TheBadBoysBingoHall

[badboyzbingobrunch]

The Books Beside Clyde Logan’s Bed

Clyde Logan loves his books. That being said there is a small collection beside his bed of personal favourites as well as books he intends to read but hasn’t gotten around to.

“The moon is high like your friends were the night that we first met. I went home and tried to stalk you on the internet. Now I’ve read all of the books beside your bed.”

-Taylor Swift

First in the list is catch 22:

This book was recommended to Clyde by a friend from his military service. Though Clyde enjoys a good conspiracy and satirical piece, there are some parts of this book that are a little too intense for him. Because of this, the book sits lower in the stack with a bookmark hanging out of the side indicating that he hasn’t finished reading it yet.

Next on the list is My Dark Vanessa:

Clyde discovered this book when asking the woman in the bookstore, “ma’am, do you recommend anythin’ new?” Taking full advantage of the opportunity to educate a man on the difficult realities young girls and women face in society, she explained that this is a book for anyone who cares about the safety of young girls. Clyde, being his sweet self and the uncle of a young girl, couldn’t refuse. The amount of anger that this book brought him is palpable. The book sits towards the top of the stack because he recently finished it with red tabs on various pages indicating “red flags” that Clyde intends to look for so that he can protect Sadie and be aware if he has a daughter of his own.

Fahrenheit 451:

Clyde first learned about this book in his American literature class in school. Being a man who loves books, this small book easily became a favourite of his. It sits beside the stack due to its smaller size. Clyde doesn’t want it to get lost among the other books in his trailer so it will dutifully remain at his bedside.

The Key lime Crime:

This was a book of Mellie’s that casually caught Clyde’s eye when he was visiting her salon for a trim. It was casually sitting at her work station just beckoning for him to reach out and grab it. “Clyde honey, do you want to take a look at it?” His sister’s question caught him off guard. His cheeks tinted bright red as he examined the feminine cover. “What’s it about?”

Death By Pumpkin Spice:

After reading The Key Lime Crime, Clyde developed a proclivity for cozy mystery novels. He tries to interchange his cozy mystery books to match the seasons. He boldly reads the books within the comfort of his trailer, or by the lake when fishing with Jimmy. Jimmy once asked him if those kinds of books were for ladies, and Clyde simply looked up from the pages with his signature stoic expression. “Am I a lady?” Jimmy shrugged and shook his head. “Okay then, there’s yer answer.”

The Flags of our Fathers:

Due to his service in the military, Clyde wanted to read military themed books in hopes that it would help him better make sense of his own military experience. This was an effort that usually left him bored as he prefers more fast paced books to distract him from his busy life. He hasn’t read past the first page, but he intends to finish it one day. It currently sits just below Catch 22 at the bottom of the stack.

[badboyzbingobrunch]

Gorgeous 18+ (part 2)

Hawthorne Michael Langdon x Fem witch reader

( enemies to lovers, angst, fluff, smut)

Part 1 Part 2

Summary:

After the announcement that a warlock will be completing the 7 wonders, both the Hawthorne School for Exceptional Young Men, and Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies try to put up an appearance of peace between the rival schools. This new chapter of peace between witches and warlocks has a potential to pave the way for the future of magic, but when Hawthorne’s “Wonder boy” is found out to be a cheat by (y/n) she fights to make him reveal himself.

******************************************************

   “I’m glad you are awake. I brought these for you.” William lifted a small bouquet of yellow roses in a clear vase. “William, what are you doing here?” Ms. Benson and Cordelia looked to each other before Cordelia asked,  “You two know each other?” I nodded and gestured for him to enter. “We are acquainted, yes.” William handed me the flowers and nodded in acknowledgment to my supreme and instructor. “How do you know where his room is?” Williams hand rested on the back of his neck anxiously. “His room is across the hall from mine. We often bump into one another. He’s been pretty much confined there since the incident.” 

