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Breeze hesitated before knocking on the door. When she saw who answered, her eyes lit up. “Hi, Runt,” she said.
“Hey. Come on in!” They were meeting for a study session, although all their other friends had been busy. It would be just the two of them tonight. “I was hoping we could go over some runes and stuff,” said Runt. “We have a test on them tomorrow.”
“Works for me.” Breeze set her things down on the only desk in the room. It was covered in papers and crumbs, and there was almost no space to lay out her things. She eyed him. “Do you ever clean this thing?”
“Nope.” He pulled up another chair for himself. “Anyways, section thirty-eight? It’s got the elemental runes that we need to memorize.”
“It’s more than just memorization, it’s also about understanding them. It’ll help you cast spells easier,” she reminded him.
“I’m not going to be a wizard anyway. Why do I need to worry about it?” he said grumpily.
“Runes aren’t just for wizards,” Breeze said, but he ignored her. He was digging through one of the desk drawers frantically, looking for something. Eventually he threw his hands up in frustration and collapsed on his chair.
“Can’t find my book,” he said.
Breeze rolled her eyes but said nothing. She knew he was in one of his moods. Something was on his mind. “What’s up with you tonight? Anything you want to talk about?” She reached into the drawer and moved aside some junk, then pulled out his hidden textbook. He took it gratefully and sighed.
“Did you know that my mana has only gone up one point since we got here? One point. Do you know how depressing that is? Stump’s has gone up four. Max, five. Emerald, ten. And you…” Runt trailed off, looking hurt. Breeze felt a bit guilty; her mana had increased nearly as much as Emerald’s, nine points. Runt continued: “And class only gets harder if you don’t have enough. I can’t just dodge every attack; I’ll need to parry or dash out of the way! And what about abilities that require more mana? I won’t be able to do them if I only have four. It’s so discouraging.”
Breeze looked down at her textbook, unsure of what to say. “Well, maybe you can have Emerald help you,” she suggested.
“It won’t make a difference. I’m doing everything I can, and I have nothing to show for it. It just feels unfair, you know?”
“I know,” she said. “But these things take time. And you’ve already come so far. I wish I could show you how much you’ve improved.” She remembered a time when Runt was fighting tall grass with a wooden sword, and now… he’d fought his first boss. He’d been the one behind the cube. He had taken down a legion of zombies without help.
“It’s going to take me at least three times as long to get to where everyone else is,” Runt said unhappily.
She put a hand on his shoulder. “It doesn’t matter how long it takes, as long you get there. And you will. You’re smart, you’re industrious…”
“What does ‘industrious’ mean?”
“Never mind. But I want you to know that you’re doing great, okay? Really.”
“Then why is nothing changing?” Runt’s voice became small. “You say all these things, but they don’t feel true. I’m falling behind and I know it.”
“I’ll help you,” Breeze promised. “I know that I’ve been a bit distant with my extra training lately, but I’ll make time.” She smiled at him. She rarely smiled; but she would give one to him. He deserved it.
He looked up at her. “Thanks. I mean it, you’re amazing, and I could’ve never even gotten to the Academy without you. I would be dead if it wasn’t for you. But it’s not you, it’s me. Maybe I’m just not cut out for this place. Maybe I’m not good enough.” He began to fiddle with a pencil he found on the desk, and then started to draw a picture of a sword in his book.
“Well, I don’t believe that for a second,” Breeze said. “But if you really are doubting yourself, then ask: what can I do to fix it?”
“Make my mana go up. Not suck.”
“And how do you do those things?”
“I don’t know. Nothing I’ve been doing has worked so far.”
“Then change it up. Experiment. Find what works for you.”
“Change it up how?”
“The way you study. The way you train. I can help with that. Everyone learns differently.”
He sighed. “I just have trouble paying attention. The teachers could talk for hours and I would only be tuned in for five minutes. I don’t know how to fix it! And I’m unorganized, too, always losing things, or being late to something important, or forgetting about tests and homework... I don’t know how to fix that. It feels like it’s a part of me, do you understand?”
“I get it. Really. But these problems can be managed. Make a list of things you need to do, set alarms, have a consistent place to put things. I know that’s easier said than done… But it’s not impossible.”
“Is there… something wrong with me?” Runt looked up at her, worry in his eyes.
“No, no,” Breeze assured him. “There’s nothing wrong. Just… different. There are a lot of problems you need to work on, sure, but they don’t define you. They don’t make you bad. There’s a lot of good inside you that I love, and it outshines everything else.”
“That you love?” Runt said with a smirk, and Breeze smacked his arm.
“You know what I mean. But there’s no problem that can’t be managed. Maybe not fixed, but managed. And if it takes me waking you up every morning or yelling at you to finish your homework or forcing you to study for a test, then I’ll do it.”
“Thanks,” he whispered, and he hugged her tight. After a moment she hugged him back, just glad to be with him. If only he could understand how much he meant to her… After a moment he pulled away and took a deep breath. “I don’t know how to say this,” he began. “But you’ve always been there for me. And it means a lot.”
Breeze felt heat creep onto her cheeks and hid her face by looking down at her textbook. “Of course,” she said. “That’s what I’m here for.”
