A Werewolf's Promise (Scarwood Chronicles #1)

Chapter 21: Sleeping With Da Fishes

"So you just learnt about aura?" Rosa asked as the two sat in the library.

"I mean, yeah, but we also did some tests for my magic and stuff, but yeah, i guess that is pretty much all we did." Sugar said, trying to concentrate on the notes before him, which was hard when the words seem to swim before his eyes.

It was now halfway through the first term, and the termly exams were ever-looming. As a result, Sugar and Rosa decided to get a head start on studying, which seemed like a good idea at the time, but proved to be a bad one, as they wouldn't stop distracting each other. Besides, no imminent pressure meant no motivation to actually do the work.

"Bureaucracy is the worst." Rosa stated simply, as she flicked through her colour-coded Magic History notes. And Sugar simply nodded in agreement. Honestly, he was just kind of glad that Ignatio hadn't picked up on any of his nervous behaviour during their meeting. Probably since the man looked awfully nervous himself.

What was he even nervous about? Sugar was the student here. Though, from everything he had eavesdropped from the teachers' familiars, it was just a part of his personality to be apologetic and overly anxious.

He sighed and continued going through the uses of Dragon Tears. Why did he even have to learn this? Those were so dangerous, only fifth- and sixth-years were allowed to use them in potions.

"Hey, good to see you here! I thought you two might be here!" a voice called over to the duo, which was promptly met by aggressive shushing from Rosa.

"Knight, this is a library." Rosa whisper-shouted.

The boy frowned as he joined his two friends at the table.

"I thought this one was the exception for talking... The librarian seemed cool with it." Knight commented, scratching his head.

"That's just because he's too nice for his own good," Rosa said with a huff, "I don't think I've even seen him get angry at his 'fan club'" she said with a laugh.

Meanwhile, Sugar just remained silent, looking at Knight. He was still on the fence about whether the werewolf rumour was true or not, but he still couldn't help but view him with suspicion... was what he would like to think. But in truth, there was no way Sugar could ever see Knight being a werewolf.

"Aw, is that so?" Knight said, "Well, what are you two doing?"

"Studying..." Sugar groaned.

"Aren't the exams four weeks away? Why are you starting now?" Knight said, sounding genuinely confused, "you have time, don't you?"

"Well, it's good to get a headstart," Sugar commented.

"Sure, I guess that is a thing, but you should also take some breaks, you know," Knight said, one of his usual grins breaking out, "besides, being miserable while studying is probably not very productive."

"Sugar's not miserable," Rosa piped in, "that's just his resting bitch face."

"Hey!"

"Well, anyway," Knight continued, "I still think a break would be good, get your mind off studying for a bit. Ooh, maybe we should take a walk around the school grounds! I heard that there's a lake with mermaids on the grounds.

"Mermaids? In a lake? That sounds like a rumour made up by some seniors trying to trick you." Sugar was pretty sure that it was even common knowledge amongst humans that mermaids were saltwater organisms.

"No, it's true. There's an underground channel connecting the lake to the ocean," Rosa butted in, "You can see the mermaids, if you look, pretty much year round, but they return to the ocean during the winter."