Mafia

Promise

Present day

"Kian focus." Mr Linsay raps on my desk with a wooden pointer. I jump, letting the hand that was supporting my head fall back to my desk. Iden snickers behind me. I shoot him a death glare.

"Can anyone tell me if Larkspur is poisonous or not?" Mr Lindsay sweeps his gaze over all of us, face serious.

Both Iris and Li Son raise their hands, our best medical students. "Li Son?"

"Yes it is," he answers, straight black hair shining under the rectangular white lights above us as he puts his hand back down.

"And Iris, what symptoms does it cause?"

Iris raises her chin, "agitation or nervousness, muscle twitching or weakness, nausea or vomiting, and possible paralysis."

Mr Lindsay nods in approval, "good, Li Son and Iris you'll be very prepared for our final exams."

Li Son gives a shy smile, while Iris gives off a smug look. The loud buzz of the bell echoes through the room. "You get a five minute break before we return to reviewing."

We all stand, shoes squeaking on the clean floors and desks grinding against the floor as we bump into them. I find Neve and Iden, "do you think you're prepared for the final exams?" I ask, breathing in the smell of paper and hormonal angst.

Iden groans, "I can't even focus during class, how am I supposed to pass these exams?"

Neve punches him in the shoulder, "well you're not gonna pass with that attitude."

Iden rolls his eyes, "Kian do you think you're ready?"

I frown, I'm a pretty good student, but these final exams are going to be hard. Even Mr Lindsay seems a little nervous about them. I don't know what the consequence is if we fail, but it doesn't sound great.

"I hope so."

Neve swings her fist at my arm, "you've spent too much time with Iden. You're like one of the smartest kids in our class, you'll pass for sure." I rub my arm gently, but smile.

It's finally almost time to leave. Now that we're all sixteen, we can go out into the real world and use the information we've been taught. I don't feel ready, but I don't really have a choice.

"Well Neve seems to be in a mood today." I turn to Karma's smiling face.

"She keeps punching us." Iden complains.

Neve glares at him, "and I'll do it again."

Li Son smiles nervously at her, but she wouldn't punch him. He doesn't do anything wrong, he's probably the nicest person in our class, also the shyest.

"He probably deserves it." I turn to a girl with brown wavy hair and freckles.

"Cathrine's right." Neve agrees, nodding her head enthusiastically.

"Cathrine's right about what?" Catherine's best friend, Nelsa, speaks up from behind her, twisting her long black hair with dark green tips in one finger as she sits on a desk.

"Iden deserves to get punched." Neve answers smoothly.

Iden frowns, "do I have a say in this?"

"Not at all." Neve answers without hesitation. Karma snorts while Cathrine smiles.

Iden rolls his eyes, "hold on," he stomps over to the other group of students, and taps on Charlott's shoulder.

She spins around, shoulder length black hair in small braids swinging with her head, "what?"