The Young and Gifted

8. cupid

Hope stared out the window, looking up at the massive school. Students were still boarding the bus and currently, the plush seat beside her was empty. Mason seemed to be tagging along with Lizzie in the back and when Josie offered to sit beside her, Hope declined. She needed some time to clear her head. Ric and Dorian were the only guardians in the vehicle. Emma was on break for the day while Caroline was running some errands outside the state. So as slow minutes ticked by, after Ric made a roll call, the bus was prepared to move. 

Suddenly, the seat beside Hope was occupied and she was caught off guard when Landon sheepishly waved at her. "Hey, mind if I sit here?"

Hope cleared her throat, sitting up on her seat. She glanced in the far back, where Raf was glaring at her. He didn't seem to happy with the fact that Landon had ditched him. Hope adjusted her hair anxiously and smiled back at him. "What about your friends?"

"Aren't we friends?" He chuckled playfully. Hope didn't respond, waiting for him to elaborate. "I saw you were alone and wanted to check up on you."

"Thanks, I appreciate it," she said, her smile amplifying. The bus surged forward and Hope relaxed into her seat. 

Landon's foot bounced and he turned to her. "So. I was thinking..."

"You were thinking?"

"I really enjoyed the night we shared a milkshake."

"The night where I made you blood bait?"

"Oh no, I definitely did not enjoy that part, the most terrifying night of my life," he said and Hope laughed heartily. "Anyways, I was hoping we could do that again. Unless you don't want to and that's why you haven't said anything. Which means I totally read into the situation and I am making a complete fool--"

Hope placed a gentle hand on his knee to calm him and said, "No, I want to. I really want to. I've been thinking about it too."

He released a heavy sigh of relief. "Thank god." And then his gaze fell to her hand, resting on his knee and Hope quickly moved it away, muttering an apology. "It's fine. So. Where do you want to go? We can't exactly leave campus without permission and I doubt Headmaster Ric would let us go on a...date."

Hope shrugged. "I have no clue either--"

Kaleb rose from behind their seats and nestled his head between them. "God, the awkwardness is killing me. You're lucky to have me around. They call me cupid," he said dramatically.

"Nobody, nobody calls you cupid," MG clarified, shaking his head constantly. "In fact they call you the screw up--"

Kaleb ignored him and continued, "You guys should go down to the Old Mill, near the back of the school. It's real calm, real isolated with nobody around. No teachers. Nobody can hear any...shennanigans," he winked. Once the two realized what he was implying, their eyes widened severely and their cheeks flushed. Kaleb laughed and sunk back into his seat. Hope and Landon didn't share any more words after that.

*

Soon they arrived at the field, the black and red signature colours of the other team a sea in the crowd. The SBS students sported their yellow and blue jerseys and warmed up for the game as well. Ric and Dorian assembled the teams, setting Hope, Josie, Lizzie, Kaura, MG, Kaleb, Raf and Landon as the first lineup while Penelope and Mason were on the bench. After a clear warning that it was forbidden to use magic to keep the playing field fair and to not draw any mundane attention to their school, the students began.

Hope's gaze was fixed on Kaura and her group as Josie braided her hair. "So you grew up with her?"

Once Josie realized who she was talking about, she sighed. "Kaura...has never fit in with our family. The vibes were just off and when Lizzie and I were old enough, we picked up on it and just settled for hating each other. Mom and Dad hate our constant fighting but they can't do anything to change who she is."