Charis
"My name is Professor Martinez, and I'll be your orientation guide until your final matriculation into Ravenshore Academy."
A stern-faced woman in her mid-thirties stood before the hall, addressing us.
"The orientation exercise at Ravenshore spans five days only, a week if there are unforeseen circumstances, and during this time, we would test your physical capabilities, mental resilience, strategic thinking and ability to work under pressure. Those who fail to meet the minimum standards will be given one additional opportunity before facing potential dismissal from the academy, and those who pass will officially become first-year students."
I tried to focus on the professor's words, but I kept noticing Kael's pale blue eyes drifting in my direction. More often than not, when I glanced toward where he sat, I found him watching me with an intensity that made me uncomfortable.
Was something wrong? Had he discovered something about my identity? He'd mentioned how pinkish my lips were; was that proof that I couldn't be a boy?
Without thinking, I turned to Rhett, who was sitting beside me, openly texting, not bothering to hide his disinterest in the proceedings. His fingers moved across the screen, and occasionally, he would smirk at whatever responses he was receiving.
"Rhett, let me see your lips," I whispered.
He stopped typing and looked at me, his hazel eyes dancing with amusement. "What?" he laughed. "Don't tell me what Kael said back then is bothering you?"
I wasn't paying attention to what he was saying; I was looking at his lips, comparing them with mine. It was pink but not as pink as mine. I sighed and leaned back against my chair. Who thought being a boy would be this hard?
"Don't let it get to you," Rhett patted my arm comfortingly. "That's Kael being Kael. He's always intense."
I nodded, sneaking another glance at Kael, who was no longer staring at me, but I still felt uneasy.
"Mr Thatcher," Professor Martinez called out to Rhett, who didn't raise his head until he was done typing.
"Yes, Prof," he said cheekily.
"Are you finding our orientation procedures interesting enough to warrant your attention?"
Rhett gave her an easy grin, completely unbothered by being called out. "Prof, I've been through this exact process before. I know it by heart at this point."
"Shouldn't you be bothered that you've refused to move past first year? This is your second time, or what?"
"Thir,d actually," Rhett shrugged playfully. "But third time's a charm. I might do better this time."
The professor's lips pressed into a thin line of disapproval. "Very well. You can sit this exercise out then, since you're clearly too experienced to benefit from participating."
Rhett grinned and gave a half-salute, then continued with his phone.
She turned her attention back to the rest of us and spoke.
"Everyone else, please select a partner for the first drill before we move on to the main agenda for today. All except Mr Thatcher."
The students immediately started shuffling into pairs, moving across the hall and choosing their friends. Any person I tried to hold would either decline or ignore me. I even spotted Whitmore, he had a satisfied grin on his face as the boy I was hoping would agree to partner with me, moved to someone else.
In the end, I was the only person in the hall without a partner. I swallowed and looked around, trying not to get frustrated that none of these strangers liked me enough to want to become my partner.
"Riggs, it seems you're the only one without a partner?" Professor Martinez asked, scanning the hall like I had done.
I nodded with a strained smile.
"I'll pair with him," Rhett volunteered immediately, pocketing his phone and rising to his feet.
Professor Martinez shook her head firmly. "Absolutely not, Mr Thatcher. You're far too playful, and the last time you participated, your partner's scores suffered significantly because of your antics, and he got kicked out. Not everyone has rich connections like you do."
"I'm not sorry I was born with privilege, Prof," Rhett winked in response. "But don't worry, I like Eamon, I'll make sure we get the scores."
"Won't be taking that risk," the professor muttered and turned to me with a look that might have been sympathy. "Mr Riggs, do you think you can manage to complete all the drills alone? There are no rules against that."
I swallowed hard, acutely aware of every eye on me. "I can try," I said, hoping my voice sounded more confident than I felt.
"I'll pair with him."
The unexpected voice made everyone turn. Kael rose from where he'd been sitting and came towards me. His expression was impassive as ever, but there was something in his pale eyes that I couldn't quite read.
Professor Martinez looked surprised. "Mr Winters, that's very considerate of you, but coordinators don't typically participate in orientation exercises."
"There are no rules against that, Professor Martinez," Kael replied smoothly. "Besides, pairing with a first-year will help me with my report, and since I'll be here every step of the way, there's no reason why I shouldn't. Don't you think?"
It was a perfectly logical explanation, and I turned to Professor Martinez, hoping she would agree.
Finally, she nodded. "Very well then, you can pair with him, but when I am grading, I would consider that your group has more advantage than the rest and not give you extra or bonus points. Is that okay?"
I nodded my head.
"Good, the first drill would be a light warmup, which would be done outside the hall, after which all the students should assemble at the parking lot. Got that?"
We chorused our acceptance.
Together, we moved outside to find another instructor waiting for us. He was dressed in a tracksuit with a whistle around his neck. He asked us to face our partners and wait for his instructions.
The morning air was still chilly, and I was dressed in a short-sleeved shirt. But I clamped my teeth together, hoping I wasn't being obvious.
Suddenly, Kael shrugged off his black jacket.
"Here," he said, moving to drape it over my shoulders. "Wear this."
The gesture was so unexpected and so natural that for a moment, I forgot where I was. Then I became aware of the stares we were attracting. The students were watching us keenly.
I laughed nervously, hoping Kael would notice too, as I stepped back from his jacket. "I'm fine, really. You don't need to —"
"But you're cold," Kael insisted, moving around to my side and trying again to settle the jacket on my shoulders. "The temperature will drop significantly very soon."
I turned away from him, continuing to decline. "I appreciate it, but I'm really okay. I don't want to take your jacket."
We were creating a scene, and it was drawing more attention by the second. Several students were already whispering among themselves, pointing at us.
Rhett suddenly appeared by my side, blocking Kael from me. When Kael looked up and saw him, he frowned. "Out of my way, Thatcher."
"I'm saving you from embarrassment, Winters," Rhett retorted. "Did you catch some of that fever from Marcus?
Kael's face hardened instantly. "Focus on your phone, Rhett."
"I would, but this soap opera is much more entertaining," Rhett said with a smirk. "Why are you acting so tender with a fellow boy?"
The question hung in the air like an accusation. Kael still had his jacket held out toward me. I felt heat flood my cheeks. I could see the realisation dawning on Kael's face, the recognition that his behaviour appeared inappropriate.
"I was simply ensuring he doesn't catch a cold and die," Kael said stiffly, lowering his jacket.
"Of course," Rhett nodded. "Very thorough of you to personally ensure each student's thermal regulation. I'm sure you'll be checking everyone's clothing choices individually."
Several students snickered, and I wished I could disappear entirely.
"If everyone is quite finished with their fashion consultations, we'll be leaving for the parking lot in five minutes. Complete the light warm-up, and let's move out."
As we began the light warm-up exercises, I glanced sideways at Kael, noting the rigid set of his shoulders and the way he avoided meeting my eyes. Whatever had driven him to offer his jacket, he was clearly regretting it now.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "I didn't mean to cause problems for you."
"You didn't cause anything," he said coldly. "I made an error in judgment regarding appropriate boundaries. It won't happen again."