           I handed the roses to Cordelia and grabbed ahold of William’s hand before pulling him into the hallway. “Slow down! You’re going to pull my arm off!” I stopped and released his wrist. “I’m sorry. It’s just important. He was punished for no reason!” William nodded in understanding. “I get that, but you already told them that he didn’t do anything, why do you have to tell him yourself?” He’s right. Why do I need to be the one to tell him, he’s bound to find out, but for some reason I needed to see him. Why? “It’s okay, follow me. I’ll take you.”  

           William’s upbeat attitude soothed my troubled mind. His hand rubbed soothing circles on my back. “Thanks, William.” He smiled softly. “Billy. My friends call me Billy.” I smiled in return at the sudden warmth in my chest of being considered his friend. “We’re friends now?” He nodded and pulled his hand from my back into his pants pocket. “That’s right!” Billy, huh? He was sweet. Handsome too. The way his chocolate eyes sparkled when he saw me. I wonder what he thinks about me? I quickly pushed those thoughts away. I was only going to be here for a couple of weeks. I already lost 2 days. 

           Billy stopped at a large wooden door. “This is him. Do you want me to stay?” I shook my head. “I should be okay. Thank you.” He gestured with his thumb behind him. “Okay, I’ll be just across the hall if you need me.” I thanked him once more and watched him disappear into his room. I took a deep breath and gently knocked on Michael’s door. I could hear shuffling from the other side and within seconds the door opened. Michael stood before me. Thick golden hair disheveled, and his usual tidy uniform was replaced by a black tee shirt and black ripped jeans. His face shifted from irritation to rage when he realized it was me. “Come to rub my nose in it?”

******************************************************

Michael POV:

         “What exactly did you tell them? Because there are a lot of rumors going around?” (Y/n)’s brows furrowed in contemplation. “The truth, what did you hear?” Her voice was defiant and proud like she couldn’t believe what I was telling her. “Well..” I started as I walked around her. “Some people have been saying that I put a sleeping hex on you.” She scoffed and gestured to herself. “Do I look like the victim of a hex to you?” I have a feeling she doesn’t want to hear how she looks to me.  

         I carelessly brushed a strand of hair that was out of place back over her shoulder. She started to shrink under my curious gaze. My tongue moved to moisten my suddenly dry lips. She watched this action before looking away and swallowing hard. Well, what do we have here? Pink cheeks, nervous fidgeting, refusing to look at me, I think she might like me. Something about this squared my shoulders with pride. I wonder if I can make her forget her  pretentiousness. Or maybe I can use it to play with her. “Others are saying that you were so afraid of me that you fainted.”  

        She rolled her eyes and once more dramatically gestured to herself. “If I’m so afraid of you, why would I be here?!” Got her. I lifted my arms in an exaggerated stretch and smirked as her eyes immediately went to the small patch of skin revealed by my tee shirt lifting. This is too easy. “That reminds me, why are you here, (y/n)?” I lowered my voice just a fraction and the effect was perfect. Her chest rose sharply as I spoke her name barely above a whisper. “I would have been alerted that I was no longer being punished for a crime I didn’t commit, but you wanted to do it. Alone. Why?” Her lip trembled slightly. Was she going to cry? Did I go too far with my teasing?  

        I was close to apologizing when she locked eyes with me again “I don’t really know, you were the first person I wanted to see when I woke up.” Her confidence caught me off guard. I backed up a fraction as I contemplated what she had just confessed. Does she even know what she just said? She must have, right? I mentally cursed myself as I felt my cheeks warm. “Sorry, I’m gonna go. I just wanted you to know that I didn’t get you into trouble on purpose. Bye!” She suddenly left me alone with my thoughts as she ran out of my room and down the hallway. Cute.

******************************************************

(Y/n) POV

         I have never been more embarrassed in my entire life! Why did I act like that! He’s totally playing with me, and I let him get under my skin!  I ran straight to my room. “What’s wrong with you?” Amber was visibly annoyed by my sudden burst into our room. “Sorry. I just….embarrassed…ya know?” She rolled her eyes and returned to applying her makeup. “No.” There was a sudden knock on the door which startled Amber into smearing her eyeliner. I tried to suppress a smile. Why does she have such a bad attitude today? She didn’t even have anything to say about the fact that I’d been asleep for two days in the infirmary.

