Teshin pushed their plate of fries toward her. “Glad to have you back.”
Rui loved all manner of potato, but her annoying brain reminded her of someone else who also loved fries. Yet another person she didn’t want to think about. She pushed the plate back, evading the questioning look Teshin gave her.
“This means the gang’s back in business!” Mai announced, her teethpearly white against perpetually sun-kissed skin. It seemed as though she was about to say more but stopped herself, looking uncharacteristically pensive.
Rui guessed what she was thinking. The gangwasn’tall back. They were missing a person who’d only been part of the group briefly, but whose absence was somehow disproportionately felt. Without magic, there was no reason for Yiran to stay enrolled in the Academy, so he’d gone back to his former school. Despite their strained relationship, it seemed like his grandfather was keeping him around instead of sending him away. Rui wondered if that was a good thing.
Mai pulled a folder from her tote bag. “I’ve been taking candid pictures for the photo wall Ada wanted for the Winter Masquerade Ball. I printed them out this morning, and I found this.” She spilled the folder’s contents onto the table. “I made an extra. Thought you might want it, Rui. Here.”
Rui stared at the photograph of her and Yiran on the dormitory rooftop, leaning against the wall, the golden-hour glow of sunset on their faces. Yiran was gesturing and laughing in a carefree manner. Rui was smirking, her face turned toward him, leaning in as though she was sharing his joke. She remembered the moment: an impromptu rooftop barbecue with the whole gang. Had she enjoyed Yiran’s company that much to look so at ease with him?
The photograph distorted as her vision started to blur. She blinked back the unexpected tears, angry with herself. “Thanks, Mai,” she said, ignoring the concerned look Ada was giving her as she shoved the photo into her bag.
“Speaking of Yiran, have you seen him lately?” Ada asked Teshin. “He hasn’t returned my calls.”
“He stopped answering my texts a while ago,” Teshin replied in a clipped tone.
Mai shook her head. “It’s bizarre how his magic suddenly disappeared.”
The apple Rui was munching on tasted like cardboard. None of her schoolmates knew what had really transpired between Yiran and her. Her magic had been accidentally transferred to him, resulting in a strange,almost telepathic connection between them. Yiran was able to wield magic for a while, and he’d seemed to savor it. And when her magic returned to its rightful owner...
Don’t call me. Don’t look for me. I don’t ever want to see you again.
Rui hadn’t seen Yiran since that night at the hospital room where she’d been warded. She’d respected his wishes and left him alone. But losing their empathic link, losing him... she hadn’t thought it would feel this bad. Her fingers crept to her wrist. At least Yiran was still alive and in the mortal realm.
Clasping her hands together, Mai took a deep, cleansing breath. “Okay, everyone, enough of that depresso stuff. I’m sure Yiran’s fine. Tell me about your dates to the Winter Ball!”
“I’m going alone,” Rui said, to Mai’s disappointment. The Winter Ball marked a milestone, another goalpost along their journey to becoming full-fledged Exorcists, and every senior was excited. Rui had been looking forward to it too, aside from the awkwardly-finding-a-date-to-go-with-you and dressing-in-a-ball-gown-that-restricted-your-movements part.
“I won’t have a date either,” Ada said, twirling her ponytail around her finger. She had gotten bored of the magenta. Her hair was deep purple now, with her usual straight bangs, and she’d drawn a dramatic wing with matching purple eyeliner. “I’ll be too busy running the show.”
Mai clucked her tongue. “Can’t you get your minions to do it so you can enjoy the night? YouareStudent Council president, and it’s practically your graduation party.”
“The juniors are not my minions.”
“They should be. Delegate, that’s what real leaders do.”
“My sister wants to go, so I’m bringing her,” Teshin piped up.
Mai raised her eyebrows.
“It doesn’t have to be aromanticdate,” Ada explained. “We said plus-ones. It’s a neutral term. That way, no one feels pressured if they want to go alone or with a friend. Technically, you could bring your mom or dad.”
“Why on earth would I want my parents there?” Mai looked ill at the thought. “Anyway, I don’t have a date yet. I’d been planning to ask Yiran—platonically—because he’s fun to hang out with and would have an amazing outfit. I’m in this to win Best Dressed Couple. But that was before, you know...”
The table went silent again.
A bell rang shrilly. Groans filled the cafeteria, followed by the clatter of plates stacking and benches creaking as cadets scurried out.
Ada downed her soda pop in a single gulp. “Quick, we can’t be late for Ash’s briefing.”
“What briefing?” Rui asked, getting to her feet too.
“For tonight’s mission.” Mai stuffed her things into her bag. “Only those assigned can attend. Sorry, Rui.”
“We could hang out after I’m back?” Ada suggested quickly, as if she knew Rui would feel excluded.
Ruiwasfeeling left out. Ash hadn’t kept her in the loop. In fact, he hadn’t contacted her at all after she’d been discharged from the hospital.
