Independent Study in Fitness
TTh 2–5
Tracer Ronan
IND
Independent Study in Advanced Musicianship
MWF 3–6
Master Dagursson
“Ohhkayyy.” I shared a quick glance with Emma. This was Mei-Ling’s first term, and already she had three independent studies? “Well, Phenomena is cool.”
“Watcher Angel is her combat teacher?” Yasuo piped up, clued out as usual. “That’s the girl with the arms, right? Isn’t her nickname the Angel of Death?”
Watcher Angel had some seriously cut biceps. But Mei-Ling didn’t need to hear that right now. I narrowed my eyes, giving him my best STFU look. “Not helping.”
“Advanced Musicianship?” he went on, ignoring me. “What do you play?”
Something flickered in Mei’s eyes—it was an enviable mix of pride and self-knowledge. I imagined it was the thing that’d given her strength to get her this far. “Violin…or at least I did play the violin. I can manage most string instruments.” She shrugged. “Woodwinds, too.”
Yas grinned. “Tiger Mom?”
Mei-Ling’s eyes went flat with disdain. “What, you think you know the Chinese girl? You assume because I play the violin that I have a Tiger Mother and my sister is good at math? You just perpetuate your own clichés.”
I braced, wondering how Yas would handle it. Instead of getting upset, though, he just smirked. “Hey, you don’t give us much to work with.”
“Fine,” Mei said, sounding more clinical than angry. “I play the violin because it’s a beautiful instrument. I also play bass guitar in a garage band. My mom is awesome. She makes killer handmade dumplings, but she also volunteers at the soup kitchen and can rock a pair of skinny jeans. I work hard because I like to.” She gave him a teasing half smile. “You should try it.”
I wasn’t sure if this was still a charged moment or not—Mei wasn’t the easiest person to read—but I chimed in, hoping to ease the tension if there was any. “Handmade dumplings, huh? All I ever got to try were those gummy pot sticker things they have at Panda Express.”
Yas moaned. “I’d kill for their sweet-and-sour chicken.”
I rolled my eyes. “You say that about everything. You’d kill for an extra pat of butter. For a soy latte. For a Snickers bar. You’re losing your cred.”
Emma nodded sagely in agreement. “It’s true.”
I smiled and looked over to catch Mei’s eye, but instead of being cheered by our chatter, she sat silently, swirling a spoon in her congealed soup. Thinking about those handmade dumplings, no doubt. A thick silence followed.
Finally it was Emma who broke the ice and brought us back on topic. She peered at Mei’s schedule and cleared her throat. “They certainly gave you a lot of independents,” she said, stating the obvious in a neutral tone.
“What’s up with that?” Yas said, already back to his usual self.
He snatched the paper out of Mei’s hands for a better look. She allowed it, though, and even leaned closer to look at the paper in his hands. Apparently, the weird conversation had relieved the strain between her and the rest of us.
“What is up with that?” I agreed, though I had a feeling I knew. They wanted to protect her. “Maybe they’re worried about her hands.” I’d said it jokingly, but there was a kernel of truth there. The vampires had kidnapped her and wanted to preserve her.
And somehow I played a part.
“Oh,” Emma chirped. “Let’s ask Ronan.”
I looked up, and there he was. I braced instantly, trying to put up shields I knew would be no match for those green eyes.
“Ronan,” I said under my breath. “Speak of the devil.”
CHAPTER FIVE