Blight Academy

Late Workings

The loud bang of a door has me jolting from my sleep. I shake my head trying to thrust the sleepiness from my mind and rubbing it out of my eyes. I feel a pain go up my back but not like what I was used to, it was achy and moaned with each movement. I realize it was probably because we were still in the library and I had fallen asleep hunched over a coffee table. I looked and saw Thoman, long legs draped over the arm of the armchair, his head resting against the smooth leather. His eyes are closed, he was in a deep sleep much like I had been. A linguistics book open in his lap and a stray piece of blue hair resting against an eyelid. He was beautiful.

I took a glance out the window and I had to take a second look. It was dark out. What time was it? I looked at my wrist only to realise I don't actually have a watch. I looked at Thoman's wristwatch, my eyes going wide in horror. 2:50am. Mr. Porter's class had started seventeen minutes ago! I spring to my feet, gathering my books and shoved them into my bag. With all the noise Thoman woke from his sleep, the book falling to the floor in dramatic fashion.

"What's happening?" Thoman asked, voice husky. "What time is it?"

"Ten to three!" I practically yell.

"Ten to-, wait... don't you-" Thoman says, putting the pieces together.

"-have linguistics with Mr. Porter? YES!" I yell as I practically sweep all of my pens into my bag with my arm, a few highlighters missing the target and falling to the floor. "Shit!"

Thoman sees my distress, jumping to his feet and picking the highlighters off the floor and into my bag in one sleek motion.

"Don't worry about the mess, i'll handle it, just go before you completely miss the lesson!" Thoman says and I'm barely thinking just acting without thought because soon I'm running. I crash through the library doors and out into the hallway. Thoman rubs at his tired eyes, falling to the sofa in a heap. Something caught his eye under the table, a notebook. It wasn't one of his, it must be Leo's. Picking it up, Thoman guided his hand over the cover and admired the feeling of smooth leather across his skin. Opening it, his eyes went wide in horror at what was written inside.

______

I burst into the lecture hall, all eyes turning towards me and I immediately stammer, words unable to flow at my mouth like I wanted them to. I lock my brown eyes with red ones. Jayden looking on with a serious expression. Mr. Porter stops and folds his arms, looking at me with disappointment yet with a seemingly unconcerned glance.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Porter, I was-"

"I have no use for an excuse in this moment Mr. Quince," He says, dismissing me with a flick of his wrist. "But if you continue to disturb my class any further than you already have, I believe that you truly will have no explanation on this earth that could save yourself."

"I'm sorry sir," I say, sliding into the seat closest to me. I cringed, letting my head fall into my hands before I mentally smacked myself. I have to focus!

I open my book to the assigned chapter, a hand on my racing heart begging it to slow. I looked up to see what Mr. Porter had written on the board when I caught the sight of red eyes again. Jayden, he was still staring at me. He noticed that I had started to look back and I could visibly see him become shook before he quickly looked away.

What was that about?

________

"The exam will be in the final week of this term, I expect you all to pass. Except maybe Jared," Everyone looked to the back of the lecture hall where a male student sat, head on the table and was audibly snoring. "I'm sure he will make up the credits in his own time. Class dismissed"

I pack up my things in a rush, practically running to catch up to Mr. Porter. I had to apologize, I can't have him angry at me. I'm usually never late and I don't want him thinking that I'm like that because I'm not!

"Mr. Porter!" I yell out, grabbing his attention. "I truly and sorry about today, I was studying and Thoman and I fell asleep in the library-"

"Thoman, Thoman Phelps?" Mr. Porter asked and I nod, he seems to think for a long time before returning to the conversation. "It really doesn't matter to me whether you are late but if you don't want to dedicate your time and energy to this class then maybe you shouldn't turn up at all."

"No! That's the thing, I love this class and I'm working really hard to get here on time and I don't want you thinking that I'm a slacker or that I don't want to be here."

"Does this conversation have a point, Mr. Quince?" Mr. Porter says.

"Yes, well- I- I think it does," I stammer, struggling to say what I want.

"I think my evaluation of you so far has been based off pretty good reason. You have already missed one lesson and been late to another and it's only been the first week of you joining my class. Should I expect this behaviour to continue?"

"No! Of course not. I just wanted you to know I'm not usually like this-" I say and he cuts me off.

"'Usually' is the word I would emphasise here, Mr. Quince. You are transitioning, I would advise you to watch yourself in the next few weeks. You might find your personality might alter and quite dramatically may I add."

"I understand, is there anyway for me to make up the time I've missed?" I say, hands clammed together in anxiety. I don't like letting people down.

"Well, since you are so insistent," Mr. Porter said with a sly tone in his voice, making me shudder at what was to come. "I've got this secret project I'm working on and you would be a good asset to have. You can make it up to me by spending a few nights solving some code."

"I would love to help," I say. "Thank you."

"Okay, I'll get the files to you and Jayden by tomorrow morning then," Mr. Porter said, smiling. I had to take a step back.

"Wait, I'd be working with Jayden?"

"Although Jayden is a bit of a snob, he is one of the best I've ever seen," Mr. Porter adds. "Is there a reason you can't work with him?"

"Well-" I wanted to say so much but truth was I didn't really have a reason. Sure Jayden was mean, rude and had a serious anger management problem but Mr. Porter is right, Jayden is good at what he does. I can't just be petty in this situation

"I'd be working with him?" A voice came from down the hall, Jayden storming up the Mr. Porter angrily. "You said I would be working alone!"

Mr. Porter sighs. "I'm done arguing about this. You either work together or don't work at all!"

Jayden and I gave a wide eyed look at each other, Jay's eyes looking up and down my body in a silent judging. His red eyes come back to gaze into mine but yet we both seemed to nod in an understanding.

"Fine, we'll do it," we both said in unison, wondering how the hell we were gonna make this work.