Lady Hawk

Northwood Academy

Hey guys, sorry I fell off the face of the earth. A mix of technology problems and family stuff kind of killed everything. But I've gotten the former fixed and the latter has slowed down so I can jump in again if it's still possible.

Northwood Academy

Michael- 5:15 A.M.

The first waking thought Michael had was that Katie must have had a nightmare because she was curled next to him. He didn’t have the energy to shove her out of bed so he just turned over and tried to go back to sleep. But her knees knocked against his and he opened his eyes to give her a talking to (and ask her if she was okay and if she’d like some hot chocolate or something) because it wasn’t even light out yet. Even if she smelled better than usual.

But he was met with clear, mischievous eyes and a mess of red hair and constellations of freckles. Michael tried to jerk away, but ended up flailing sleepily a bit—he didn’t know if it was because of her shushing or that clinging fatigue that kept him from crying out in his complete shock. He was fully aware that without Arthur’s ability coursing through him, he would’ve gone tumbling off the side of the bed in an instant.

After a few moments of his heart beating in his throat, remembering the course of events that led him to this particularly awkward moment (laughing with her and watching blue-white energy surround a tea cup in wonder), he narrowed his eyes. It was more in confusion than irritation or outright anger allowing him to sort of blink and force the ‘OHGODPANICELLIEISINYOURBEDPANICWHATDOIDO?’ down. And despite his best efforts to sound either suave or normal, his voice cracked as he hissed, “What the hell, are you—“

And then his roommate—who he’d not yet met—spoke and he turned around slowly. The other boy was sitting on his bed, staring at the two friends.

“Um…good morning—Josh, is it?”

He was going to have a heart attack at fifteen. It must be some sort of record. They’d write something nice about him in the paper. Probably about his dancing and his chivalry and Merlin would mutter about how he should have had a family before dying to pass on the bloodline and go on to her next hippie thing.

Michael turned back around to Elizabeth. He felt like a startled stoat, caught between a fox and a hunter. Or something. What ate stoats, anyway? Because this was a rule broken. On the first night. They’d be in so much trouble. His mother would write him a very sternly worded letter. Ellie would be judged by pretty much everyone, probably, unless the girls in his dance class had completely overstated how their entire gender is treated. And it all lay on what his roommate would do.

He was going to give her a pleading look, make her fix it because he didn’t know what to do, but she’d sat up while he was facing Josh and the panic that had been building in him left in a rush of laughter.

“Elli your—your hair!”

It was basically a bush, at this point, matted and sticking up and going in the wrong direction. He was used to seeing hair like this—sisters—but he wasn’t expecting it at before-dawn in the morning from his childhood friend who had apparently slept in the same bed as him.

He poked it while ignoring the look on her face. “Oh, I missed this.”

Michael then turned to Josh, finally relaxed, “Um, so, Josh. Sorry about all this. We’re childhood friends and we had a kinda late night. I think. There was tea involved, so it got kind of muddled there at the end. She’ll be out of your hair,” he snickered, looking at her matted hair again, “in a minute.”

But he made a note in the back of his mind to make sure the kid didn’t start snitching.

“Ellie, you gotta get out of here before a teacher comes and banishes us or something. I’ll be look out, yeah?” He opened the door (remember it wasn’t not-curfew yet, but he hardly thought teachers cared about the early part) and stood outside. “All clear. See you at breakfast?”

Just as she darted out of the room and he slipped back in, he smiled and said, "Good luck with your hair!" But then Josh got his attention and motioned towards his cheek. Michael wiped at it own and his fingers came away with color. He’d had to wear it enough for recitals to know exactly what the substance on his fingers was.

He couldn’t help the heat that spread to his cheeks as he sat/fell onto his bed and buried his head in his hands.

“What is going on?” he muttered underneath his breath.

But then he remembered how much possible trouble they could be in and he looked at Josh and tried to look serious. “Listen, mate, I’m sure you’re a fantastic sort of guy and we’ll be great friends by the end of the year. But if you get Ellie in trouble over something as simple as this, it’s going to be a very difficult year for you and it’ll be the year I learn how to make someone’s life a living hell. You understand?”

After his threat, he grinned and started getting ready. He gathered a towel and his shower supplies and went down the hall to the bathroom. Michael took as long as he liked, letting himself think in private.

Not only did he have whatever was going on to deal with, but there was Elizabeth—the same girl who dragged him everywhere and taught him how to get into trouble. The one who forced him to read and told him more about his lineage than he actually wanted to know once he told her about the whole thing. The one who’d told him about her own lineage in return, without his asking.

