Lovers

Dinner with the newbie

The day passed in a blur of minor errands and catching up with Eugene, who surprisingly was allowed back after last semesters events. By the time dinner rolled around, I found myself surprisingly curious about the new boy and kind of... excited to get to know more about him.

We meet up with the group in the dinner hall, which was buzzing with laughter and conversation from other students. Long wooden tables filled the grand room, and the sent of today's dinner filled the air. Enid has already saved a secure spot for us in the corner, away from my the main crowd.

Enid waved enthusiastically as Oliwer approached. "Hey! Over here!"

Oliwer smiled and made his way over to our table. "Hola everyone"

"Hey Oliwer" Ajax greeted him, offering him a friendly fist bump.

"Grab a seat" Kent said, sliding over to make room and he grabbed a seat next to me. "So where are you from?"

Oliwer sat down and glanced around the table, his eyes briefly meeting mine before looking away. "I'm from Mexico City"

"Cool" Enid said, already digging into her food. "What's your last name?"

"Alvarez" he replied, taking a bite out of his pasta.

Then Bianca joined the conversation "so, what brings you to Nevermore?" She asks.

He hesitates for a moment, thinking about what to say. "I needed a change of scenery. My old school was... let's say, less accommodating of my abilities"

"What kind of abilities?" Xavier asks, curiously.

Oliwer looked around the table again, gauging our reactions "I'm a shadowmancer, I can manipulate shadows"

"Wow, that's impressive" divina says and everyone agrees "never meet one of those before"

"Yeah, that's pretty unique" Yoko added. "Most of us have pretty common abilities in comparison"

I couldn't help but to be a little intrigued. Shadowmancy was rare and powerful. "What else should we know about you?" I asked, my tone more neutral then i felt.

Oliwer shrugged "well, I'm 17, I like soccer, and I have a younger sister back home. She's actually the reason I learned English"

"That's so sweet" Enid says with a smile. "It's nice that you have a close relationship with your sister"

"Yeah" Oliwer replies, his expression softening. "She's everything to me"

"What about creatures?" Ajax asks, leaning back in his chair. "Are you... you know, anything special?"

Oliwer chuckled "Well, my dad is a Nahual, so I guess that makes me half one, it's kind of a shape shifter in Mexican folklore, but I haven't really mastered that side of things yet"

"A Nahual" i repeat, my interest peeking. "That's fascinating"

As the conversation continued, I found myself watching Oliwer more closely. He had an easygoing manner that seemed to put everyone at ease, and he was quick to laugh and joke with the others. Suddenly, I felt a tap on my thigh, looking down I saw Oliwers hand, he opened his hand and In his hand was a piece of paper. I took the paper out of his hand and slowly opened it, inside was a phone number and the text.

Good to have someone's number, text me, yk for school reasons ;)

Reading that, I felt my face becoming hot again, I'm blushing again? Seriously? Then Bianca's question pulls me out of my thoughts.

"So how are you liking Nevermore so far?"

Oliwer smiled "it's.. different. But in a good way tho. Everyone has been welcoming and I'm looking forward to see what this place has to offer"

"We're glad to have you here" Enid says "I think you are going to fit in just right"

As dinner continued, the conversation flowed easily, with everyone sharing their stories and laughing. I tried to focus on the group discussion, but my mind kept wandering back to the note in my pocket. Every now and then, I would steal a glance at Oliwer who seemed to fit in well with the group.

After a while, Enid suggested we head to the common room to hang out. As we all got up, Oliwer lagged behind for a moment, catching up to me as we left the dining hall.

"Hey" he said, a playful smile on his face. "Did you get my note?"

I nodded, feeling my cheeks heat up again. "Yeah, I did"

"Good" he replied, his eyes sparkling "text me later, I would like to get to know you better"

"Okay" I said, trying to keep my tone casual.

We joined the rest of the group in the common room, where the conversation turned to lighter topics like favorite movies and other plans for the week. Walking into the common room, alone with the new guy, Enid looked at us, smirking, I rolled my eyes.

As the evening wore on, people began to drift back to their rooms. When Enid left with Yoko, she rested her hand on my shoulder and whispered "I'm going to bed, have fun".

Eventually it was just me and Oliwer left in the common room. The fire in the fireplace had died down to embers, casting a soft flickering light.

"I should probably head to bed" I said, standing up.

"Yeah me too" Oliwer replied, standing up as well. "Thanks for today"

"No problem" I reply shortly.

He hesitated for a moment before going in to give a hug, but I stopped him. "Not a hugger?" He asked and I nod. "Well buenos noches Wednesday" he says.

"Good night" I replied, watching him walk away.

Once in my room, I sat on the edge of my bed, looking over at Enids side, I saw her sleeping, she looks so pretty. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and opened the note again. His number stared back at me, I took a deep breath and started typing.

Me: Hello, it's Wednesday.

Almost immediately I received a reply.

Oliwer: Hey Wednesday! Thank you for today.

Me: No problem.

Oliwer: so I was wondering, is there any good cafe's around? The coffee here is not for me :)

Me: We have a couple of okay ones downtown.

Oliwer: okay, would you like to maybe grab a coffee tomorrow? Get to know each other better?

Me: okay, pick me up at 2.

Oliwer: Ofc, see you then