First & Last #5 Quite Words, Sharper Motives With Calculations & ...Crumbs?

The bell hadn't rung yet, but half the class was already restless. Tapping pens, stretching arms, or just staring blankly at Ma'am Diallo's neatly written equations on the board as if they were ancient codes carved into a tomb wall.

Ms. Sade Diallo.(Strict Maths Teacher)

Alright!

She said, snapping the chalk into pieces and turning around slowly, like a villain in a mystery film.

Ms. Sade Diallo.(Strict Maths Teacher)

Since I value optimism, I'll assume most of you didn't just spend the entire week playing cricket behind the staff room or binge-watching dramas your parents think you don't know exist.

A few students giggled nervously. Some avoided eye contact altogether.

Avian tried her best to hide the smirk behind her hand. While Phenix sat leisurely as if already giving up beside her. On the other hand Ma'am Diallo continued, tapping on the first desk dramatically which was 'coincidentally' Asher's.

Asher Reeves. (Stupid Chatterbox)

*gulps*

Asher gulps and does a subtle attempt to hide his notebook which was half-filled with formulas and the other half with his bucket list for summer, his bright future plans, his future house's blueprint and what not. *sigh*

Ms. Sade Diallo.(Strict Maths Teacher)

Your annual exams begin Monday. That gives you... what, one and a half day to discover a miraculous love for algebra?

She clasped her hands as a ripple of nervous laughter spread through the class.

Ms. Sade Diallo.(Strict Maths Teacher)

*voice cut through the chatter again* I'd tell you to revise,

Ms. Sade Diallo.(Strict Maths Teacher)

But let's be honest, half of you are going to cry, the other half will lie about studying, and a few bold souls will attempt both.

Asher Reeves. (Stupid Chatterbox)

*whispers* I am doomed.

Ms. Sade Diallo.(Strict Maths Teacher)

*smiles thinly* At least do it with dignity.

Asher Reeves. (Stupid Chatterbox)

Just then, the bell rings~

🔔

Class. (💥)

*sighs in relief*

Ms. Sade Diallo.(Strict Maths Teacher)

You have your drawing test after lunch break. *reminded as students began packing*

Ms. Sade Diallo.(Strict Maths Teacher)

Let's hope you can at least draw your future if you cannot calculate it.

Laughter broke the tension.

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

*chuckles*

Phenix Marshall. [Nix]

*didn't look up, but the corner of his mouth twitched*

And for a moment, even the looming exams felt a little less terrifying.

Ma'am Diallo gestures Yuri and Percy who has to attend the detention...Oh, sorry! I meant the 'Special one-on-one study session' after school with her because they didn't submit their assignments.

Ms. Sade Diallo.(Strict Maths Teacher)

And boys, especially you two, try not to fail both Math and Art. I don't want to see your faces in summer school.

Ma'am Diallo glance at them one last time before walking out. The door closed behind her.

Yuri Knox. (Mr. Troublemaker)

*dramatic sigh* She really believes in us.

Elios Frost. (Coldy Class Monitor)

*stands & snickers looking back at him* No. She just doesn't want you back next year.

Before Yuri could retort back Elios was already out of the chaotic four walls.

And soon a flurry of benches scraped back. Students poured out, talking louder than usual, nervous energy masked as excitement. The class scattered like birds set free, some rushing to the canteen, others staying back to eat on desks and windowsills.

The usual buzz returned. Louder. Messier. Real.

Avian lingered. So did Phenix.

They didn't speak. Just... gathered their things, quietly. At the same pace.

At the back, Ruby was halfway through tying her hair when the class's rumor mill slid into the seat beside her with the energy of someone about to drop a bomb.

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

*raise eyebrow sharply*

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

Tyler Ponting. (Gossip Monkey)

You will not believe what you missed this morning. *his voice half a whisper, half a trumpet*

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

*slowly, already suspicious* What?

Tyler Ponting. (Gossip Monkey)

*grins* Before the first period, Yuri tried to be his usual bully self and 'accidentally' made Avian fall from her bench. Like actually made her fall.

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

So what? *uninterested*

Tyler Ponting. (Gossip Monkey)

Well, guess who picked her like some hero?

Ruby's hands froze mid-tie.

Tyler Ponting. (Gossip Monkey)

*leans closer, enjoying the effect* Phenix. He held her hands. BOTH hands. Helped her up and all. People said they looked like a couple in slow motion.

Ruby's stomach twisted.

