How Not To Fall For A Dragon
Chapter 152 Bonus Chapter 4- Never, Ever Pull The Tail (Seriously)
ELLORIE-RAE
I have definitely become more confident since becoming friends with Lexi and Blake. It’s not sudden. Not dramatic. It’s more like… something steady building over time. Lexi helps with that. She’s gentle in a way that doesn’t feel fragile. Calm. Consistent. When I’m around her, I don’t feel like I have to second guess everything I say. I know I can go to her, and even if I mess something up, or say something stupid, she won’t tear me apart for it. She’ll just… help me sort through it. That kind of support does something to a person. And Blake… Blake is a completely different kind of influence. He doesn’t hesitate. Doesn’t second guess. Doesn’t sit there wondering if what he’s doing is ‘right’ in the way most people do. He decides what matters to him, and then acts accordingly. The only person whose opinion seems to matter to him at all is Lexi. And somehow, being around that kind of certainty… it rubs off. He makes me feel brave. Between the two of them, I’ve started speaking up more. Being more direct. Saying what I actually think instead of filtering everything through ten layers of ‘is this okay to say?’ I’m not as blunt as Blake, I don’t think I want to be, but I’m closer. Which is usually a good thing. Usually. The problem is… Lexi can tell when someone is lying. She doesn’t push. Doesn’t call people out. Doesn’t make it a thing. But she knows. You can see it in the way her expression shifts, just slightly, like she’s filing the information away. And Blake… Blake watches her like a hawk. So if Lexi knows something? Blake knows she knows. And Blake is not nearly as polite about letting things go. Which is how I ended up in this situation. Sitting in the library. Across from Blake. While he looks at me like he’s waiting for me to crack. And Lexi, trying to be helpful, is currently lecturing him about not pressuring me. Which would be great. If it weren’t for the fact that this entire situation is my fault. All I did, ALL I did, was compliment Lexi’s earrings. That’s it. They’re new. Pretty. A soft pink that catches the light in a way that’s honestly kind of distracting. So I said so. Normal. Harmless. Right? Except instead of just saying thanks, Lexi casually explained that she took them from Blake’s hoard. Like that was a completely normal thing to say and not super alarming to most people. And Blake… Blake was standing behind her, watching me. Smirking. That smug, completely self-satisfied expression he gets when he knows something no one else does.
“That means I’m hers.” He chimes in, like he couldn’t help himself. Not ‘she’s mine.’ Not possession in the way people usually think. But somehow it still seems just as clear that he’s claiming her back, even if he says it the other way around. Like he is poud of it. Like he wants it. Like being claimed by her was the best possible outcome. And the way Lexi reacted, just this small smile, like she understood exactly what he meant. it was… Ugh. Disgustingly cute. I told him I knew. Because at this point, it’s kind of obvious. Also because he brings it up at every possible opportunity. And I added that they were sickeningly cute, which was a mistake, because that apparently opened the door for Blake to decide that I must be jealous. Which… Rude. Also… not entirely wrong. But still. I said I wasn’t. Which was mistake number one. Because Lexi reacted. Just a flicker. But it was enough. And Blake caught it immediately. Of course he did. Then he tilted his head slightly, watching me in that way he does.
“Are you just jealous in general… or is there someone specific?” Blake asked clearly. And I panicked. Like an idiot.
“No one.” I answered. Too quickly. Too firmly. Which, in hindsight, might as well have been me standing up and announcing, ‘This is a lie.’ Because now Lexi knows. And if Lexi knows, Blake knows. And Blake is not going to let that go. Which brings me back to now. Sitting here. Under scrutiny. While Lexi tries to defend me. And Blake waits. Patiently. A smirk on his face. Like he already knows how this is going to end. Shit..
We sit there in silence for a full minute. It’s not a comfortable silence. Blake is staring at me. Not casually. Not idly. He is watching me, focused, expectant, like he’s waiting for me to say the exact thing he already knows I’m going to say. Lexi, at least, looks sympathetic. Which somehow makes it worse. What am I supposed to do here? I could lie again. That would be pointless. Lexi would know immediately, and Blake would see that she knows, and then we’d be right back here, except worse. I could refuse to answer. Just stay quiet. Fold my arms. Ignore him. But that feels like… losing. And I am absolutely not letting Blake win this. I COULD tell him to back off. He probably would. If I pushed hard enough. Lexi would back me up, and he’d drop it. But… They already know. And it’s not like they’d go around telling people. Lexi would never, and Blake doesn’t care enough about anyone else to bother. So maybe… Maybe I just say
“Well… I…” I hesitate, then sigh.
