Mallory unfroze slowly, slowly feeling movement flow back into her legs. She followed Selena, talons clicking on the stone floor as they went to take their seat. Mallory knew of Esperenza's crush on Jake, Espy had told her herself. The scene went something like this: Esperenza walks up to Mallory and Selena, Mallory is relieved of Esperenza's presence as it means she doesn't have to be with Selena alone as being with her alone makes her nervous. "Hey guys," Espy starts and sits down with their group in the prey center,"Can I tell you something?" Esperenza seems nervous. "Yea sure," Selena answers as she is chewing on a fish. Espy takes a deep breath. "I kinda sorta like-" she blushes mid-sentence "-Jake..." Mallory nearly chokes on the piece deer she had been chewing.

"Uh.... Mal?" Selena's voice ripped Mallory from her thoughts. "Are you okay? You've been staring at your brother and Espy for awhile..."

"Wha? Oh no, I'm fine."

"Well okay then."

Selena turned to face the one step in the grave teacher and Mallory did also. The teacher, Mallory thought,  shouldn't be allowed to teach in her honest opinion, he was old, virtually blind and deaf, and didn't look like he was going to live much longer. He might not even survive the term. It was a scary thought, Mallory knew that, but at this point it didn't seem relevant anymore, anyone knew that. This SeaWing would work himself to death.

The SeaWing turned towards the board with great difficulty and began to talk again. "Today we'll be doing the biology of a SandWing." Mallory immediately turned her head toward Esperenza, the only SandWing present. The dragoness looked down and shifted in her seat and Mallory was sure she was blushing scarlet. "Tsk, Tsk," Selena's voice sent a shock down her spine. "Poor Espy, having all eyes on her."

"It would be less awkward if Vincent wasn't ill," Mallory whispered, waiting for Selena's reply.

"Yea," came the reply and Mallory felt her heart lift

I always like it when she agrees with me.

"Um... Mal? Why are you blushing?"

Poop! She saw, wait... Was that excitement in her voice?