The next morning Sophie skipped down the hall, making her way to her locker with joy. She thought about Grady's words, and just enjoyed herself, despite all her struggles. They all faded away, leaving Sophie carefree. Nothing could bother her, not even the pain from the circlet.

Until she saw Dex and it all flooded back.

"What do you want?" She asked, turning her back to him as she licked the DNA strip to open her locker.

"I just wanted to talk to you," Dex said, hurt leaking into his voice. "I know I don't deserve to-"

Sophie cut him off. "Dex, I just can't deal with you right now. I know it's not your fault and I shouldn't be mad, but I am. I can't help it." She paused, still refusing the to meet his eyes. She softly added, "Just... Give me more time."

Dex sighed. "Done. But can I get one last thing? Sorry, I don't deserve to ask for-"

"No, you don't." Sophie said, thundering away, not looking back. As much as she was upset with Dex, she felt a pang of guilt for hurting him. Sophie pushed all thoughts of him out of her head as she walked to Telepathy.

-------------------------------------------

Fitz was already there by the time she arrived. They both stared at the empty seat where Tiergan was supposed to be. "He's running late," Fitz explained, not taking his eyes off her.

Sophie blushed until she realized he wasn't staring at her -- his eyes were locked on the circlet.

"Sooo..." Sophie said after a couple moments of uncomfortable silence. She racked her brain for something to talk about. "There's going to be a ball."

"Yeah," Fitz said, breaking his gaze. "Keefe won't stop talking about it."

Sophie laughed. "Sounds like Keefe. What did he say?"

Fitz shrugged. "Just about all the girls that'll be competing to get one dance with us."

"Are you going with anyone then?"

"No, of course we're not," Fitz said, as if it were obvious.

Sophie deflated, looking at her feet. "Oh."

Tiergan burst through the doors. "I apologize for being so late. I just came back from a meeting with your fathers."

Sophie looked up, surprised. "Why?"

Tiergan took a seat. "I was discussing the matter of the upcoming midterm. As we all know, Sophie's mind is capable of almost anything, even though the circlet now hinders that ability"-he gave her a pointed look-"so it would be unfair to give you both the same midterm."

"So what will we be doing then?" Fitz asked.

"You, Fitz, can have a midterm like most prodigies studying telepathy. Or, you can perform the alternative assignment."

"And what would that be?"

Tiergan took a deep breath. "Your father seems to believe there can be a trigger word for Sophie's mind to open to you, that doesn't require the trust exercise."

Fitz nodded.

"What about me?" Sophie asked, pulling out a loose eyelash.

Tiergan met her eyes. "Your father and I decided that it would be best if you researched the history and rules of telepathy, so the council doesn't have to add more punishments onto your circlet."

Sophie nodded, welling up with shame. Tiergan clapped his hands. "I have nothing else for today, so I'll let you get to work on your assignments."

"May I go to the library?" Sophie asked, not meeting Tiergan's eyes. "To get started."

He nodded and wrote her a pass.
Sophie rushed out, desperate to get away from the emotions stirring in her. The shame from the circlet, the disappointment from Fitz... But was it disappointment? What did she expect when she asked him that question? They were only friends, after all.
Sophie turned the corner in a rush, on course for the Level Three library.

Until she crashed into Keefe.

***Authors Note***
Hey guys! Sorry for the late update, I was busy over the weekend!
Also excuse any typos, I'm on mobile again.
So what do you think? Tell me jn comments!!
Don't forget to vote!
~InkheadWriter