Chapter Text
“The test results have arrived.” Lady Belva announced.
Keefe laid back on his chair, knowing he aced the test. He stared directly at Tam with his iconic smirk, with full confidence that he beat him once more. Tam quickly glanced down towards his smirk, then looked back directly into his blue eyes. His eyebrows furrowed in frustration then scoffed and looked down towards his desk.
The class was The Universe and while it was basically a challenge of trying not to sleep. Keefe knew he had to actively use his photographic memory if he had a strong chance to beat Tam again. While his mother was absolutely evil playing with his genetics for his so called ‘legacy’, he might as well make use of such a useful skill.
Keefe sat in front of Linh, who was Tam’s twin sister. He treated her with consideration because while messing with Tam and his academics was fun, he knew if he were to do anything to her, he would be decimated.
“Good job, Keefe.” Linh smiled.
Keefe quickly glanced at his paper, seeing it marked as a 99. A small exhale of frustration exited out of his mouth, knowing he would have a much lower chance of beating Tam. Tam’s silver bangs swooshed as he turned his head towards Keefe. He mimicked Keefe’s well known smirk as he showed his test towards Keefe’s direction.
“Read it and weep.”
It was a perfect 100 on his paper.
Why did I second guess myself? Keefe thought as he must have gotten one of the questions right, but changed it last second.
“Very funny, Bangs Boy. Wait till the next Elvin History exam. I bet that if I get a higher score than you, which is obvious, you have to call me Lord Hunkyhair for the rest of the month.”
“Lord Hunkyhair? Is that some joke? How can you call it ‘hunky’ when you use more hair products than I do?” Tam’s voice accidentally rose.
“Boys! Stop fighting. How many times do I have to tell you that you are both very exceptional students in my class? In fact, this entire academy! You know what? Both of you are serving detention this lunch.” Lady Belva yelled.
“Yes Lady Belva.” They muttered in unison.
Keefe knew he was ‘exceptional’. Perhaps the ego was getting to his head, but if he had to share the reputation with Bangs Boy he might as well embrace the detention. The bell rang, which finally set him free. Just as he was about to leave the door, Tam glared at him and opened his mouth.
“I accept your bet. However, if I receive the higher score, you have to have bangs for the rest of the month and stop calling me Bangs Boy,”
Tam took a step closer towards Keefe where they were in close vicinity from each other’s faces.
“My name is Tam, Lord Cassius .” He shadow whispered to his mind and then walked away.
Keefe was left shell shocked and was in a stagnant position, full of fury. That was a low blow coming from Tam. It didn’t make any sense. He also had a bad father. How could he call him that? Just hearing that made him want to call him Bangs Boy even more. He was sure he was going to make his detention even worse.
He had one last class before lunch which was his Empath training with Lady Riale. Ever since he manifested as an Empath, he thought that 1 on 1 sessions were the worst from how awkward it was just talking to an adult for ninety minutes straight.
“Good morning, Keefe.” Lady Riale greeted.
“Morning.” Keefe muttered.
Thanks to Bang Boy’s existence, he could’ve had a better day.
“I sense that you’re a bit frustrated. Are you okay?” Lady Riale asked.
“I’m fine.” Keefe responded, knowing too well that Empaths were bad liars.
“You think you, as an Empath, can lie to another one as well? Quite humorous, Keefe,”
Lady Riale readjusted her seat where Keefe sat in silence on why his mentor would tease him right now.
“I was just teasing. Apologies. We can now start the session.”
Keefe nodded as he just thought he would rather prefer detention over this.
“I think the first thing we can do as Empaths is to calm ourselves. Doing so gives an easier and much more effective time to do a reading.”
Lady Riale put out her hands in front of Keefe and offered to touch them.
“Follow my instructions through my voice and try not to read me, as though the temptation is high, just listen to me.”
Keefe reluctantly nodded, but still felt a wave of calmness through Lady Riale.
“Breath in, then breathe out.”
With these stupid breathing exercizes, he did feel a bit calmer, but still didn’t want to do anything she said.
“You feel really calm, but I think I still sense some concern towards me.”
“Very good. It’s difficult for most Empaths to sense the minimal emotion rather than the dominant, appearing one. Yes, I am a bit concerned about you. Is it that Shade kid that’s messing with you?”
“Yeah. He called me something I didn’t expect him to say. I just want to set him straight once we serve detention.”
“Listen, you’re a very smart boy, Keefe. You don’t have to prove that you’re smarter than someone. Set your own goals and overcome yourself. Comparing yourself to others does no good. I have compared myself to Councilor Oralie multiple times when I was young, but that set me back. I’m now very satisfied with getting to teach young Empaths to their potential. Including you, Keefe.” Lady Riale encouraged.
“Thank you Lady Riale. I’ll see what I can do.”
***
The bell rang once more signifying that it was now lunch. Just as he was about to leave, Lady Riale looked at him with a smile.
“Good luck with detention, Keefe. Don’t let that Shade boy get to your head.”
“Thanks.” Keefe mustered.
What was ironic was that Tam did literally get to his head. Shadow whispering gave him the jitters as it felt like his skin was covered in goosebumps as he did it.
Detention was a few steps ahead as he saw Tam by his side, sensing a sense of regret from his face and his brief reading.
“Sorry about what I called you. I knew it was a low blow. Wouldn’t like it if you called me Quan Song.” He chuckled.
“Yeah, but just from that, I’m going to make your detention far worse.”
Keefe heard some quick footsteps rushing from behind, and he already knew who it was.
“Classic Foster. Late to detention.” Keefe chuckled.
“Nice seeing you too Keefe. You’re here as well Tam?” Sophie asked.
“Thanks to Keefe, I have to attend this stupid detention.” Tam scoffed as he pointed his finger directly at him.
“You’re welcome, Bangs Boy. Glad I could be of great help to you!”
Lady Cadence stepped outside of the room a few feet by the three, and raised her voice.
“What is taking you so long to talk? Get inside here now. We’re picking curdleroots.”
Keefe smiled, and even though he knew he was going to suffer, he endured the detention tango enough to survive with ease. Tam however, will be serving his first, and he knew exactly how he was going to make his first very special.