The Boy Behind the Counter

✑ chapter thirteen: alone

'til now, i always got by on my own.
i never really cared until i met you
and now it chills me to the bone:
how do i get you alone? how do i get you alone?

━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

Life went back to normal surprisingly fast after the intervention, after Kurain. It had a funny way of doing that. Before long, classes became the most stressful thing that the group had to worry about again. Maya had missed that. She'd take harsh exams over being almost murdered any day of the week.

When that thought occurred to her, she was sitting beside Phoenix in their shared art history class. He was having trouble getting his things back into his bag as he watched the clock for the quickly approaching end of the lecture.

Miles was near the front of the room like the goody-two-shoes he was, sitting perfectly straight, pretending that he wasn't as impatient to get out of there as everyone else was. The tapping of his fingers was what gave him away. He wanted to go and play piano.

Larry was half-asleep behind Phoenix. He had slumped forward onto his desk, eyes blinking open only once every minute or so. Payne's classes always did that to him. Maya would probably have to nudge him to remind him that they were supposed to be getting up soon. She leaned back just enough in her chair— just enough to be ready to smack the back of his head if need be.

Iris was with Ema, distinctly not sitting beside her sister, while Franziska and Adrian were on their other side. They formed something of a wall around her, keeping her away from the wicked redhead's occasional dirty looks. Franziska glanced at the clock and then back at Maya, almost smiling. Maya flashed her a thumbs-up. They had plans.

The bell rang. Phoenix was too quick to jump up, so Professor Payne went out of his way to point directly at Phoenix as his voice rose until it was loud enough to be heard over the commotion. Phoenix was red in the face before Payne even got the words out.

"And another thing, students— do not forget that the tournament qualifiers will begin soon!" He screeched. "If you have plans to enter, get your pieces ready and find the appropriate professor to fill out your forms!"

"Shit!" Phoenix exclaimed reflexively. Payne glared at him and the others laughed at his expense. One could tell just by looking at him— he had completely forgotten. There had been a lot going on lately. Whether the outburst was justifiable or not didn't matter, though. Phoenix would definitely have to stay after class. Maya saw, as she scurried out of that room, that Miles and Larry were waiting for him in the hallway.

"You boys behave yourselves, okay? The ladies and I have plans. Ladylike plans."

"Oh?" Miles seemed surprised to hear it. "Don't tell me you're going window shopping."

"Nothing like that. Adrian got us into a really nice restaurant. We're having a tea party! Girls only." Maya had to admit that she was excited. It was nice to get dolled up every once in a while, she thought. Especially after feeling as crummy as she had lately.

"I'm sure we can keep ourselves entertained for one day," Miles assured her. "Besides, Nick and I have some studying to do. Once I'm done with piano practice for the day."

"Good, good. I have to go get ready! I have a dress picked out and Ema's going to help me with my hair."

Miles nodded.

"I'm sure you'll both look lovely."

"Miles!" Maya feigned girlish embarrassment, her hands on her cheeks. Miles was just being polite, she was sure, but she'd take the opportunity to tease him anyway. "For a moment there I almost thought you were straight!"