Self Studies: The Thorns of Charbon Institute by Kate Messick

Author:Kate Messick [Messick, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-04-14T16:00:00+00:00

I sat by myself and studied my phone at my little table in the cafeteria. Or at least, the table where I’d sat for lunch yesterday. Unsure how to charge it, I tried connecting it to the socket on my hip. A picture of a battery appeared on the screen, along with a large one percent in the middle. I wiggled happily.

My bookbag rested on top of the table. I scooted closer to it and slid my phone into a side pocket without unplugging it before turning back to my lunch. The soft wheat bread that came with my split pea soup dissolved in my mouth. I used it to thoroughly clean every last bit of green out of my bowl.

As far as I could tell from my morning classes, the Institute grouped us into three ‘levels’ Although beginners tended to be teens, on the cusp of puberty, a few older and younger kids were mixed in. Most students kept to their level, but a few were like me - filling in their education where they needed.

Yet another piece of wet paper slid down my hood. I ignored it. Most beginners couldn’t use magic yet. Even if they could, the use of magic outside of class appeared to be regulated somehow. Though Sandy used it to clean up a spill – so maybe it wasn’t. It could be fear of the Aptitudes which kept students in check; Saffron had said something like that.

I rubbed my eyes, wishing even one thing here could be simple.

A second piece of wet paper nailed me from the back. Spitballs and nasty notes seemed to be the best my younger peers could do at the moment. Some sticky substance now clung to my skirt, making it bunch up on one side. And, of course, they took pictures of everything on their little stupid working black boxes of hate.

My hand shook as I picked up my drink. I took a few deep breaths and forced myself to relax. Life was full of ups and downs. Even living in Damon’s happiness, I’d experienced this.

A happy little noise chirped from my phone when it got enough juice and began to power on. I unplugged it from my hip, settling my skirt back into place. I wrinkled my nose. Nurse Norah told me my socket was illegal experimental tech, it could be part of my evil, and I didn’t even know it. My list of things I needed to look into kept getting longer.

A light chime sounded as my phone hooked up to the Institute's network. I pushed my dark thoughts to the side and opened my text messages.

Beryl the Boyfriend: Good morning, my goddess.

Beryl the Boyfriend: Not even an emoji back?

Beryl the Boyfriend: Lunch?

The smile splitting my face almost hurt. Even my concerns about Beryl weren’t able to cut through the rush of excitement that flushed my body at his three simple texts.

Aphrodite: Sorry. Phone died last night. At lunch. Just finished eating.

Beryl the Boyfriend: Phew, I was getting worried.

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