. . .
Eleanorand I claimed the kitchen before dawn.
She pulled jars from the top shelf filled with tapioca pearls, brown sugar syrup, and tea bags. Steam fogged the windows, and we made the house smell delicious.
“It’s Boba,” she told me, delighted. “You’ll love it.”
“I know I will if it’s dangerous,” I promised sweetly.
“Oh, you can absolutely poison the balls.” She giggled. “Micro-dose them, I mean. Stop looking at me like that.”
We simmered the pearls in molasses-sweet water until they turned soft. Eleanor taught me how to shake the tea with ice in a steel tumbler to make it cold, and then, we poured the tea over the pearls—mine had poison on them.
“Can’t forget the straw!” She stopped me from sipping and plopped a wide straw in.
I took a sip, and one of the balls was sucked into my mouth. The spicy taste flooded my mouth instantly as I chewed it. My eyes widened.“Oh, my Fates!”
“I told you.” She smiled widely, nodding.
Aura walked in with Vel trailing behind her.
“Don’t start,” Aura told her, groaning. She played with the ring on her finger.
“You know I’m right, darling,” she told her. “Think about it. Good morning, little legends.” Vel wiggled her fingers at us before leaving.
“Good morning!” Eleanor smiled at Aura. “We’re making tea.”
Aura’s eyes flicked to my cup. “Poisoned Boba?”
“Mine’s normal,” Eleanor assured her.
My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out to read a message.
Drecken Grimsworn
I am confused by my disappointment when my sheet did not contain your name this morning.
Rune Bloodwyne
I’m confused as to why you’re confused. You barely looked at me in your class.
Drecken Grimsworn
That is because I experience butterfly feelings when I do. It is disruptive. I prefer to function.
Heat rushed up my neck.
Eleanor grinned over her straw.
Aura pretended not to read over my shoulder, but I knew she was.
“Class,” I announced loudly. “We get to meet Professor Rionyx. Eight sharp, you know.”
“Aren’t I usually the one getting everyone out of here in the mornings for class?” Dimitri crossed his arms as he stood in front of the door. “What happened to make you be the one?”
“She’s flirting with a professor,” Aura said simply, winking at me as she started for the door.
“A professor?” Hawk gasped. “Who?”
