The sun hung high over Serpentpire as the six gathered for communal lunch. Laughter and playful banter filled the air, a welcome distraction from the weight of their recent training sessions. Seventeen, for a change, sat at the table, attempting to focus on her meal, but her mind was clouded with thoughts of the past few days—specifically, her banter-filled training sessions with Draco.
"So, Seventeen," Draco said, sliding onto the bench beside her, a smirk dancing on his lips. "You sure you want to keep pretending to hate me? I mean, a lot happening back in the woods. No undoing that."
Seventeen felt heat rush to her cheeks at his casual reference to their kiss. She rolled her eyes, a mixture of frustration and embarrassment welling up inside her. "You really need to stop lying, De Lavissaye. You wish."
"Right, because all that lip-locking was a figment of my imagination," he shot back, his tone teasing. "Ask Light or Hunter. They were there to witness my triumph."
Light, sitting across from them, raised an eyebrow and smirked, clearly enjoying their exchange. "Well, he was certainly the one being triumphed over. I mean, come on, Seventeen is the one who was laying down the magic. She was doing all the work over your lap."
"Not you too, Light! We all know I loathe him. There's no triumphing when it comes to him," Seventeen shot back, her tone sharp but playful.
Cassie, munching on a piece of bread, joined in. "But did it feel good to loathe him in his lap, though? That's the question!"
"Cassie, you're supposed to be on my side!" Seventeen exclaimed, feigning annoyance but unable to hide the hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
"I'm just saying, Seven, there's a fine line between loathing and… whatever you were doing on his lap," Cassie said, leaning back with a smirk.
"I wasn't in his lap," she groaned.
"My muscle memory says otherwise." Draco leaned closer, a conspiratorial glint in his eye. "See? Even your best friend think you're full of it."
"You're not going to let this die, are you?" Seventeen muttered, the blush on her cheeks deepening.
"Never." Draco smirked, his gaze unwavering. "And if you want, I could show you just how much I loathe you again."
"As if I'd let you get that close again, loser," she retorted, though the challenge in her voice only made Draco grin wider.
"So, you admit it happened?"
"Fuck you, De Lavissaye," she scowled at him.
His voice was a low whisper as he said, "You're welcome to, love."
Just then, Hunter entered the communal area, his expression shifting from casual to pale as he stumbled. "Hey, guys, what's—" he began, but before he could finish, his legs gave way beneath him, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Hunter!" Light and Amelia jumped up, rushing to his side, the playful atmosphere instantly shattering.
"What the hell just happened?" Seventeen asked, panic rising in her chest as she pushed away from the table and hurried over.
"He looks pale," Cassie murmured, checking his pulse. "Someone call Noah!"
Draco and Seventeen exchanged worried glances, the previous banter quickly forgotten. Seventeen knelt beside Hunter, shaking his shoulder gently. "Hunter, can you hear me? What's wrong?"
His eyes fluttered open, confusion evident on his face. "I… I don't know. I just felt really dizzy all of a sudden."
"Don't move. Just breathe," Joshua instructed, his voice steady as he glanced at them. "Someone needs to get Noah. Now."
"Aren't you a healer?" Amelia snapped at Seventeen, panicking.
She glared at the black-haired girl, "I'm a mender. Do you see anything broken in him? I guess not. Healer are weaker, before you say anything stupid."
"So you also lie about being a doctor?" Amelia countered, clearly wanting to vent her stress on her.
"I am doctor, I've been one for years. Mending is a stronger and more powerful magic than healing is. I can literally mend anything. Things and living beings. Now, take you're brain out of your pussy for a moment, and look at him. Tell me if there's something to be mended. He's tired, not broken, Saint-Montclaire. I can't say the same about your brain," Seventeen hissed.
But she felt a mix of guilt and worry wash over her. Hunter was one of them, she cared about him the most after Draco, and seeing him like this sent a chill through her bones.
"I assure you, if I could mend anything to help him, I would. I can't say I wouldn't think twice if it your in his place," she snapped.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Amelia gasped.
"That Hunter is far more enjoyable than you are as a company," she rolled her eyes.
Just then, Noah rushed in, his expression shifting to concern as he assessed the scene. "What happened?"
"He just collapsed," Seventeen explained, her voice tight. "He said he felt dizzy."
Noah knelt beside Hunter, his hands assessing the boy's condition. "Stay with me, Hunter. Just focus on my voice."
Draco and Seventeen exchanged a glance, the earlier banter evaporated into thin air. The weight of the moment pressed heavily on them as they watched Noah work.
"So, while we're all here worrying about Hunter," Seventeen attempted to regain her composure, her tone light but forced, "I still stand by the fact that I loathe De Lavissaye. Even if I might've gotten carried away last time."
Hunter, still on the ground, blinked up at them, a weak smile tugging at his lips. "You know, even after all the drama, I still don't understand how you two ended up kissing. It was so intense I thought you were about to—"
Seventeen's eyes widened, and she shot a glare at Draco. "Seriously? We're not doing this now!"
Draco chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment. "I'm pretty sure you're the one who initiated it, Seven."
Seventeen scoffed, her embarrassment rising again. "You're delusional."
Hunter pushed himself up slightly, clearly struggling but determined to join in. "I mean, I've heard that sarcasm is just a disguise for true feelings. Sounds like you're both just covering for something else."
Seventeen glared at Hunter. "You too?"
Light jumped in, clearly enjoying the turn of events. "Come on, Seventeen. Just admit you enjoy the chaos he brings into your life."
Seventeen huffed, but she couldn't suppress a grin. "I don't enjoy anything about him!"
"Except the making out," Hunter teased, and Seventeen shot him a warning look.
"That was a fluke!" she retorted, her voice rising slightly in indignation.
Just as she was about to respond to Hunter again, Noah turned back to them, his expression serious. "Focus, everyone. We need to make sure Hunter is okay."
In that moment, the weight of embarrassment flickered back into Seventeen's mind. She needed to distract herself from the thoughts swirling in her head, and she had the perfect plan.
"Okay, fine," she muttered, trying to shake off the lingering awkwardness. "But I'll throw a jar of juice over De Lavissaye's head if you keep bringing that up."
With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a nearby jar of watermelon juice, the liquid swirling ominously within. The table quieted, all eyes turning to her in anticipation.
Draco's eyes widened in mock horror. "Wait, what? You wouldn't dare!"
Seventeen smirked, her anger temporarily ignited by the banter. "Oh, I absolutely would!"
With a flick of her wrist, the jar tipped, and juice splashed over Draco's head, drenching him completely. Laughter erupted around the table, breaking the tension that had lingered over them.
Draco's face was a mix of shock and outrage, but even through the juice dripping from his hair, he couldn't help but smile. "You little—!"
Seventeen burst into laughter, relief flooding through her as the mood lifted.
"You asked for it!" she called, her laughter echoing in the air as she took a step back, reveling in the moment.
As the chaos settled, she felt the tightness in her chest begin to ease. Even amidst the uncertainties and the unexpected tension, it felt good to laugh, to be reminded that she wasn't alone in this strange world.
And just like that, a weight lifted from her heart. The laughter continued, filling the air with a warmth that washed away her worries. The camaraderie among them strengthened, and as she glanced at Draco, his expression a mixture of annoyance and fondness, she felt a flicker of something new stir within her.
Maybe amidst all the chaos, there was a chance for something more—something beautiful, even.