“There you are.” Vallerie opens her door as she lets Monifa into her dorm. “We already made popcorn and squid chips.” 

“I brought peach tea.” Monifa enters, leaving her shoes in the shoe rack beside the door. 

“Bring it here, we'll pour it in a pitcher,” Piko calls over, taking an ice tray from the freezer. 

“Got caught up with Miss Pam, she wanted help convincing the head master to approve tomorrow's shore festival.” 

“And?” Piko and Vallerie look over to Monifa, expecting the final verdict. 

“Not decided yet, right now the Headmaster wants to resume classes.” 

“This happens every year; they always hold off at the last minute. By the time they set us free, the streets are cramped with traffic.” Piko frowns. 

“I can always fly to the beach and save us a spot.” Monifa offers. 

“Would you really do that, Miss Monifa?” Piko beams. 

“Of course,” The taller girl looks at Vallerie, she catches her eye, expecting. But she averts her gaze. 

“These slasher movies aren’t going to watch themselves; we can worry about tomorrow.” Vallerie turns on the TV as she sets the snacks on the coffee table. Piko is carrying the pitcher with peach tea as Monifa follows with three cups. 

“Wait, I actually need to use the restroom.” The taller girl chimes, and Vallerie catches her eyes once more. 

“Go to my bedroom, the bathroom is on the right.” 

“Thanks, I’ll be quick.” Monifa’s feet padded against the wooden floor. Piko grabs the remote to scroll through the movie selection. 

“I never expected you and Miss Monifa to be close friends, Vallerie.” 

“Hmm? Oh yeah, we go way back. Monifa is from the Pampeka after all. She just got here before me.” She chuckles. “I’m glad you’re here, Piko. If I were left alone with her, I’d be berated to oblivion and probably kicked out of school.” 

“Wait, what do you mean–”

“Oops, totally forgot to hand her some toilet paper, be back in a flash.” Vallerie leaves, but she doesn’t take anything with her. 

She didn’t even bother knocking on the door, because she knew her friend would be waiting. As she predicted, Monifa sat on her bathroom counter scrolling through her phone. She side eyes Vallerie before shutting off her phone. 

“When I saw your belongings being sent in, I thought I was imagining things. At the time, you told me you had actually gone through with your plan.” 

“Yeah?” Vallerie sits on the counter with her. 

“Yeah. I thought I was okay with it.” 

“Thought?” 

“You were so close to blowing your fuse, you know, I can’t save you this time when you do. Might have worked before, but I’m not doing it again.” 

“I’ll try not to.” 

“Just be careful, Val. You can’t be a cupid, all this for an obsession that threw you away.” 

“I’ll try not to cause trouble.” 

“Please, I’m on your side. But if you pose as a threat, I will not hesitate to put you in your place.” 

…

…

“I love you, Monifa baby.” 

“I love you too.” She hops off the counter, Vallerie following suit. 

They exited the toilet and went back to the couch, where Piko had already picked a movie for them to watch. 

“That took a while.” She comments. 

“Monifa fell in.” 

—---

Morning seeped through the window, the curtains already tied to let the sunlight in. Piko shifted against the intrusion, covering her face with a pillow before she got too nauseous to keep curling in bed. 

“Ough… goodness… I haven’t eaten that much junk food in my entire life.” She sits up slowly. 

“Morning, Piko.”

“Morning, Miss Monifa.” Piko rubs her eyes, blinking away the fatigue. 

“Are you going already?” 

“Unfortunately, Miss Pam had asked me to come in early to continue pestering the headmaster about suspending classes for the holiday.” Monifa ties the ribbon on her collar. 

“Please do your best, Miss Monifa.” 

“Will do. You and Vallerie should eat breakfast before heading to class.” 

“Ugh, forget that. I still feel greasy after ordering fast food last night.” Vallerie comes out of the bathroom, teeth freshly brushed and face washed, her bangs pushed back with a pink headband. 

“Same.” Piko mirrors the sentiment, holding her stomach. 

“Just drink some milk then.” 

“Yes, mother.” Vallerie nods as Monifa exits her dorm. 

“The bathroom is all yours, Miss Piko. I prepared fresh towels. 

“Thank yoouuu.” 

The door to the bathroom clicks shut, and Vallerie makes her way to her closet, choosing her outfit for the day. She debates whether to dress like any other school day or for the beach. 

“I’ll just pack the bathing suit and dress for school.” She throws her clothes into a tote bag. 

On the other side of campus, two losers were currently gathered. Sanne’s head was buried in his arms as Loukas’ face rested on his palm. 

“You think she’s avoiding us?” Sanne groans. 

