The Shadow Trio | Year 7: Running from the Light

Part 6 - Potions

I creep in quietly to my first class of the day, Potions. The classroom is filled with chatter, mostly discussing what entailed from last night's events. I make my way to my usual spot, passing Garreth's potion station. He looks up at me and gives me a shy smirk before going back to conversing with Amit. An empty table is waiting for me next to the arched window. To my surprise, Ominis isn't here yet. Sebastian, well... let's just say he's not much of an over achiever on a regular day.

After Ominis took me back to the Undercroft last night, we fell asleep together in our large, canopy bed. When I awoke, he was already gone. I figured he got ready for class early but I can see now, that isn't the case. As for Seb, he wasn't in the Undercroft last night or this morning. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't show up for class today period.

I sit in my usual spot at the table and wait for class to begin as I unpack my school supplies neatly.

Suddenly, I hear a creak of the wooden stool to the left of me, Sebastian's spot.

I keep my eyes lowered on my school supplies. I begin fidgeting with the feathers on my quill to avoid meeting the gaze that's currently burning a hole in the side of my head. I'm still upset this morning due to his defensive attitude last night.

He sighs when I don't acknowledge him.

"Good morning." He greets me with a touch of raspiness behind his accent.

In my peripheral's, I can see him anxiously toying with the cork to an empty potion bottle.

"Hmm... I haven't seen Ominis all morning, thought he would be here. It's not like him to skip class."

He pauses for a long moment, presumably to collect his thoughts.

"Look about last night..."

He takes a deep breath before he continues, "I thought about what Ominis said and he's right, I shouldn't be dabbling in the dark arts again."

I finally give in and look directly at him. His dark, mysterious eyes pierce into mine. He looks rough, but not as bad as he could have looked. I'm assuming he found a Wiggenweld potion after he disappeared last night. His exhaustion is still visible in his face, he has dark circles under his eyes and his school uniform looks sloppy and unkempt.

He continues, "But you know what I think, Darling?"

"I think that I must do it anyway. Not for me, but for you and him."

A booming voice from the back of the class startles me, immediately the whole class goes quiet as Professor Sharp begins his lesson.

Sebastian lowers his voice, speaking just above a whisper, "You have to understand... I need to know that the two of you will always be safe, no matter what the sacrifice."

Sebastian raises his voice slightly, his temper thinning as I try to pay attention to the lesson being taught.

"Please, say something or even just give me a nod so I know that you understand."

"Shh!" A familiar voice shushes him.

I look to the table next to ours and see Imelda Reyes giving Sebastian a dirty look.

Sebastian turns his head slowly and gives Imelda a look of complete and utter contempt.

"Oh shut up, Imelda. You're failing potions regardless of the volume I choose to speak."