Days passed until combat battles were just a day away.
Thorndyke kept on trying to help her whenever he got the chance, but Gwen, being the stubborn ass muttonhead she was, always swatted him away and continued being shagged by Sibby on the training mat.
However, Thorndyke wasn't born on the day of backing down. He continued shoving his nose into her business, always dragging her away whenever she became too curious about a certain cryptic message.
It was nighttime, and the next day were the combat battles. Gwen had been off to meet Zyre again, but she lost track of time, and it was already an hour over the curfew.
There wasn't a single human in sight on the dimly lit hallway as she walked on her tiptoes, trying to remain as silent as possible. Her heart thudded with every step, her senses on high alert.
Suddenly, she heard a noise, like footsteps, approaching from a distance.
Her breath caught in her throat, and she quickly ducked behind a pillar, hoping to remain hidden in the shadows. She pressed her back against the cold stone, her mind racing as she wondered who could be coming.
The least favourable thing that could happen to her at the moment was to be caught by General Sylveryon— or even worse, Professor Winguard.
However, the person was none of the above. It was rather surprising to her to know that it was Luna Hammond, the chubby ginger-haired girl from her class.
Gwen raised her eyebrows in surprise. She never took Luna to be the rule-breaker type. She was always that silent girl in class who sat in the corner of the last row and never really talked to anyone. She wondered what she would be doing this late after curfew.
But then again, who was she to judge? She herself was breaking a rule the very moment.
Gwen heard another pair of footsteps from the opposite direction, making her panic and scoot towards the shadows even further. The last thing she wanted was to get in trouble. Especially when Thorndyke challenged her pride in that matter.
She could see the second person but she heard a few hushed whispers. She tried to focus on their conversation but she was too far away. Suddenly, the hand of the stranger came and grabbed Luna's and they both went in the direction of Junior Wing Corridor.
Gwen wondered who the second person might be and what urgency would they have to meet this late at night. Curious, she took a step to follow them, but finally her brain cogs started working and she widened her eyes.
What was she doing? What if they wanted to do something... private?
Thinking that it would be wiser and less awkward to let the pair go and focus on not being caught herself, she looked around the hallway and began walking to her room again.
However, as soon as she took a turn, she barged into a pillar— no a hard chest. She groaned, rubbing her forehead before looking up to who the pillar-sized guy was.
Thorndyke.
Shit.
"What are you doing this late after the curfew?" he asked, staring down at her, frowning.
Gwen fumbled for words, trying to make up an excuse, "I was... taking some fresh air."
Thorndyke raised an eyebrow, unamused by her excuse. "Fresh air? At this hour? Try something more believable, little venom."
Gwen huffed quietly, annoyed that he saw right through her lie. She knew she couldn't tell him the real reason she was out so late.
"It's none of your business," she retorted, crossing her arms defensively. "Why are you even here?"
"Oh, just taking my nightly stroll," he said mockingly, folding his arms. He smirked slightly, amused by her defensiveness.
Gwen rolled her eyes, not buying his reply for a second, "Oh, please. You're just as much of a rule breaker as I am."
He shrugged casually, still smiling, "Well, we have that in common at least."
Gwen tried to suppress the flutter in her chest at the way he smiled at her. She had to remember that he was still her rival and the same guy who pissed her off in so many ways.
"I'm tired. Im going to my room," she hurriedly scurried past him.
Thorndyke chuckled, "Running away, are we? Can't handle a little conversation?" He turned and leaned against the pillar, watching her as she walked away. "Or is it that you just can't resist my charm?"
Gwen rolled her eyes at his comment. "You wish," she called over her shoulder, not slowing down.
Thorndyke smirked and pushed off the pillar, walking behind her, "Oh, come on, Venom. No need to act so tough. We both know you find me irresistible."
Gwen huffed and quickened her pace, feeling a mix of annoyance and excitement at his banter, "You're delusional, Thorndyke."
Thorndyke walked faster, matching her pace, "Am I now? Or are you just in denial?"
Gwen's heart thumped a little faster in her chest as he kept flirting with her. She hated to admit it, but there was a part of her that also got a thrill from their back and forth banter.
"And you're full of yourself," she shot back, trying to hide how flustered she felt.
Finally, she reached her room and opened the door, stepping in.
Thorndyke followed her to the door of her room, leaning against the door frame with a smug smirk on his face. He was having way too much fun with this.
"Going to bed so soon?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "And here I was, hoping we could chat a little longer."
Gwen gritted her teeth, trying to hide her annoyance, "There's nothing else to talk about," she said through clenched teeth.
Thorndyke chuckled mockingly, his smirk growing wider, "Oh, come on, princess. I'm sure there's plenty to talk about. Like, for instance, how you can never admit that you find me incredibly charming."
She scowled at him, placing a hand on her hips, "Are you taking drugs these days or something?"
Thorndyke raised an eyebrow at her question, pretending to be hurt, "Me? Taking drugs? How could you even suggest such a thing?" He took a step closer to her, closing the distance between them.
"Maybe I'm just high on your presence, little venom."