Page 139 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“No, most of my pre-mastery is self led at this point in the year. I just have to report to Professor Finch on occasion with documentation of my hours. It was just a little chaotic for a while so since I’m ahead of my work, Finch was sending me to check on the other faculty while they settled in.”

“That was kind of him.”

“He’s alright, a bit proud, not the best under stress or change, but he cares about his professors. And he knows quite a bit about potions. Ah, here we are.” He said, leaving the path to enter what my peripherals had mistaken as grass.

The large clearing held short woody plants just starting to sprout green leaves and stems. Stepping carefully I tried to avoid their raspy scrape against my bare legs. Cillian removed a trowel and began digging at the base of one of the plants. After unearthing a patch of the roots he cut off a section, wrapped them in a black handkerchief, and then recovered the base of the plant.

“What are those for?” I asked curiously.

“Lavender is a key ingredient in potions, but the plants we’ve grown in the greenhouse are diluted compared to those grown wild. I’m experimenting with the roots to see if I can find something to infuse into the potions or the greenhouse pots.”

“This is lavender?” I asked, spinning around trying to imagine the majesty of the clearing when in full bloom. I closed my eyes to try and picture it and the subtle scent of lavender filled my senses. Looking down I saw Cillian’s hand slowly crushing some of the sprouts in a circular motion beneath my nose. I gulped, unsure why the visual felt so…

“Hey sis!… Cillian. Didn’t take you for the class-ditching type.” His tone dipped into transparent disapproval as he took us in, my vivid blush likely damning us further. I despised this gap between us and how it only seemed to grow after my supposed betrayal in continuing to trust Adeline.

“I’ll see you back at campus Cillian, I need to speak to my twin alone.” I said, allowing the rampant frustration to colour my tone.

Cillian nodded his understanding, hesitated, then stepped forward to drop a chaste kiss on the top of my head before leaving. I didn’t dare acknowledge the act, one that was undoubtedly for my brother’s benefit, instead fixing my eyes at my twin once we were alone.

“Alright let’s hear it Theodore.”

“Hear what? You’re the one that wants to talk.”

“I do want to talk, I’m tired of your silent judgement so let’s put words to it. Why are you mad at me? Because of Adeline? Cillian? Both? Or is it something else? Spit it out.”

“I’m not mad at you.”

“Lie.”

“Alright. Fine. I am mad. Actually, I’m furious. What the hell happened to all the things you said after the run?”

“I asked her for an explanation, I got one.”

“Just like that? You believe her.”

“It was a good explanation.”

“Alright let’s hear it then.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Ha! So you’re lying.”

“No, it’s just not my story to tell. If you want to hear it then you know where to go. No one is stopping you but yourself.”

“It’s not that simple, Sage.”

“It never is with you, Theo. It’s like Tyler all over again, you brood and burn until you self-destruct and chip away at anyone that gets too close. And now you can’t seem to decide whether you want to protect me or push me away. Well, I’m sick of it. Go ahead and boil over, I can take it. But I’m done tip-toeing around you. I’m sick of having to choose between two halves of my heart. You’re my twin, they’re my best friends. I want to be with all of you and I think you’d all get along so well if you’d just let it happen. So let’s clear the air…”

He kicked one of the plants angrily, shaking his head with each change of his mind, before he finally spoke, “You’re right, I’m sorry. I want you to be happy, and I’m glad you are. Cillian isn’t really that bad, I even like him sometimes. I’ll try to keep an open mind with him at least but… I’m sorry, I can’t trust Adeline. I just… I can’t. But I’ll try not to make things awkward for you at the very least.”

“Thank you. I’d be interested to hear what it is you hate about her some day, but… I’ll take this for now.” I said, genuinely grateful to have reached any sort of compromise with my pig-headed twin. “Now, I’ve called out sick the rest of the day. What do you say we sneak off to the meadow? I have that book on twin magic and some snacks still stashed there?”

“That sounds great, sis. I could really go for that. You don’t happen to have any more flaming hot cheetos by chance?”

“In this economy?” I lowered my voice into my impression of our father. To which we burst out laughing.

“Identity theft is a serious crime, Sis.” He chortled, shoving me before racing away, flipping me off as he went.

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