Jenna and Lucy had a field day every time they watched me introduce myself to the teachers of my regular subjects, and fib my way through explanations for my term-long absence from their classes over and over again.
I was now on my way back home from six stretched hours of back-to-back exams and reviews, and Candy was snickering at my complaining.
'You've got this, super student.'
I scowled, stabbing my front door with my key, 'You know, you could help out more.'
She tutted, 'Now, that would be cheating.'
'I don't think it counts if you're literally in my head.' I rolled my eyes, and threw my bag on one of my couches, following the smell of food to my kitchen.
"Welcome back, Ari." Hailey threw the greeting over her shoulder as she retrieved lasagne from the oven.
She set it down on a cooling rack and moved over to hug me.
"Hey Hailey. How were your exams today?"
She shrugged, "Pretty good, what about you?"
"Long, but okay I guess." I went to wash and dry my hands so I could help her with the salad ingredients she had on the counter, "What are you doing over here?"
She began handing me the ingredient while I tossed them, "I just had my last exam and I figured I'd come over and make something for you, since you seem like you've been really stressed out lately. You didn't even have leftovers in the fridge, and that never happens."
She was right, I hadn't had the presence of mind to take the time out to cook, and the barrenness of my fridge could testify to that.
I smiled at her, "Thank you so much, what would I do without you?"
She grinned, "You'd die of starvation and malnutrition apparently."
We carried our conversation over to the dining table with our food, complaining about lecturers that pissed us off and subjects we thought were more stressful than necessary.
"Honestly, I'm so glad this semester's over." She sighed.
"Lucky you, I won't be done till the twentieth."
She gave me a pitying look, "Yikes... but it's just one more week, it'll be over before you know it."
I stabbed a layer of lasagne with my fork and sighed, "A week and a half. And I know, I just can't wait to get a moment to breathe."
She perked up with an idea, "Why don't you pack a bag and come for a sleepover on your last day? It'll be something to look forward to, and you've never actually stayed overnight in my dorm."
My mind went back to my reaction to being on Killdrain's grounds before Kaesha had helped me. I knew I had the spelled jacket, and now the bracelet, but the thought of spending the night there had me apprehensive in a way I couldn't quite place.
"Don't you have to be back home by then?"
She shook her head, "I managed to convince my mom to let me stay in the dorms over the holidays, with the promise of amazing Christmas gifts for her and Keily."
"But what about your roommate? Won't she mind?"
"She's really nice and understanding, she won't mind as long as we don't leave a mess or break any of her stuff. Besides, she's already on a flight back to Argentina to see her family as we speak."
Out of excuses, I gave in, "Then I guess we're having a sleepover in your room."
As long as I kept my bracelet on and packed my jacket as backup, what was the worst that could happen?