Shadows of Valor

Part 22

He emerged from the bathroom, his wet hair still slightly tousled, to find a surprising sight in their shared dorm room.

The bed was adorned with a multitude of snacks, ranging from bags of chips and cookies to an array of sodas and energy drinks. Sebastian's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he shot Reid a questioning look. Reid, standing beside the bed, couldn't help but grin mischievously.

"Well, Sebastian, this is a prestigious school," Reid quipped, a hint of amusement in his voice. "And you know what they say about prestigious schools—they come with a LARGE snack allowance."

Sebastian rolled his eyes, unable to resist a smile. "You and your jokes, Reid. But I suppose I could use some fuel to recover from this eventful day." He walked over to the bed, reaching for a bag of chips and a soda.

As they indulged in the snacks, Sebastian couldn't help but feel grateful for Reid's light-heartedness and his ability to lift his spirits. 

"You know, Sebastian," Reid mused, a mischievous grin spreading across his face, "with that fresh, clean hair and those shiny locks, you almost look presentable now."

Sebastian shook his head, rolling his eyes "Oh, please. Don't let the shampoo fool you. I'm still the same greasy-haired guy you met this morning."

As Sebastian and Reid settled in, ready to indulge in the snacks spread before them, a knock on the door disrupted their moment of respite. Sebastian sighed, his brows furrowing in mild annoyance, and walked over to open it.

"Good evening, Sebastian, Reid," Dr. Lawson greeted them with a warm smile. "May I come in? I'd like to have a word with you."

Sebastian stepped aside, allowing Dr. Lawson to enter their dorm room. Reid shifted on the bed, a hint of unease crossing his features. Sebastian closed the door behind them and turned to face Dr. Lawson, his expression respectful yet guarded.

"What can we help you with, Dr. Lawson?" Sebastian asked, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and annoyance.

Dr. Lawson took a moment to compose herself, her gaze shifting between the two boys. "I wanted to discuss the incident at the cafeteria today," she began, her tone gentle but firm. "Using your powers without proper instruction or supervision from a teacher is strictly forbidden."

Sebastian nodded, understanding the seriousness of the situation. He knew the rules and the potential consequences of recklessly using their powers. However, a sense of relief washed over him when Dr. Lawson continued.

"That being said," Dr. Lawson continued, "I'm glad to hear that you were able to control yourself and walk away from the situation, Sebastian. It shows maturity and self-discipline."

Sebastian let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. He glanced at Reid, who seemed to relax slightly. Dr. Lawson's acknowledgement provided a small sense of validation, reminding them that their efforts to control their powers were not in vain.

"Thank you, Dr. Lawson," Sebastian replied, his tone sincere. "We understand."

Dr. Lawson smiled, her eyes filled with understanding. "I'm glad to hear that, Sebastian. The faculty and I are here to support you both in developing your abilities safely and responsibly. If you ever have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out."

Sebastian nodded, appreciating Dr. Lawson's reassurance. "We will, thank you."

With a nod, Dr. Lawson bid them farewell and left the dorm room, closing the door behind her. Sebastian turned to Reid, a mix of relief and determination in his eyes.

As they settled back onto the floor, Sebastian couldn't help but feel a mix of annoyance and relief. He was relieved that the conversation with Dr. Lawson had ended on a positive note, but annoyed that their powers were under constant scrutiny.

Reid sensed Sebastian's mixed emotions and decided to lighten the mood. With a mischievous grin, he said, "Hey, Sebastian, let's forget about all this serious stuff for a moment. Let's see if we share any classes."

Sebastian couldn't help but crack a smile at Reid's attempt to distract him. They opened their schedules and began comparing their classes, hoping to find some common ground.After a few minutes of scrolling through their timetables, Reid's eyes widened with excitement. "Guess what, Sebastian?" he exclaimed. "We share homeroom! Looks like we'll be starting and ending our day together."

"Well, that's something," Sebastian replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "At least we won't be entirely alone in this sea of unfamiliar faces."

Reid chuckled, nudging Sebastian playfully. "Exactly! We'll have each other's backs, and maybe even make a few new friends along the way. Who knows?"

Sebastian's annoyance melted away completely as he joined Reid in laughter. For the first time in a while, he felt a glimmer of excitement about the possibilities that their shared homeroom might bring. It was a small comfort, but a comforting thought, nonetheless.As they continued to browse through their schedules, Sebastian couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of optimism. And as they delved into their snacks once again, laughter filling the room, Sebastian realized that perhaps, just perhaps, they were on the path to not only discovering their true potential but also forging lasting friendships that would support them along the way.