The Academy of Underachievers: Year One

by Alex Dafney

  He draws his brows together in confusion. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

  I halt, turning to face him fully as I cross my arms over my chest. “Angie isn’t your girlfriend?”

  He chuckles as he moves up the steps toward me, stopping a few below the one I stand on as he shakes his head slowly. “Angie is a friend. Our families have known each other’s since before we were born.”

  He takes another step up until we’re eye level, cocking his head to the side. “Do you really want to go back to your dorm at seven in the evening to listen to machinery?”

  I let out a groan as I shake my head lightly, dropping my eyes to the concrete between us. “It’s not like I have many options. Everyone I’ve met here has instantly shown their disdain toward me, or I screwed up any chance of making a friend by mentioning transferring after this year.”

  I glance up as his arm slides around my shoulder, turning to lead us toward the building.

  “Are you hungry?”

  I give him a quizzical look as we move up the stairs, him chuckling softly.

  “There’s not much to do around here unless there’s a student activity going on, and since you’re done with the bonfire, that leaves the kitchen.”

  I glance upward as bubbles begin to rain down around us, glowing brightly in the dark. Sticking my hand out, I attempt to catch one as it sways toward me. Jet removes his arm from my shoulder, reaching for my hand and jerking me under the awning that’s positioned above the main entrance.

  I look up to him with a confused look on my face, wondering why he hurried us out of the magical bubble rain.

  His lip pulls up at the corner. “Never try to catch one of Mistress Penelope’s spell bubbles. You don’t know what spell she’s used, or what could be inside.”

  I shift my eyes over to where the glowing bubbles are floating downward, popping on the top step. As they hit the concrete, some burst with a bright light, others simply land.

  I start toward the bubble closest to me without stepping from under the awning. The bubble begins to crack, falling apart, and a tiny snake slithers out.

  Jumping backward, my eyes widen as I bump into Jet’s chest, who I didn’t realize was standing directly behind me.

  He chuckles as he drops his hands low on my hips to balance me. “Told you.”

  I spin back to face him, his hands sliding away from me. “Why would she put snakes in bubbles?”

  He shrugs one shoulder. “Why does Mistress Penelope do any of the bizarre things she does? There have been monstrous spiders in bubbles, snakes, flowers, lightning bolts, slime, of course.”

  He chuckles as he moves his eyes back to watch the bubbles raining down. “Last year, she made bubbles with miniature unicorns in them. It was neat until the unicorns turned vicious, and no one could wear shoes that exposed your skin, otherwise, you were sure to get stabbed by a tiny horn.”

  My mouth drops open at his words, my eyes widening. His eyes move back to me, noticing the shocked look on my face, he begins to laugh.

  “She spent a week catching the tiny things and reversing the spell after the Dean forced her to. She hasn’t made any since.”

  I drop my eyes to the ground as I feel something move across my ankle. My eyes instantly widen as a snake coils itself over the top of my boot. Screaming at the top of my lungs, I bounce from one foot to the next, trying to get it off me, but it clings to me, inching itself higher.

  Jet grips my arm to stop my erratic movements, bending and placing his fingers on each side of its head, pulling it from my ankle. As he stands, the tiny snake flicks it’s tongue from its mouth as he holds it toward me. I take giant steps back until I’m placed against the wall.

  “He’s not going to hurt you. I promise it’s more afraid of you than you are of it.”

  I shake my head adamantly as he snickers.

  He moves over to the far edge of the stoop, kneeling and placing the snake to the ground. I watch as it slithers toward the edge, disappearing over the side.

  Jet gives me a warm smile as he strides back to me, reaching over and pushing the button to open the large wooden doors. “Come on; I’m starving.”

  He places his hand on my back, urging me toward the doors as they slowly swing inward. “Any other fears I should know of yours?”

  I roll my eyes as we move across the entryway toward the cafeteria. “I don’t like snakes, or spiders, or birds, or anything else creepy crawly.”