“Yeah, okay. There’s… there’s this guy.” I admit. Lexi immediately perks up, sitting straighter, her whole face lighting up with interest. She gives me this
little encouraging nod, like I’ve just made a brave and important decision. Blake? Still smirking. I narrow my eyes at him. I am absolutely getting revenge for
this. Maybe a girls’ night this Saturday. No boys allowed. No Blake. Just me and Lexi. Yes. Perfect. He would hate that. Good. But first, I have to survive this.
“He’s in my Intermediate Spellcasting class,” I continue, forcing myself to keep going-
10:23 am
ppp.
Chapter 152 Bonus Chapter 4- Never, Ever Pull The Tail (Seriously)
“Who? Do we know him?” Lexi asks immediately, I shake my head.
“I don’t think so. He’s not in any of your classes. He’s not a shifter or anything, he’s a witch. He’s a year ahead of us. We only share that one class.” I tell her. Lexi nods, clearly filing all of this away like it’s critical information. Blake leans back slightly, still watching me like this is the most interesting thing he’s heard all week. Which is… concerning.
“And I don’t even know what it is exactly,” I add quickly.
“We worked together on a group assignment a few weeks ago, and since then I’ve just sort of… noticed him more.” I tell them.
“Noticed?” Blake repeats, immediately zeroing in on that.
“What have you noticed?” He asks. Why is he so invested in this? I would have thought this kind of thing would bore him. Or annoy him. Or at least not interest him enough to interrogate me like this. But no. He looks engaged. More engaged than Lexi, even, and she is listening like this is her favourite story. Why does this feel like a strategic briefing?
“Uh…” I stall for a second, trying to figure out what he actually wants.
2
“Well… he’s quiet. Like, really quiet. He usually sits at the back of the class, which is why we got paired up, because I sit there too.” I explain. Blake nods slightly, like that’s relevant. That’s encouraging… I guess.
“He’s really good at rune magic,” I continue.
“Like, ridiculously good. Anything written, spells, symbols, all of that, he just… gets it.” I keep going. Lexi smiles faintly. Blake looks thoughtful.
“And, um…” I hesitate, then push through it.
“He accidentally summoned a chicken once.” I add. Blake blinks. Lexi’s eyes widen.
“It was supposed to be something else,” I add quickly.
“I have no idea how he managed it, but, he found it a home. Like, he didn’t just get rid of it. He made sure it went somewhere safe. I th
I justify the weird observation. Lexi makes a soft aw sound.
“And he’s… kind of really cute,” I admit, feeling my face heat.
“He wears glasses, which I like. And he, uh… he doesn’t really talk to many people.” I tell them.
“Does he talk to you?” Blake asks immediately.
“Not really. Not since the assignment. And he barely makes eye contact. Like… maybe two seconds at most.” I admit.
“And you’ve timed that?” Blake asks dryly. I glare at him.
“No.” I respond. He hums like he doesn’t quite believe me.
“But… I don’t think he really notices me,” I finish, a little more quietly. That part… stings a bit more than I’d like to admit. Blake leans forward slightly.
“You should go talk to him.” He instructs. I stare at him.
“Huh? What? I can’t just go talk to him!” I object, horrified. Lexi immediately nods in sympathy.
10:23 am
ppp.
Chapter 152 Bonus Chapter 4- Never, Ever Pull The Tail (Seriously)
“Yeah, that’s… not easy.” she agrees gently. Blake frowns, clearly dissatisfied with this response.
“Hmm… You’re right,” he says slowly.
“If he’s interested, he should approach you.” He decides. I blink.
“Oh… Okay…?” I say cautiously.
“With a gift,” Blake finishes decisively. I stare at him. Lexi smiles in that fond, you’re ridiculous but I love you anyway kind of way.
“That’s not how most people work, Blake,” she says. He looks genuinely confused.
“Really? Then how do they work?” he asks. Lexi opens her mouth. Pauses. Closes it again.
“Honestly? I’m not sure. Your methods worked on me, so I’m probably not the best example.” she says after a second. Blake looks very pleased with that. I make a face.
“So what would work?” he presses. Lexi shifts her weight, thinking.
“Well
first we need to know if he actually likes her.” She reasons.
“How do we figure that out? Should I ask him?” Blake asks. I feel slightly nauseous. The mental image of Blake walking up to this poor, quiet, Theo and demanding to know his intentions is… Horrifying.
“Uh, maybe that can be the backup plan,” I say quickly.
“Like… a very distant backup plan.” I add. Lexi nods, clearly agreeing.
