I’ve always like the clock tower of Nevermore. I get to look out at the grounds, and it’s the closest I get to flying while I’m in school. No flying, no hunting, nothing. This is the closest I can get, even though it makes me itch with the need to be in the air. I’m part bird, for Christ’s sake, why is it important that I live my life on the ground?

I spend every waking moment I can, trying to get as close to the sky as possible. It’s feels easier to breathe up here, like the air down there is heavy and hard to breathe. They say I have the organs of a human, but I’m not entirely convinced. Just because I look more human than Harpy doesn’t mean I am. I’d rather be a Harpy anyway.

I hear the door to the tower open, but ignore it. It’s her, stomping in. “Come on, Ronan! You skipped out on third lesson, and now you’ll miss supper!” She calls, and I turn back to see all six glorious feet of her looking haughty, arms crossed. Her dark skin glows in the low light, and I can see the gloss on her lips from here.

What a beautiful, beautiful Telekine. And she just so happens to think I’m flighty and irresponsible. “You knew it was lab day, and I had to do the whole thing myself!” I stand, and open my mouth to justify why I couldn’t stand to be in that room when she pushes a notebook into my chest. I catch it before it drops to the floor, and tilt my head.

“The the notes you’ve missed, since the final is coming. Jesus, it’s cold up here. How do you stand this place?” She asks, nose wrinkling as she rubs her arms and surveys the place. She’s in the uniform button-up, tie, skirt, and socks, but she seems to have forging the blazer. “It doesn’t feel cold to me,” I shrug lamely. She sighs, and looks at me.

She’s blinks at me a few times as I open the notebook and begin to leaf through the pages of her comprehensive, perfect notes. “Well? Do I get a thank you for bailing you out again?” She asks, re-focusing her glare on me. I just hum as I pour over her notes. “Ronan!” She says, and I lift my head to meet her gaze. “Yeah, yeah, thanks.” I say, and I can practically hear the ensuing eye-roll.

She walks closer to me, still turning her nose up at my makeshift roost. “God, you reek of cigarettes. You do know that’s contraband, right?” She asks, and I look up. Of course I know they’re contraband. But she’s very close now, and I’m confused. I thought she didn’t like me. I don’t realize why she’s so close until I feel her grab my shirt collar, and press her lips to mine.

I’m the first one to pull away, and she seems confused. “Why did you kiss me?” I ask, and she releases me as she backs up. I wipe her lipgloss off my chin and lips as I gaze at her. She’s blinks allows me a mother handful of seconds to figure out why- I don’t, shocker- before she whirls around and grabs her bag, looking angry.