Page 28 of An Arcane Education
I pretend to think about the opportunity, nodding along as she speaks, and am about to walk away when an arm is thrown over my shoulders.
“Hey, Viv!” AJ’s infectious smile lights up his face when I turn to face him.
“Hi. I just had a rather unfortunate run-in with yourtwinbrother you so kindly failed to mention.”
AJ laughs. “Oops. And it seems you’ve already met his formidable girlfriend as well,” he adds, gesturing to Clarissa with his free hand.
She sighs and pins him with an exasperated glare. “Hello, AJ. Would you mind taking your little friend somewhere else? We need to attract students to the tent who actually belong here.”
“Ouch.” He places his hand on his chest, feigning offense, but drags me out of the tent a moment later.
I don’t realize how tense I am until he removes his arm from my shoulders.
“Can I walk you to class?” he asks.
“Considering we have the same class, it would be silly if you didn’t.”
AJ chuckles, running a hand through his blonde hair. “Good point.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me your brother was your twin. That was so awkward.”
He asks what happened, and after I relay to him the uncomfortable series of events, he snorts. “They both take themselves way too seriously. They’ll forget about it in a couple days when something else ruffles their prim and proper feathers.”
“Yeah, they both seem pretty… severe.”
AJ and I make our way to our seats in the Naturalist Spellwork classroom, which is redolent of herbs and smoke, and he casually sprawls in his seat. “That’s one word for it. They’re both super focused on being successful and are competing for the top spot in the class. It’s a whole academic rivals situation. She beat him out by a tiny bit over the last four years for the undergrad program, but there are extra perks for being top of the class when you graduate with a master’s degree, so they’re kind of starting on equal footing this semester. I swear they spend most of their time just studying together.”
“Sounds like an interesting dynamic.”
He shrugs. “I guess it works for them. Personally, I’drather make the most of my time here by having as much fun as possible.” He winks, and I’m grateful that the professor chooses that moment to walk in.
CHAPTER 11
By the time Friday rolls around, I’m slightly overwhelmed by the overload of new information I’ve received this week, but I’m determined to make the most of my time here.I’m at a school for magic, I keep reminding myself. Even if the worst-case scenario were to happen, I’d end up right back where I started. So what do I have to lose?
The shift in mindset hasn’t made me entirely optimistic, but it’s been helpful to adjust my stress levels. I don’t need to be perfect; all I need to do is eke by with a passing grade. I can do this.
To make matters easier, yesterday even went better than expected. I managed to answer another question correctly in Dr. Vale’s class, and my embarrassment about speaking to him so casually before is already becoming a distant memory. And while I won’t object to the fact that he is nicer to look at than, well, every other person on campus, I was able to maintain a professional demeanoraround him without faltering when he commended me on my knowledge as I left class alongside AJ and Joanna.
Max and I also seem to be adjusting around each other’s schedules, avoiding crossing paths unless absolutely necessary, which usually happens at night when we’re both going to sleep. It’s the best I can ask of the situation considering her unreasonable animosity toward me and everyone else.
I walk into Introduction to Magic with my head held high, not only in an attempt to retain my confidence but also to show Clarissa, who’s sitting at the desk with her legs crossed while silently scrutinizing everyone, that I’m not going to cower.
My observations of her over the week, my interaction with her on Wednesday, and the insight I received from AJ have clued me in to the fact that she is, for lack of better phrasing, a pretentious bitch.
Throughout the class, which is a continuation of Wednesday’s lecture on manipulating energy by priming the body and brain for magic use, I diligently take notes.
When the class is over, I take a moment to gather my items and linger in the classroom until most of the students have cleared out.
“Professor Showen, can I talk to you privately for a moment?”I ask, glancing at Clarissa out of the corner of my eye in a clear indication.
“Oh, of course. Clarissa, you’re good for today. We’ll catch up on Monday.”
“Sure thing!” Clarissa answers brightly, pinning me with a glare when Professor Showen turns away. Her heels click against the hardwood floor as she exits the room.
When it’s just the two of us left, Ms. Showen gestures to one of the chairs facing the desk, and we both sit.
“What can I help you with?” she asks, giving me her undivided attention.
