The Elusive Prince

Chapter 45: Pre Mid-term Burn

Merideth

After that little reveal on my friends part (not really for me but certainly for them), the whole class was suddenly acting like nothing happened last Sunday or atleast they were trying to act like nothing happened. I knew I could trust Sumire and Reiss to spread the word.

I know they were lost and confused about the whole thing but that's their fault because I certainly didn't ask them to look into my presumed love life. I like to believe their confusion is their karma from prying too much on my non-existent relationships.

However, one of the reason why the others seem to brush the whole thing off for now is also because of the fact that the burn of our workload is trying to swallow us whole. Mid-terms were fast approaching and so the whole student body of Irini Alliance is stuck trying to study for it. Even I didn't get to talk to Kairo after that lunch since we were bombarded with assignments and tests starting the next day. In fact we were so busy, Saturday and Sunday is spent in library's and study rooms revising and reviewing for the next test rather than going outside to relax.

Luna and Kellen especially were wailing about it but Amity was a saint and took it upon herself to help Luna with her weaker subjects and are stuck in Amity's study room most of the time. Kellen was stuck with Cassian who we found out was an absolute genius in Math so now he occupies the third study room where people come and go for some tips and advice on equations. Meanwhile I was swarmed myself with History tutorials and is occupying the fifth study room in our dorm.

A week has passed since then and Hailey was currently beside me, sorting out stacks of paper scattered about and was muttering Kaia's rules and policy under her breath, probably for her upcoming test tomorrow. Meanwhile I just finished reviewing some notes so I decided to stretch my back by lying down on the bean bags scattered in the room and rubbed my eyes, too exhausted from poring over notes. Layla and Reagan just went out after they took some notes about the policy's made on the first signing of the Council and Alliance and now I was done for the day, well atleast from tutoring. I still need to answer my Literature worksheet that I've been putting off for today that was due tomorrow.

Groaning I looked at Hailey and she looked back. I gave her a wide smile and without saying anything she went out and soon came back with a cup of coffee. Taking it gratefully, I went back to my Literature homework and began typing away.

Somewhere along the line of writing, the door suddenly opened and revealed Sumire and Reiss who went straight to the beanbags and groaned.

"Why are you both here? Weren't you supposed to head over to Amity?" I asked, not taking my eyes off my work.

"We would but we just got back from Reagan's. Chemistry is a devil incarnate and I don't think I can look at another worksheet for today." Sumire groaned dramatically and possibly rolled over because of the sudden thud. Halting on what I was doing, I turned around and saw that yep, she was indeed on the floor now.

"You should know by now that mid-terms is the worst time of the year here in Irini right? I thought you already grew accustomed to it by now." I shrugged and went on with my work, revising it for the last time before calling it quits.

"I know duh. I grew up in this school. It's just hard to catch up and I swear Sir Hexford doubled the load on History this term." Reiss said and Sumire on the floor groaned in approval.

"Well he might've but we just need to get through with it. Besides, it's not so bad. At least we won't have a hard time next year since we covered the base already." I tried cheering them up but it was unsuccessful because they groaned louder this time.

"You're just happy it's on History, you're favorite subject. If it was on I don't know maybe Math you wouldn't be this positive I'm sure." Ava, who suddenly spawned here joined and the rest just agreed, save for Hailey who was not in our class and was busy with laws and policies at the moment.

"Hey don't jinx it. I swear I'll strangle you if we get double spreadsheets on Math tomorrow." I glared after pressing save for my Literature worksheet. Finally done, I took my anti-radiation glasses off and sat next to Reiss on the bean bag. Shifting a little, I didn't notice the sudden change of expression that overtook Ava's face and just closed my eyes for a while.

"Well I think you're not going to mind that much anyway, especially because Cassian will help you with it." at that I cracked open my eyes and glared at the now smirking Ava, though with less energy behind it but still evil nonetheless.

"Will you stop that? And even if it's not me, Cassian will still help because he's a good person like that." I scoffed and closed my eyes again, too tired to exert more energy on my words.

"Ugh why can't you just play along? I swear you never let us tease you." Ava groaned.

"That's because I'm too good for you. It's not my fault." I shrugged and she just scoffed but didn't say anything, too tired to argue back.

We spent the remaining of the time just lounging there, only the sounds of Hailey's soft mumbling and the constant click clack of the wall clock could be heard on the room. We were all pretty exhausted and it seems the burn from overworking the past week is catching up already because I could hear Sumire snoring softly on the carpeted floor and none of us had the energy to wake her up and place her somewhere comfortable, so we just let her. Though I'm pretty sure she prefers the floor really.

Time seemed to pass slowly inside the room and we were thankful for that, since we all needed some time to rest. That bliss didn't last long however when someone came knocking on the door and Levine's equally tired face greeted us.

"Hey Sir Hexford said we should clock in already. Wait, is that Sumire on the floor?" Levine asked incredulously and we just nodded and he chuckled tired, and told us to wake her up, too tired to even snap a picture for blackmail.

Groaning, we woke Sumire up who looked disoriented and just muttered incoherently as we hoist her up and if you listened closely she was mumbling the different well known authors for our test on Literature tomorrow which just shows how much our minds were full of school works which was amazing but sad at the same time.

Dragging our feet and Sumire into the entrance, we stumble upon our equally tired classmates lining up and walking like zombies back into their rooms when they finished. I glanced at the side and saw Sir Hexford looking a little bit tired as well, probably from all the checking and stuff.

Luna looked ready to drop and was only abl to stand because Layla was holding her up. I'm pretty sure that if she let go Luna would drop dead on the carpeted floor.

The clock in didn't take long however because all of us just want to lie down and drop dead, preparing ourselves for another grueling day tomorrow.

After finishing, I didn't waste any time and let Hailey guide me back to my room, fatigue settling deep into my bones. Changing into my pajamas, it didn't even take me a minute to fall asleep.

Tonight was a dreamless night but that's okay, as long as I can rest I guess because heaven knows I need it, we all do.