Chapter 25: Brianna
The sworn-in ceremony consisted of binding spells with long tiresome speeches. No doubt, the entire school population wanted the whole thing to end before the first orate was over. Or maybe it was just me. Regardless, as expected, everyone made a fuss about the event. It was kept in the school's auditorium, so everyone could attend. And, because it was a Friday, lectures were dismissed early. Therefore, without a doubt, the seats were filled in the auditorium before everything was set up. Even an ambassador for the High Council made an appearance.
I wasn't going to lie and say I did not feel some kind of triumph, because I did. Though my accomplishment was not a big one, it did count for something. Good news would be returned to my parents about all I had accomplished in such a short time. So, even though everyone was bored, a grin was fixed on my face the entire time.
The Head Administrator was the last to speak; most of what he said passed us by. Well, up until he mentioned a bonfire. At that moment, several thousand eyes watched him with perked ears. Not such a bad speech after all.
The bonfire was his last present to the Young Council. The students who were interested could have a go at it. And, by the lit faces and crowded riverbank, everyone was interested.
There were college kids everywhere; some even from different schools. Most chatted with friends while others danced, and drank from long transparent cups.
"Is it always this festive for every college event?" I asked Brian, dodging dancing Young Adults as we made our way to the so-called V.I.P section.
He cast a glance over his shoulder. "Not really. I guess, everyone is happy for the little break."
Break? It was Friday, was it not?
"Yeah, college is a beast," Summer groaned. Her high-pitched voice was almost drowned by the invisible speakers blasting African beats. "The semester just started and I'm swamp with assignments."
Yeah, we were. One of the reasons why I hated school. No amount of years would allow me to get used to it.
At the edge of the river, we skipped on small rocks to the other side. There some of the Young Council members were seated around a small fire. I guess this was the V.I.P section. The music and neon lighting were much less obnoxious here.
Upon our arrival, Courtney scooted beside Josh on the long mat to make room for us.
Brian collapsed beside Drew before pointing at Summer. "You should sit somewhere that's not beside me."
She narrowed her eyes at him before obeying. She went to the far end of the mat with a pout.
"Why do you have to be a jerk?" I questioned, sitting next to him.
Brian shrugged and paid more attention to his phone.
Ugh!
Two lines then pinched between Josh's brows. Courtney leaned closer to Josh while he wiggled his nose. With her face inches from his neck, she vacuumed his scent. "You smell weird." Another whiff was taken. "Different. Are you wearing a new cologne?"
Josh leaned away from her and sniffed his shirt. "No, I don't wear cologne. It affects my sense of smell."
"Hmmm," she hummed. Her lids closed, and a smile on her lips.
He slid away, brushing on Kyle. "Would you stop? You're fucking creeping me out."
She straightened. "Sorry, I was just saying."
"Whatever." He then looked to Colin who was beside Kyle. "Can we switch places? I don't want to sit beside her." His index finger pointed at Courtney.
"Thank you so much for being polite," she scoffed.
"Whatever," he repeated.
Colin sniffed his armpits. His fingers pinched the front of his shirt and brought it close to Courtney. "What about me? Do I smell great too?"
Josh arched a brow then turned away his head when Courtney went for it. After a comfortable vacuuming, she shook her head. "You still smell the same."
Colin slouched with a pout. "Fuck, you sure know how to break a guy's heart."
"Okay," Heather clapped, jumping to her feet. "Switching around is fine by me."
Grateful for the help, Josh wasted no time in flashing to his feet. By the time everyone was done rearranging their seats, I was somehow positioned next to Kyle. A part of me jumped for joy while the rebellious side grumbled with disgust.
A minute later and we all were seated. Our gaze lingered on the fun everyone else was having on the opposite side of the river. Unlike at school, there was no right or left side rule. Everyone bundled in one, enjoying themselves. If anything, they seemed happy; at ease with each other. Sure, there were a few who kept to their kind, but the majority spread their wings. They sang, danced, and drank with other species.
"Can someone tell me why we have to sit on the no-fun side again?" Summer whined with a slouch.
A chorus of sighs followed.
"For once, I'm agreeing with the human," Drew announced.
"Don't worry, Eric and Jake are getting the booze," Brian reassured them.
Colin propped up one foot and braced his hand on his knee. "They better fucking hurry, or boredom is going to kill us all."
Before the end of the statement, Jake's head came into view. He plodded through the thick crowd. He and Eric skipped on the same rocks to get to us. They both carried a medium-sized igloo in hand. Ashley and the same media girl...ah, Sabrina trailed behind with brown paper bags under their arms.
"The cavalry's here," Colin beamed. "For a second, I thought you guys couldn't do anything right."
"Fuck off, Colin," Eric snapped, placing the cooler beside the mat, next to Kyle.
"Well," Sabrina spoke up, sparing Colin a side glance, "we thought you guys might be hungry so we bought snacks."
Courtney swooped in and helped with the unpacking of the bags, throwing the large bag of marshmallows to Brian. Without wasting much time he and Drew gathered sticks. Josh and Heather inserted the marshmallows and sausages on the sticks. And, Lindsay handed them out to us to roast.
Tortillas, tacos, lays along with a few other delights were handed to us. While Colin managed to issue out the liquor. When everything was done and organized, Sabrina smiled. "Well, my time of intrusion has come to an end. I'll be leaving now."
"You don't have to."
"Don't go."
Both Ashley and Colin interjected. When Colin realized his plea was spoken aloud, he eyed his taco and took a sip of his beer.
"Yeah," Ashley went on, "you're Eric's girlfriend. I'm sure it gives you a pass to stay."
Colin rolled his eyes. Eric shifted in his seat. His eyes flickered to Lindsay, who was busy staring at the dancing flames before us.
Kyle eyed Colin before he spoke, "She can stay." Grey eyes turned to Sabrina, "as long as you don't cause trouble."
Trouble?
Summer slid over to make space for her. "You heard the man, sit. You're blocking the heat."
However, Sabrina refused the space provided and squeezed beside a bewildered Eric. The minute she did this, Colin's facial features hardened, and Lindsay's fingers gripped her stick. Though neither moved or said a word, they occupied all of Kyle's attention.
What the hell was going on?
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone