Wicked Academy

28

The morning light crept in slowly, golden and soft, casting long shadows over their tangled bodies. As Stella blinked awake, the first thing she felt was warmth–Jason's warmth, his presence still wrapped around her, as if the night had never truly ended. Their bodies fit together in a way that felt too natural, too inevitable.

Her skin still hummed from his touch, the traces of last night imprinted on her skin. She could feel it deep in her bones–the way his hands had explored her, slow at first, almost reverent, before the need between them had unraveled into something raw and unrestrained. She could still hear the way he had whispered her name against her throat, the way he had drawn her apart only to pull her back together again.

And now, in the hush of morning, that intensity lingered. The tension between them hadn't faded–it had only shifted into something quieter, something unspoken. A silent understanding passed between them as they stirred awake, neither of them rushing to move, neither of them eager to break whatever fragile thing still held them together.

Stella inhaled deeply, the scent of him still clinging to her, mixing with the cool morning air. His breath was steady against her hair, his arm still draped lazily over her waist, as if letting go wasn't even a thought that had crossed his mind. There was a comfort in it–a certainty that didn't need words. And yet, beneath that comfort, there was something else. A quiet, simmering awareness.

They didn't speak about it, but they didn't need to. The way their bodies remained close, the way they breathed in each other's scent, was enough.

Eventually, they shifted, the moment stretching but not breaking. Jason's touch, though lighter now, still lingered longer than it needed to as they got up, as they dressed in silence. There was no awkwardness, no hesitation–only the weight of something undeniable settling between them.

Outside, the buzz of the academy's chatter filled the hallways, but in their room, there was just the soft click of the door as it closed behind them. They joined the others for breakfast, The murmurs of students filled the air, and breakfast was the same as always–except for the way Stella could still feel Jason's presence beside her, as if his touch hadn't quite left her skin. As if a part of last night had followed them into the day.

The dinning hall looked even more magical than the night before. The decorations, now fully arranged, had transformed the space into something almost otherworldly. Flowers cascaded from the ceiling like vines spun from stardust, their petals shimmering under the candlelight. Golden lanterns floated midair, casting a warm, dreamlike glow, while delicate blossoms trailed along the walls and tables, as if the entire hall had been pulled from the heart of an enchanted garden. It was breathtaking–like stepping into a garden from heaven itself, where nature and magic intertwined seamlessly.

The air shimmered with soft golden light, the enchanted flowers they had helped arrange blooming along the tables, their petals shifting colors in a slow, mesmerizing dance. Floating orbs cast a warm glow, reflecting off the silverware, making everything feel like a dream pulled from another world. As soon as they stepped in, Jason veered off toward his table, slipping back into his usual place with his friends. Stella hesitated, just for a second, before turning toward Ruby, who was already seated.

And yet...she couldn't help it. She felt it in the way her body still remembered his touch, in the way the silence between them carried something heavier than before.

She caught herself glancing back–just once–watching as Jason took his seat, she saw the moment his friends turned to him, their expressions shifting. They were saying something–teasing, if the smirks were anything to go by. One of them nudged his arm, another raised an eyebrow. Jason didn't react much, but there was something in the way he ran a hand through his hair, as if brushing them off, that told her they were getting to him.