cascade | kotlc

7. Crush Cuffs and Elementine

time skip: the leaping crystal necklace

 They opened gifts. The only real disappointment was Fitz's gift. He gave her a riddler, a pen that only writes the words of a riddle until someone writes the correct answer. It was kind of cool, except he also gave one to everyone except June. She'd spent forever trying to find him something personal, settling on a miniature Albertosaurus covered in deep violet feathers. She knew it was silly, but it reminded her of the day they met, and in the card she thanked him for showing her what dinosaurs really looked like.

Fitz getting her a fancy pen -- especially the same fancy pen he got everyone else -- made it seem like he hadn't thought about her at all. And maybe he didn't. He hardly looked at her gift when he opened it, too distracted by the tunic Keefe gave him. Sophie also noticed he kept sneaking glances at June. She tried to not let that bother her.

His gift for June was secret. He had taken her to a corner and passed her a golden package and whispered something into June's ear. She squealed happily, and they returned to the table, June looking as if she'd won the lottery. Sophie didn't actually know if there were lotteries in the Lost Cities. She'd have to ask.

"What's in it?" Marella asked.

"You'll see tomorrow."

The doors burst open and parents streamed in. Sophie couldn't breathe as she scanned the faces, desperate to find Grady and Edaline.

June and Dex squeezed her shoulders, whispering reassurance into her ear, but she barely heard him. She found her parents and barged her way into the crowd, June struggling to follow behind her.

Grady caught her face when she was halfway there and when June caught up to her.

"You passed," he shouted over the crowd.

A hysterical laugh erupted from her lips and June hugged her excitedly. They sprinted the rest of the way there, and Sophie threw herself into Grady's arms. Edaline wrapped herself around them, and June stood near them, her eyes glimmering with pride.

"I really passed?" she asked, needing to hear it again. "Even alchemy?"

"You got seventy-nine on your purification. Still room for improvement, but whitin passing range."

She squealed, hugging them again.

Grady grinned. "I'm sensing you're happy about this. And June, full scores on everything except history and the Universe. Passed with flying colors."

June shrieked and buried herself in their arms.

-

They had dinner at Everglen, as promised. Keefe was teasing Fitz about all the girls who gave him crush cuffs, wristbands embroidered with their names, hoping he'd wear them and show the whole school he liked them. Fitz flushed crimson and looked at June (whose cheeks were also tinted pink) every time. Keefe touched his arm and his eyebrows shot up.

"Good choice," he whispered to Fitz.

"I have to talk to Mom and Dad," Fitz said nervously. "I hope they'll give me permission."

"Are you kidding? Of course they will! They love her!"

Fitz grinned.

-

"Congratulations to everyone who passed their midterms." Dame Alina said during the first orientation. "I hope you enjoyed your-"

Her speech was interrupted by a shriek that sounded like a banshee. Everyone turned their heads to find a girl staring at Fitz's wrist -- which had crush cuffs on it.