Nora Sinclair. (Rich Young Lady)

You saw everything. Even things that didn't happen. *mumbles*

Nora mumbled standing beside, peeling her orange without looking up.

But Ruby wasn't listening anymore.

Tyler Ponting. (Gossip Monkey)

*ignores Nora* He even asked her if she was okay. You should have seen it. Half the girls were squealing.

Nora Sinclair. (Rich Young Lady)

*sighs, unimpressed* You should stop watching people like it's a reality show, Tyler.

Tyler Ponting. (Gossip Monkey)

To me reality is more fun than fiction. *shrugs moving on to tell someone else*

Ruby sat frozen.

She stared ahead blankly, fingers clenched around her water bottle. She hadn't seen any of it, hadn't even been there. And now the image was stuck in her head: Phenix, quiet, calm, holding Avian's hands like she mattered.

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

He helped her. *said mostly to herself*

Nora finally looked at her

Nora Sinclair. (Rich Young Lady)

Anyone would, it doesn't mean anything.

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

But he held her—

Nora Sinclair. (Rich Young Lady)

So? *sharpness dropping from her tone*

Nora Sinclair. (Rich Young Lady)

You are not even friends with him, Ruby. He probably doesn't even know your name.

Ruby flinched. Nora was being brutally honest.

Nora Sinclair. (Rich Young Lady)

*went back to her orange adding flatly* Anyway, even if he did like her, it's none of your business.

The words stung more than they should have.

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

*fingers tightened around the water bottle cap* It is my business!

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

I will not lose him to anyone. *muttered*

Nora Sinclair. (Rich Young Lady)

*chewing lazily* You're obsessed.

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

I am interested. There's a difference. *corrected sharply*

Nora Sinclair. (Rich Young Lady)

*snorts* Right!

Ruby's gaze drifted across the room. Phenix was sitting by the window with his friends, unbothered, talking quietly with a football in his hands. He didn't look like someone who'd just been in a swoon-worthy moment. He looked... Calm. Distant. As if Ruby didn't exist in the same world. And maybe, to him, she didn't.

Just then, she spot Alina walk past the group of friends, textbook in hand. Right behind her Asher trailed, too casually leaving his friends who were probably planning to go play soccer outside. They weren't touching, but the space between them was a little too close for 'just friends'. The quick glance said it all.

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

Wow! They are actually doing it. *raised brow*

Nora Sinclair. (Rich Young Lady)

*smirks* Pretending to study so they can flirt. How original.

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

*eyes lit up* Then maybe it's time someone gave them a little... nudge.

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

Nora Sinclair. (Rich Young Lady)

*eyes flicked towards Ruby* You think it'd work?

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

*lips twitched* With the right timing?

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

*quiet, calculating* Always!

Nora Sinclair. (Rich Young Lady)

*laughed under her breath* You're dangerous.

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

*shrugged lightly* Just observant.

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

Moreover, she is already halfway there. It's not a loss for us.

Nora Sinclair. (Rich Young Lady)

But what if she backs off...

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

*smirks* She won't. After all he gives her what she needs the most.

Nora Sinclair. (Rich Young Lady)

*nodded* His attention.

Ruby Keane. (FrIeNdLy Princess)

Their eyes met for half a second. An agreement sealed without explanation. Their quiet plotting faded into the background noise of naughty laughter, non-stop chatter and the occasional banter.

Meanwhile, in the canteen downstairs, far away from the class, the scene was similar, but flipped. Louder and full of crumbs.

The metal clatter of trays, the hum of overlapping voices, the smell of overly spiced curry filled the air with the occasional scolding from the Prefect nearby.

Avian and Yasmin sat tucked in their usual corner near the window.

Their food mostly untouched until Yasmin took a big bite of her healthy sandwich imagining it as her favourite hamburger, cheeks puffed like a squirrel, and mumbled with pride,

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

It was one hell of a hustle getting that number from Nova. But I achieved it. *swallowed dramatically*

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

Come on, praise me!

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

*chuckles softly and reach over to pat her head* Such a brave girl you are, my Minmin.

Yasmin lit up like a puppy who had just been told she was a good girl.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

Yes! Finally, some respect around here.

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

*tilts her head curiously* So, what was the hustle exactly about?

Yasmin leaned back against the wall like she was about to narrate a scene from an action film.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

Buckle up. Because it's ridiculous.

🎬

#Flashback

That morning, before first period.

Nova was dead asleep at her desk, her cheek smushed into the crook of her elbow, hair a little frizzy from sleep. A soft snore escaped her mouth every few seconds, completely unbothered by the surrounding world and it's worries.

