ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴇʟᴏᴅʏ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴡᴇᴇᴛʜᴇᴀʀᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱɴᴏᴡꜰᴀʟʟ

𝚘𝚗𝚎

Coriolanus knew it had to have been trouble the moment Highbottom had uttered his name over the morning announcement call.

Yet part of him remained hopeful of the idea that the Plinth Prize would be secured in his grasp.

 His cousin Tigris would be able to purchase a fashion line of her own; his Grandma'am would be over the moon with joy, and after years of poverty, they would finally have a chance of the life they lived before the First Revolution. 

He would finally earn the respect of Dean Highbottom and those of his classmates and rivals. People would worship him as they would if he were the sole creator of the morphling drug.

If only Crane had not existed. 

If only he had not made enemies. 

But everything seemed normal as he entered through the Academy Gates, greeted warmly by Clemensia as she threaded her arm through Coryo's. 

As per usual, Clemmie had given him a greeting, as had Sejanus, but he merely brushed it off with a shrug. The confidence in his abilities within the Academy was almost enough to push himself forward and up in the ranks towards the elite. 

But as such, confidence can be misinterpreted as ego.

"It is only a week off of school near the borders of the Capitol and the Districts," he reassured them, as they conversed of plans during the upcoming break. 

Sejanus scoffed. 

"Of course you wouldn't even bear to go through the border and actually see Panem as it is on the other side-" 

"Careful, Sejanus, your rebel side is showing," Clemmie warned, "Coryo, is it really necessary for you to venture so far out past the Capitol? Who knows, the District rebels might capture you and-"

"Clemensia, you fret too much." Coriolanus had smirked, settling into their seats. With a little huff, the girl smoothed her rouge skirt as she crossed her legs, taking a seat beside him. 

"I am only worried for your safety, Coryo. What would I do, should my partner be missing by the time Professor Click pushes forward the next assignment?" she raised an eyebrow, and for a moment, she thought she witnessed his mouth quirk. 

There was a crackle of life from the overhead speakers, as even Festus had born to turn around in his seat before Hippocrata had spoken. 

"Classes will remain as follows: Communications, then Gym, History, Homeroom, and any electives selected by the student. The Plinth Prize will be announced the week after next... and Coriolanus Snow is being summoned to the officer of Dean Highbottom." 

Almost immediately, Arachne let out a hard chuckle, which erupted into giggles from his classmates. Feeling the blood rush to his face, the boy turned red, much to the chagrin of his friend. 

Sejanus reached up to place a hand on his shoulder. 

"Do not let them get to you, Coriolanus. Arachne is-" 

"poison with perfect teeth." he smiled reassuringly. 

What could it be? 

Did he win the Plinth Prize? 

No, Highbottom was much too fond of suspense for that. 

He was jolted out of his thoughts by Clemmie, who gripped his sleeve so tight he thought it might rip. 

"Make sure to give me credit, should they ask for it." 

"I will." 

He stormed out of the classroom, through the engraved wooden walls of the Academy, drifting through the halls as he glanced up at portraits of the alumni lining the wallpaper. He knew that Highbottom was less than favorable of his family, but he didn't expect the outright depiction of his anger so early into the year.