When I arrived at the cafeteria and headed to our usual table, Mitch was sitting with Mal and talking. I greeted them both and proudly told them I was selected for Water Mani Apprentice. I got a big hug from Mal and a "congrats" from Mitch before he got up and left to go to who knows where.
"So, I take it he's still mad at me for whatever reason," I say to no one in particular, but meant for Mal to respond.
"He's not mad at you, you've just been busy and you two have grown apart, I mean even you and I have. You spend a lot of time with Paxx and Theo and even Bee so we rarely see you," Mal says.
"You barely see Mitch either, he's always off with EJ and Tyler and Finn and whoever else," I contest.
"Mitch and I eat dinner together two or three times a week, and we use his laptop to sneak a video call to our parents on the weekends too, EJ learned how to hack the protection app the school installs to devices to block the calls and such, so we have access to that, we just have to keep it to a minimum, one call a week, limit of 10 minutes a call."
"Why didn't you tell me? I would love a chance to talk to Leo!"
"He's doing well, he was at our house with your parents for dinner two weekends ago, we got to say hello when we called, I meant to tell you everyone said hello but I forgot," Mal tells me as if it's no big deal.
"Oh well great to know, why am I never invited to dinner or weekend calls with Mitchell then if he's not mad at me?"
"I told you, you're busy off with whoever, wherever, whenever. I invited you to dinner more than once and you had other plans. You and Paxx walked right by Mitch and I on Wednesday during dinner, I waved and you didn't notice me. Like I said the call thing is super downlow, and I meant to tell you, I just forgot."
"Well I'm sorry I have other friends and that means Mitchell hates me and you forget to let me in on important things like the chance to talk to my brother!" I say most likely much too loudly.
I glance around and a few people are staring at us but they all look away when they notice that I notice them.
"I said that it needed to stay on the downlow, not to shout about it in the middle of the cafeteria Em. I am sorry your feelings are hurt, I really am. I have tried to keep you in the loop, even though I am not sure you can say that you have done the same with Mitch and I. I apologize for not trying harder and will make sure you hear me and process my words next time I invite you to something, and I will make sure I invite you to our next call, which will be on Sunday at 10:00am by the way, but I better go before we draw more attention. Besides, Paxxon showed up a few minutes before you did and asked me to let you know he will be here at 11:45 to eat with you and then hang out while you read or whatever you two do, before he walks you to Defense Against Danger. So I better leave you to that. I'll see you in class, sort of," Mal says, quieting her words more and more as she goes on, before waving slightly at me as she leaves.
I sit down at the table that I never even bothered to sit at before now. I try to make it as unclear as possible that I am sulking about my friends and am miserable on a day I should be thrilled. It's a good thing I never even went to grab some food, because I have completely lost my appetite now. I decide to lay my head on the table and try to compose myself before Paxx shows up.
Only a few minutes later Paxx arrives. He approaches with a tray that holds two identical plates of food: roast chicken, rice, glazed carrots and the special sauce Paxx gets from the chef. I now crave that sauce, but am too shy to request it when I'm not with him for meals.
"Would it be overtly inaccurate of me to assume that you chose a poor attempt at hiding from your outburst rather than eating a meal? By the looks of both you and your table settings, or lack thereof, I do believe I am correct. Regardless, though needless to say as your vision has not been impaired by your lack of better judgement, I brought you chef's special," Paxx greets me.
YOU ARE READING
The Echoes of Rivalry & Ruin (The Acamancy Series I)
FantasyThe Academy of Manipulation and Control was built on that exact premise: to manipulate and control its students and their gifts. 150 years ago, the Founders created the school to control its students, and their gifts to manipulate the elements, and...
