"This one right here," Enid quickly found on Instagram and leaned toward Will, turning the screen toward him.
Will got out of bed and was now sitting right next to Enid. The phone was playing his fight with the Jericho Normies in the plaza.
"Someone recorded that," William said.
"What happened? I don't think you beat them up for no reason?" Enid raised an eyebrow, giving Will a curious look.
"They started it. He attacked first. They wanted money." (William)
"You know, I'm thinking of creating a Nevermore blog. The first post could be about you. There are a lot of people interested in knowing what happened, and that would stop the younger ones from avoiding you." Enid gave him a look with a slight plea.
(If I get his testimony, my blog will take off ahead of schedule. It's not like I'm just trying to get close to him.) (Enid)
"Sure, we could record a video for your new blog. It could even help explain what happened to Principal Weems." (It would help clear things up; it's not like I'm just trying to get close to Enid.)
"Click"
The sudden sound of the door opening caught Enid's attention. She turned around quickly, and being so close to Will, their cheeks brushed intimately.
(Wow, that's soft) (Will)
"Wow, there wasn't a donut by the door. Maybe I should come back later."
"He's just my friend." Enid threw a pillow at his face as they both laughed.
"That's right, Thornhill, it would be bad if they found your 'friend' here," the new girl continued, making air quotes with both hands when she said "friend."
"You're right, William, you have to hide." Enid jumped out of bed, rummaging through her suitcase. Before finding some pink wool, she threw it onto Will on the bed.
"Click"
"Girls, everything okay? I heard a lot of noise." A woman rushed in, her red boots stamping on the wooden floor.
An older woman with reddish hair and large black glasses, sporting an unusual smile that revealed her teeth, Marilyn Thornhill, the only Normie working at Nevermore.
Panic gripped Enid, she sped around Will. There was no one there except for the pink sweater. Thornhill entered the room, walking to the center, her gaze scanning the room for something unusual.
(It smells good) Will, under the sweater, began to move his nose from side to side. (It smells like Enid, I like it)
The girl, Yoko Tanaka, Enid's roommate, noticed the movement and signaled to Enid with her eyes.
Enid, noticing the signal, turned toward the sweater upon seeing the movement underneath and, without thinking twice, quickly hugged it to her chest, just as Thornhill turned away again.
"Is something wrong?" Thornhill felt they were acting strangely, but without giving it much thought, he left after saying goodbye.
(So soft!!!) Will felt the sudden movement; someone was lifting him and pressing him against something soft and fluffy.
Enid sat up in bed and decided to see what she was holding. It was a big, fluffy, orange cat.
"Aww, it's adorable!" Enid loved it immediately. After letting out a little squeal, she continued to hug Will to her chest.
"Enid, I think that cat is the boy who was here," (Yoko)
"No es posible... Cierto?"
"Miau?"
Enid turned as red as a tomato when she realized what she was doing with a boy she'd only met that day.
"Perverted cat," she whispered, tugging at one of Will's ears and wrinkling his little nose.
Will ran away as fast as he could before Enid could do anything worse to him. The poor, defenseless kitten hadn't done anything wrong, except sneak into the girls' dormitory.
Caliban Hall, Shared Room
The room was quite spacious, with wooden floors and beds; everything looked very nice, unlike Pugsley's room, with its worn walls and old bunk beds. Will silently thanked Headmistress Weems.
"So you're able to shapeshift into animals?" Xavier asked somewhat doubtfully. He had seen that orange cat dart out of Ophelia Hall seconds later; William was by its side.
"Right," Will replied distractedly, still remembering that softness. He was unpacking his luggage, from his clothes to his laptop, putting everything in its place. He even put his Planza on a wall mount just to the right of his bed, decorating his half.
"What about you? What can you do?" (Will)
"Psychic. I have visions and stuff." (Xavier)
"Sounds really useful." To demonstrate his ability, Will took the form of a cat, exaggerating his size until he reached a meter in height; he looked more like a small leopard.
"Wow!!" Not wanting to be outdone, Xavier grabbed a sketchbook, quickly sketched a bird, and with a flick of his wrist, emerged from the paper with a black body that seemed to be made of ink.
"That's awesome!" (Will)
Outdoor dining area.