         I opened the door revealing Michael in his usual tidy uniform. “You change fast.” His breath hitched only a fraction at my comment. “Sorry, did that sound weird?” Amber was suddenly beside me. “Well, well, (y/n). Aren’t you going to introduce me to your very handsome friend?” Michael suddenly looked from me to her with a tight smile. “My name is Michael Langdon, you should leave.” I opened my mouth to object to his rudeness, but Amber seemed to be under some sort of influence. “Of course. I’ll be going.” Her voice was monotone. Michael moved out of her way and she left. “Why did you do that? It’s rude to just use your magic on people like that!” He shrugged before gesturing inside. “I was practicing for the 7 wonders, May I come in?” I stood firmly in his way. “Why?”   

           He shifted from foot to foot awkwardly. “I need your help with magic.” I raised a skeptical brow and crossed my arms. “Why would you need my help?” He bit onto his bottom lip and sighed in defeat. “Because I put way too much into my spells and I always end up exhausted. I need your help learning self control… Please?” My chest fluttered at his soft tone. He was really self conscious about this. “Okay.” I stepped to the side and allowed him into my room. To my dismay he immediately began exploring and touching everyone’s things. “Which bed is yours?” I took a seat in the middle of the floor. “None of your business, now come here.” He pointed to the bed behind me. “It’s that one. I know it.”  

          He was correct, but I kept my face unreadable. “Michael~” He sighed in defeat and sat in front of me crossing his long legs as he did so. “You are all business, miss (L/n).” I nodded eagerly. “Oh yeah.” He laughed softly at my comment. I admired the way his stone face came to life when he smiled. “You don’t need to be so serious.” I gestured to him. “What about you? You are so serious.” One part of the rumor was true. He did scare me when he shouted in the classroom. Seing him relaxed like this, I wouldn’t believe he was the same person. “Why did you get so upset before?” He raised a curious brow waiting for me to clarify. “When I said you have nothing to prove.” He nodded as he understood what I was asking.  

         “You have no idea how much pressure is on me to perform well and learn fast. My father..has plans for me.” Is he not dead? Why would he need a summoning circle if his father isn’t dead. Thoughts raced around my mind about witch unions with demonic spirits resulting in powerful children to keep their bloodline strong. “Your father’s a demon.” 

******************************************************

Michael POV

           How could she assume something so close to the truth? I have told her absolutely nothing! I wanted to run. She noticed my discomfort and rested a warm hand onto my knee. “I’m sorry, it isn’t my business. You seem like you would like to keep your personal life private.” I relaxed under her touch. Did she mean that? Did she really not expect answers from me? Everyone expects so much from me. “How did you know my father wasn’t a warlock?” She shrugged. “Billy said that you contact him with summoning circles and he assumes that your dad is dead, but you just confirmed he was alive. It’s pretty common for witches from powerful bloodlines to couple with demons in order to keep their lines powerful. I just put the pieces together.” I suddenly couldn’t shake the thought of if she were one of those witches. Could she know what I was and still want me? Did she crave power like those witches did. “Would you couple with a demon for power?”  

         She choked on something. Whether it was saliva, air, or her own embarrassment, she couldn’t stop coughing. “What?” Heat rushed to my cheeks as I repeated myself. “Would you have sex with a demon in order to gain power?” She shook her head, and my stomach tightened in an unfamiliar sensation, was I disappointed? No I was familiar with that feeling. This was new to me. “I would have to really like someone to let them into my bed. Plus, it wouldn’t give me power, only give me a powerful child.” A small flicker of hope washed my discomfort away. She didn’t say that she wouldn’t let a demon into her bed, just that she had to really like them.   

