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A loud bang echoes around the room as he drops a huge encyclopedia onto the table with a clunk. A collective groan reverberates around the room, but I am secretly thrilled because I have already read and memorised this entire encyclopedia.
The rest of the week goes by without any issues. With a small class, study and practice are easy to complete. We are more than halfway through the encyclopedia and as I already know its entire content, I have been able to concentrate on practical lessons. My skills are improving too. I can now light a bulb quickly with a chant and a flick of my purple finger, the colour perfectly matching my eyes. I’m positive it is a sign of great things to come.
The only thing missing from my life right now is Roman. We are so busy with our new Props, there hasn’t been any time to hang out. As we are no longer in the same class and end times vary, we haven’t been walking home together like we used to. I miss it. I misshim.
“Wait up Siriarna,” Roman yells out.
Fast as the speed of light, he is standing beside me.
“Hey, Roman,” I reply solemnly. “I was just thinking about you.”
“All good things I’m sure,” he winks.
“Um…yes.” I stutter, my cheeks turning crimson.
Oh gods, I sound ridiculous. I hope he doesn’t notice.
If he does, he doesn’t say anything. He just keeps on chatting, casually dropping into the conversation, “Do you think we could talk this afternoon?”
Here it is. The moment I’ve been dreading ever since the Anointment Ceremony. I know reading minds isn’t a skill we possess as semi gods; that is a gift the Fates have only bestowed on certain gods, but it doesn’t take a special skill to know exactly what he wants to talk about.Alexandraya.
We reach my hut and I invite Roman in for a mountain elixir. A huge exhalation of pent-up breath escapes his lips as he rushes to open the door for me.
“So, um, well, here’s the thing. It’s about Alexandraya. She’s kind of my girlfriend.”
He has always hated the TON, so why on Evolirium was he dating the queen of bullies herself?
It just doesn’t make any sense.
My heartbeat accelerates at the thought of them together. Before I can form a response, the lights in my hut flick on, then abruptly shatter into thousands of pieces. The sound is terrifying. Roman dives over the top of me to protect me from the falling shards of glass.
“Siriarna, are you okay? What just happened?”
“I think you’d better leave now Roman,” I say wriggling from underneath him.
Like the lightbulbs, my heart splinters into just as many pieces.
“I won’t leave you here like this, you’re shaking like a leaf. You’re my best friend and I need to make sure you’re okay.”
“If I really was your best friend Roman, you wouldn’t be dating Alexandraya. You know how I feel about her. What happened to Friends First Always?” I retort.
“Oh, she’s not that bad Siriarna, she’s changed. Honest. I know you’ve had some issues, but I also know that it’s all in the past now. Trust me. And we are friends always.”
I am crestfallen at the absence of ‘first’. Our two-year friendship is dissolving before my eyes. “Go home Roman, I don’t want to speak to you right now.”
He tries to protest, but once he catches my sullen face, walks straight to the door, shoulders slumped.
After his departure, I collapse onto my bed in sheer frustration and close my eyes. I have developed a throbbing headache.
What I really should have done was analyse the lightbulb situation. This was the third time I manipulated electricity with my mind and, this time it was dangerous.
Chapter7
Siriarna
To take my mind off the whole Roman and Alexandraya fiasco, I throw myself into my practical skills training. Before dawn breaks each morning, I meet Simeon at the electrical boards for additional tuition. I hardly pay attention to the early hour rise time, my body now acclimatised to its new routine.
Focussing on my abilities has had a double effect. Firstly, I have less time to dwell on the fact that Roman is spending all his time with Alexandraya. And secondly, my magic has started to improve, which is an unexpected bonus. It is nowhere near as good as the other four first year students in my Propensity, but I can hold my own in practical classes now. The only downside of this extra training has been the headaches that are appearing more frequently, although they are a small price to pay.
