Regardless of intelligence, however, he had no problem reading the horror and dismay on the Sypent’s face as Professor Myls announced their new tutoring arrangement. Why they were so upset, he couldn’t fathom. It was pretty much the best news ever because they weren’t just co-students or co-workers anymore, they were study-buddies.
Destiny for the win!
He held his hand aloft for a high-five for almost a full minute, but when it became apparent Cya was going to leave him hanging, he lowered his hand and tried not to pout in disappointment. If there was one thing that bummed him outhard, it was an unfulfilled high-five.
“I think there’s been a mistake,” Cya said, turning a pleading look on the professor.
“Dex has one of the best grades in the class, and he recently signed up to be a tutor, so he is more available than any of my other—”
“My schedule is flexible,” Cya insisted. “Like, so flexible.”
“Cool, so we can work around my dyscus practices easily then,” Dex chimed in, and the Sypent turned on him with a scowl. “Plus, we’re gonna have, like, the same schedule ’cause we’ll be working together during the day.”
“Working together?” the professor asked.
Dex knocked Cya’s shoulder playfully. “Yeah, we work together at the Passing Through Cafe. Well, we’re going to. I just got the job.”
“Oh, well, it must be fate.” Professor Myls clasped her hands and smiled brilliantly at them both.
“Destiny,” he agreed seriously, and Cya’s rattle shook menacingly as they crossed their arms over their chest. Their jewelry jangled with the motion, reminding Dex of the wind chime hanging in front of the kitchen window back home. He liked that Cya jingled when they moved, like they were their own musical instrument.
“I don’t think…” Cya began, then drifted off as they looked from Professor Myls to Dex, then back to Professor Myls. Their shoulders slumped in defeat. “Fine.”
“Wonderful,” Professor Myls said, opening her laptop in clear dismissal. “I will see you both next week.”
Cya mumbled incoherently under their breath as they turned and made their way to the door. Dex saluted Professor Myls, then hurried to catch up with the Sypent, falling into step beside them in the hallway.
“I told you destiny wasn’t messing around,” he said, and Cya rounded on him, baring their long, sharp fangs.
“You will not breathe a word of this to anyone,” they hissed, golden irises flashing menacingly. “We will meet and speak only about maths. You will tutor. I will listen. Then we go our separate ways.
“You are not my mentor. You are not my friend.” They straightened and smoothed a hand down their tunic, causing more metallic jingling from their jewelry. “This changes nothing.”
“Whoa, you are, like, crazy intense right now,” Dex breathed, and their tail rattled again. “You’re a Capricorn, aren’t you?”
This seemed to throw them off, and they stammered nonsensically until they managed a, “What?”
“Capricorn,” he repeated. “Or maybe a Scorpio?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Without another word, they turned and stomped off. Technically, they didn’tstomp, since they didn’t have feet, but given their jerky arm movements and tight shoulders, stomping was definitely the intended vibe. It was kind of hot, if Dex was being honest. He’d always liked a girl with a bit of fire to her.
Except Cya wasn’t a girl, even if they were pretty like one. Not that boys couldn’t be pretty; they could. Dex had just never really noticed boys before. But Cya wasn’t a boy either. They were a they. A pretty they. A very pretty they.
Their face was all sharp angles and perfectly symmetrical lines. Their bronze skin looked soft and warm, perfectly complimented by all their gold jewelry. And the iridescent green scales on their lower half shimmered like gemstones in the sun.
Dex wondered if their scales would be hard and smooth, or dry and leathery. Not that it was any of his business what their scales felt like, but sue him, he was curious.
“Stop following me,” Cya snapped as he, once again, fell into step beside them.
“I’m not following you. I’m walking with you because we’re going the same direction,” Dex said, and they shot him a glare.
Even scowling, they were beautiful, but it was a cold beauty, hard like ice. Touch it too long and he’d walk away with burns.
“Stop walking with me then,” they ordered.
“But then I would be following you, and that does feel stalkery.” With a frustrated sound, they stopped, causing him to stumble to a halt himself. “What are you doing?”
