Black Academy

Chapter 5 - Part 2

God, she hadn't realised how hungry she was. She didn't know if dunking it in her café au lait was the done thing, but what the hell: she dunked it anyway. As the melted chocolate hit her tongue she sighed blissfully. Tyler was watching her with amusement, and she remembered suddenly to embarrassed. Honestly, she was eating like she hadn't seen food for a month. She made herself put the pastry down and take a swig of coffee. "I like a girl with a healthy appetite," he said archly. Elsa threw her napkin at him. "Aren't you hungry?" "That's not really the sort of thing I like." He ran a finger round the rim of his tiny cup of espresso. "Although Pain With Chocolate does sound very appealing." 

"That's not what it means," Elsa told him. "Even I know that. You are wicked." He raised a languid eyebrow. "You have no idea." Elsa had to laugh, shaking her head. What on earth was she doing here? she wondered again. Sitting in the Paris sunshine in a pavement café with a boy who was so far out of her league he might as well be in the next galaxy. "Where are you from, then, devil-boy?" His grin flashed. "Hades and Norfolk." He took a sip of his thick black coffee. "Oh? Rapunzel said something about the West Country." "Just because we own rather a lot of it doesn't mean we have to live there." The face of him. For the first time she felt a tingle of disapproval. She scowled. "Is that how you got to join the Few?" 

"Oh, Elsa, don't look at me like that, I beg you." He made puppy eyes. "I'm sorry if I offended you. I'm a rich spoilt brat and it sometimes shows. Of course, it's also a good qualification for the joining the Few." "So that's why Rapunzel isn't one of you? I mean, she's rich and beautiful, but she's not a spoilt brat." "Elsa, your words cut me to the bone." Dramatically, Tyler clasped his hands over his heart. "It's the truth that stings like a whiplash, I suppose." He gave her another grin that melted her hostility. "As for punzie, punzie Rapunzel, you never know. We're due to initiate another member this term, and the Few aren't all self-centered swines like me. She could be in with a chance. And if Rapunzel gets an invitation to the third floor, it won't be before time, in my humble opinion."

"Has your opinion ever been humble?" Elsa still couldn't repress her smile, though her heartbeat had suddenly slipped up a gear. "What's on the third floor?" "Our common room.The Few's, I mean." "Really?" She took a casual sip of coffee. "I bet that's something else. You couldn't let me see it, could you?" "Tut tut!" Tyler wagged a finger at her. "Certainly not. What a temptress you are." He smiled again. "Not that special invitations haven't been known." "Go on. You've made me really curious." Cheekily, he tapped her nose with a forefinger. "Invitations to the common room have to come from all the Few. Sorry, my dear, but it's a rule. I can't just take you up there." Elsa shrugged as if she couldn't care less. "Law unto yourselves, you lot, aren't you? The Few. I mean, what kind of a name is that? What do you do, except skip classes? I mean, what are you for?"

Her laughter came out a little strained. Tyler was watching her closely again, his smile a more thoughtful one. "Coffee's cold." He stood up, his zinc chair scraping on the flagstones, and glanced at the watch on his wrist. "And study time's over. Heavens, Elsa, you're quite a distraction." Carelessly he took her hand and drew her to her feet. "Come along. Back to the Academy with you."