Page 12 of A Lesson in Deceit
I shoved him back, hoping that I looked somewhat presentable and not like a girl whose boyfriend just eagerly went down on her. I wasn’t really sure what sex or anything having to do with sex smelt like, but I sure as hell hoped it wasn’t potent.
The door opened and a beautiful girl with short black tight curls and dark skin walked in. She had glasses with thick black rectangular frames perched on her nose and a leopard print headband with a matching t-shirt dress on that hit right before her knees. A neon yellow fanny pack was hooked around her waist. She rolled in two suitcases and behind her was a man who brought in two more suitcases and a duffel bag. He looked identical to her, right down to the way they both smiled at me.
I waved my hand awkwardly. “Um...hi.”
The girl looked from me to River and then back again. A laugh ripped from her throat, followed by a snort. “If I had been alone in this room with Mateo, I would have made the same decision.”
We couldn’t be that obvious…could we?
She waved nonchalantly towards the empty bed so the guy behind her knew where to put the rest of her stuff. She practically skipped over to me, the friendliest smile on her face. “I’m Corrin Hayes.” She looked over her shoulder. “And that brute over there is my brother, Ike.”
I cleared my throat. “Oh, um…well, I’m—” She cut me off before I could finish.
“Riley Monroe, yeah, I know who you are.” Her dark brown eyes softened, and I didn’t know if it was pity or empathy. She flicked her eyes to River. “And River St. James, wow, isn’t she a little out of your league?” Corrin shook her head and despite my thoughts just seconds ago, I found myself laughing.
River huffed. “I am inclined to agree with you.”
“Cor, can you quit being a fucking pain?” Ike scolded his sister. He ran a hand over his closely buzzed head. “Actually, speaking of Mateo, why aren’t they helping you instead of me? I have plans and one of those plans was not helping you move from the north dorms to the east.”
Corrin rolled her eyes. “Because mom and dad told you to, that’s why. I’m theirfavorite, not to mention I was born two minutes before you, so I’m older and therefore have authority over you.”
Ike narrowed his eyes at her, but just shook his head. “I am bringing the last of your bags and then I’m gone.” He gave us a small salute. “Good luck with her.”
“You have more bags?” I mumbled, looking at the size of the room and more so, the size of the closet.
River pulled me into his side, kissing the top of my head. “I’m going to head back to the house. Call me after the assembly or when you get completely settled, alright?”
“After I call my mom and Marianne, you are next on the list.” I said, causing him to swat my ass playfully before he said goodbye to Corrin and left.
I waited a few moments to see if she would speak to me again, but she was giving her full attention to making up her bed. I looked down at my messy sheets and decided to do the same. Corrin’s brother had come in, thrown the rest of her bags at her and given me a small wave before he threw his middle finger athis sister while she threw both hers up as well. I had put my black silk pillowcases on the two pillows the school provided and was about to tuck in my top sheet when she spoke next.
“You’re human, right?”
I moved my pillows to the head of the bed. “Yeah. Are you?”
She snorted again. “Oh, fuck no.” Corrin brought her hand to lips. “Sorry, I didn’t mean for that to come out like that. Being a human is fine. I personally like being a witch. My whole family are witches, well except for my dad. My brother would rather focus on his business degree than his metal magic.”
I raised my eyebrows. “What kind? Of witch I mean?”
“Fucking dampeners. It would be much better if I showed you. I’m a healing witch, but I also have an affinity for potions and science. I like my magic to come with a lab coat most times, potion chemistry I like to say. The university has a dedicated building for potions on the south part of campus. One of the only places I don’t have to wear those stupid dampeners.”
I fiddled with one of my braids. “I thought you guys had to wear them all the time.”
Corrin looked up at the ceiling. “Any magical student may remove their dampeners for specific classes that pertain to their major or if they are overseen by a professional individual employed by the university within that field of magic that enhances their education.” She did a little shimmy. “It’s in the handbook. Anything outside of that is grounds for expulsion. Believe me, I’m just a sophomore and I’ve seen it happen. All it takes is one person to open up their stupid mouth and boom, under investigation for violating the rules and you’re out on your ass with no degree in hand.”
It was a long shot, but maybe something happened with a student and they got angry at my dad. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the thought that something like that could end with my father falling through his office window. I couldn’t dismiss anyoption at this point, then again, I couldn’t go around asking every single student if they knew, met or had any suspicions on the matter.
Corrin gasped, startling me out of my thoughts. She was looking down at her phone. “Omg! We are going to be late for the assembly.”
“Isn’t it just for new students?”
“Yes and no. It’s mandatory for new students, but it’s open for anyone to go. The university really likes morale, so all the teachers go, faculty, the vice president, sometimes the chancellor. I emphasizesometimes, because he only graces us with his presence during graduations or things he deems really important.”
I remembered when I was doing a dive into the school, The Mystic Riegan chancellor, Erik Fowler, had a lot of credentials and had been with the school for a while. There wasn’t much information on him. My dad never really spoke about him, and based on how little there was to know, I would assume he’d never even met him.
I blinked over at Corrin who was still talking. “There is free food, so obviously I will be in attendance.” She grabbed my university ID, shoving it at my chest before I was ushered out the door.
The auditorium was slowly fillingup as we found our seats, plates of food in hand. I absentmindedly fiddled with my necklace as I watched everyone filter in, popping a few grapes into my mouth. The room had a high ceiling and three sets of stairs that separated multiple rows of chairs. A few people would look at me and then turn to their friends, who would then alsolook at me. Some of them would nod and others would contort their faces into that same expression that Corrin had in our room.
