"Now Enid, what's going on? We went to the cinema, to a bakery, to the park, and we even took a walk around Pilgrim World, but you've been a little nervous." (William)
"Me, nervous?" Enid looked away.
"When you were looking at your phone, was there something you didn't tell me?" (William)
"Not at all," Enid shook her head repeatedly.
"Oh, someone doesn't want to cooperate, so I find myself needing to use less orthodox means."
"Such as?" Enid raised an eyebrow doubtfully.
"Such as... too much physical contact." (William)
Before Enid could react, William quickly embraced her, wrapping his right arm around her slim waist and holding her chin with his left hand.
"Last chance." (William)
"I refuse to talk under threat." Enid closed her eyes.
"Mmmmmh!!!" (Enid)
William's lips covered Enid's, who hugged his back. She was smaller than William, so when he hugged her, he had to tilt his head.
Enid's cheeks turned red as a ripe apple and her breathing quickened. They were in a corridor at Nevermore. It was the weekend and late at night, but they could still run into a student.
"Someone's going...to see us if we...stay here," Enid said.
Enid complained between breaths, even the skin on her neck began to heat up and her eyes became glassy.
"You're right, it just so happens that this room is empty" (William)
William carried Enid like a princess, she screamed in surprise before hugging his neck.
Second Art Room
"Enid, she's not answering my messages" (Yoko)
Yoko looked at her phone reluctantly. The multiple messages she had sent to Enid had not been answered, nor had she received confirmation that they had been read.
"They should be back from Jericho by now." Ajax checked the time on his mobile phone.
"Maybe they got distracted by something else" (Ajax)
"Maybe they're eating each other," Divina said with a smile, and after her words, everyone turned to look at her.
"Just kidding" (Divina)
"Knowing Enid, it's possible" (Yoko)
"Knowing Will, it's possible" (Xavier)
Yoko and Xavier exchanged glances. They both knew what their friends were like when they were together in front of everyone, and now they were alone. A thought crossed both their minds at the same time.
"I'll call Will." (Xavier)
"I'll call Enid." (Yoko)
Empty Aura of Literature
"Mmm!!" (Enid)
"Ouch" (William)
William placed Enid on the desk, now at the perfect height, but just as Enid placed her hand on Will's abs, her nails expanded with excitement, causing a small cut in William's skin.
"I'm sorry, are you okay?" (Enid)
Enid was startled and lifted William's shirt in panic, but the slight wound had closed completely, and not a single drop of blood stained William's clothes.
"Don't worry, it's nothing, just a scratch" (William)
That little mishap between the two created an opportunity for Enid to realise that her mobile phone had been vibrating for a couple of minutes.
"It's Xavier." William also glanced at his mobile phone: five missed calls and one incoming call.
"Enid, where are you going?" (William)
Without warning, Enid gently pushed William aside and rushed out of the room.
"A 30-second head start will be enough" (William)
William looked at his watch, and 30 seconds later he transformed into a large Arctic wolf with snow-white fur.
His powerful legs and aerodynamic shape gave him alarming speed as he ran through the corridors like a white ghost. He was larger than a wild wolf, standing at 1.9 metres (6.23 feet) tall in William's form.
(It's faster than I thought, worthy of a werewolf) (William)
William skidded around a corner, his sharp claws leaving deep marks in the concrete floor, and he could barely see a corner of the pink jumper Enid was wearing that night before disappearing again.
(So that's why she was wearing trousers today, it seemed strange to me as she loves wearing skirts) (William)
William changed shape again, he would have problems if he damaged the wooden steps if he decided to jump on them carelessly.
(I think I know where you're going.) (William)
William stopped abruptly just below a spiral staircase. Enid crossed right over him.
"William, that's cheating!" (Enid)
"Were there rules?" (William)
William took a couple of jumps and climbed up the stair railing. That would shorten his path and he wouldn't have to walk up turn by turn.
