I can’t believe it. There has to have been a mistake. Only the best of the best get into knight school, and a tiny number of those students get into captain training. You basically have to be perfect on entry. No way I of all people got into captain training. And even if (though?) I did, it would be (must have been?) by a tiny margin. Why were the admins here, delivering the news in the flesh? All these thoughts swimming around in my head, the only thing I can choke out is, “Really?”
“Yes, really,” Otter assures. “We…saw something special in you on your application. It might not have been measurable by grades or test scores, but it’s exactly what we’re looking for in terms of future knights.”
“Of course, you are Celestine, correct?” Lazer abruptly cuts in.
“Yeah, yeah! Of course!” Even if I’m confused, I’m not so confused that I forget my own name.
“Good, good,” Otter reaches into one of her many, many pockets and hands me a book, a brochure, and a small, hard card the color of emeralds.
“The details are all there, if you know where to look,” Pix says cryptically. Lazer quickly explains.
“Dates and times for classes are on the brochure. You’re going to spy training, so check the table of contents in the handbook for that.” Pix quickly shoots him an annoyed look before turning back.
“The card is a pass to the Emerald Library. Find the time over break to study,” Otter says. “Just because you got in doesn’t mean you’re up to speed.” I nod.
“We must go. If you have any questions, consult the book. Farewell.” With the snap of a finger, Pix disappears in a puff of purple steam, and Lazer fades into nullity.
“You know your mom was one of the greatest spies, right?” Otter asks. Once again, I nod. “Ask her any questions about textbooks, your teacher, whatever. Oh, and tell her I say hi. Good luck!” She’s about to disappear when I remember a trick mom taught me when I didn’t want to eat my vegetables: whenever someone gets you to do something you didn’t want or ask for, try to get something in return. Of course, I would never give up captain training in a million years, but I didn’t exactly ask to get in. Might as well try it.
“Wait a second!” He stops and turns to me. Now what? I didn’t actually think this through as well as I thought.
“Only if… I’ll do it… accept if you… uh… let my friends come to captain training too!” Out of my peripheral vision, I see the shock on Fran and Toni’s face. Otter stands and thinks about it for a few seconds before pulling a tiny book and pencil out of a pocket.
“Unless they’re complete and total garbage at what they’re being signed up for. Names and classes?” Nailed it.
“Fran-Francesca Kelly and Antonio Garcia.” Fran wants to be a cook, and Antonio a scout, so for the classes, “Caretaker and scout, please.”
“So, Francesca’s going to caretaker and Antonio to scout, correct?” I nod, and they scribble something down. “Got it. I’ll check the school records later for their grades. Good luck to you and your friends.” And with that, they disappear. One second he’s there, and then I blink, and then I’m alone. She’s just whimsical like that.
I’m left standing there, still in shock from the whole experience, when my friends run back to me. Antonio practically starts shaking me, and everyone who had already turned away when Lazer and Cake left turns back. “Celly! What the heck was that!?”
The attention feels a little more negative this time, so I gently shove him away. “I have no idea! I didn’t even sign up or anything!”
“Maybe they just got the wrong person?” Fran asks.
“Did you miss the admins asking her if she was Celestine? Like, five million times?” He's bouncing from foot to foot in excitement. Fran rolls her eyes.
“Yeah, sure, but maybe there’s another Celestine?”
“Oh, to-tally. Two daughters of the Lucia Alegre who conveniently share a name. Makes perfect sense to me!” Antonio's hands fly up in a theatrical gesture. “No, of course not. Celly doesn’t even have any siblings! Right?” He turns to me.
“Right! No siblings.” He smiles, whipping around to Fran to keep rambling. It's fun to watch them bicker, especially over small stuff like this, but the line to the Blocky lime is getting longer by the second. “C’mon guys, we can talk in the cafe. Let’s go!”
“Or the line to the cafe…ugh. I wouldn’t bet on actually getting in.” Fran groans. “Doesn’t it close soon?”
“Ah, you’re right.” I glance over to check the sign that has the closing time on it, and through the window behind it, I catch a glimpse of the comic stand: completely empty. Even the small tray of themed goodies is being carried away, nothing but a few crumbs gracing its surface. “Oh, come on!”
My friends lean forward to see what upset me, and right on cue, someone steps out front of the line. “Sorry, everyone. We’re out of stock.” After hearing the angry commotion of the crowd, they rush to add, “We still have our normal treats!”
It seemingly helps, but the line shrinks a ton, leaving us a spot at the end that will only take a couple minutes to reach the front. “Well then, you guys want some scones or something?”
“Yeah! Of course!” Antonio’s disappointment is gone in an instant. “Looks like they’ve got every kind still available. I’m getting pumpkin spice and you can’t stop me!” He runs to the back of the line.
“Oh, come on, not you too…”
“Just think of it as practice. I am going to scout training, after all!” He grins. I smile back.
“That’s no excuse for leaving Cel and I in the dust!” Fran complains. We meet him at his spot in the line. “Anyway. We’re almost up. Who’s paying?”
“I got it!” I take off and unzip my backpack to get my money, but Fran snatches it, closes it back up and shoves it back into my arms.
“No way. You literally got us into captain training! We’re paying!”
“We are?” Antonio looks at her with confusion. I chuckle.
“Sure. Thank you and you’re welcome! I’ll be getting… ” As we shuffle up into the shop, I glance at the menu. Smirking, I give them my order.
“Oh, come on!” This time, it’s Fran drawing attention to us. “You know that they’re the most expensive thing on the menu!”
“I know, but they’re so good! And besides, I never get them. Every time I get a chance, I get distracted at the comic stand and spend all my money!” She looks a little annoyed, but laughs it off.
“Alright, miss future spy. We’ll buy your chocolate truffle cookie. You’ll need the extra sugar to help study for your brand-new-super-cool captain training, after all.” She gives me a playful jab in the arm.
“Hey, don’t forget that we’re gonna have to study too! Which, by the way, Celly…” He pauses before suddenly suffocating me in a huge hug. “Thank-you-thank you-thank-you!”
“Toni, stop! We’re in public!” I laugh.
“Fine,” he sighs, reluctantly moving his arms to his sides. “Besides, it’s our turn to order.” The words whip Fran towards the cashier in an instant. I really wish she could have seen the look on her face.
On top of the pumpkin scones for Antonio, we all get the truffle cookies and tea. Besides the expensive treats, it almost feels like a normal outing for the three of us, despite what went down only fifteen minutes ago. It doesn’t matter what’s going to happen when all the excitements of captain training rain down on us. All that matters is that we’re in the moment, having fun with some of the people we love the most.
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