Back at the Start (02)

I don't exactly straighten up like the front rowers, but I do quiet down when Mr. Howells enters. My eyes narrow a bit when he says he "needs" a quiz on the books to show what we're learning so far. It's day two. How much are we supposed to have actually learned at this point?

I give Preethi a small smile at her compliment. At least, I hope it's a compliment and not a kind way of saying I smell like I'm covering something up - which I am.

I look down at my paper. I paid attention a little at the beginning of class yesterday, when I was still fresh on the excitement of school starting, but I definitely stopped paying attention partway through, telling myself Red would take care of everything. So I can answer...maybe half the questions somewhat confidently? The others I'm totally going to be guessing on.

Frelling ferret should be here helping.

I tense at the voice - first with surprise, then anger.

"Well I do now," I whisper back, marking the answer with a too-forceful pen stroke. "I can't believe you frelling tried to break up with Knox. And knocked me out. What the frell?" It's hard to keep my whisper low, but I try.

I mark the answer, hating that I need her around to get through this quiz. If I could, I'd tell her to scamper off into whatever ferret den she calls home and leave me alone. But I know I can't say that.

"I don't need space. And he loves me, completely, just the way I am. As soon as I graduate, I'm moving back in with him."

I mark an answer I actually know myself, then hesitate on the next question, unsure.

I mark D on the question. "Don't want to get a perfect score, just enough to do alright," I explain before I sigh heavily and try to contain my annoyance. "I want my whole world to change after graduation. Do you really think being chained to school all day every day is some kind of adventure? I'm a demigoddess, I should be out there freely ruling or something. Not stuck here. And I should be free to date whoever I damn well please."

I jump a little at Cooper touching my desk, like he's bringing me back to reality.

"Dren, sorry. Just...myself. It helps me think."

I want to ask Galinthias if she has some kind of invisibility spell on, but I'm not going to risk it right now. Once the quiz is over and we're into lectures again, it will be easier to hide whispers or pass notes.

I heard that Cooper has a crush on Bryan, but I thought Cooper had a girlfriend last year. So maybe he's bi, or maybe he just came out, or maybe it's not really true at all. But Cooper does seem to spend more time than normal looking over in Bryan's direction.

Cooper glances back at Bryan before he finishes up his quiz. Galinthias continues to whisper answers in your ear and you make sure to write down a couple more incorrect answers. Preethi hands hers in first, then others start to file up to the front to hand theirs in.

Soph is obviously struggling with this. I mean, I think she's struggling with just staying upright so it makes sense that a pop quiz would really throw her. I decide to risk whispering to Galinthias again.

"Can you go help Soph out? Please?"

The ferret slips off of your shoulder and scampers across the classroom floor to clamber up Soph's leg and perch on her shoulder. Soph jerks when she first feels Galinthias, but then the ferret calms her down and you see Soph quickly jotting down answers. You also notice Emmy Thome staring at them. She saw. She looks at you, her cute mouth hanging open.

What do you do?

I'm relieved when Galinthias actually listens to me. I figured she was prepared to fight me at every turn until I agree that being a mortal high school student is somehow better than dating a literal god. But then I notice Emmy staring. Dren.

I quickly head up front to turn in my quiz so that, as I walk back to my seat, I can make eye contact with Emmy. When I do, I raise my fingers to my lips and wink like this is all a big secret that she's a part of and everything's all fun and games.

I mean, I guess the first part is true enough at least. I'm just hoping she'll play along.

I don't want to risk Emmy outing me and Galinthias completely, so I nod. "Yeah." Then I slip back into my seat with a soft exhale.

I check my text and, dang, Izzy really doesn't let up. Poor girl is desperate. I take a moment to remind myself that her eagerness is to my benefit if I treat it right, then text back:

The party was amazing, maybe a little too good ;)
I haven't heard what's coming up. Probably something with the first football game of the year, right?

Most of me hopes Cris is the one behind this party. Part of me thinks it could be a good way to start connecting with Will, even though I'm torn on that too. I feel responsible or something somehow.

But either way, I'm confident about one thing:
Of course I can. Let me work some magic.

I'm a demigoddess after all. Who would bar me from inviting a friend along to a party?

Then I text Cris:
Hey. Heard a rumor there might be a party on Friday. True?

I smile with something like victory at the assumed invite.

I have a friend who wants to come, yeah. Is that cool?