Rayla's POV

Rayla was trying to focus on the teacher. He was saying something about ancient Egyptians and something about weaving linen. But it was so much more interesting to watch Callum doodle a perfect little oasis on the edge of his paper. She watched him sketch the ripples in the water and the swaying leaves, until she almost thought she could reach over and touch it.

As if he'd felt her gaze, he glanced up and met her purple eyes with his green ones. He gave her a shy smile and added a little figure to the foreground of his oasis scene.

Beside her, Claudia tapped her shoulder and passed over a note. Rayla unfolded it.

Did you get anything alcoholic?

Rayla rolled her eyes. Callum turned to her. She shook her head and mouthed, "Later." He nodded and returned to his drawing, to which he was now adding a dragon in the background.

Rayla turned to Claudia and shook her head. Claudia rolled her eyes and went back to her phone.

The bell rang for lunch. Rayla packed her stuff as quickly as possible and started out the door before pausing to wait for Callum.

Callum caught up with her a few seconds later. "Hey."

"Hey. Claudia wanted to know if we got her alcohol."

Callum sighed. "I worry about her sometimes."

"She's messing with you."

"Still."

They pushed open the doors to the outside eating area. Despite the chill, that was their go-to lunch spot. Ezran was already there, chatting with a girl from his class−Rayla thought her name was Ellis.

"Hey, Ez," Callum said. "Hey, Ellis."

Rayla offered them each a nod and began to methodically unpack her lunch−an apple, a sandwich, and a bar of chocolate. She stifled a grin−Ethari must have snuck that in there when Runaan wasn't looking.

"Shit!"

Rayla glanced up. Callum was cradling a cut finger.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Stupid knife," he hissed.

"Callum," Rayla said patiently. "That knife is plastic."

"So?"

"It's a pathetic excuse for a blade. I don't believe that you managed to cut yourself with a plastic knife."

"Still hurts," Callum grumbled.

Soren and Claudia stepped outside with them. "Look what I found!" Claudia called, waving half of a chocolate chip cookie in the air. "It was on the hallway floor!"
"Ew!" Ezran cried.

Claudia turned to Soren. "Dare me to eat this?"

Soren looked appalled. "Fuck no!" He cried. "That's a floor cookie!"

Laughing, Claudia began to eat the cookie.

"Ew," Soren sighed, sitting beside Callum. "What happened to your finger?"

"A plastic knife," Rayla told him.

"Shut up!" Callum cried. "I can't draw with a cut finger!"

"You're fine."