Yasmin tiptoed over and crouched beside her like a spy in a movie.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

Nova, *whispers*

No response.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

Novaaa.

Still nothing. Only a shift and a grumble that sounded like "five more minutes"

She poked her once.

Still no movement.

Then she said the three magic words -

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

Its about Yuri.

Nova stirred immediately, eyes cracking open like shutters halfway up.

Nova Stark. (Sassy Snoozer)

... What? *grumbles*

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

I need his number immediately. *sweetly*

Nova Stark. (Sassy Snoozer)

Why? *blinks, still in a dream*

Yasmin didn't miss a second.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

*leans closer* Art teacher's mad. Something about a prank and a broken canvas. She said she needs to inform him about the fine after school today.

Nova Stark. (Sassy Snoozer)

*sleepily groans* Ugh, that idiot...

She reached into her bag, pulled out a notebook with a contact list scribbled in the back, and flipped lazily through it.

Nova Stark. (Sassy Snoozer)

You owe me sleep. *mutters, tearing the page and handing it over*

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

*grins* You are an Angel.

Nova's head was already back down.

Nova Stark. (Sassy Snoozer)

I am the devil if you wake me up again.

#End of Flashback.

🎞️

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

–and that's how I survived wrath of the Sleeping Devil.

Yasmin finished, raising her drink like a trophy, triumphantly.

Avian sipped her juice, amused.

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

You manipulated a half-asleep Nova?

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

She handed it over willingly!

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

She was barely conscious. *teased*

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

That's called strategy. *grins*

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

She literally grunted and fell back into a coma. I don't even think she remembers giving it to me. *giggles*

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

*raise eyebrow* We should probably destroy that page before she wakes up fully and regrets it.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

*mock gasp* No way. I worked too hard for that number. I'm framing it.

Avy shook her head, smiling. But she tapped her fingers on the table, her version of silent applause.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

*blinks* Are you... Proud of me or scared of me?

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

Both.

After a pause...

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

... Mostly proud.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

*narrows eyes* You are not gonna call him, are you?

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

No, that's not how this is going to go.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

*stared at her* You are not over what he did.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

Should I be? (⁠✿⁠^⁠‿⁠^⁠)

There was steel under her calm.

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

Yasmin raised both hands in mock surrender.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

Okay, okay. I am just saying.

Avy didn't reply. She just slid Yuri's number deep into the side pocket of her school tunic.

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

Let's get through this drawing test first. Then we will see.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

*coughs slightly* I just thought that you are being too vindictive.

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

I know. (⁠｡⁠•̀⁠ᴗ⁠-⁠)⁠✧ *winks*

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

She said as she rushed to finish her noodles.

Yasmin sighs looking around the canteen until her stare focused on the girl with bed hair now sitting at the far corner, arms crossed, sipping from a thermos like she hadn't just sold someone out in her sleep.

Nova caught her looking & raised a brow.

Yasmin quickly turned her head in the complete opposite direction and says to Avy-

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

Honestly, I should have just brought you instead of lying to Nova. You two snore the same way.

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

*looks at her defensively* I do NOT snore.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

You DO. *with full confidence*

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

You were half-dead on my shoulder during last week's history period. I thought you died Avy.

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

That's called strategic energy conservation. Some of us sleep more because our brains work overtime. *replied smoothly*

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

*laughs* Keep telling yourself that, Lazy scholar.

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

You should try it. Might help that hyperbrain of yours.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

*smirks* Nah. I leave the sleeping to the pros. Like you and that Sleeping Devil.

Avian Kincade. [Avy]

*smiles* If we ever switch lives, let me know. I'll snore, you scheme.

Yasmin Grant. (Violent Butterfly)

*leans in* Deal. But don't expect me to be as good as you.

They do a high-five bursting into a quiet laughter, crumbs flying everywhere as Yasmin nearly dropped her plate.

Nova Stark. (Sassy Snoozer)

🗨️ She is crazy! *nods internally*

Notebooks closed, motives open. Lunch break was never just about food.

✧✧✧

Author Sky. (Lazy bird)

Sorry for the delay doves, I had an exam to deal with.

Author Sky. (Lazy bird)

But regular update from now on, I swear on my Wi-fi router. (Only when it's working! Hehe~) (⁠◠⁠‿⁠◕⁠)

Author Sky. (Lazy bird)

Thanks for reading! (⁠◕⁠ᴗ⁠◕⁠✿⁠)

Author Sky. (Lazy bird)

Next Update on Thursday. 💌

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