Four Hearts

Chapter 20

Cedric

Classes for the entire week have been canceled in the creation magic department so they can work on their event for Hallows Eve. Cedric has no part of it since he is just a first year. He isn't upset about it. It means he didn't have to be apart of the awful, student-written play the second years were performing. It means he had plenty of time to practice the magic he has been learning. The private lessons with his teachers had caused him to show drastic improvement. With all the assignments he was able to make up, Cedric was able to pull his grade up to a 74. Just a few points above passing. While he would need an 80 if he wanted to graduate at the end of the year, staying above 70 would mean that he doesn't have to be transferred out of the program and forced into basic weapon training.

So far this week, Cedric practiced every day outside in the woods behind the school. There was plenty of materials there for him to practice his gathering with. As long as he didn't wander too far into the forest, there were no animals that came out to attack him either. However, today he found himself inside the staff lunchroom, surrounded by baked goods. Cedric sighs as he watches Milena take another batch of sweet rolls out of the oven.

"Listen, it's not this big a deal," Cedric says to her.

"Yes, it is," Milena replies as she begins coating the rolls in a sugar glaze. "The entire school is going to be going around, and the recipes have to be perfect. Since Harper refuses to help with any of the baking, it means that it's up to me to make sure that treats are perfectly made."

"So, I have to test them all because?"

"You're the only friend I have that knows anything about working in the kitchen. And Zain and Allegra are still busy with classes."

"Zain is just doing training on his own, and Allegra is just doing book work while her teacher helps get the party in order. You could use them."

"Well, you still promised you'd help."

Milena places a tray of her sweet rolls in front of Cedric and waits patiently for him to eat one. Cedric sighs but takes the one closest to him. Milena leans in a little as she nervously thinks about the possible feedback he could give.

"Not bad," Cedric says while crossing his arms.

"That's it?"

"What else do you want?"

"You're supposed to be helping me make sure that these are the best sweet rolls ever tasted."

"I'm not the best person to ask about this. Maybe find someone who has a little more experience than cooking whenever his mom wasn't home before his sister turned ten."

Milena huffs, "Come on. You have to have some idea of how I can make it better. I've been working on this recipe for the past two days on my own. I need your feedback."

"Why don't you just look up some recipes on your notepad? Or there's probably some cookbooks in the library."

"It's not the same! I have to do this myself!"

Cedric rolls his eyes, "If you're trying to prove that you can handle yourself, Princess..."

"I'm not!"

"Then what's the point of putting yourself through this?"

"It's just, fun."

"Really? It's fun?"

Milena nods her head, "Baking is the most fun I've had ever. So, I have to do this on my own. It won't be the same if I just listen to someone else's instructions. I want to make this on my own."