The afternoon sun hung low, casting long shadows across the quad where Kai sat beside a pool with Eliot standing, Margo, and Quentin. The four of them lounged lazily, with Kai sipping from a black water bottle while Eliot smoked and looked buzzed, the faint scent of herbs mixing with the breeze.
As Alice passed by, clutching a book tight and doing her best to avoid eye contact, Margo smirked.
"Oh, one of those. Happens every year," she said, nudging Eliot.
"One of what?" Quentin asked, genuinely curious.
Margo leaned back. "Overachiever. Shy. So brilliant everyone ends up hating them."
Kai took a slow sip from his bottle. "Talented, sure. But isn't it kinda hypocritical to hate what people secretly wish they could be?"
Eliot exhaled smoke and tipped an imaginary hat. "Well said."
"Yeah," Q added. "I don't know how she does it."
Margo shrugged. "That's Alice Quinn. Don't even bother trying to compare yourselves. Word is she comes from a family of magicians."
Kai raised a brow. "Is that so?"
"Oh yeah. Totally unfair, already knowing magic before the rest of us even figure out what a spell circle is."
Kai gave a crooked smile. "Who knows? Maybe it's more of a curse. Imagine the pressure of having to live up to all that family legacy... Nah. I'm fine not being born into a magic dynasty. Less expectations, more fun."
Margo laughed. "Well, act accordingly, Mr. Wise-and-Mysterious." She lifted her voice. "Hey Alice! Come join us. Make new friends. Take a load off!"
Kai thought dryly, 'Take a load off? Have you seen her? She looks like someone shoved a stick down her back at birth.'
Alice glanced over, only to find Kai watching her intently, his gaze sharp, like a hawk sizing up its next move. She froze for a second, then turned and walked off without a word ignoring Margo.
"Sheesh. She's a stiff one," Kai muttered, capping his bottle.
---
Later that day, Kai was back under a tree near his dorm, flipping through a book he'd found on the Theory of Movements. Quentin had left a while ago, mumbling something about apologizing to Alice. Kai had politely declined the invitation to tag along.
His phone buzzed. He checked the screen: James.
Kai answered, grinning. "James, buddy, you're interrupting my intellectual brooding session. This better be good."
James sounded frazzled. "Hey, Kai. How are you? Uhh... are you busy?"
Kai immediately straightened. "What's wrong?"
"Well... remember how you told me to call if Julia started acting weird?"
"Yeah. What happened?"
James exhaled. "She's... not herself, man. Barely eating. Not talking. And, like, it's her birthday today."
Kai's eyes darkened. "Call Quentin. We'll be there later." He hung up, shaking his head. 'Well, she's about to spiral... Guess I should actually do something about that.'
---
Later that night, Kai arrived with Quentin, Eliot, and Margo at James' apartment. The party was already in full swing. Music blared, people laughed and danced, and the smell of beer filled the air.
Eliot stepped in first only to spot Julia sitting quietly on the couch. He turned on his heel and melted into the crowd without a word.
James greeted them with a grin, holding up a book with "Screwnicorn" scribbled across the cover. "Damn, you guys. Back from the war?"
He hugged Quentin. Kai moved past him and approached Julia. She looked up, smiled faintly, and hugged him.
"Hey," she said.
Kai returned it, his voice soft. "How are you?"
"Oh, good. Good," she nodded, too quickly. She turned to Q. "Hey, you."
"Good to see you," Quentin replied, hugging her.
Then, just like that, she slipped away.
Kai arched a brow at James, who sighed. "Yup."
Across the room, Julia grabbed a drink and from a table near a random guy who was sitting.
The guy glanced at the decorations. "Saw the balloons. Happy birthday?"
The guy blinked seeing the look on her face. "Or... not."
Julia's smile was hollow. "Thanks. I'm gonna go jump off a cliff now."
---
A bit later, Quentin found Julia alone in a bedroom. Kai stayed behind, chatting with James but keeping his senses sharp, listening in from afar.
"Tell them to test me again," Julia said quietly.
"Who?" Q asked.
"Brakebills. And if you say 'what's Brakebills' I swear I'll stab you."
Kai smirked where he stood. 'There's the fire.'
Q hesitated. "How do you even—"
"I don't know. Maybe I'm a mutant. Maybe I just wouldn't let myself forget."
Kai's thoughts were interrupted as James nudged him. "Hey man, how've you been?"
Kai plastered on a smile. "Great, James. You?"
"Same. You want another drink?"
"Actually, need to make a call. Be right back." Kai slipped into a quieter corner, tuning back in.
He caught Quentin's voice. "Doesn't mean you have potential."
Kai winced. 'Ouch. Harsh, Quentin. Very harsh.'
Julia bristled. "They missed it."
"No. I know you don't want to fail."
"You sure, Jules? You're good at everything else. But you're hurting yourself."
"They cut off my life."
"Your life is here."
Kai shook his head, disgusted at how clueless Quentin sounded. 'Way to miss the entire point, Coldwater.' He left them to their mess and went off to find Margo and Eliot.
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