And there was Northwood itself.

But back to his childhood friend. Who had just crawled into bed with him, apparently—like when they were kids. As if they were still kids. Like it was nothing.

And kissed his cheek. And looked adorable when waking up with bed head. And all sleepy eyed and oh, God, she really was a girl. Like an actual girl with pretty eyes and not the wild-thing covered in mud, holding a library book reverently because she’d saved. Like he knew but now he really knew.

The only thing he could recall thinking after realizing this, walking down to breakfast, was that there was no way he was going to survive the school year.

Men vs. Women Race to 1000

-204

Northwood Academy

Michael

Michael rolled his eyes as she started ranting about accents and tea. Even though he tried his best not to, he couldn’t help but smile for a second because the whole thing was ridiculous and it was almost like coming home (not that she’d ever find that out). Especially when one imagined her rounding up American’s to take them before the Queen for sentencing in the tea-mines if one ignored the fact that tea comes from leaves.

She hadn’t changed at all. The grace was part of a giant rouse to charm the public as she led them to get lost miles from home while searching for Leprechaun gold (he’d told her they all lived in Ireland but she’d insisted they could travel on rainbow bridges, even though that was Norse mythology and that’s why their gold was there).

Except, behind the irritation at being insulted and that Americans didn’t turn English while in her presence, the was Elizabeth was acting sent warning bells ringing in the back of his mind. She’d always been the first person to extend a hand of friendship to, well, anyone, but this girl had closed herself off to Kiddo.

And, yes, the freshman’s laugh had sent chills buzzing down his spine and the fact he’d made his own hands bleed was alarming, but so was this whole situation (all Merlin’s fault and he still suspected Ellie had something to do with it). And from what he’d heard, migraines were right awful things.

But he put all of his experience in pushing worries and fear and irritation away and sighed theatrically. “Why would I ever do that if I can’t get chat up? I suppose I’ll have to make an exception for you. I guess I’ll find out if tea is all it’s cracked up to be.”

And Michael tucked into his meal. He didn’t eat half as fast as he normally would—not in front of the lovely Maribeth, because Kiddo (as a teenage boy) would know the art of inhaling one’s food and Ellie had known him before he knew how to eat like a human being so she could honestly deal with it, but he’d be civil for Maribeth.

He kept mostly quiet after that, biting back snide comments to Ellie because they were in polite company and that would probably devolve into barely discernible Brit-speak as they deteriorated into their child-selves.

“So, Maribeth, are you a junior as well or did they just give you the short stick off roommates for no particular reason? Surely someone as lovely as you doesn’t deserve that.”

Michael knew he’d catch it later for the blatant flirting, but he’d had enough for stress today and she really was lovely and everyone needed to know things like that because he’d noticed people didn’t notice it themselves. He just hoped he didn’t scare the poor thing away by being too forward.

So, both in fear of retribution and of frightening the girl, he stayed quiet the rest of the meal and did his best not to look like he wanted to bolt and get to the theater about twenty minutes ago. She’d always been better at deciphering Merlin’s rambling than he ever could be. He wasn’t a slouch in the brains department, but she could probably recite chemical formulas without half-trying by now.

When he finished his meal, he stood up and smiled at both Kiddo and Maribeth. “It was awesome meeting you both. Kiddo, I hope you don’t mind if we do our exploring later? I have an appointment with nostalgia. I’ll make it up to you somehow. Good luck with that migraine of yours. And Maribeth, I hope I have the pleasure of spending more time with you.” He looked at Elizabeth, “I’ll see you in a bit, yeah?”

He left, putting his tray away. When he was out of sight, he went directly to the theater. Unsure of how long he’d have to wait, he went inside and kind of lost himself for a bit. Not looking around, like he honestly should have, he took off his shoes and immediately took to the stage. He didn’t dance, not really—he hadn’t warmed up and he’d just eaten and a million other reasons—but he got a feel for the wood beneath his feet. And if he pointed his toes and spun a few times, who cared?

Satisfied that he could learn here, he sat at the edge of the state and waited. He probably should have waited outside, but she knew him well enough to know that he loved the outdoors but he was at home on a stage.

When he finally saw her come in, he stage-sighed, “When the hell did you start coming here? No wonder that old bag told me to come there—anyone with any sense would know you’d cause all sorts of trouble.” But he grinned widely, finally letting himself show exactly how glad he was a friendly face was here.