         A sudden thought of jealousy plagued my thoughts and washed away my short lived hope. “Who is Billy?” She pointed to me. “Your dorm neighbor “Billy Banks.” Realization finally overcame me. She was talking about that twiggy boy who’s room is across the hall from mine. “William… How do you know him?” Her lips were plump from her anxious habit of biting them, and at my question they pulled into a smirk. “Why? Jealous?” A single beat didn’t even pass before I answered. “Yes.” 

******************************************************

(Y/N) POV

        I shivered from the intensity of his ocean eyes and sudden confession. The room was suddenly cold but my body felt like it was on fire. I wanted to move but his gaze pinned me in place daring me to react or move. I looked nervously at my hand still resting on his knee. His head tilted to the side as he watched me. He made no move at all. It was like a game of chess and it was my move. I suddenly swallowed a lump in my throat. “He’s a friend.” No reaction at all. What did I even want from this? I wanted Michael to move, to do anything to break this tension between us. “(Y/n)...” his voice was rough and low. He spoke my name like it was a flower. Something precious. “Michael?…” I didn’t notice when we started getting closer.  

        “I want to kiss you…” Oh my… his voice was nothing but a breathy whisper that made my entire body ache. “Please do…” I expected him to suddenly smirk or tease me, but the tension only continued to build. “I’ve never done it before… will you show me?”  He couldn’t be serous. I leaned back to see his face still held that intensity. Maybe he was. I was breathless and couldn’t find the words to say okay, so I nodded and moved my hands to rest onto his shoulders. I liked this side of Michael. He seemed so sweet. “Close your eyes.” My voice was weak. Just barely over a whisper and it showed how nervous I was. Michael’s eyelids closed slowly displaying his reluctance to look away from me.  

           Once they were closed I moved closer and my hands raised to cradle his head while I tilted it up to meet my trembling lips. He inhaled sharply at the contact. His lips were warm and soft and I started moving mine against them. His hands held me firmly against his chest as he began to reciprocate. He couldn’t possibly be new at this. Kissing him felt so right. I could feel an ache between my legs and I absentmindedly started to move my hips as the kiss deepened. I couldn’t control the moan that slipped past my lips and into his mouth. My tongue teased his bottom lip as I was more than eager to taste him. He parted his lips for me, and I slipped inside. He was very new to this. He tentatively began to explore my mouth with his tongue and moved me onto my back as he grew more comfortable.  

           He pulled away and looked down at me. His hair was once more disheveled, his pupils were blown until they swallowed the beautiful blue. He pulled his tie down a fraction to make it easier for him to breathe and I felt very self-conscious of my own position sprawled out beneath him. He was between my legs already with my skirt slipping up my thighs. He was shaking with his hands on either side of my head. “Michael…” He closed his eyes and groaned at the sound of my voice. “Please don’t say anything… I need to calm down.” Why? “Do you want to stop?” His eyes snapped open. Instead of his pupils covering his Iris his entire eye was black resembling his demon heritage. “It’s okay. I’m not afraid of you.” He scoffed softly as he tried to control his heavy breathing. “You should be. If you had any idea what I wanted to do to you, you would be.”  

          I lifted my hand against his straining erection resulting in a strangled moan falling from his lips as he fell forward. “I’m not stupid, Michael. I know what you want to do to me. Have you ever… before?” He shook his head as I continued to rub my thumb against him. “I can help you. If you want?” He pressed his forehead against my shoulder as I started stroking him with my whole hand. “Have you ever..?” I bit onto my lip as I contemplated what to say. In my experience guys didn’t like it when girls have been with other guys, but I can’t lie to him.

         “Once, but it was a while ago, and I didn’t really want it. I just didn’t want to be a virgin anymore.” I tried to push back the memories, but luckily Michael pulled me into the present here with him his unnatural eyes looking into mine. “Do you want THIS?” I nodded slowly. “Very much, yes.” He placed a gentle kiss on my lips. “Then tell me what I need to do.” I looked over to my bed. “Let’s move to the bed. As much as I want you, the floor still isn’t how I want you to experience your first time.” His eyes started to shift back to their magnificent blue irises. “Are you here with me?” He nodded and placed affectionate kisses along my jaw and collar bone. “You’re really sweet, (y/n). Thank you for thinking of me, but I also want your first time with me to be perfect.”  