“First. Ellorie,” she says, turning back to me.
“You said he doesn’t make eye contact for more than a few seconds… but that means he does look at you.” She explains, I blink.
“Yeah?” I answer, not sure where this is going.
“So when you look over at him… how often is he already looking at you?” she asks. I pause. Actually thinking about
“More than a few times,” I admit slowly.
“I never really counted. I just, look away because it’s awkward.” I tell her. Wait. Oh…
“Oh.” I repeat the thought out loud. Lexi smiles.
“That’s a good sign,” she says warmly. Blake nods like this confirms something important.
“So now what?” he asks.
“Well, now she needs to actually talk to him.” Lexi says. Blake immediately points at me.
“That’s what I said in the first place. If you want him, go claim him.” He instructs. I let out a long, exasperated sigh. If only it were that simple.
10:23 am Ppp.
52 Boter 152 Bonus Chapter 4- Never, Ever Pull The Tail (Seriously)
who on a few hours since I confessed my crush to Blake and Lexi, and all I can think is… Damn Blake works fast. Suspiciously fast. What does that mean? t so means that somehow, I am currently locked inside the Spellcasting classroom… With Theo. Alone. I did not agree to this. I did not plan this. And I net rett tv did not tell them his name. Which means they figured it out. Which is… honestly kind of terrifying. Lexi I could understand, she probably noticed mastone thing, made a connection, worked it out. But Blake? Blake should not be this good at tracking people down for the sole purpose of forcing awkward
social situations. I eye the door. I’m fairly sure that if I really tried to leave, like, made a proper fuss, the Academy would let me out. It doesn’t usually trap repeople. Not really. So technically, I’m not stuck. Technically. I take a step toward the door, reaching out to test the handle again…
Bilorie-Rae, right?” Theo says from behind me. I freeze. Well… Okay. Screw the door. That can wait. I spin around to face him, trying very hard to look normal and not like I was about to make a dramatic escape attempt.
“Yeah” I say quickly.
“You can call me Ellorie if you like. Or… whatever.” I ramble awkwardly. Why did I say that? What does ‘or whatever’ even mean? I resist the urge to physically cringe at myself. Theo nods slowly.
“1… like your eyes,” he blurts out. Oh. Oh no. Now I’m blushing. He’s blushing. We are both blushing. This is going great.
“I mean… the different colours,” he rushes to add.
“It’s cool. I… uh… I’ll just shut up now.” He mumbles. He immediately looks like he wants the ground to swallow him whole.
“Thank you,” I manage, my voice doing something weird halfway through. We stand there. In silence. Again. This is worse than before. Five seconds. That’s
all I can handle. Five seconds and I am absolutely climbing out a window. Five… Four… Three… Two-
“Uh… I wanted to ask you, de you have plans on Saturday?” he blurts out. I blink. My brain short-circuits for a second.
“No, I don’t,” I squeak. Why did that come out like that?
“Great! I mean…” he flounders.
“Can I buy you dinner? I mean, not buy, like… my family owns a restaurant, so it’s not really buying, it’s just, dinner. With me. You won’t have to pay. And…. okay, I’m really bad at this. Sorry.” He apologises. He adjusts his glasses, looking mortified. My heart is racing. My face is on fire. And, for some reason, Blake’s voice pops into my head. ‘If you want him, go claim him.’ Damn it. I hate that that actually makes sense right ne
“I would love to go to dinner with you,” I say, as clearly as I can manage. Theo freezes. For a full second. Then his en
he a breath.
“Great! That’s… great. Thank you. I… can I get your number?” he asks, a little more carefully this time. I nod quickly, givin This is actually happening. And then… Click. The door unlocks. Of course it does. I glance at it, then back at Theo. Mission ac gives me one last slightly dazed smile, then practically bolts for the door. He looks like he might pass out at any moment. Honest a second, letting everything catch up with me. Well. I guess I won’t be planning a girls’ night this Saturday after all. Score one to Bla That sneaky! He planned this. Of course he did. He wants me occupied. Because if I have a date… Then I’m not hanging out with Lexi. W her to himself. That sneaky dragon. I SHOULD be annoyed. I probably WOULD be annoyed… If this hadn’t worked out extremely well for me. small laugh, shaking my head. Fine. He wins this round. For now. I head for the door, already running through options in my head. Because now
much more important problem. What the hell am I going to wear? And somehow, I have a feeling I’m about to ask a dragon for dating advice. Which is
either a terrible idea, or, apparently… A surprisingly effective one.
10:23 am
PPP.
Not To Fall For A Dragon
