"I got it!" A loud thumping sound echoed as a glass bottle was plopped unceremoniously against the center of the table, the liquid within it sloshing about. A weary looking teen raises her head, quirking a dirty blond eyebrow at the rather smug brunette poised next to her.Â
 "And where did you find this?" She mused, extending her reach to grasp the bottle in one hand, bringing it forward to assess it: definitely wine, no doubt about that.Â
The brunette shrugs nonchalantly before plopping herself in the seat next to her blond friend, grin still set on her face. âJust swiped it from the Knight Captainâs office. Itâs no big deal!â She waves her hand absentmindedly before bringing it down to fuss with the edges of her skirt. âBesides, itâs not like heâs going to miss it or anything, itâs been on his shelf for Maker knows how long now. Chances are, he didnât even open it.â
âEvie, you know that we can get in a lot of trouble for this, right?â The blond replies, eyes scrutinizing her mischievous friend. âLike, big trouble-we could end up being placed in isolation for this!â She places the bottle back down before shoving it toward her friend, a clear gesture of disapproval. Luckily enough for them, they are well hidden behind a row of bookshelves, in the far corners of the library. Evette sighs as she grasps the neck of the bottle, tsking while lifting her other hand to twist off the cap.Â
âOh relax, Anna, thereâs no way weâll get in trouble for this! Like I said, he wonât even notice itâs gone. Regardless, worst case scenario, all I have to do is threaten him with retribution by my family, and heâll back down. I donât think any of them want to get on the Trevelyanâs bad side.â Finished with removing the cap, she tilts her head back, taking a swing of the beverage, making a face as she gulps down a mouthful.Â
Anna shakes her head, frowning in displeasure. âBut you told me that you were on bad terms with your family, that you havenât even seen nor talked to them since being placed in here. Whoâs to say theyâll even do anything if something were to happen to you?â She crosses her arms, leaning back against her chair.
âBut do they need to know that?â Evette caps the bottle before placing it back on the table. âI still have some influence, simply by having the last name, so I may as well use it to my advantage. It doesnât matter if my family basically disowned me or not.â
âI still think this is a bad idea...â Anna sighs, shaking her head before reluctantly reaching over to grasp the bottle, twisting the cap, and taking a small sip herself. Evette grins at the action.
âOh relax, Anna, everythingâs going to be fine. Live a little!â She laughs, then stretches her hand out for the bottle.Â