Page 45 of The Holy Academy of Witches

Icame out of the meditative state to see that Sage had left. Surprisingly, she’d managed to remain silent the entire time, even more surprisingly her company hadn’t been anywhere near as grating as I found just being in my own dorm. Her meeting up with Cillian outside of the school grounds had been unexpected. Pulling out my phone from my bag on the floor, I sat in one of the recliners by the water feature which was meant to encourage a state of calm, but really just encouraged you to want to pee.

“Hello?”

“Cillian, are you alone?”

“No… why?”

“Are you able to be?” I sighed.

“One minute Lucas,” I heard a quiet answering murmur before the sound of a door clicking shut, “I’m back. Everything alright?”

“You did a gig on Tuesday?” I asked.

Cillian sighed down the phone, “she told you.” Not a question.

“Kind of…”

The door opened, letting a crack of bright light into the dimly lit space. A perky girl walked in, her eyes bright, smile full.

“No,” I said, pointing to the door. Her face fell as she backed out of the room, letting the door close softly.

“It was actually a coincidence,” Cillian began, “I didn’t invite her.”

“Well no, I didn’t think you would have… that’s… do I…”

“Adeline Alva lost for words, I never thought I’d see the day.”

“Shut up… Should I be concerned? I mean, is this another Marsha situation or…”

“No. She’s not like that. At least I don’t think so. She’s…”

“She gets under your skin, doesn’t she?”

“Exactly.”

“Okay. I just wanted to check that it was… reciprocated and not some infatuation I needed to squash.”

Cillian laughed lightly, “no it’s… It’s fine. I’ve got it handled. Everything okay with you?”

I thought of the text message from two days ago, still unanswered… By me, “yeah, fine. You know me.”

“I do know you… Make sure you close a book every now and again and get some fresh air”.

“You’re one to talk. What did I interrupt earlier? A riveting game of Risk?”

“Chess actually,” we both laughed, “you know what I mean Adeline, I’ve got things that I do, just for me. I worry about you when I can’t see you, you know that. Want to come to my next gig?”

“Yes. Okay, let me know when. Listen, I should go, I’m currently occupying a room at the spa that I should have left thirty minutes ago. Talk soon?”

“Of course. Give my regards to Sage.”

“Will do, Grandpa.”

He laughed before ending the call. I swiped across to the messages from the blonde stranger, feeling a pang of guilt. I’ll reply tonight.

As I walked back to the dorm I caught sight of Sage walking in the direction of the library. I sped up, the gravel of the path crunching underfoot. Glancing back, Sage startled at my appearance behind her.

“Oh! Hi…” She pulled headphones from her ears, her cheeks glowing. No guesses as to which playlist she was listening to. Maybe I should take her with me to Cillian’s next performance… See what they’re like together.

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