57 Chapter Fifty-Seven (1/2)
As the final day of the school session winded down, Lexi found herself waiting outside of Cross's classroom. As the last few students trickled out, she made her way inside. She found him with his head resting against the cool wood of his desk, his arms hanging limply at his side. On his desk was an assortment of gifts and cards that various students had left him. Reaching out, Lexi snagged one of the cards and gave it a brief reading before her cheeks lit up with a crimson blush. With trembling hands, she crushed the card between her fists and tossed it into the wastebasket.
Honestly, how could anyone write, or even think up, such lewd things… and to their professor no less? She couldn't even imagine what would compel someone to…
”S'wrong with you?” Cross asked, tilting his head to the side to look up at Lexi. ”You're all red.”
”I…I came to check on you. I assume you managed to finish all of your grading?” Lexi stammered.
”Yeah, yeah.” Cross blindly reached out and tapped on a stack of papers. ”I got them all done last night, no thanks to Makina. She spent half the night trying to get some money out of me to go out with Lara.”
”You are to cover her expenses,” Lexi said. Her eyes lingered on the graded papers. This was not lost on Cross.
”You did well,” Cross said as he sat up. ”You could have expanded on the historical significance of the prophets. Your short essay on the effectiveness of clairvoyance was pretty good, though. If a little critical.”
Lexi tilted her head and smiled. ”Well, that couldn't be helped. I was using real life examples for my criticism.”
Cross rolled his eyes. ”Can we go home now? I'm sick of this place. I miss the guild.”
”We should be able to soon, though Makina is requesting that we stay one more night.”
”Why?” Cross groaned. ”I'm already all packed up.”
”She wishes to attend the Academy's after session celebration. Apparently they have different event to mark the end of every session. This session will be a formal ball with the Trident Academy for young men.”
Cross furrowed his brow. ”That name sounds familiar.”
”There is an envelope on your desk with that name on it,” Lexi ventured, lifting a finger.
Cross picked up the envelope. Lexi was right. Printed on the front were the names of both academies. He tore the envelope open and began to read the message. After only a few lines, he placed the letter down and stared straight ahead, unblinking. Taking in a deep breath, he returned his head to his desk with a loud thunk.
Curious, Lexi picked up the letter and read aloud.
”Dear Christian,
I'm sure by now news has reached you that a member of our faculty has recently departed. While this will in no way impede the ability of our academy to function, it has left us rather shorthanded for the upcoming festivities. While I understand it is terribly short notice, I must ask you to act as a chaperone for the ball in place of Eliza.
I thank you ahead of time for your cooperation,
Sincerely,
Headmistress Jaclyn Windsford”
”No,” Cross moaned. ”I'm going home. I'm not doing it.”
”Yes, you are.”
”No, I'm not.”
”Yes, you are.”
”But…”
”That's an order.”
”I'm going to die here. This place is going to be my coffin.”
Lexi patted Cross lightly on the back of the head. ”Makina is going to be thrilled to hear you'll be staying as well. I'm sure she will need a new dress, be sure to give her some money to spend.”
”You're the devil,” Cross muttered.
xXx
”I can really see why they needed an extra chaperones for this,” Cross sighed to himself as he reached up and tugged at his tie. He had found a quiet alcove on the second floor of the ballroom from which he could watch the student's mill about. The ball was in full swing, if full swing meant absolutely no one was dancing. Despite the upbeat music, not one student had yet dared to cross the divide that separated the population of the girl's academy from the boy's. Cross leaned on the railing and suppressed a yawn. If this kept up, it was going to be a long night.
Actually, it was going to be a long night either way.
It didn't take long for boredom to overcome Cross's miniscule sense of duty and he soon found himself on one of the academy's many balconies that overlooked the school's impressive grounds. He took in a deep breath of the crisp night air, but it failed to rejuvenate his lethargic spirit. The hand that suddenly landed on his shoulder, however, did manage to send his heart racing as he nearly leapt from his skin.
”Damnit Lex, we talked about this!” Cross hissed as he grabbed at his chest.
It wasn't necessary for him to even bother checking to make sure it was her, but he did anyways, just for the satisfaction of glaring at her. The glare only lasted a moment, however, as the young Hunter came fully into focus.
”Oh.”
Clad in a long black dress and with her raven hair set in light curls, Lexi returned his glare with one her own. ”What?”
”Nothing… You just, look nice,” Cross said, tilting his head. ”No scarf tonight.
”Oh. Well, thank you.” Lexi reached up and toyed with a lock of her hair. ”I did not think to pack more than one, and Eliza destroyed it beyond repair.”
”You don't seem too upset.” A tinge of surprise was layered his voice.
”It was replaceable. I don't wear the one you… I don't wear any of the important ones on our missions….” Lexi trailed off before fixing Cross with a scowl as he continued to stare at her, a small smile forming on his face. ”What?”
Cross shook his head. ”It's just been a long time since I've seen you dressed up. I forgot how much it suits you, Princess.”
A faint pink appeared on Lexi's cheeks and she looked back towards the academy. ”You're avoiding your job, you know, being out here.”
”I think they can survive without me. Besides, I'm not the only person that's supposed to be watching them,” Cross said as he leaned against the railing of the balcony. He could hear the music gently slipping out from where Lexi had left the door cracked open. The song sounded familiar and his finger lightly tapped to the rhythm.
”Do you remember this song?” Lexi said, as though reading his mind. She turned back towards Cross and held out her hand.
He stared at it with a blank expression before lifting his eyes up to meet Lexi's.
He blinked.
She blinked.
He blinked.
She blinked.
Cross finally shook his head and slowly reached out to take her hand.