Evaline:
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The sounds of the diner filled the space between us... the murmur of conversations, the clatter of plates, the hiss of something frying in the kitchen.
Then Charles shifted slightly.
"Um… Senior?" he said hesitantly.
"Yes?"
He glanced around, then back at me. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
He took a breath. "You said you are not doing me a favor. But… since you are here, and you don't mind helping people in need…"
I tilted my head, curious now. "Go on."
He swallowed. "I'm really struggling in Herbs and Potions."
That caught me off-guard.
"What?"
"I heard," he continued quickly, "that you are… well, that you are the best student in the subject. In the whole academy."
I blinked, surprised. "Am I?"
He nodded hurriedly.
