Keeper of the Lost Secrets

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: I Nearly Flunk my Exam (And Meet a New Queer Person)

I physically reacted when my tongue was graced with one of Elwin's choices for a locker, which tasted like my vomit and saliva had a baby with high cholesterol. The taste singed my tongue a tad and had me airing my tongue in the open air when I was sure no one was watching. I fetched my thinking cap from my locker, just in time to catch Keefe. He threw his arm around me and pressed my side against his. He reached for my head and ruffled my hair. I scowled and reached for his, but he grabbed my hand instead, locking me in a position that looked like he was about to press a kiss to my hand. I panicked and slapped him across the face.

"Ouch, dude, you suck." He said emphatically, rubbing his cheek. I saw it going red in real time. I was about to suggest Elwin, but Dame Alina cut me off.

"Hello, students. I hope you've had a restful night's sleep because today, midterms commence. If you haven't already, get your thinking caps from your lockers. Good luck." Her voice disappeared and the room went back to its lively chatter.

"Excited for midterms," Keefe smirked. "Babe?"

He added the last bit so quietly I was unsure if I heard it myself. I blushed. "Not here, Keefe. We'll get caught."

"Oh, don't be such a killjoy. I know you enjoy it."

"I won't enjoy getting caught and skinned alive by my dad." I hissed. "But I have to go to exams now. I have telepathy first."

"Oh, ew. I have the Universe." He imitated a fit of puking, but then he turned to me with those heartwarming smiles. "You're the only star in my universe, babe."

"Please leave."

"Yes, sir."

He skittered down the hallway. I watched him. I knew Keefe liked to think we were popular and the coolest people in Foxfire, complete with the girls paying their kidneys to kiss us, but I simply couldn't believe it to be true. How could I? I was the weird Vacker kid who missed most of my classes, and Keefe was the ultimate prankster who tried (and failed) to keep secret. Don't get me wrong, it's not like we weren't popular. We definitely did have our share of fangirls (no fanboys and other fanthems as far as I'm aware, I'm afraid), but it wasn't comparable to Keefe's false narrative.

I stepped into my Telepathy room, and I felt my heart pick up pace. The room was almost completely dark, and inside it was my beady eyed mentor, who snaked a finger for me to come close. I sat on the seat opposite her, the comfy cushions no comfort.

"Welcome, Fitz. Are you ready for your examination?" She spoke. I nodded, unable to control my vocal cords. She smiled. "Good. Today you will be–"

A knock on the door. I ripped my eyes from her and watch the door. She laughed.

"Perfect timing. Come on in!" She yelled.

Three people walked in. Two boys and one girl. The boy on the rightmost had dark skin, with cropped hair and an impossibly chiselled jawline. He had this expression on his face like wanted to do anything but he here. He wore his uniform like a good student. Like a Vacker. If I wasn't mine myself, I would've asked.

The boy next to him was the complete opposite of that. I say he walked into the room, but he really strutted in. His arms were in his pockets, and I nearly did a doubletake when I noticed some eyeliner. Yup. I already liked him. He was also insanely handsome, in the beachy surfer dude type of way. Shaggy brown hair hung right below his shoulder, and he had this smug smile on his face like he'd just won a bet.

The girl was just tired. She had bags under her eyes, which resembled my colour, but were a few shades bluer, and she had freckles all over. Her uniform was messy, and it looked like she'd woken up and gotten here immediately after. I sympathised.