The Young and Gifted

73. suffocating

As the weeks blended into each other, school was levelling pretty fine for the students. Kaura was steadily learning how to use her Initial Conjuration and Davina bounced back and forth between the two students and her vampire classes. Thankfully, she knew how to multitask so it wasn't too exhausting. Kaleb would occasionally come to ask her about MG but under orders from the other teachers, she couldn't tell him anything. As for Raf and Lizzie, their relationship was balanced, with the constant sex and even arguments. The same went for Mason and Kaura and they would usually double date with the other two.

And for Landon and Stephanie...they were getting close. It started off with little help with homework because Landon was in that position not too long ago. Then it was the endless hours of chatting as they walked around the school, catching each other up on their lives. And then it was the dates, watching movies, baking in the kitchen, playing games in the gym with other friends. They were warming up to each other and because of this, Stephanie was also implicated in the group. Raf fully supported mainly because he knew Landon hadn't had a girlfriend in years and his best friend needed it.

The library room echoed with Stephanie's snorted laughter, holding a hand to her mouth. "You can't say that!"

Landon grinned and shrugged. "You're snort is so cute."

She shoved him, rolling her eyes. "Bringing up the fact that I snort when I laugh is not how to talk to a girl, Landon."

"My bad, let me take notes," he joked and pretended to reach for a pencil and paper. Stephanie laughed even more and it brought butterflies to his stomach to see such bright happiness on her face. As she settled down, he pointed out, "So have you spoken to your parents recently? I heard somewhere that your mom is overprotective." At least you have a mom.

She sighed and shrugged, leaning back into the couch. "She calls every night. I'm going to be honest with you, sometimes I just let the phone ring. I should feel guilty because I know she's panicking but it's smothering, you know? Too much love is suffocating." Landon didn't know how to respond and Stephanie continued, "I'm sure they're having a field day without me in the house. I wouldn't be surprised if they burned through bags of condoms."

Landon's eyes shot up. "They're those type of parents, huh?"

"Please, have you met Damon and Elena? They were practically the hot high school hit couple. My dad was the super attractive bad boy and my mom was this innocent little pretty dove that needed a bit of poison in her life. And I'm just... Stephanie. People always focus on my last name and never me."

"Those people are missing out on a lot," he scoffed. "I'm glad that we're...getting close."

"Me too," she smiled. "I don't know where I'd be without you."

"Probably still standing in the cafeteria," he muttered. Landon was referring to the time they first met.

She shook her head and playfully shoved him. "You know what? I think I need to find something to bully you about too."

"Really? Here, I have one," Landon said as he leaned in. Stephanie didn't move as he brushed their lips together. The kiss was delicate and Landon slowly pulled back, slightly embarrassed. "You can bully me over that because I'm probably reading the signals wrong and you didn't want me to kiss you and—"

"I wanted you to kiss me," she confirmed and pecked his cheek again. Landon sighed with relief, holding his hand to his heart.

"Nearly scared me."

Stephanie smiled but that soured when she glanced around the room. "Now I have to live with the fact that our first kiss was where Sebastian tried to feed on me."

"What?" He said immediately.

"I—" her eyes widened at the slip. "I—I meant to say—"

"He tried to feed on you?" He repeated and scrambled to his feet with alert. "Why didn't you tell the teachers? That's not acceptable."

"Well, it would be unnecessary to say anything because he couldn't. I have a spell on me, remember?" Stephanie said as Landon moved towards the door.

"That still doesn't make it okay. He was taking advantage of you," Landon said.

"Wh-what are you going to do about it?" Stephanie asked as he walked quickly down the halls. She tried to keep up with his footsteps but he was pretty agile and fast.

Before he could answer, they spotted Sebastian in the middle of the hall, making his way to the west wing. The two were on him in an instant and when the vampire turned to them in question, Landon had already thrown the punch.

Sebastian didn't so much move, his face only followed the blow but it slowly snapped back. Landon grunted, evident pain on his face as he held his fist painfully. "I really with my supernatural abilities came with super-strength," he said under his breath.

People in the hall turned to them, watching and waiting for Sebastian's next reaction. Except he didn't have any, he only stood there and stared at Landon. Somehow it was even more terrifying.

Stephanie swallowed and grabbed Landon's arm."Come one, Landon. Let's go, he's not worth it," she said as she stared into his eyes with hate. That night was scary for her and she could only imagine what would have happened if there wasn't a spell.

Landon grunted, still shaking his fist as he let her drag him away. Sebastian only watched with stone eyes. And once they disappeared, he turned to the students. "What are you staring at?" Everyone jumped on their feet and continued on their way. "Scumbags," he muttered as he shook his head.

~

"Democracy isn't what it used to be."

try to guess who said it and don't forget to vote ;)