Finding Obsidian

11 - A Series of Unfortunate Events

"So that about covers things, then." Prof drew a large red X on the calendar by his desk—the day of the Evaluation Competition, three weeks from now. "Your time in class will be devoted to honing your skills and devising new dish ideas." He turned back to look at us, and we both listened attentively. No need to risk another Prof-plosion, after all.

"After classes, your time will be divided between each of your respective residences," Prof continued. "Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays will be spent at Hanna's apartment, and the remainder of the week will be at Rian's. Sundays are optional, but highly recommended. I'm going to be busy preparing for my attendance at the Evaluators' Ball, so you two will have to rely on yourselves and manage your time effectively." He peered at us over the top of his glasses. "Is that understood?"

"Yep," I replied. Rian only nodded silently, but that seemed to be enough for Prof. "Excellent," he said, smiling. "You're dismissed."

Deceptively straightforward, wasn't it? What was a seemingly simple command at the time would later result in disaster. 

For me, that is. Don't worry, Prof would be fine.

We shuffled out of the classroom in silence, neither of us totally recovered from Prof's rain of fury. I stuck my hands deep in my coat pockets, feeling inexplicably cold. Maybe all those glares from Rian really had given me frostbite.

The culinary wing was empty, probably because classes had long since ended. A passing window revealed that the sun had already set, and I tugged my coat around me a bit tighter. I wasn't really a fan of long walks in the dark. Or the dark in general. 

With maybe one exception. 

Wait, no. What was I talking about? No exceptions. None whatsoever.

The quiet in the hallway was a little eerie, but we were both equally unwilling to strike up any awkward attempts at conversation. I was still mad, but the emotional upheaval of the day left me too drained to act on my anger. I'll start in on him some other time, I resolved. Tomorrow's another day after all. No breaks—OW.

I winced. My nefarious musings had been interrupted by a sharp twinge in my chest.

And then another. And another. 

Barely holding back a hiss of pain, I discreetly pressed my hand against the right side of my ribcage. I could feel a distinct burning sensation ruthlessly bloom across my body. 

Now?  I wanted to yell at whatever part of me triggered these things. Of all times, now? With Rian literally two feet away?

Another stabbing pang ripped through my torso. This time, I couldn't keep myself from sharply sucking in a breath. I furtively snuck a glance at Rian, hoping against hope that he hadn't noticed. 

Of course, since the universe seemed to be sporting a particularly nasty grudge against me, that wasn't the case. I looked up only to meet a familiar pair of obsidian orbs staring down at me.

"What is it?" Rian asked, his brow furrowing.

I stifled another gasp of pain and clutched my side harder. "It's nothing," I said shakily.

Rian frowned at me in annoyance. "Are we really going to go through this again? Twice in one day seems a bit much, even for you."

A weak laugh escaped my lips. "That's what she said."

Rian stopped walking and grabbed my arm. He pulled me around to face him, his usual glare tinged with something different. "This isn't the time for crude jokes. Answer my question: what—is—it?"