         He reluctantly pulled away from me and helped me to stand. “Which bed is yours? Or should I just pick one and hope for the best?” His lips tickled my ear as he spoke making me laugh and shiver from the sensation. “You guessed right earlier.” His tongue darted out to wet the corner of his mouth. “I knew it.” He picked me up so suddenly that I squeaked. “I thought you were an angel? Are you a mouse now?” I couldn’t contain my laughter at his playful tone. He placed me down on the bed flat on my back and I sighed in relief when his lips began kissing me tenderly. My own lips chased after his when he suddenly pulled away. “What do I do now?” anything you want to me. “It helps if you make sure I am ready for you first.” His brows furrowed as he examined me trying to understand what I meant. “You remember how I was stroking you?” He nodded slowly. “Well, you can touch me too. Girls become wet when we want sex. We also become looser when aroused, but you can make sure I am stretched enough to handle you.” his brows furrowed together as he took in this information, but he remained irritatingly still. The more time passed the more desperate I became. “Michael, please just touch me.” My voice came out as a soft whine that caused his eyes to darken. “I like that sound.” 

       I grabbed his hand and slipped it into  my panties. “I will make it more if you touch me like this.” His nimble fingers explored my aching vulva, and as his middle finger teased my entrance I whimpered. “Please, Michael.” His lips pressed against the side of my neck as he gently pushed his finger inside of me. “You are very wet. You must really want this huh? Tell me how much you want it?” He began moving his finger in and out as he experimented with the right movement and tried different angles. “I want this so badly, Michael. You can stretch me more with another finger. Once you can fit about three fingers in me I will be ready for your cock.” He quirked a brow at that. “Cock?” I frustratingly reached down to show him what I meant. “This.” He groaned at the sudden contact and awarded me with another finger inside my soaked hole. “This is going to go inside of me, and then I’m yours.” 

      His hips bucked at my words. “Mine? Do you mean it? You will be mine?” I nodded eagerly. “Yes, Michael. All yours.” One more finger stretched me. I gripped his forearm as he curled the fingers inside of me earning a sharp moan.He suddenly groaned in irritation and looked down at me apologetically. “You are going to hate this, but we have to stop.”   

        I sat up suddenly worried. “Why, what’s wrong?” He slipped his fingers out of me and headed into the bathroom and returned with a warm wet washcloth and began cleaning the mess between my legs. He leaned in for one more kiss then adjusted himself and tidied his uniform. “The grand chancellor is on his way with the supreme.” He helped me onto my feet and tidied my hair and uniform before taking a seat onto the floor. I quickly placed candles around him and he began holding them in front of him to light them with his mind but they weren’t lighting. “I usually use my blood to light them.”I was surprised that he couldn’t complete such a simple task the traditional way. “You can’t light them this way?” He sighed  in exaggerated irritation. “What do you want from me? I am obviously struggling! That’s why I came to you in the first place!” Michael winked as a knock sounded at the door. I quickly opened it revealing the two people that Michael said were on their way. “(Y/n), what are you two doing in here?” Cordelia asked and examined Michael as he lit the candle with his mind. “I did it!” The grand chancellor spoke next. “Are you helping him practice the 7 wonders?” 

[badboyzbingobrunch]

Michael Langdon reacts to his S/O saying they are ugly.

Outpost Michael:

Michael had assumed you were joking when he heard you say that you were ugly. This was the funniest thing he heard all day. He couldn’t imagine you could be serious about something like this so he laughed it off and returned to his selections. After a few seconds passed with no response from you, he closed his laptop and gave you his full attention. “Oh, you are serious. Tell me something darling, do you think I am blind? Stupid? Have bad taste?” He waited patiently as he expected your answer. If you said no he would simply say, “then why would you think I would waste my time with someone I didn’t desire, admire, or find anything less than beautiful?” However, if you said anything other than no he would spend the rest of the night proving to you that you are desirable, admirable, and beautiful.

