

  “Yeah. I did.” I said, tucking an annoying lock of hair back behind my ear.

  “Good. Because I wouldn’t want all of my effort… and your help… to go to waste.” He said with a smile. “Though Serpents or Thalatta wouldn’t be bad.”

  “Are you kidding? Vermogen is your only option with them being the best Bastion team in the country!” I chirped. Jareth smiled as I spoke. “Even if John didn’t go in, I wouldn’t go lower just for him.”

  “Hey!” John muttered.

  “I wasn’t planning to reject Vermogen for him.” Jareth replied, staring right at me. I felt my face start to redden. “There are more… important considerations.”

  “Right…” Ash huffed, speaking quiet enough that only myself and Melody heard.

  “Yeah.” I nodded. Jareth glanced at Ash, I felt that urge to spray acid on her.

  “You’re trying for Vermogen too, right?”

  “Is a Fire-blossom purple?” She asked

  “N…no?” He asked, he glanced at me for help.

  “I…It is…” Ash blushed a bit. “Forgot most people don’t spend every day with Yuna.”

  “Fire-blossoms are a very pretty purple.” Yunaivis nodded.

  “They’re alright.” I added.

  “Is there something that challenges them?” Jareth asked, leaning in.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “Uhm… I…I’d have to say a Ravenstem.”

  “Ravenstem… you’d have to point that one out to me.”

  “Its petals are black, and look like feathers.” Yunaivis explained.

  “Sounds like Crowreaps.”

  “Those are similar. But Ravenstems don’t have as deep of roots, and the feather-petals have a more metallic sheen. The center is also maroon, unlike Crowreaps where they are all black.” Yunaivis informed him.

  “Glad to have a Garden Mage nearby.” Jareth said with a chuckle. “I’ll keep an eye out.”

  “They don’t really grow around here.”

  “I’ll still keep an eye out.” Jareth said, he looked around for a moment, then looked right at me. “Maybe we could go supply shopping later, Holly? Wouldn’t want to fail out of the academy because I don’t know what to get.”

  “Yeah we can all go.” John added. I saw Ash shoot a glance at Melody, who looked back. Ash made a subtle movement with her head. Melody’s eyes went wider, then sharpened. She glanced at John. “When would you like to…”

  “You know, there’s a new broom store that opened.” Melody started, glancing at Ash. “I’ve heard it’s quite an adventure.”

  “I’m going to be too busy.” Ash said, her eyes suddenly brightening, both of them glanced sharply at Yunaivis, who’s eyes sharpened back.

  “I am collecting flowers with my mom.”

  “I could go with you.” John offered.

  “That sounds great.” Melody replied through gritted teeth.

  “Great!”

  “Well then I guess it’ll be just the two of us, Holly.” Jareth said. He glanced at John. “Let’s go talk with the lads.”

  “You owe me one, Holly.” Melody muttered. She glanced at Ash. “Why’d you have to put that on me?”

  “Because he likes you.” Ash replied.

  “Why do I owe you one, though?” I asked,

  “Because you get to be alone with Jareth, idiot.” Ash hissed sharply.

  “And I have to change my plans to let you be alone with him.” Melody scowled. “You think I want to spend my few days of freedom with John of all people?”

  “He’s not that bad…” I started,

  “Okay. I’ll take Jareth then.”

  “He invited me, not you.”

  “Nice save.” Ash crossed her arms, her eyes beaming at me. “John is that bad. He’s annoying. And all he does is stare at us.”

  “Everyone but Holly.” Melody grumbled.

  “At least he has honor among thieves going for him.” Yunaivis murmured. I glanced at her, she smirked at me. “You know? Not going for the same girl?”

  “Just like how we don’t try for Jareth.” Ash nodded. I blushed instantly. “I would’ve had him by now with how you refuse to let him know how you feel.”

  “He doesn’t tell her how he feels either.” Yunaivis muttered.

  “Enjoy your date.” Melody said with a wide grin. I blushed more, glancing towards Jareth, who was in a circle with John, Virgil Vanish and Jason Lowe. “Now where is…”

  “Ugh. That went horrible.” Aria Zenith muttered, stepping over, she had circles around her eyes. Her hair was frizzled in the front. She must’ve passed out after she turned in her test. “What’s up with you girls?”

  “Melody and Holly have dates.” Ash said. Aria glanced between the two of us.

  “Jareth?” She asked. I hesitantly nodded. “Lucky duck. And you Mel?”

  “Ugh. I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “John or Virgil?” Aria asked.

  “John.” Yunaivis confirmed. Aria giggled. “Don’t worry, Melody. We all have to take one for the team eventually.”

  “When are YOU going to take one for the team?”

  “Uhm, excuse me?” Yunaivis leaned in, her eyebrows slanting sharply. “I distinctly remember using a Mountain Planifolia to knock out John whenever he asked you to the senior dance.”

  “That’s true.” Aria nodded. “You still haven’t paid that one back.”

