The Echoes of Rivalry & Ruin (The Acamancy Series I)

Chapter 29: Calum's Competitive Edge

I wish I could say that in some miraculous turn of events I nailed every question. That I know way more about technology than I let on. I secretly read books about computers and devices and history of technology, and I bested Calum. But that's not true, I did not win. I didn't even answer my first question right to keep it close, Calum won fair and square. He nailed his question, and mine, and all of the remaining 8 questions in the category before he took a deep bow and shook my hand again. As a testament to his honor, Calum did not brag to me or make any snide comments. He didn't fake a "good try" or even a "good job" Calum simply shook my hand with a nod and a "see you in class tomorrow" before he walked away to high five Ryker and Jett.

"Wow Emmie! You were amazing," Brynn speaks up first.

Brynn wraps me in a tight hug, that Mal and Summer join in on.

"You all missed the beginning and the middle, Em should have won ages ago, but Calum is a cheat with a buzzer, you nailed it Em," Mitch says as he warm hazel eyes crinkle at the edges as the edges of his mouth upturn in a deep smile, showing off those charming dimples. I admire the praise and comfort of my best friend and find myself admiring the beauty of his smile before my view is stolen from me as he wraps me in his strong arms into a tight hug. I missed this, I missed Mitch. We haven't been close lately and I regret not spending more time with Mitch and Mal. I make a silent vow to change that as I pull from his hug.

"Thanks guys, now excuse me, I have to get to the library and study up on the history and advancements of technology before AEEs," I joke.

"Library is closed after the events of the day, nothing structural was damaged as far as the building, and Lucas go, but they want to clear up the burnt foliage and clean off the ash before tomorrow," Luther informs us.

"I was jok—"

"Nice show you put on there, Emalyne, Emmie Love and I enjoyed watching you flaunt the one thing you have going for you; didn't we love? It was nice to see The Other Emmie at work, for once I found a reason to give her some attention, well for a moment before...," Damon says as his words trail off and his eyes trail a line from me to the other Emmie and down to her chest. The other one smiles deeply as her cheeks flush and her eyes gloss over, the lust is definitely mutual as she rakes her eyes all over Damon's strong body.

"Oh Other Emmie, I didn't even notice you were the one up there, my mistake, I must admit I was pretty distracted by your handsome opponent," the girl says as she looks over her shoulder at Calum and waves a small finger wave at him.

Calum doesn't even bother a return wave, or nod, let alone words in her direction. I wait for his eyes to meet the same place Damon's are now but Calum looks away, dismissing her even more quickly than he answered all of his questions. I feel a hand on my shoulder, I don't even need to look up or over my shoulder to know that the long fingers tracing my shoulder blade, and the tall, lean frame pressed against my back is Paxxon. I feel his words caress my neck as Paxxon whispers for me to follow him out of here, but my feet stay glued in place.

"Ember leave Emalyne alone, she did nothing to you, this isn't your fight, you got what you wanted now but out," Phoebe is next to speak.

"Ember, awe so you do have a real name and just choose to steal mine," I say.

"Oh, Emmie Love, look she is jealous," Damon coos before cutting off his words and stopping Ember's replies with a kiss on the lips, shoving his tongue down her throat and groping her breasts to make a show of it. Ember doesn't pull away first, as expected Damon does. Damon's face reads "how's that for a show" while Ember's reads "I am in love with him" poor girl, I almost pity her.

"Don't worry, there is plenty of me to go around. A kiss for one Emmie can always be followed up by something for the other Emmie, come on, don't be shy," Damon dares to speak.