Fire and Reign Michael:

Michael was having a horrible day, and looking for a reason to take his anger out on the ridiculous, greedy, and stupid 1% who were making his outpost construction increasingly difficult. “What did you just say to me?” He was near his breaking point and he pulled you flush against him. “Who told you that? I’ll kill them..” He spat the words as he spoke. “You are the only thing in this world that I still find beautiful. Never doubt it again.” He released you and his anger spilled over revealing his demonic face.

Sojourn Michael:

Michael had enough issues going on, and very little patience for your sudden insecurity. He didn’t say a word, but looked at you as his reality set in. He needed to sort out his priorities and fast. Everything was so overwhelming he just pulled you into him and began to cry. “Your feelings are important to me, but right now I can’t. Did I do something? If you want to go I understand . I’m so tired…but I would very much like it if you wouldn’t leave me too.”

Hawthorne Michael:

Hawthorne Michael is arguably his “Fuck boy” phase. There are two ways I can see this situation going.

If you caught him in a good mood when everything is going his way he would tease you further. “You sure are, but I like you anyway.”

If you caught him in a bad mood, he would react similar to “Fire and Reign” Michael. You would instantly regret saying something so ridiculous to him. He would demand you told him who put such ideas in your head, and if it was your own thoughts, there would definitely be some sort of punishment.

Murderhouse Michael:

When you first told Michael you were ugly it was during a game of chess. Michal smiled to himself first before casually saying. “Nice to meet you, ugly. I’m Michael.” When you tried to explain further he would remind you that he thought you were pretty, and that a soul like yours could never be ugly.

[badboyzbingobrunch]

Gorgeous (part 1) 18+

Hawthorne Michael Langdon x Fem witch reader

( enemies to lovers, angst, fluff, smut)

Part 1 Part 2

Summary:

After the announcement that a warlock will be completing the 7 wonders, both the Hawthorne School for Exceptional Young Men, and Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies try to put up an appearance of peace between the rival schools. This new chapter of peace between witches and warlocks has a potential to pave the way for the future of magic, but when Hawthorne’s “Wonder boy” is found out to be a cheat by (y/n) she fights to make him reveal himself.

****************************************************** “Alright, Ladies. Load up on the buses” Ms. Myrtle was instructing all of the students of Robichaux’s to our respective buses. The boys school had agreed to host us out of a good faith arrangement while one of their own would be performing the 7 wonders. A male completing the 7 wonders would be a sight to behold. There has never been a warlock in history who could complete 4 of the 7 wonders let alone all of them.

