Page 49 of Spearcrest Knight

That would be… no, that would be too weird.

“That sounds like a terrible idea,” I say finally, not quite sure I mean it.

“I dunno, it wouldn't besobad,” he says.

I envy how calm and casual he sounds because I am inexplicably and embarrassingly flustered. The taxi is parking up outside the Spearcrest gates, and we thank the driver and get out.

“Well, it was just an idea,” Evan continues, waving the taxi off.

“Sure.”

“Just give it some thought, yeah?” he says. “Might be nice having some company at Christmas, and you wouldn’t have to worry about your parents nagging you.”

We cross the ornate arch of the gateway and stop where the path splits up. The girls’ dormitories are left past the library, and the boys’ dormitories are behind and past the Old Manor, at completely different ends of the campus. I’m not sure what to tell him, so I end up saying, “Alright. I’ll think about it. Goodnight.”

“Alright, Sutton, I’ll see ya.”

He gives me a casual wave and strides off, stuffing his hands into his pocket. A strange impulse of kindness pushes me to call after him. “Good luck with the Lit exam!”

“I don’t need luck!” he calls back. “I wouldn’t dare let you down!”

I don’t respond and hasten away before he can realise I’m smiling.

16

Dragon

Sophie

Withonlyfifteenminutesto go before the exam, I’m sitting on the chessboard tiles of the assembly hall foyer floor. The gloomy daylight falls through the high stain glass windows above the door, turning the grey light blue and red.

I’m sitting in a patch of red light and reading through critical theories on Othello when my phone buzzes from the depths of my backpack.

Propping my notes on my lap, I reach for it with impatience. A text from an unknown number. I open it with a frown.

“Good luck with the exam xo Evan”

I text back immediately.

“How did you get my number?”

His reply pops up.

“I asked Miss Bailey.”

“Creepy.”

“Hardly. It's not like I'm sending you nudes.”

“I'd rather bathe my eyes in bleach”

“Trust me, Sutton, if I sent you one, that's the last thing you'd want to do.”

“Please delete my number.”

“Relax, I'm not going to send you nudes. Unless you ask, of course. Just wishing you luck.”

“You should be too busy revising to wish me luck.”

---