Wicked Academy

19

The hours between lunch and dinner passed in a blur for Stella. The rest of the afternoon was filled with lectures and a few casual conversations with classmates, but her mind never fully left the conversation with Ruby.

She tried to focus during class, but it was hard to block out the swirling thoughts about Frederick, her confusing emotions, and the growing tension between her and Jason. It felt like everything was shifting, but she couldn't quite grasp where it was all heading.

Dinner came quicker than she expected. The evening air had cooled by the time she entered the bustling dining hall, and she almost let herself relax.

Ruby and Frederick had been meeting in their faction room, discussing matters Stella couldn't quite be part of due to her meeting with Professor Johnson. Ruby had told her she'd catch up with her later.

She ate her meal, and as she sat there alone, Jason spotted her and excused himself from his friends.

As Jason walked toward her, the teasing from his friends echoed behind him, their laughter lingering in the air. "Watch out, Jason, she's going to make you study hard," Alex joked, nudging him in the side, but Jason didn't respond. His mind was focused on Stella, who sat alone at the table, her eyes distant.

He reached her side just as she looked up, a faint surprise flashing across her face when she saw him approaching. "Hey," he said, his voice quieter than usual.

Stella forced a smile, not sure how to act after everything that had transpired. "Hey."

"Are you ready to go?" he asked, his tone softening a little.

Stella nodded, standing up and gathering her things. She didn't want to dwell on the unease between them, especially not now. They had more pressing matters to deal with. "Let's just get this over with," she said, her voice quieter than usual.

Jason gave her a brief, almost unreadable look before nodding and leading the way toward the door. His friends laughter fading as they walked off in different directions.

As Stella and Jason reached the door of Professor Johnson's office, she felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. The familiar buzz of uncertainty was back. Jason stood beside her, his usual cocky air replaced by a subtle tension she hadn't seen before. He wasn't exactly nervous, but something in his demeanor seemed different.

Jason reached forward and knocked on the door, a soft tap that echoed in the quiet hallway.

"Come in," Professor Johnson's voice called from inside, steady and authoritative.

Jason opened the door with a slight gesture for Stella to go ahead, and she stepped inside first. Professor Johnson was seated behind his desk, looking over a few papers, his spectacles perched on his nose. He glanced up as they entered, his sharp eyes assessing them for a moment before he set the papers down with a soft sigh.

"Ms. Hart, Mr. Davis," he greeted them, his tone formal as always. "Please, take a seat."

They both settled into the chairs opposite his desk, Stella feeling the weight of the situation settle into her bones. She wasn't sure what exactly this meeting was about, but it didn't feel like it was going to be casual.

Professor Johnson folded his hands together, leaning back in his chair. "I trust you two are managing your duties well, though I must admit, it's not often I ask for a private discussion unless it's of great importance." He looked at both of them, his gaze flicking between Stella and Jason as if weighing something.

Stella shifted uncomfortably in her chair, unsure of what to say. Jason, however, was leaning back slightly, crossing his arms over his chest as if waiting for the professor to explain further.