It was an excruciating bus ride from Louisiana to California but, after our arrival, we were greeted by every boy attending Hawthorne’s. I looked around to each of their faces. Any one of these boys could be him. It was actually pretty exciting to experience history in the making. Robichaux students were grouped into 3s and escorted to our rooms for the next two weeks. I was grouped with Amber and Elena. I was pretty new to the academy, so anyone else was grouped with would be a stranger. They seemed nice though. Each room had a large bathroom with a tub and shower. Eager to wash the bus off, my roommates and I piled into the bathroom and began washing up. “Do you think he’s cute?” Amber was washing her ginger hair in the sink as she asked Elena who was fully submerged in the tub. Elena shrugged. “A lot of them are cute.” I was in the shower letting the hot water cure the ache in my tired bones. Personally more interested in how powerful this “wonder boy” was than if he were cute. We were asked to wear the feminine version of Hawthorne’s school uniform which was a complex uniform consisting of a button up shirt, satin vest, tie, blazer, knee length skirt, stockings and Mary Janes in all black except for the long sleeve button up shirt which was white. We were expected to wear this uniform every day during our attendance here. Were we expected to participate in lessons? I suddenly felt nervous about this venture. What if I embarrassed myself in front of these strangers? My nerves kept sleep at bay. Looking at the clock it was 5 am, and I heaved a defeated sigh before putting on the uniform and pulling my hair into a neat style. Maybe the library would be a good place to practice my spells before breakfast. The entire school was silent, as everyone slept peacefully. The underground school was a true work of art, looking much more suited for a museum instead of a school. As I approached the library I could hear faint cursing from the other side of the door. I reached for the door knob just as a tall blonde boy ran out and slammed against me. The force was so intense that I fell back hard onto my bottom. He stood with his feet firmly planted on the ground and sneered in my direction. “Watch where you are going.” He spoke calmly with a cold indifference as he rolled his eyes and took elegant strides away from me. “You ran into me, jerk!” I called after him in vain as he disappeared down the hallway. Such a punk! It doesn’t matter how neatly groomed he may be. He is still a thug. A dark haired boy equally well groomed exited the library next and extended a hand to help me up. “William Banks. It’s a pleasure to meet such a lovely witch so early in the morning.” I accepted his hand with a grateful smile. “(Y/n) (L/n). It’s a pleasure to be met by a gentleman after a run in with a thug. What was his problem anyway?” William shrugged. “Something about his dad not answering him. He must be dead or something because he keeps casting summoning circles. Langdon is a weird guy, but way powerful.” My heart ached at the thought of the boy desperately trying to contact his dead father, and suddenly his rudeness was easily forgivable. “Thank you for your kindness. I’ll see you around?” William nodded eagerly. “Absolutely you will.”

Michael POV:

I just can’t understand why he isn’t answering me? Am I supposed to complete the 7 wonders on my own? Am I supposed to be proving myself to him? “Mr. Langdon! Perhaps you misunderstood the rule that ALL students were to be in attendance of their respective classes at 7 sharp. Maybe you thought you didn’t need to learn more from us now that you are our resident GOLDENCHILD, but I assure you that you do.” Mr. Chablis stood over the couch that I was resting my eyes on. I stood as respectfully as I could as I looked down at his smaller frame. “Forgive me, sir. I was up all night practicing for my performance of the 7 wonders. I rested my eyes for only a moment, but time got away from me.” I gave a small apologetic smile hoping to successfully charm him into staying out of my business. “Right! Well drink this, it’ll put some PEP back into your step.” He handed me a black mug filled with a camel colored liquid. I scrunched my nose as I tried to decipher what he was giving me. “What is it?” “Coffee!” Mr. Chablis then preceded to laugh at his own joke. A joke I was obviously not privy to because I was unaware of what was supposed to be funny about giving a boy a cup of coffee? Was I the joke. Was my reaction what was funny to him? I shook the thoughts from my head and brought the warm porcelain to my lips. The liquid burned my tongue and esophagus. But I only focused on the flavor. My mouth would heal in about a 3 seconds, but I liked the creamy flavor of this drink. It was a curious blend of bitter and sweet. Mr. Chablis was right. It did put some “pep” in my step. My first class was transfiguration which was Mr. Chablis‘ class. Obviously he is the only instructor who cares if I am late. I arrived in the middle of the girl’s academy instructor teaching how to change the color of roses. “Thank you, for joining us. Just take a flower and sit anywhere. We haven’t started yet, so you are just in time.” Mr. Chablis extended a bucket filled with white roses towards me. I took one with a nod of appreciation to my instructor. The girl who got in my way last night was sitting in a corner all alone. Why was she outside the library so early anyway? The witches came all this way just to see me perform the 7 wonders. Maybe she came to see me. I may as well have a little fun with them while they are here for me, right? I strutted towards her and sat on the floor of the library. My knee gently grazed her thigh as I sat. I expected some sort of reaction of excitement, but she only gave me a small nod acknowledging my presence before turning her attention towards her instructor. Playing hard to get huh? That’s okay, I like cat and mouse. I redirected my attention to the instructor who was twirling her own white rose in her hand. “Today we are going to be changing the color of these roses. It can be any color you like but it must be one solid color. Do not focus too hard on the change or it may change many times, and do not focus to little or the rose will not change at all. Roses are stubborn like that.” She examined her rose and continued. “Try to imagine the rose shifting in your mind and encourage the rose to change.” She extended the rose for everyone to see and smiled as it shifted from white to a deep red. “Now you try.” The girl beside you focused deeply on her rose. Quicker than anyone else’s it shifted to a warm yellow. I looked at the white rose in my hand. It was the color of innocence and purity. I imagined it becoming tainted with my energy. The petals turned to a deep red before shifting quickly to black before the petals fell and turned to ash as they hit the ground. There were several cheers from my schoolmates who were struggling to change the color of their own roses. “Ms. Benson, He didn’t follow instructions.” It was a girl’s voice from beside me. I leaned in to whisper into her ear playfully. “Tattle tale.” Her ears and cheeks began turning red from my small action. Cute. The instructor came towards us and smiled softly.

