The professor glanced at his list.
"Raya Rachel and Alaric Vale."
Silence.
Then scattered whispers.
Raya turned slowly. "You bribed him."
Alaric looked equally frozen. "If I had bribed him, I assure you, I would not have chosen chaos."
"You don't get to call me chaos."
"You are wearing neon."
Before she could launch at him, the professor's voice cut cleanly through the tension. Before she could launch at him, the professor's voice cut cleanly through the tension.
"This is not optional. You will debate, translate, and present as a unit. Your final grade will be identical."
Identical.
Raya stared at Alaric.
He stared back.
For the first time since she'd met him-
He didn't look smug.
He looked... cornered.An hour later, the classroom buzzed as students packed up.
Raya slammed her notebook shut. "Let's establish something now. I am not carrying you."
Alaric rose smoothly. "Carrying me? You struggle with declensions under pressure."
Her eyes flashed. "I tied your entrance score."
"Yes," he said quietly. "You did."
Something shifted in the air.
Not mocking.
Not sharp.
"I'm Adrian," he said. "We're in Philosophy together. I liked wly said about existentialism earlier. Bold take."
Raya blinked. "Oh. Thanks."
He grinned. "Also, for what it's worth? Neon works."
Alaric went very still.
Raya smiled back-softer than her usual sharp-edged smirk. "That's because I have taste."
Adrian laughed. "Coffee after study hall? We could compare notes."
There was nothing dramatic about the invitation.
Just fact.
"I'm Adrian," he said. "We're in Philosophy together. I liked wly said about existentialism earlier. Bold take."
Raya blinked. "Oh. Thanks."
He grinned. "Also, for what it's worth? Neon works."
Alaric went very still.
Raya smiled back-softer than her usual sharp-edged smirk. "That's because I have taste."
Adrian laughed. "Coffee after study hall? We could compare notes."
There was nothing dramatic about the invitation.
Controlled.
"Coffee?" he said lightly.
"Yes."
"With someone whose translation of Cicero includes emojis?"
She turned to face him fully. "You don't get a say."
"I don't want a say."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"But do try not to embarrass our partnership before it begins."
There it was again-that word.
Partnership.
Not rivalry.
Not enemy.
Partnership.
Raya studied him carefully.
For the first time-
She couldn't quite read him.
And for the first time-
Alaric wasn't looking at her like she was beneath him.
He was looking here he realized something he didn't like
Are you jealous?
Jealous? And me nahhhh your so stupid
I'll relax at room I'll be home alone yeah
Raya; OMAGAWHHH yourrr so full of your self.
Adrian; so shall we go now ?
Hmm yeah yeah sure wait I'll just be here in 10 mins
Yeah sure take your time