  He steps around me, pushing the button to open the cafeteria door, his brows drawn together in question. “Snakes and spiders are common, but birds?”

  I let out a small sigh as I move forward into the dark room, Jet right beside me. As we walk further, candelabras light along the walls, casting shadows with their flames.

  “I was attacked by a swan when I was a kid. It traumatized me, and now every bird that gets close to me, I assume it is going to attack me.” I shrug one shoulder as he chuckles, shaking his head softly.

  “Alright, I’ll give you the bird thing then, but what about snakes? Why are you afraid of them?”

  He places his hand on a metal door at the far back side of the cafeteria, holding it open as I step inside the dark room. I stay where I am, waiting for my eyes to adjust, squinting when the bright lights turn on overhead.

  My eyes move over to Jet who stands a few feet from me, his hand moving from a light switch. He gestures for me to walk ahead between the large stainless tables that form a row through the room. Ovens and stoves line the walls.

  I pause when we reach the end of the room where a large refrigerator is, unsure of where I should go.

  Jet steps around me, glancing at me over his shoulder as he pulls the door open on the refrigerator. “Why snakes?”

  I shrug one shoulder. “They’re just slithery.”

  He scoffs as the door swings open, cold air rushing out toward us. “That’s not a good reason. I’m telling you, they’re more afraid…”

  I cut him off as I follow behind him inside the cold room. “Yeah. Yeah. Well, I suggest they stay away from me since I’m so scary, and life will be grand.”

  He looks at me over his shoulder; his lip quirked up to one side in a playful manner. “Do you like ice cream?”

  I roll my eyes as he opens another door on the far wall, colder air than what we already stand in billowing out. “Who doesn’t like ice cream?”

  He smirks as we walk into the freezer area side by side. I lift my hands, running them along my arms as my teeth begin to chatter.

  Jet moves to the far back corner, reaching above his head to a shelf. He moves a box, revealing numerous pints of ice cream hidden behind. “I’ve got chocolate, vanilla bean, cookie dough, butter pecan, mint chocolate chip, pistachio, and strawberry.” He glances over to me with a questioning look after listing the flavors.

  “Um, pistachio.”

  A small smirk tugs at his lips as he grabs two pints, walking toward me. I spin, wanting to get out of the frigid cold as soon as possible.

  After stepping out of the refrigerator unit, I run my hands along my arms briskly, trying to warm myself again.

  Jet moves around me, grabbing two spoons from a buffet area along the wall, then coming back toward me, offering a spoon and the pint of pistachio ice cream my way.

  “Pistachio is my favorite.”

  I try to offer him the ice cream. “Then you have it. I can have something else.”

  He shakes his head, stepping over and hopping up on one of the stainless tabletops.

  I do the same on the one across from him, opening my container and shoving the spoon in the green ice cream. “So, what’s one of your ridiculous fears? I feel like you have leverage over me.”

  He laughs loudly as he lifts his carton, gesturing to it. “Running out of ice cream. I move my stash every day so no one will find it.”

  I giggle lightly as I take a bite of the ice cream. “Really?”

  He nods as he takes a bite of his own. “And clowns. I hate clowns
.”

  I draw my eyebrows together, not believing him. “You’re afraid of clowns?”

  He nods again, taking another spoonful before pointing the spoon toward the door we entered. “If a clown walked through that door right now, I would barricade myself in the refrigerator and spend the rest of my days eating whatever I could find.”

  I chuckle as I look down at the container in my hand. Lifting my eyes, I look at him through my lashes, giving him a snarky smile. “You know, clowns are more afraid of you than you are of them.”

  He rolls his eyes exaggeratedly as I giggle.

  “Tell me what you think after your first day of classes.”

  I lick my spoon clean, placing it in the container and looking across to him. “I like Ryan. He’s knowledgeable and seems like he might have experience in the field.”

  Jet nods. “He does. He was an agent with the PEA for ten years before coming to teach here. From what I’ve heard, something happened to his partner during an operation, and he wasn’t the same after.”