  “Fine. Holly won’t owe me one if you forgive that one.”

  “Seems fair.” Yunaivis nodded. She glanced at me. “I certainly owe Holly one or three.”

  “Y…you don’t owe me.”

  “Not anymore. That was a big one.” Yunaivis said.

  “So, what are you two doing?” Aria asked.

  “I actually have to help my Mom collect some Azaleas and Carnations.”

  “You were being for reals?” Ash groaned.

  “Yeah. I sort of need them for Vermillion Gardens.”

  “Fair enough.” Ash said, she looked pitifully at Melody. “Ar, maybe we can watch this little mistake from a distance.”

  “Hey! I would prefer you come join me!”

  “Not going to happen, Dee.” Aria murmured. “It’ll be fun to watch.”

  “I hate you two.”

  “S…should I dress up for my shopping trip? If it’s actually a date?”

  “Well, seeing that you don’t do revealing… yeah.” Ash said. I went red. “What? You gotta show him something!”

  “W…would a dress be too much?” I asked.

  “It definitally would.” Melody muttered.

  “Why don’t you wear your black suspender skirt?” Yunaivis suggested, everyone nodded in agreement. “Shows just the right amount of your legs… without revealing too much up top.”

  “It’s constricting around the stomach, though.”

  “Even better.” Aria nodded. “That’ll give him more to look at. And he can get a good gauge for your hips.”

  “You will wear that skirt.” Ash said, looking at me. “Mel is doing a lot for you to finally get with Jareth. Don’t fuck it up for us.”

  “Yeah. I swear if you just stay friends… I will turn you into my new pet lizard.” Melody shot in.

  “I…I’ll try not to.”

  “Alright students! I’ll pass out your grade sheets, and then you’ll be dismissed for the year.” Mr. Snakewood walked in. I stared at the score as it hit my table. One hundred percent. He nodded to me with a warm smile. I smiled back, he continued on. “Alright. That should be everything. Thank you all for being such a good class. You might even have been my best class so far in my career.”

  “What’d you guys get?” Yunaivis asked as I started to pack up. She held out her sheet so we could see. Eighty-Eight. “Not terrible, right?”

  “Good enough for Vermillion. Especially with your score in Herbalism.” Ash said. She smirked. “I got a ninety four.”

  “Eighty six.” Melody murmured. They all looked at me. “What about you, Holly?”

  “Well… I guess I shouldn’t have been so worried.” I held the sheet out. They all gawked at it, taking second glances. I grinned at their expressions. “Vermogen is so close to reach.”

  “Girl, you’ve achieved it.” Aria said, patting me on the back. “We’ll all meet up even if we go to different schools, right?”

  “Of course.” Ash nodded. We started walking. “Just grad day tomorrow, and we’re free.”

  “Wait up for me, girls…” I said, turning and walking towards the desk. Mr. Snakewood smiled as I approached. “Thank you for all the help you gave this year.”

  “Absolutely. You’re one of my best students. Ever.” He replied, he then sat up suddenly, looking around his desk, before pulling out a ripped-open envelope. “I know you’re going to do amazing at Vermogen.”

  “How’d you know I…”

  “This is the first time I’ve been asked to provide a teacher’s recommendation.” He said, pointing at the crest on the envelope. I stared at it. “I’m betting they’re trying to get you into their Witchess track. Don’t worry. I gave glowing reviews for that and all of their other programs.”

  “Wow! Thanks!”

  “Your application to them is invincible.” He nodded. He set the envelope down. “Don’t prove me wrong, Holly.”

  “I won’t. You’ll be seeing my name at the top of the rankings.”

  “There’s the confidence I’ve been trying to build in you.” He laughed. He held out his hand. I hugged him. “Now, get on out of here. I’ve got a new class to start planning for.”

  “See you tomorrow, sir.” I said, before practically skipping towards the others outside. “Vermogen asked Snakewood to provide a recommendation for me to get into their Witchess program!”

  “That’s a huge deal!” Yunaivis cheered. Aria patted me on the back again. “Your parents are going to be excited.”

  “I’m bursting at the seems to tell them!” I nodded. We quickly got started out of school and down the main road. “He said my application was invincible!”

  “That’s high praise from Snakewood.” Ash nodded. “He doesn’t speak that highly of anyone.”

  “Well, Holly is his favorite student.” Aria said.

  “Yeah. Teacher’s pet.” Melody added

  “I’m not even his best student.”

  “Right. But Skylar doesn’t chat up the teachers.” Ash replied. She stopped in front of a chalkboard. “Ough. Holly. Half a point.”

  “Wha…” I looked at the class rankings on the chalkboard. The top student. Skylar Snowshield. One name down, Holly Pegasus. I smiled warmly. Five names down, Ash Sombre. Then right under her, Jareth Thorren. “Seventh isn’t bad, either.”

  “Quit being modest.” Ash hissed. “Own that you’re superior to all of us.”

  “I’m not though.”