Page 141 of The Holy Academy of Witches

Adeline: Yeah definitely… that’s weird isn’t it? I can’t remember the last time we ate lunch together.

Cillian: Probably at my mothers ball last Summer.

Adeline: Oh yes… the canapés.

Cillian: “Don’t touch the canapés Adeline, you’ll look like a greedy pig”.

Adeline: Don’t! I’m still traumatised from not being able to eat those filled mini Yorkshire puddings.

Cillian: Your mothers face was a picture.

Adeline: “I hadn’t realised it was Christmas.”

Cillian: “I didn’t know we were on a farm.”

I snorted out loud as I lowered my phone under the table so as not to be caught by Professor Biggle. Sage looked in my direction.

“What are you laughing at?” She asked, peering at my phone.

“Just Cillian, I’m meeting him for lunch.”

“Oh, I’m meeting Theo.”

“Oh… Well, I can meet you after? If you want some alone time with your brother, I mean.”

“Hmm, yeah…”

“Unless… I mean, do you want to come with Cillian and I?”

“No!” She answered quickly.

“Don’t hesitate will you,” I laughed. A blush spread across Sage’s cheeks as she mumbled to herself. “What? What is it?” I prodded her side as she feigned interest in whatever tripe Professor Biggle was mumbling about as she wrapped up the lesson.

“Ouch! Nothing, I’m just not sure he’d want to see me anyway that’s all… Don’t look at me like that, he’s forced to spend enough time with me pretending to be my boyfriend…”

“Sage… You do know he likes you, right?”

She looked at me like I had grown three heads which only had me laughing harder.

“No he doesn’t!” She cried and stood knocking her hip against the table. I gathered my books up as the bell rang, trying not to laugh.

“Sage, you’re an idiot sometimes…” I walked out of the classroom towards the courtyard, Sage traipsed behind me, muttering under her breath. Probably cursing me.

The boys were already sitting on a wall at the edge of the courtyard, the spring sun making Theo’s hair even more blonde.Of course we’d chosen to meet in the same place.My heart flipped over in my chest as he turned, a grin breaking out across his face at seeing Sage. I dropped down beside Cillian, Theo’s smile faltering.

“Hey,” Cillian nudged my shoulder with his as I shoved my books into my bag, searching for my lunch instead.

“C’mon sis, your legs are nearly as long as mine,” Theo called and I looked up to see Sage taking twice as long as necessary to walk across the courtyard. I smirked and she gave me a glare before rushing to close the distance between us, resulting in her books tumbling from her arms.

Cillian rushed over, dropping into a kneel to help her pick them up. She froze on the spot as he knelt there on one knee holding a book out to her. Her face flushed red and she blurted out, “No you’re stupid Adeline!” And ran back into the Academy.

Cillian turned to face us, her textbook still in his hand, with an expression of such bewilderment that I burst out laughing.

“What the hell was that?” Theo asked.

“Don’t worry. I know.” I stood up, wiping my eyes and went inside to find the hysterical mess that was my best friend. Gods, it was still strange to think about her being my friend let alone my best friend, but somehow that weirdly positive ray of sunshine squeezed her way into my heart. Eurgh. I need to be sick.

I pushed open the door to the girls toilets and found Sage pacing back and forth. The moment the door shut behind me she spun on her heel with a raised finger pointed in my direction.

---