we ғollow a new code.

      “If you do notice a change, tell me? Despite what you may think, I’m still quite new at this whole witch thing, and I cannae practice very often.” Gaze dropped to the book, and her face contorted into a grimace. Fell back against the grass quite dramatically, back of her hand draped over her forehead and eyes in an exaggerated gesture. “Alas I fear you are correct! Not even a last lunch time cram can save me now.” Stomach jumped a little as she giggled, before easily sitting back up, and brushing the greenery off her back. 

      “You may or may not be aware, but literature isn’t always my best subject. And this book particularly has just guaranteed my failure.” Tone a little more serious now as she once again picked up the battered copy of The Scarlet Letter. “Ironic really, because as far as I can figure out, I should be able to relate to the themes.” Rowena was rarely permitted the time to do homework which, combined with a father who thought educating a whore was pointless, left her academically bereft. Motivation and a bright mind had made up some of the deficit, but sometimes she fell far behind.

     The witch paused and blushed a little, trying to hide the fact by fixing her hair, and looking down. “Ah, did y’happen to hear what was said to me the other day…before I…well, broke the basketball hoop? Unfortunately there’s some truth to that. Not in the school!” Hasty clarification, accentuated by a shake of her head. “They sent me to a tutor last year, and I…seduced him so he’d write my papers for me. Now I’m on my own, and failing. I’m quite stupid really.” Babble ceased and she reached for the apple remaining on her tray, and took a large bite. Demeanour entirely suggested she’d just recited a shopping list. Not admitted to cheating, or her personal shortcomings.

     “I’ll let you know.” He wasn’t sure what he was waiting for, or looking for, but if he noticed anything he would just let her know, he guessed. If he let it heal on its own and ensured not to anger Gerard for a little while, chances were good that he would heal up properly. Maybe. Although it was very unlikely, because when Gerard was looking for a reason, Chris didn’t have to do much to give him one. It wasn’t fair, but it wasn’t anything he had influence on either. And so he accepted his fate, but knew that if he should end up with children himself, he would do it differently. He couldn’t imagine facing a son like Gerard faced him after hunts like the previous one. He couldn’t ear the guilt. Gerard was different, sometimes Chris wondered if maybe he was adopted. But the Argent family didn’t adopt children. 

     Chris wasn’t one to judge last-minute homework in school as he usually found himself doing the same if he couldn’t stay home in the morning long enough not to draw attention to himself. He just wondered why she did, or maybe he’d simply looked for some topic to start a conversation on, because - believe it or not, Chris was not very good at this human .. interaction thing when it didn’t involve a monster he hunted. Gerard didn’t believe in the traditional school system, he only believed in his very own one, but Chris was a minor and they had to blend in after all, which didn’t mean he supported Chris in any way. Or tolerated he might need time to study.