Boundless Limits {B.Durran}

16

"I want to be like the cool kids," Rhiannon grumbles as the first-years from Second and Third Wings pour out of the stairwell of the turret that leads to Professor Carr's classroom, further clogging the hallway on their way to Battle Brief.

Tierney shakes her head at the girl in front of her and glances at Sawyer before stating, "We're hardly lucky." She isn't sure who heard her, however, Sawyer nods in agreement and Liam spares her a backward glance.

"We will," Violet promises, linking her arm through Rhiannons.

"You may be cool, but you'll never be as cool as I am!" Ridoc pushes past Liam and throws his arm over Violet's shoulder.

"She's talking about everyone who's already channelling," Violet explains, juggling her books so she doesn't drop them. "Though at least if we're not channelling, we're not stressed about manifesting a signet before the magic kills us."

Tierney's face falls at this comment, making her realise once again, that if her signet doesn't manifest, she might just combust. "You'll be all right, little one." Anam comforts her with her cursive voice, nearly making Tierney smile.

"We'll see." She responds, "However, you will see, I'll be combusted." A dragon-like sigh wafts through her head and Tierney's expression softens.

"Oh,  I thought we were discussing how I just owned that Physics test." Ridoc grins. "Definitely the highest score in the class."

"Please," Rhiannon rolls her eyes, " I scored five points higher than you."

"We stopped counting your grades months ago." He leans forward slightly.  "Your grades in that class make it unfair for the rest of us." Ridoc looks between the two girls' shoulders, "Wait. What did you get, Mairi?"

"Not getting into the middle of this," Liam responds.

Ridoc shoots him an unamused look, "Getting any better Tier? Now that you've got Imogen tutoring you and all...?"

Tierney nods, "It's better, Imogen's been a huge help." She tilts her head to look away from the group as if it's hard for her to admit it. "I scored three points higher than you, Ridoc."

"What the fuck—" Ridoc's cut off as they enter the bottleneck of cadets to get into the briefing room.

"Sorry Sorrengail," Someone says, stepping out of the way and tugging their friend with them as they enter the tiered classroom.

"Nothing to be sorry about!" Violet calls out but they're already headed up a few rows. "I'm never going to get used to that," Violet mumbles as they make their way to their seats.

"It definitely makes getting places easier," Rhiannon teases and Tierney shoots her an amused look from three seats down, where she ends up sitting next to Liam.

The room buzzes with energy as riders file in, Tierney can't help but notice that no one has to stand anymore. Their numbers have decreased exponentially in the last four months. The number of empty chairs is sobering.

As she gazes around the room she finds herself making eye contact with Ciaran, she offers a warm smile and a wave in his direction which he quickly returns. She moves to make a gesture at him as a form of communicating when a brunette in his squad pulls his attention away from her.

A pang of emotion rings through Tierney at that moment and she wonders what it is. After all, this isn't any different than any other time Ciaran caught the attention of women and went off to talk with them and leave her. But it feels different.

"I think that's what you humans call jealousy." Anam offers, amusement evident in her voice.

"I have nothing to be jealous of," Tierney protests half-heartedly, as she contemplates Anam's words. "No. I'm not jealous." She refuses the thought completely.