"So it's skins, scales, Stoners, and fangs." A few days had passed, and William had settled into the rhythm of the classes at Nevermore; nothing too difficult.
"The girl you're interested in is a mermaid. Interesting choice, knowing that with a few words she could make you do whatever she wanted." (William)
"She has a medallion that prevents her from doing that...how do you know?" Xavier returned Will's look of surprise.
"Simple, you can't stop looking at her," Will replied before continuing with his slice of cheesecake.
"She's been his crush since last year. I don't know why he doesn't ask her out. He should take advantage of this weekend and go to Jericho with her." A third voice chimed in, a young man in a wool hat. A Gorgon wore a hoodie, his shirt untucked, and his jacket unbuttoned.
"I agree, William Stone." Will introduced himself and shook his hand.
"Ajax Petropolus" (Ajax)
"What about you and Enid? If you ask her out, I'll do the same with Bianca." (Xavier)
"Deal. I was already planning to do it during fencing class this afternoon." (Will)
"Enid, the werewolf?"
"Yeah, it was love at first sight." (Xavier)
"Oof, he's not denying it." (Ajax)
"Screw you!" Will threw napkins at them.
Fencing Hall
"Alright, boys, gather together. I'm Professor Vlad, and I'll be teaching you fencing this year. Put on your fencing gear. You'll split into two groups: the experienced ones on the right, and the novices on the left."
"Let's hurry," Vlad said.
Will was ready: jacket, mask, trousers, and gloves. He looked very sharp, it had to be said.
"William and Rowan, go first. Demonstrate a duel for the newcomers," Vlad said, his hands behind his back.
(I have to hit the opponent's torso. Arms, neck, head, and legs are invalid targets.) Will reviewed the rules in his mind.
"Let the duel begin" (Vlad)
"Plat" "Point" "Plat" "Point" "Plat" "Point"
It took Will less than three minutes, the time it takes for a round, to get the 5 points needed to win the duel. It was a crushing victory. Will stuck to the rules, was quick, but kind, unlike the young man who wanted to humiliate him, like that certain siren who made him fall on his backside during his practice.
"Victory to William!" (Vlad) Several rounds of applause sounded throughout the arena. He was already quite popular, and now he proved just how good he was at fencing.
(If I couldn't do this after my parents paid for private lessons, it would be a disgrace.) (Will)
"Want to practice?" (Bianca)
"Maybe some other time, though Xavier would love to." She pointed to Xavier, who was practicing with Ajax. Will already had his sights set on someone; it wasn't hard to spot Enid. Even with her body completely covered, she moved her arms and bounced slightly when she talked to her friends. She was the one who cheered him on the most during his duel with Rowan.
"Miss Sinclair, would you like to have a practice duel?" Will said gallantly, bowing with his saber at his chest.
"Of course, Mr. Stone," Enid replied, surprised but deciding to play along.
"And while we're at it, how about we make a bet?" Will suggested, getting into position with one hand behind his back.
"What do you have in mind?" (Enid)
"How about the winner buys the loser a cup of hot chocolate?" (Wil)
"There's a new bakery in Jericho, throw it in and you've got a bet." Will couldn't see Enid's face, but her tone sounded very pleased.
"Go ahead." (Vlad)
(She'll be angry about last night) (William)
"Plat" "Point" "Plat" "Point" "Plat" "Point"
"Three points for Sinclair," Vlad said.
(I think she's a little strong, she's fast and powerful.) Every attack Will launched was deflected with force. Will removed his helmet and raised an eyebrow in surprise at Enid.
"Werewolf stuff," Enid replied, also removing her helmet. A smile of excitement spread across her face, and beads of sweat trickled down her cheek.
5 Minutes Later
"That was cheating~" Enid retorted, growling at him, looking more adorable than intimidating.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Will feigned ignorance, five points in a row during the second round.
"I saw your eyes change." Enid bumped her shoulders against Will's.
"He has no proof. I'm innocent until proven guilty." In the distance, Will could still see Bianca and Xavier talking, smiling and laughing.
"Looks like spring has finally arrived for Thorper." (Will)
"He finally took the plunge. He's been after Bianca since last year, and she was interested too. It seems they've finally decided to go for it."