“You’re overthinking it.” 

“So she’s avoiding me?” He jolts up from his position before burying his head back into his arms, “I should have stood up for her more, Velt, that asshole.” 

“Good Goddess, Sanne. She’s just been busy with her other friends.” 

“How do you know?” He pokes an eye to look at his friend. “Have you been talking to Piko?” A smirk grows on his face.

“Fuck no, I asked Vallerie myself.” 

“And she answered?” 

“Yeah? Have you not called her?” 

“Call? You had a call with her?” 

“Yeah? You know my phone only supports calls, and I hate texting.” 

“I haven’t mustered up the courage; I wouldn’t know what to say.” 

“Biyelle, give me your strength…” Loukas clasps his hands together. 

Before Sanne could retort, the bell rang, signalling classes to begin. 

“Another year of being late to the festival.” Loukas pushed up his glasses as he stood up from his seat, grabbing Sanne by the collar and dragging him to their first class. 

—---

“Any news yet?” Vallerie comes in with Piko in tow, asking their classmates. 

“Nope, not even a peep from Monifa.” One of them looks up from their phone. 

Everyone in the classroom was currently looking at their phone, thumbs occasionally dragging down to refresh the school website. 

Some students were already wearing their beach outfits, some had picnic baskets beside their desks, and one student had a whole volleyball net set up. 

Piko and Vallerie pull out their own phones to check. Vallerie’s fingers glide to their personal group chat with Monifa. 

>Yoohoo, what’s the haps

>What’s the word? 

Vallerie didn’t get a chance to read what Monifa had said before Piko pulled Vallerie to her seat, pointing at the door with dread and hopelessness on her face. 

Their teacher was of average height with a slim build, her black hair curled softly at the ends, paired with sharp micro bangs. She wore black primarily with white accents, the gold eyeshadow and lipstick pops against her deep wenge skin.

“Miss Pam, you can’t be serious?” The student behind Vallerie groans. 

“Settle down, children. Did you not hear the bell ring?” 

The whole classroom erupts in groans and whining. Disappointment palpable in the air. 

…

…

“Just kidding, WE ARE FREE TO GO!!” Miss Pam howls in laughter. 

“Miss Pam! We almost had a heart attack. Don’t ever joke about it like that ever again.” 

“Oh, please, you really think I can’t have my way when the headmaster is my fiancé?” 

“We support!” 

The room erupts in cheers, and many students jump up and down. 

“Thank Biyelle.” Piko slumps against her seat, her hands clasped together. 

Vallerie turns on her phone again to see what Monifa had sent in the group chat. 

>Miss Pam is out to troll, I bolted as soon as the Headmaster reluctantly agreed, see you two there. 

“We should get going, Miss Monifa is waiting for–” Piko gets swept up in the crowd, “UUUUSSSSSS, VALLERIE, HEELPP” She flails her arms trying to separate herself, but it was too late. As soon as the news hit, every classroom flung open and flooded the halls.  

Vallerie couldn’t do anything but stand there as she saw her friend get swept up, frozen at how quickly she was separated from Piko. 

She quickly snaps out of it, rushing to the door. 

“MISS PIKO! I’LL SEE YOU AT THE BEACH! DON’T WAIT UP!” Vallerie yells, hoping Piko could still hear her. There was no response. Then again, with how soft-spoken Piko was, maybe she simply hadn’t heard a reply from her.

In a blink, the halls and classrooms were empty. 

“Best to hurry, Vallerie, dear. Have fun! Take photos! I’ll be grading them.” Miss Pam laughed to herself as she waved her student goodbye. Her teacher was ultimately engulfed in black mist as she shifted into a black cat. 

“She won’t actually, would she?” Vallerie says to no one but herself. 

“Oh, she definitely would.” Not expecting an answer, Vallerie jolts. 

“Velt, it’s just you.” She simmers down. At least she sees a familiar face, “What are you still doing here?” 

“You must be crazy if you think getting swept up against the crowd is a good idea.” 

“Fair.” 

“Alright, enough dilly dallying, Patches. Times-a-wasting.” Velt pats her shoulder. 

He takes a big stretch, his wings emerging from his back. They were a pretty ash color with hints of purple. 

“Always feels good to give the wings a little stretch.” 

“They’re super pretty.” Vallerie comments. 

…

…

…

“The fuck are you doing? Don’t just look at my wings and stand there, get a move on.” 

“O-oh, umm yeah, about that.” 

“Ugh, what now? Another one of your dramatics?” 

Vallerie opted to purse her lips instead. 

“Alright, out with it. What’s wrong with you this time?” 

“I don’t know how to fly.” 

…

“What?”