Enchanted University of Magemenos

Chapter 67:Vintage heartthrob

Keith, undeterred, dramatically scans the ground and plucks a random flower. He sticks the stem between his teeth, leaning in like he's channeling his inner vintage heartthrob.

He kneels down, his expression turning serious as he recites with an over-the-top aura, "'In case I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time tonight.'"

He flashes a flirtatious smile, and with a quick flourish, he takes the flower from his mouth and presents it to me, like he's just performed the grandest romantic gesture of all time.

"Yuck," I say, gagging a little at the theatrics.

Nathan lets out a satisfied laugh. "Pfft," he chuckles, clearly enjoying Keith's embarrassment.

Keith looks wounded. "You don't recognize that scene from Rose, My Love?" he protests, as if I've just insulted a sacred text.

"Oh, is that supposed to be like some Titanic moment that I should know about?" I reply, rolling my eyes.

Keith's face is blank. "What's Titanic? Never heard of it," he says with utter seriousness.

I gape at him. "You don't know Titanic? It's legendary! How can you call yourself an actor when you don't know Titanic?"

Nathan looks up at us, clearly losing patience. "Can anyone help me out?" he shouts.

"Oh, right! Keith, bend down, I'll hold you, and you pull Nathan up," I suggest quickly.

We try it, but the pit is deep, and our plan fails miserably. We both stumble back.

"Okay, new plan," Keith says, thinking out loud. "I'll hold your legs, and you'll be like one of those claw machines—reach down and grab him."

I raise an eyebrow. "Are you sure you can hold the weight of two people? I doubt it. What if you drop me, and I fall back in?"

Keith grins, dramatically blowing a kiss my way. "'No, trust me, baby. George won't let his butterfly cut her wings again,'" he says, mimicking an over-the-top 80s movie hero.

I roll my eyes. "Fine. Just hold on tight. Nathan, when I come down, grab my hand and don't let go," I say, lying down and preparing myself for this ridiculous attempt.

Keith grabs my legs, and I brace myself, hoping this doesn't end with all three of us stuck in a heap.

 I inch my way down, with Keith lying flat on the ground, holding onto my legs like his life depends on it.

"Come on, give me your hand, Nathan!" I shout, stretching my arms toward him.

Nathan reaches up, his fingers brushing against mine, and I grab onto his hand with all the strength I can muster.

"Okay, pull us up!" I yell back to Keith.

Trying not to lose my grip, I cling to Nathan like a koala hugging a tree, his head resting awkwardly on my shoulder, my arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

Nathan mumbles against my shoulder, "Is this really necessary?"

"Unless you want me to leave you"I say

He grabs on to me tighter like it was his way of telling not to leave him.

We reach the ground and get hold of ourselves.

"Actually, if you think about it, we're pretty lucky," I say, catching my breath. "I mean, all three of us ended up with matching keys and locks. If there were more people connected, this chain of chaos would have been way worse. But as long as we stick together, nothing can happen to us, right?"

Keith raises his eyebrow, his smirk widening. "So, what you're saying is, we're like some elite trio now? Great, I'll start designing our team logo and matching uniforms. Maybe we can even get friendship bracelets. You two want hearts or stars?"

"Let's keep moving," I say, trying to keep us on track.

"But seriously...do you even watch movies?" Keith eyes me with a look of mock horror, like I've just admitted I can't count past ten.

"I do. A lot, actually," I reply, confused. "Why?"

"And you still don't know Rose, My Love?" He's looking at me like I've failed a major life test.

"Should I?" I shrug.

"Just because you acted in it, doesn't mean that underrated movie is some box office hit," I say, rolling my eyes.

Keith gasps, clutching his heart. "Underrated?! Rose, My Love is a cult classic!"

He sighs as if the weight of the world has just doubled. "Unbelievable! Rose, My Love  is, like, the romantic masterpiece of our time.  Do you even live?"

"It made billions at the box office!" Keith claims, puffing up with pride. "If you actually watch movies like you say, then surely you should know Deathly Grace."

I frown. "I've never heard of it, though..."

Nathan freezes mid-step, then turns to me with a look that could probably pierce steel.