Of Thorns and Glamour

Metamorphosis

I practiced flying every other night after my classes, and soon it was coming time for the ball. I had some students approach me to request to be my partner, but I probably was not going to participate. "Lily, would you be my partner for the ball?"

I whip my head towards Caleb, whose eyes held my gaze, but I can tell his ears were burning and hear his heart racing. We sat across each other at a table while we were both studying, albeit his studies were more complicated as he is already a few years ahead. I blink a few times, processing what he said. "I mean you don't have to join me as a partner, but I would like for you to go nevertheless. It is a big deal for the school, and my mothers insist I go, and I-" his voice trails off, "I could really use a friend." The word friend made my heart quicken and I look down at my books. "Lily?" I look back up at him and I feel my face flush as he is a bit too close observing me and I stand up and turn away. "Is there something the matter?" I didn't know why I acted so shy around him sometimes. He seem to always catch me off guard and I would have to make some kind of excuse to escape him when I could feel my heart quicken. He stated we would only go as friends, its not a big deal.

I turn back to him after calming myself down, "No! No I would really like that." I smile at him now and cast my eyes downward shyly. I didn't realize we had gotten close enough that he consider us friends and it was really nice hearing that. "I mean as friends of course," I tell him and he gives me a curious look but I try to change the subject, "its coming up correct?"

"Yes, and I know you kept declining invitations -" he stops himself, "I mean that's the rumor that was going around." I can see his ears turn out a warm red. "I know it is last minute, and I should had asked before but I -" he stumbles over his words, "I would be really grateful if you were there by my side." He pulls out a flower, which was part of the ritual of asking someone as a partner, and uses his majick to turn it into a small bracelet. "If you wear this at least they will stop pestering you." I took it, and see little flecks of silver mixed in the bracelet, it was very elegant and I could tell he practiced. Even if his intentions were for another lover, I appreciate it as I touch it with the tips of my fingers.

I look back at him and smile, "Thank you, and who knows maybe jealousy can turn in your favor if you play the cards right." I wink at him and we both walk into the hall in public sight. "Well, I'll find something nice to wear and you'll have the best gem at the ball by your side." I can sense Silvia's distance gaze on us and I give a small giggle and a little peck on his warm cheek. I turn away from him and walk past Silvia who bore her eyes into my back while I passed ghee looking at the bracelet he made. I smirk to myself, feeling the wish connect somewhere else. We both continue our classes after our break and I can't help but sneak at glances at the bracelet. "Friend,"  I whisper to myself, but then his lips enter into my mind and I felt fried by lightning as I push down my dirty thoughts. I didn't know why Caleb made me feel things, it must be because he and I are connected through the wish I told myself.

Unfortunately, I realize my short sighted mistake of making a very popular girl jealous as a couple of hours later I am dragged into a room by a group of girls. 

"Why did he ask you, of all the students, to the ball?" My eyes widen as I see Silvia sitting on a chair across from me. I can tell she wants to intimidate me, and maybe that would had worked if I was mortal and wasn't raised by the god of fear. I raise my brows, "You have no standing, barely been enrolled in this school for a month, and now you're cozy with the son of the Dean and Archmage."

I shrug my shoulders and smirk at her not responding to her question. Immediately I am thrown on the ground and kicked in the side by the other girls that wore metal toed boots. Those were soldier friends that she had and the pain made my eyes fill with spots. She looks down at me with a frown and eyes full of anger, "You will tell him no. Tell him that you cannot stand to be around him." I suck in a breath through my teeth and look back at her as I hold my side. I wonder if Caleb's wish was influencing her behavior, or if she just was this petty.