drapetomonia - the overwhelming urge to run away.
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When Junia Beaumont, her brother and their classmates get a last assignment before the end of the school year, she doesn't know just how quickly things will change for her.
Who would have thought t...
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05. hypotheticals
After exchanging one last glance, Coriolanus is the one to push the white wooden door open.
The classroom is almost eerily quiet, everyone taking notes and doing silent work when they enter. While Coriolanus keeps his head high and hurries up the stairs, Junia avoids her gaze and quietly trails behind him.
She doesn’t need to look up, though. She knows everyone is looking at them and knows what’s ahead of her and Coriolanus.
It’s not that she doesn’t understand, it’s just humiliating to be scolded in front of the entire class. But would she rather be pulled aside after class? Also, no. She would rather eat glass.
Junia catches a glimpse of Sejanus and Clemmie on the way to her usual spot, their expressions hard to read. Still, she sees the hint of a smile on their faces and when Lyssie stands up, Junia squeezes herself past the girl to sit in between her and Pup.
Lamina’s mentor eyes her curiously, wanting to say something but not sure where to start. After all, everyone has seen what happened in the Capitol Zoo not too long ago. Lyssie sits back down, scribbling something onto a piece of paper.
“Your little excursion was in violation of about five different Academy rules, Mr. Snow, Ms. Beaumont,” Highbottom says, sounding as bored as usual. He doesn’t even bother to look up from the papers scattered across his desk when he continues, “Chief amongst them, endearing Capitol students.”
Coriolanus stops in his tracks, his hands on his desk. “What? Who?”
“You,” Highbottom says, “and Ms. Beaumont, of course.”
Lyssie discreetly slides the paper over to her friend, tapping on the desk to catch her attention.
“Are you alright?” it says and Junia shoots her a little smile, flashing the girl a thumbs-up beneath the desk. She wants to say more, tell her everything, but that will have to wait.
However, Highbottom’s next words make the smile on her face drop in an instant, “I’m moving for the Gamemakers to have the two of you disqualified as mentors immediately.”
Junia’s face pales. Out of all things, that’s the last that would have come to her mind. The Academy might not be lenient but considering the fact that her and Coriolanus got out of there unscathed, she doesn’t think that’s necessary. Not to mention that she’s already expecting a lot of trouble at home and has to brace herself for that.
