Intertwined

Chapter 6: What's Your Superpower?

"And that's all that happened," I finished, spreading my arms for emphasis and gesturing widely.

I had been updating the girls on everything that had happened lately. Well, everything that didn't involve the prophecies and royal parts. We were in Ginette's dorm, which was a few dorms down from Seraph's and mine. The four of us were curled up on Ginette's bed, sprawled out comfortably. The luxury of the holiday added a delicious laziness to our relaxed moods. Outside, the sounds of laughter and shouts heralded the excitement of the Su0nday morning.

"Luka Fontaine, huh," Zenia twirled a lock of her silky black hair around her fingers, raising her eyebrows slyly at me. "Carnation Trellis, you've become quite the socialite, no? What with this Luka and that curly-haired boy."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for implying that I was a wallflower before."

Ginette said, quietly curious, "So, you fell for Luka right from the beginning?"

I pulled the ends of my hair and looped them under my face, not saying anything. The girls squealed, and I tried to hush them. This was such an awkward situation!

"Ginny, Zee, we have to see that this love story has a happy ending." Seraphina looked gleeful as she did a little happy dance. "I'm so excited! It's not everyday you see our Carnation like this!"

I spluttered in embarrassed indignation as she added, "It's the first time she's talking about something other than studies. Fancy that!"

"And books, and art, and animals, AND nature," Ginette added matter-of-factly.

"A pity. Luka is totally to die for." Zenia sat up, pointing a finger coated in bright red nail polish at me. "'I acknowledge that you have the first claim and will gracefully withdraw from the scene." I thanked her only half-sarcastically, as Ginette chimed in with, "You do know he's one of the most popular guys in the Academy, right?"

I did not know that. Although, it makes sense- he's co-captain of the basketball team, and sports teams are always the center of attention. Not to mention he's super handsome. Sigh.

"She's already sighing. Ladies and...ladies, I present to you a case of lovesickness." Picking up a pen, Seraphina theatrically commented from the desk, addressing an invisible audience.

"That evil queen, Arctia, already has her claws into him." Zenia's eyes lit up suddenly. "Hey, let's work together to steal him from her. I'll help you."

"She's not evil, Zee, and could you come down from the desk, Seraph?"

"I'll do some research about him and find out his preferences," Ginette said. "Although, I like the one with the curly-hair better." She added thoughtfully, "He has a princely attitude, somehow." I kept my face carefully blank, flinching inwardly. Why did Ginny have to have such sharp observational skills?

"Let's do this," Zenia said, flipping open a notebook. "The best way to get to a guy's heart is to target his preferences. Ginny, you're on the job. Sera, you're in charge of creating distractions so they can be alone, and I'll list out situations where we can bring them together."

I smacked my forehead. "Girls, calm down!" I love my friends, but they can be super hyper sometimes. Or all the time.

"It's love-story time!" Seraphina yelled, though she had thankfully climbed down from her perch on the desk.

I give up.

~

The first phase of the girls' 'Make Luka Fall In Love With Carnation' or the 'MLFILWC' plan (we have a plan now?) also known as the 'Steal Luka Plan' (SLP) or 'Defeat The Dark Queen' (DTDQ) (that last name was kind of catchy, I admit) was already underway. The four of us were at the basketball court, watching a friendly match between Luka's team and the third-years. I had heard from Jardin that they were aiming for the kingdom-level qualifiers, which would be held in the capital, Verrière. Speaking of Jardin, I had never seen him so focused and serious before- a total change from his off-field flighty personality. He was really good as a captain, besides being an amazing player. I slyly tried asking Zenia, who was sitting next to me, what she thought of him, but she just replied with a non-committal "He's okay. Blue hair is not my type." Ouch.