Legacy Mutation (Book Eight)

Chapter 44: March Into Battle

AN: I know, lots of updates! That's because things are heating up and I'm SO ready to get to the final battle! Enjoy the intensity, dreamers!

School during the next few days are less than happy. A few of Katie's friends make sure to shoot Dean dirty glares whenever he walks by, but he simply ignores them. Him and Elisabeth talk once or twice, but it's obvious that there's hurt between them. Neither of them likes that, especially when that hurt is caused because they care about one another too much.

Mitch bounces up to his family and friend group at lunch, looking incredibly happy. His blond curls are tousled and messy, his bright blue eyes sparkling above his dancing freckles.

"Okay, whatever the French are doing, they're doing it right," he says, sitting down and sighing dreamily.

Copeland snickers a little whilst Tiki arches an eyebrow. Dakota and Kelly also laugh, finding the boy's comment humorous. The guys at the table only smile in response.

Nixie joins the table, throwing Mitch a wink as she sits down next to him. The boy's face becomes pinkish around the cheeks, but he still flashes a dazzling grin her way.

"So, things have been going well for you two?" Lukas teases.

Nixie flips her short hair a little and nods curtly. "You know it. Mitch is a fast learner."

Asher chokes on his milk, covering his mouth with his hand as he squeezes his eyes shut. Dakota and Kelly gently pat his back as he forces himself to swallow the liquid, his heterochromic eyes watering noticeably.

"I'm...I'm trying to eat here," he gasps, removing his glasses as he wipes his eyes.

"Whoops...sorry," Nixie apologizes.

"That's something that can be shared in private, I think," Tiki comments softly. "But that's just my opinion."

"Aw, you're so cute," Copeland murmurs.

His cheeks heat up and he tugs at his hat nervously, a small smile on his lips. Dakota nudges Lukas, jerking her head towards her twin brother. The sandy-haired boy gets the idea and winks at her.

"Hey Ash, how's it going with Ruby?" he asks.

Asher tenses, trying to hide the faint blush the dusts his pale cheeks. "Uh...um...R-Ruby, she's...uh...great," he stammers.

"Have you asked her out yet?" Dakota inquires, wiggling her eyebrows.

"W-What? N-No! We're just friends!" Asher insists.

"Suuuurrrrreeeee," Dakota, Kelly, and Lukas all coo teasingly.

Copeland smirks, leaning back a bit as she fixes her ponytail. "Isn't she a bit young for you?"

"It's only by one year!" the disguised turtle points out.

"Aw, he's defensive too," Dakota jokes.

Dean and Elisabeth, who had remained silent through the entire conversation, glance at one another. They sigh and look away, not liking where the lunchtime chatting has gone. She picks up a carrot stick and chews on it absentmindedly.

"Hey, did anyone have that pop quiz in math today?" Dean interrupts.

The conversation switches stupidly fast, with Copeland perking up immediately.