Men vs. Women Race to 1000

-196

Men vs. Women Race to 1000

-195

Northwood Academy

Michael

Michael hated her. He decided then if he was Arthur, she was Morgan Le Fay. Evil. Gorgeous and graceful and clever but absolutely evil. She was obviously the reason he’d been sent here by Merlin. She was the thing wrong with Northwood. Mystery solved. He could leave now, yeah?

But, even so, when she mentioned his ‘grandmother,’ he gave her a knowing look, raising his eyebrows in what he hoped was a, I’ll tell you later, please shut your mouth about that crazy and not something like keep going, I dare you, though he understood the expressions looked similar.

Because even if she was related to Satan, probably, she was also the only one besides his father that knew about his ancestor and she’d told him about that Flamel guy. That had been the last summer he’d seen her. (He wondered now that he thought back on it if that was why or if it was all a mess of coincidence).

But she might’ve known the poor dead girl and she could help, even if Ellie was absolutely his nemesis, they could form some kind of agreement to get the atmosphere at this school to be less thick with worry and sadness and even if this was only the first year here, no one deserved to learn in a place where they were afraid and no one was telling them anything.

He didn’t grit his teeth and ask her to leave like he wanted to, though. Instead he gave her a bright grin as he picked up his fork. And then he deliberately turned to look at Maribeth. “It’s great to meet you, Maribeth. I am so, so sorry you have to room with this harpy. If you ever need to escape her, let me know and I’ll help you get away.”

In truth he wondered how the girl would fare with his old friend. As it were, she seemed to shrink in on herself and Ellie could be a bit overbearing when she was caught up in something. But she was pretty. He reminded her of a fairy, tiny and pretty with long hair. It wouldn't break his heart to hang out with her even if he had to deal with her roommate.

Then he turned to the aforementioned harpy. “This is Kiddo. And would you quit it with the Brit-speak? You’re going to scare people. No one here knows what sixes and sevens means.” He looked at Kiddo finally, nearly dropping his spoon when he saw the kid’s shaking hands. The knuckles were white and was that sweat dropping from his brow?

“Shite, mate,” Damn Ellie and her accent bringing it out in him, “You all right?” He touched the kid’s back, all thoughts of Ellie and Merlin and Natalie Coleman because he looked awful. He’d been fine a second ago.

Men vs. Women Race to 1000

-155

Northwood Academy

Michael and Kiddo

Michael slowed the opening of the door at the last second, narrowly avoiding hitting him. He looked over the kid in front of him, taking the outfit in—he was in a goddamn bowtie. And of course he, a freshman, was taller than him. With his dark hair and eyes, he knew the girls had to fawn over this kid—he’d been forced to be a girl’s wingman enough to know.

For a single instant, Michael though of shoving past him simply because he was a freshman and he should be looking out for opening doors anyway. But every shred of decency he had reminded him he was only a year older than this kid, just as new to the school, and he might've been a bit careless with the door.

He grinned widely, “Sorry there, mate. I’m in the same boat you are—I’m a transfer. I wouldn’t mind having someone to explore the place with.”

“Eh, it’s alright. Since you’re a transfer, I guess we’ll both be seeing new things. Where do you come from?”

“I’m from…”

He trailed off as he looked elsewhere for a moment, eyes widening as he caught sight of her. Blast it, what is Ellie doing here? He hasn’t seen her in ages. And yeah, maybe she grew up well. Very well. But she’d been bloody annoying as a kid (her legs had been so damn long and he’d been little and had been off to do interesting things and wouldn’t slow down) and she’d read too much when he wanted to get away from his sisters.

Who the hell did she think she was, giving him that a come hither gesture as if he would listen. And that wink. The nerve of her!

What was worse that, yes, he wanted to see the theater but she was going into the dining hall and he just remembered he was hungry.

Michael jerked his head toward the stair and started walking. The freshman followed him as he heads down the stairs. “I’m from Indiana, just outside of Indianapolis. How about you?”

And before that, he was from Britain but this kid didn’t need to know that.

The kid walked with him, but Michael was honestly not paying too close attention to him. "I live in Indiana too actually. Very very south. Almost Kentucky." He shrugged, "It's alright there. People are pretty narrow minded and kinda rude. But it's alright."

"Eh, small world." He moves easily past the moving bodies of other students as he subtly follows her. He doesn't hurry, taking in his surroundings. "I'm a bit hungry so I'm going to the dining hall first, I hope you don't mind there." Michael realizes he doesn’t know this kids name and says, "I'm Michael, by the way." He doesn’t wait for him to answer as he goes towards the smell of food.

When they reached the dining hall, he sat down, deliberately not facing her because she was ridiculous and he wanted to have a pleasant meal.

Men vs. Women Race to 1000

-146