Page 21 of Exordium

“Is he whistling, ‘My Milkshakes bring all the Boys to the Yard?’” Nathan narrowed his eyes on Zane’s back.

“I think he might be.” We looked at each other and started laughing. These two Moon boys were perfect for me, and I hated to see what them and Nathan got up to in the future. I grabbed Nathan’s hand and pulled him in the direction of our classroom.

“Come on crazy, I don’t want to be late.” Per our entire relationship, Nathan followed along right by my side. Before we entered the classroom, I stopped him and narrowed my eyes,“I meant it about you renaming your penis. Why in the world would you think it would be sexy to call it Big John?”

“‘Just trying out some options’,” he winked at me, mocking Zane.

“You’re absolutely ridiculous, and you’d better hope Grumpy never finds out,” I gave him the side-eye.

“He should be flattered, my penis is big and gorgeous.” Nathan smiled, showing all his teeth.

I just stared at him, speechless. Somehow, I didn’t think Grumpy would take it as a compliment. On the other hand, Pop would love it.

We walked into history class just in time to sit in the seats Chloe saved for us. Jet was seated at the desk directly behind me. The professor entered right after the bell rang and stood behind the podium. He was average height, with short silver hair.

“Hello, class. My name is Professor Austin. Welcome to Aurathion History. I can’t wait to begin teaching you about your heritage. For those Passives who have just found out about their lineage, I will be assigning you a tutor. This will be one of our upperclassmen.”

Walking to his desk, he grabbed some papers and asked a girl in the front to pass them out. “This is a little pop quiz to see how much information you have and if it’s correct. Newly found Passives, answer as much as you can. This will help me assess how much help you need.” He explained.

Nathan leaned over and whispered in my ear, “I won’t be tutored by anyone other than you. Let’s hope Big John and Little Jesse taught me enough.”

“Are you fucking kidding me right now? At this rate, we may never have sex again.” I looked at him in astonishment. “And I’m telling Pop you called him ‘Little Jesse’. I’m sure y’all can work it out on the mats.” I could swear I heard Jet chuckle. Turning my head to check, I found him as stoic as ever.

“Damn N- Reverie, no need to go full-out Beth Dutton on my ass. Nobody can take a joke anymore.” Nathan winced knowing he almost messed up and called me Nexi.

“Well, bless your little Psycho heart,” I smiled sweetly. “Now pay attention and use that sharp mind for something other than torturing me.”

Nathan grumbled under his breath about mean southern women but looked down at his test and got started.

I knew all the questions. I hoped correctly and turned in my test first. Directly behind me was Jet. We both returned to our desk and waited for the rest of the class to finish. Class ended about twenty minutes later with one poor guy turning in his test right before the bell rang.

“How did you do?” I asked Nathan.

“I think I did well. Your Grump would shoot me with his airsoft gun every time I got a question wrong.” He grumbled, “I became extremely motivated to study.”

“He did what?” Chloe laughed.

Jet followed close behind us, and once again, I thought I heard him chuckling. But when I looked at him, his face was utterly expressionless.

I grinned at Chloe, and leaned close, not wanting Jet to hear, “Grumpy had a lot of aggression to work out when Nathan became my Faction. To say he had to warm up to him is putting it mildly.”

Walking down the hall, I felt eyes on me and saw Kristine marching toward us with her band of girls from the auditorium. Walking straight up to Nathan, she pouted, “I don’t know what little Moon here told you about me, but I’m no threat to you. I thought we could get to know each other if I tutored you. I’m extremely knowledgeable and not just in History.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him.

In the most high-pitched voice I’d ever heard, Blondie stepped up next to Nathan, “Chloe’s always been jealous of her brother’s time and attention. That’s the only reason she doesn’t like Kristine.”

What the actual fuck? This girl must have a death wish. What was the deal with Blondie? Was she some kind of ambassador for Kristine? Nathan moved closer to me and put his arm around my waist. “I don’t give a single fuck about getting to know you. Reverie is the only tutor I need, so kindly fuck right off,” he said, mean mugging the fuck out of her.

“Who is Reverie?” Kristine pouted, looking directly at me.

“Well, aren’t you just cute as a bug?” I smiled sweetly. Nathan looked at Chloe and whispered, “Slowly back away.”

“Why?” Chloe frowned.

“Cause shit is about to get real.” He backed up to stand next to Jet.

Kristine looked confused by this point but was unwilling to back down. “I asked you a question, Chloe,” she said sharply. Blondie stepped up and nodded her head in Chloe’s direction in a get-to-it gesture.

I know this bitch isn’t talking to my new friend like that. I’m about to go straight up western on her ass. I stepped closer to Kristine, “My name is Reverie Hawthorne. Are we going to have a problem?”

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