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"Riddle-san," asks Jade for about the 5th time this class. Despite having other students beside him, and having to lean forward to loom over Riddle's shoulder, the Leech has decided that Riddle is the only person in the room with stationary.
"May I borrow a highlighter?"
He's right, for what it's worth. Riddle's note-taking supplies are second to no other student, and he comes prepared with enough extras should a pen run out of ink or a highlighter go dry. He hands one to Jade wordlessly over his shoulder. When it comes to the twins, Riddle has learned that the path of least resistance is generally the least infuriating.
Jade slides the highlighter lithely out of Riddle's grip. "Thank you, Silly me for being so forgetful."
Riddle reserves a snide comment for later. Talking out of turn is against school rules. Besides if he lets his attention lapse for an instant, he might miss something that will be on the exam. Unthinkable.
Speaking of unthinkable, Jade nudges the back of Riddle's seat not 10 minutes later. "Riddle-san". He hums innocently, clear to anyone that has known him for a day that he's quite pleased with himself. "May I borrow a highlighter in a different color?"
As the saying goes, seventh time's the charm. At least, that's how many little favors it takes for Riddle to be sure Jade is toying with him. Riddle scowls, out of patience for the devil's angelic little act. He turns around to set his whole pencil case on Jade's desk. Shooting an accusatory glare at the grinning eel as he does. At the very least, that'll be the end of it. Malicious compliance can typically snuff out even Floyd or Jade's antics.
Typically, at least. Some days, not even going with the flow can keep a determined eel from wanting to pull Riddle under.
"Riddle-san—" Jade chirps again after mere minutes. "May I borrow some paper?"
Riddle crushes his magical pen in his grip. Any normal utensil would have snapped along with Riddle's patience. He rips a page out of his notebook, and one more for good measure. Riddle slams the pages on Jade's desk. earning a warning cough from Professor Trein and a regrettably darling giggle from Jade.
To 'Jade's' credit, it's only now that Riddle gets suspicious. Jade doesn't laugh anywhere near as offputtingly. But, Riddle knows someone who does.
This time, Riddle passes a sticky note backwards, written in rushed cursive.
Should I report you for skipping class, Floyd?
Not-Jade snaps the note away quickly, and not a second later is nudging Riddle again with his shoe, shaking his chair until Riddle reluctantly reaches back o retrieve a torn piece of his own notepaper with a note written in highlighter.
Dunno what you're talkin' about Goldfishie. I'm right where I'm meant to be.
Riddle twists in his seat to shoot not-Jade an accusatory glare. The grin he gets in return is the smoking gun that the Leech harassing him at this particular moment is not the one in Riddle's class. It's also enough to make Riddle blush furiously, unfortunately flustered. "You're too distracting". He mouths.
"I missed ya." Floyd sing-whispers in return.
Riddle weakens, turning back to his work with more of a swoon than a sigh.
This little eel-swap game is brazen noncompliance with Night Raven's Rules. These troublesome fish clearly have not, and will not learn their lessons. He should report Floyd immediately for his rule-breaking. That way, he'll never try this type of stint again as an excuse to see Riddle in the middle of a school day. . . .
With one last glance behind him, Riddle rolls his eyes at the eel who shouldn't be here, glad he's here anyway. This once, he decides, he'll let it slide.