“No, you did the task right. You only put too much into it. Remember that the flower is stubborn but also precious. Think about something precious to you, something that you wouldn’t want to hurt with your magic and try again.” 

            She handed me a new rose and just like before it turned deep red, then black, then the petals fell and turned to ash when they hit the floor. I cracked my neck in frustration and tried again with the same result. Why couldn’t I do this? My vision began to blur and I felt the familiar drip of blood from my nose. I was wasting too much energy on this. Suddenly, the rose in my hand burst into flames resulting in shocked gasps from the others in the room. Not beside me though, I felt a friendly hand soothing the tension on my shoulder. “It’s okay, you don’t have anything to prove.” That’s where she is wrong. I was fading into my subconscious, but her one stupid fucking comment grounded me into reality. I grabbed the front of her jacket and pulled her up so that she was eye level with me. “You don’t fucking know me.” In one swift motion I released her and stood. I then wiped my nose on my jacket sleeve and left the library.

******************************************************

        I adjusted my uniform as he left. “Damn…Wonder boy is touchy.” One of the girls from Robichaux’s spoke. Her name is Coco. I didn’t know her personally but when we took lessons together she seemed nice. “Are you okay, (y/n)? That was a real dick move.” I nodded as Coco tried to comfort me. I felt overwhelmed and dizzy. Suddenly my vision began to blur and I fell to the floor. The last thing I saw was Ms. Benson’s face as she cleared space for me to breathe. 

        I woke up in a small infirmary with Ms. Benson placing a cold wet rag onto my forehead. She gasped and called the attention to someone else in the room. “Cordelia! She’s awake.” The face of my supreme came into view and she elegantly took a seat at the foot of my recovery bed. “Are you alright, (y/n)?” I nodded slowly as I sat up in the bed. my muscles ached as I moved. I must have been laying in one spot for a long time. “I need you to be very honest with me. Did Michael do this to you?” Her voice was grave. I enthusiastically shook my head. “No! I just fainted. He yelled at me, but he didn’t do anything. I didn’t sleep last night and I’ve been practicing so much. I think I am just exhausted and fainted..” Cordelia nodded in understanding and began petting my head in a motherly display of affection. “Why do you ask? Is he in trouble?” Cordelia and Ms Benson looked to each other silently before Ms benson answered. “He has been banned from performing the 7 wonders because of what we thought he did to you.” I sprung up so quickly that my head flooded and fell back onto the pillow. “You have to tell him he can perform them again! How long have I been asleep?” Ms. Benson patted my forehead with the cold rag and nodded. “You have only been asleep a couple of days. It was a temporary ban until you woke to tell us what happened.” 

        I rose slowly this time. “I have to tell him I’m sorry…” Cordelia and Ms. Benson helped me up. “Would you rather one of us did it?” Cordelia offered gently. I shook my head now able to stand on my own two feet. I need to know where he is.-“ “- I can show you to his room.” William Banks was standing in the doorway.  With a small bouquet of yellow roses in his hand.