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𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒏𝒆, a perfect case for a certain skillset !
𝕮AELIA JONES MUTTERED a string of foul curses beneath her breath as she scrutinized the slightly creased arithmancy quiz on her desk. Unfamiliar symbols and random numbers were listed in every question, meant for her to solve. She glared at it for what would be the fifth time since the start of the test.
The sound of scratching quills and crackling parchment pressed down on her ears, suffocating and somehow also peaceful. I should have studied, Caelia thought bitterly. But that was an abhorrent idea because she never studied. Moreover, Caelia detested nothing more than tediously calculating numbers and working through rigid equations that limited every ounce of creativity. The very idea of arithmancy nauseated her, but unfortunately, her mother had harshly "encouraged" her to take the class.
She drummed her fingers on the desk, playing a silent song on an invisible keyboard as an idea sparked in her. Caelia glanced up, finding Professor Moore busy at her desk in the front. Smirking slightly, she seized her opportunity and leaned to her left, poking her best friend with her pen.
Evan Rosier jumped in his seat and looked around the room before shooting Caelia a vicious glare. "What?" he hissed.
She lifted her chin towards his nearly completed paper. Duh, her face read. "Help me out," she hissed in return.
Although he feigned irritation, Evan snatched Caelia's quiz and swapped it for his own. Caelia beamed, smiling sweetly at him. Rolling his eyes, he raised his middle finger at her under the table.
Caelia's smile only widened.
From the corner of her eye, Evan snorted at the sight of her vulgar couplets on the margins of her page. But already too late, he began to cover it with a loud fit of coughing. Caelia sighed and shook her head in disappointment .
"Is there a problem back there?" Professor Moore called, suspiciously staring down the two. Her dark, beady eyes peered at them through her shiny ruby-colored glasses.
Caelia couldn't help but be distracted by the thin jeweled chain dangling off of the thick frame. They faintly swayed with fragile beauty, glinting like the small specks of silver that you could find in quartz or the pearlescent shine of fairy wings. The longer she stared, Caelia could hear a song begin to compose in her mind. She could almost⎯
"No, professor," Evan answered smoothly, cutting off her thoughts.
Just as Caelia had anticipated, Professor Moore gave a hmph sound before deciding to look back down.