  The corners of my lips turn down. Everyone knows the risks when joining the agency, but I always hate to hear about the ones who fell during operations.

  “He didn’t die.”

  I lift my eyes to Jet’s sympathetic gaze.

  “Something happened when they were trying to take down a coven of witches who were wreaking havoc on a small town in Minnesota. Ryan’s partner succumbed to the seductive traits of one of them and now resides within the coven.”

  He places his container next to him on the table, sliding to the floor and moving toward me. Lifting his hand, he cups my cheek, swiping his thumb at the corner of my lip.

  “Which is why Aurelia’s class, be it uncomfortable for some, is important.” He drops his hand, wiping his thumb along his jeans. “You had a little ice cream on your lip.”

  My cheeks heat with embarrassment from his touch and the conversation at hand. Dropping my eyes to the container in my hand, I shake my head lightly. “That’s great for the ones who want to attend her class, but I won’t be going back.”

  I glance up to him as he chuckles, shoving his spoon in the ice cream and taking a large bite. “Sit in on another class.”

  I give him a puzzled look as he chews slowly. As he swallows, he reaches for the lid that sits next to him, placing it on the ice cream and sliding it away from him on the table. “Your schedule is just a suggestion. You can go to any class you want to, if there’s a teacher available, of course.”

  I lift the top to my ice cream, closing mine as well and sliding it from me. “What other classes are available?”

  He slides from the table, grabbing his container and reaching for mine before striding toward the refrigerator. He disappears behind the large door, returning within a few seconds, smiling at me as he moves toward me.

  “This semester I’m taking Anthropology of the Paranormal, Psychology of Vampires, and Insight of the criminal mind.”

  My eyes widen in surprise as he hops onto the table next to me, turning to face me head on. “Wow. I thought I was the only student here taking classes.”

  He chuckles as I slide my leg under me so I can face him, dangling the other over the edge of the table.

  “I always go to class, even though I know I’ll likely never get a position within the agency with a degree from here, I at least want to try.” His eyes move from mine, looking across the room as a sad smile crests his lips.

  “Why not transfer to another school?”

  He looks back to me, shaking his head slightly. “My dad is the Dean. My entire family has gone to this school for generations. It just wouldn’t sit well with my parents.” He shrugs his shoulders in disregard, even though the look on his face is pained.

  Reaching my hand between us, I place it on his knee, giving him a small smile. “I know all too well what it’s like to disappoint your parents. You should have seen the look on my dad’s face when he found out I wouldn’t be attending the same school my brothers went to.”

  I draw my hand back, resting it in my lap as I sigh.

  “I’m sure you’ll be able to change that once you get out of this place. At least you have the opportunity to go elsewhere.”

  I look up at him through my lashes, noticing the slight scowl on his face. “Why don’t you try to change things around here?”

  He moves his eyes to mine, giving me a pointed look. “This school has been known for slackers since it was established. Hell, it was established based on that principle alone. Hence, the name. I can’t single-handedly change that. Seriously, I can’t even get enough students on board to compete in the Academy Bowl.”

  I drop my eyes to my lap, fidgeting with the ring on my hand as I ponder his words. The Academy Bowl is the biggest event of the year amongst students within the Paranormal schools. It’s an academic and athletic competition between the six Academies, with the highly coveted trophy of the vampire, and bragging rights for the year.

  Lifting my eyes, I give Jet an enthusiastic smile. “Let’s do it. We should enter this year.”

  He scoffs as he slides off the table to his feet, offering his hand to help me down. “Let’s get you to your room. You’re obviously delusional from lack of sleep.”

  I roll my eyes at him as we walk toward the door that leads to the cafeteria. He drops my hand to push the door open, holding it as I step through.

  “I think we could get enough students interested to enter the Bowl.”

  He shakes his head lightly, placing his hand on my lower back and guiding me forward. “Your enthusiasm could be contagious, but I’ve been here for three years. I know the student body well enough to know that they simply don’t care.”

