Pixies

Introductions

As they walked to class, Violet filled Tick in on his job.

"First period is with Rowan, so you need to start acting like you actually like me now, okay?"

Tick blinked innocently, "Doesn't that mean you have to do the same?"

Violet shook her head, "Maybe a little, but Rowan needs to know that I'm into him as well. If it looks like another guy is infatuated with me, he'll like me more."

Tick chuckled, "You sound a little bit crazy, you know that?" He dropped an arm over her shoulder, and put on his charming smile, "Good enough?"

Violet shrugged him off.

"You don't have to now. Wait 'till we're inside the classroom, where he can see."

She thought her plan was solid, so why did that feeling in her stomach say otherwise?

***

They reached the history classroom right as the bell was ringing. Violet had been worried that Tick would have to use his hypnosis-like skills on the teacher in front of the class, but in the end, there was no cause for her nerves.

"Tick, welcome. I was just notified that you will be joining our school. Please have a seat." Said Mr. Scott as they entered the room.

Strange.

Tick seemed to have a supernatural aura about him, it seemed. His glowing eyes and pointed ears weren't acknowledged, and his outdated fashion statements only received looks of admiration.

If only it were that easy for me, thought Violet woefully.

Violet made sure to find a seat where she was directly in Rowan's line of vision. Tick followed her lead and sat beside her, throwing her a believably affectionate glance on his way.

Violet returned the gesture as best she could.

Did you see that, Rowan? People do like me!

She forced herself not to look and see if he had seen. She needed to play a little hard to get, after all.

Mr. Scott spoke to the class briefly, "Today we will solely focus on our projects, so make sure you work productively with your group."

Tick raised his hand, "I don't have a partner."

"Ah, you can work alone-"

"It's okay, I'll work with Violet." Tick said confidently. Violet couldn't believe it, did he really just refuse a teacher?

Violet was barely surprised, though, when Mr. Scott agreed. "Oh, yes, of course," he said, donning the same sleepy expression that the woman at the front desk had worn when Tick spoke to her.

Despite her vexation at the pixie, Violet's hear practically burst with excitement. Now, Tick would be in her group with Rowan and Summer.

Which means all the more time to make Rowan pay attention to me! He'll see how much other guys like me!

When Mr. Scott finished speaking, Violet nodded to Tick in approval. They moved over to Rowan in Summer, who were sitting much too close for Violet's liking.

Rowan smiled when they moved over. Violet had been dreaming of that smile.

"Wow, I'm surprised of how lenient Mr. Scott has been recently. A four person group! Well, the more the merrier, I guess. My name's Rowan, and the girl next to me is Summer." said Rowan.

Tick smiled too, but it was a motion laced with knives. "Yes, and I'm sure you were simply in agony when it was just you and two pretty girls."

Rowan looked confused, but he laughed anyway. "Uh, yeah. Right."

Violet kicked Tick under the desk.

Not part of the plan, idiot!

Summer smiled at Tick, she seemed extra happy today. "Nice to meet you."

Tick leaned over his desk, so he was barely inches away from the girl. "No, nice to meet you."

That interaction earned him another kick from Violet.

"So," said Rowan, "In case you didn't know yet, Tick, our project's on folklore. Our group's country is Ireland, so we should research that today."

"I heard they were into fairies and stuff," Summer chimed in. She looked at Tick again, "Do you know anything about that?"

Tick snickered, "Only that faeries are overrated. They have to use wands to do their magic and they steal socks."

Violet held herself back from kicking him a third time. She'd need to have a talk with him later that night about proper human etiquette.

Summer leaned in, eyes round as saucers. "Is that why my socks are always mismatched?"

Is this girl for real?

Rowan laughed awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable, "Maybe we should do some research first before jumping to that conclusion..."

Violet nodded vigorously, "Yeah, research! Let's do that instead of..." she looked at Tick, who was still telling a far-too-serious Summer about the various wrongdoings of mythical creatures, "...this."

Violet shot Tick a meaningful look, now was the perfect time to start acting like a couple.