Chapter Twenty: Sated | Part 2
Thirtyx tried to ignore the continued cheering from Nephrie’s table, lest he hear Seerla’s voice and become even more upset. But it didn’t seem the celebration was concentrated at one table anymore.
And Mr. Blackstone was walking around an unusual amount for an evening mail delivery.
“More Comp results?” Benn asked, but his eyes widened as soon as the words left his mouth. Results had already come for every Comp except one—the final one.
Thirtyx turned in his chair. Every celebrating table had at least one person who had Comped for law with him. His heart fluttered. This was it. He instinctively looked to Seerla, but her table was still celebrating Nephrie’s news.
Mr. Blackstone dropped a letter onto their table while pointedly looking the other direction. It was addressed to Thirtyx.
Rhea grabbed Benn’s arm with one hand and covered her mouth with her other. Benn leaned in toward the envelope—and toward Thirtyx, frozen in terror. “Well, come on!” he prodded. “I’m sure you passed with how hard you were studying and how much Seerla was helping you—”
More cheers erupted from Seerla’s table. Several of her friends clamored to hug her or pat her on the back. A confusing swirl of emotions sent Thirtyx reeling. He was happy for her, truly, but it made him ache for the days they’d spent studying together.
And yet, they had studied together. If she passed…
With numb hands, Thirtyx broke the seal on the envelope.
He felt like he hovered outside his body as he unfurled the single sheet of paper inside. The score report bore his name and information. And there, between the demographic data and a bunch of fine print, was a box with a thick outline.
PASS (WITH COMMENDATION)
Thirtyx’s shoulders slumped with relief. His head fell forward as all the tension he’d held for weeks left his arms, neck, and torso. Somewhere in the release, the paper was pulled from his fingers. Then, two sets of hands were patting his back, two voices screaming in his ears. He lifted his head, only slightly embarrassed that tears were forming in his eyes.
He had done it. Somehow, against all odds, he had done it.
Benn scrambled back to his seat and lifted his water glass for a toast. “To being three employable members of Lamiakk society!”
“Hear hear!” Rhea hoisted hers with such vigor that water soaked her sleeve, but she didn’t flinch. Thirtyx let his dopey grin overtake his face before clinking his glass against theirs and taking a hearty swig.
He relaxed against his chair with a sigh. “At least now I know all those apprenticeship applications weren’t a horrific waste of time.”
“Of course they weren’t!” Rhea cried. “You worked so hard for this, and you should be proud! And maybe, y’know, take the rest of the night off?”
He had worked hard for this… but he’d worked hard alongside someone he wouldn’t get to celebrate with. He tried to ignore the pang of longing as his gaze drifted back to Seerla.
Seerla, who was quickly shrugging off hugs as she moved toward the edge of her group.
Seerla, who had peeled away and was waving at her old friends.
Seerla, who was staring straight at him, a single eyebrow raised and an energy that made Thirtyx nearly lightheaded with want.
Benn snickered. “Yeah, I don’t think he’s finishing any applications tonight, but not because he wants to relax. Because Seerla shorted out his brain again.”
She was headed for the dining hall doors. “I think she wants me to follow her.”
“Well go, then!” Rhea clapped his shoulder hard enough to shake him out of his stupor and remind his legs how to work. “Let loose. You’ve earned it.”
Calley Jones 