"Just a little more~" (Enid)
Enid was quite fast, and even with William hot on her heels, she crossed the threshold first and closed the door behind her.
*Bang* *Bang* *Bang*
As soon as William set foot inside the room that Weems had allowed him to use as his temporary studio to prepare his painting for the art competition,
small explosions and large amounts of confetti were thrown into the air. It was confetti cannons, and each of his close friends was holding one, including Enid, who was smiling happily.
"Happy birthday, William!!!!" X 6
Everyone shouted at the same time when they turned on the lights. The room was completely decorated with balloons, streamers, and confetti, and the cake with white frosting and blackberries had a dedication on it.
"I know you act calm, but you're very happy!!!" (Enid)
Enid jumped for joy and ran to hug William. She had spent half a year by William's side and knew more about him than anyone else, including his parents from his two lives.
"Group hug!!" (Divina)
It was Divina who gave the order, and everyone rushed towards him. Ajax and Xavier hugged him from behind, while Divina, Yoko, and Enid hugged him from the front.
The camera they had set up to capture William's reaction took several photographs of them together.
(You're very nice) (Ajax)
(You're always there if someone needs your help) (Xavier)
(You don't judge other people's tastes) (Yoko)
(You're not afraid of our voices and you don't want to take advantage of them for yourself) (Divina)
(You were the first person who was really there for me.) (Enid)
Each of them had a thought related to William and how he was with them, but none of them said it out loud because it would have been embarrassing for everyone.
As for William, he was really surprised.
(It smells strongly of coffee, which is why I couldn't smell any of you.) (William)
"I didn't even remember it was my birthday today. Could you let me go?" (William)
"Just a little longer. Who knows when we'll be able to hug you again!" (Ajax)
"Exactly." X 5
They lasted a while like this until they separated. They had to cut the cake or it would start to melt, just as the rest of the hot food would cool down.
"Weems gave us a tacit agreement and allowed us to bring all this into the academy." (Ajax)
"He's his favourite student, what did you expect?" (Divina)
"Why is there so much food?" William took a doughnut and took a big bite. His transformation into an arctic wolf had made him hungry.
"No one could agree on what to bring, so everyone brought something" (Xavier)
"That's great!" (William)
30 minutes later.
"He's cheating" (Yoko)
"It's unfair if William plays"
"It's my birthday" (William)
"That's no excuse. How is it possible that you've won most of the games?" (Divina)
Xavier threw down his cards. They had been betting for quite some time while playing poker, sitting in a circle on the wooden floor.
"Fine, you guys keep playing... you don't have anything left to bet anyway." (William)
"Did you say something, Will?" Yoko narrowed her eyes at William with a warning tone.
"Here you go, Will." (Ajax)
"What is it?" (William)
"A Virgin mojito, Yoko knows how to make them delicious." (Ajax)
Ajax offered William a glass.
"Virgin?" (William)
"It means it doesn't have alcohol," replied Yoko as she dealt the cards, leaving her desire for sunshine hanging from her shirt collar.
"No alcohol, wait..." (William)
William looked questioningly at Xavier, remembering that he had given Xavier several bottles as a favour, even refusing to take back the money he had spent on them.
"About that, do you want the long version or the short version?" (Xavier)
Xavier put his cards aside, knowing what William meant by his look.
"The short version, yes, it's delicious!" (William)
Yoko lifted her chin proudly at William's compliment.
"We want the long version!!" (Enid)
Enid could sense that it would be an interesting topic, even though she didn't know what they were talking about.
"I think I know what they're talking about with Bianca" (Divina)
"Before you explain, what about Eugene?" (William)
"The bee guy, Enid invited him this morning." (Yoko)
"He seemed more focused on seeing Enid up close than on the invitation." (Divina)
"He's trying to invite me to the club he's opening, but I'm busy with the dance club." (Enid)
Everyone put their cards aside and paid attention to Xavier. Most of them knew nothing about it, and those who did know something only knew half the story.