  I stop once we are in the main entryway, turning to look up at him. “Let’s make them care! I bet we can get everyone pumped about competing.”

  He gives me a sideways grin, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and leading us toward the stairs. “If you figure out how to do that, I’m game to help any way I can.”

  My lips pull into a small smile as we walk down the spiral staircase beside each other, my mind traveling in a thousand different directions at the possibilities.

  We stop outside of my dorm room, facing each other.

  Jet glances up to the ceiling, grimacing at the loud hum of the machinery and water running through the pipes. Looking back to me, he gives me a killer smile. “Thanks for having ice cream with me tonight.”

  I give a small nod, moving my eyes to the floor. “Thank you for inviting me.”

  He moves his hand between us, placing his finger under my chin and urging my face up to look at him. “Don’t forget. Room 303 if you ever need a breather.” His face inches toward mine, my heart beating wildly in my chest as I think he’s going to kiss me.

  His lips press to my cheek in a sweet kiss. “Goodnight, Briar.” He whispers as he pulls back, dropping his hand to his side.

  “Goodnight, Jet.” I watch him as he spins his back to me, shoving his hands in his pockets and moving toward the staircase.

  Before he can catch me looking, I force my shoulder into the door, swinging it open and stepping into my room, letting out a long sigh.

  Chapter Four

  I groan as the alarm from my phone blares through the earbuds. The bonfire last night must have been a success if the constant flushing of toilets and water running through the pipes overhead into the wee hours is any indication. Rolling to my side, I smack my hand against my phone until the noise ceases, forcing my eyes open and blinking rapidly.

  Sitting up, I swing my legs over the bed, stretching my arms over my head as a huge yawn comes from me. Standing, I stride toward the coffee maker that rests on the crooked table, pressing the on button before heading to take a shower and get ready for this day.

  After a quick shower, I stare at myself in the reflection of my broken mirror. The bags under my eyes are becoming more prominent with each sleepless night, but I’m going to push forward and make the best of it. Especi
ally now with the thought of the Academy competing in the Bowl.

  Stepping out of the bathroom, I quickly get dressed, tossing my wet hair into a bun on the top of my head, and grabbing a coffee to go. Jerking the door open, I pull my bag onto my shoulder, eager to get this day started.

  As I step away from the staircase on the fourth floor, I find Jet leaning against the doorframe of my first class. I can’t help the smile that pulls onto my lips as I start toward him.

  “Did you decide to go back to introductory classes?”

  He looks up from his phone in his hand, giving me a bright smile as he pushes off the doorframe. “Sorry to disappoint, but you’ll still be the sole student for this one.”

  I stop in front of him, watching as he swings his backpack in front of him, unzipping it, and thrusting his hand inside. He pulls out a small pink box with a twine ribbon tied around it. I lift my hand as he offers it to me.

  “I thought you might need an extra helping of caffeine after the first bonfire of the semester.”

  I bring the box up to my face, inhaling the sweet smell of pastry from inside.

  “Cinnamon espresso danish.”

  My mouth waters instantly. I give him a small smile as I bring the box down. “Thank you. And you would be right. Students were coming in well into the morning. I think I got an hour of sleep last night.”

  He lets out a long sigh, reaching out and placing his hand on my shoulder. “My offer still stands. Anytime you need a quiet space, my room is available. And if you’d be more comfortable alone, I’ll trade with you so you can get a decent night of rest.”

  I look up to the concern on his face, giving him a small nod for his kind thought. “Thank you, but I’m alright. I really shouldn’t complain.”

  He cocks his head to the side, a smile pulling upon his lips. “I had that room, Briar. I slept in a tent to avoid the constant noise, so yes, you have every right to complain.”

  I chuckle lightly as his smile broadens.

  “Jet Langburne. Do me a favor and stop fraternizing with the only student I’ve seen in the last two years. I’d hate to lose her to the big man on campus.”