“I mean it when I said I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
She didn’t know how to respond, so she gave him another quick hug. Pulling away, she said, “We should probably get studying now. Unless there’s anything… else you would like to say?”
Runt met her eyes and he opened his mouth as though he was about to speak… But then he shut it and shook his head. “Yeah, let’s get to studying,” he said.
Slightly disappointed, Breeze opened her own textbook to section thirty-eight. “Which runes should we go over first?” she asked.
“Let’s study all the base runes first, then the modifiers,” Runt replied. She nodded, and they began to quiz each other on the base runes for each element, such as their properties, how to write them, and how to use them. After they both felt confident on them, they began to look into modifiers. Modifiers were symbols like strokes or dashes that you could add to a basic elemental rune, which determined how the rune functioned in a spell. For example, if you had the base rune of fire and added a force modifier, you could create a blast of fire that went whichever direction you wanted. It got more advanced than that, obviously, but everyone studied the basics of magic. Some non-spell abilities even required knowledge of runes.
After studying for about an hour, Runt leaned back in his chair with a groan. “I need a break. My head’s about to explode.”
Breeze laughed. “Agreed.” As she put down her pencil, she said, “Truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
“I dare you to get us snacks from the kitchen.”
Runt glared at her. “That’s hardly a dare.”
“I’m hungry,” she said with a shrug. “Get some of those cinnamon rolls, okay?” Runt rolled his eyes, but Breeze knew he wasn’t upset. He had a slight smile on his face and a light in his eyes that told her the contrary. He left the room and returned a bit later with an armful of pastries bundled in napkins, setting them on the desk. “Well, at least now I know why this thing is covered in crumbs. You and Stump probably do this all the time,” Breeze said, brushing off the filthy desk to make room for the food.
He laughed. “How did you know?” He split a cookie and passed her half. “Okay, it’s my turn. Truth or dare?”
Breeze thought for a moment. “Truth.”
Frowning, he shot her a look of disapproval. “You’re no fun,” he said, pouting, and she laughed. “Well, if that’s how it’s going to be… hm. If you had to choose your favorite person out of Team Runt, who would it be and why?”
Breeze crossed her arms. “Oh, come on. You all are my friends.”
“But who’s your best friend?”
She pictured each of her friends. Emerald, with her attitude, Lola, with her heart, Max, with his logic, Stump, with his loyalty… And Runt, with his determination. Out of everything, his determination had helped her the most. It had lifted her up when she was down, supported her when she was weak, and held her when she couldn’t stand. Even when things were impossible, he made it seem easy. Like in the Dungeon of the Forgotten King. Or during the last battle in Villagetown. Breeze finally said, “I don’t know. I can’t choose.”
“Ugh, you were thinking too long for that to be your answer!” Runt said in exasperation.
“Fine. It’s you.”
“Me?” He was shocked, but didn’t seem displeased.
“You. Now, truth or dare?”
“Really? Did you mean that?”
“Moving on! Truth or dare?”
Sensing he wasn’t going to get any more out of her, he sighed. “Fine. Leave me hanging. Truth.”
Breeze grinned. “Okay. Out of everyone on Team Runt, who’s your favorite?”
“Hey, no repeat questions! Think of something original,” Runt said, shaking his head.
“Fine, fine. Okay… Out of everyone on Team Runt, which two people would make the cutest couple?” Breeze grinned.
“Hm…” Runt considered his options. “Well… I mean, I thought that Lola and Max were cute together, but they’re not official…”
“It doesn’t need to be real, just a cute pairing.”
“You and Emerald,” Runt said with a laugh.
“Really?” Breeze looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“Yeah! Sweet and salty.”
“Who’s salty and who’s sweet?”
He ignored her question. “Truth or dare.”
“Truth.”
“You just picked that!”
“It’s not like it’s against the rules.” She picked up one of the pumpkin muffins that Runt had brought up and took a bite. Their pastry platter had slowly been growing smaller as they talked.
“Fine. Would you rather kiss me or Stump?”
Breeze laughed, feeling herself become red. “What sort of question is that?”
“It’s not like it’s against the rules,” he teased. She noticed there was a slight tinge of color in his face. He gazed into her eyes as he waited for the answer, and Breeze looked away.
“Way to make me feel awkward,” she murmured.
“Okay, you’re right,” said Runt. “That was kind of a weird question. I can ask a different one.”
“No, it’s fine. That’s kind of the point of this game.” She took a deep breath. “You.”
Runt froze. “Oh.”
She blushed harder. “Well, it’s not like you gave me many options!” she said defensively. That answer had been a mistake. I should’ve just said Stump, I should’ve just said Stump…
“It’s cool,” said Runt, trying to break the tension. “I’m not upset or anything. Can I ask why, though?” He looked genuinely curious, and him trying to prod her further made her angry.
“I don’t know,” she snapped. “I was just answering the question.”
“It would’ve been so easy to say Stump,” Runt whispered, almost to himself. “He’s not even around. It wouldn’t have been awkward at all. But you said me. Because you were being honest.”
Breeze crossed her arms. “Truth or dare.” She was eager to move on from this subject.
“Dare.”
“I dare you to never mention this again,” she said.
“You are no fun. Come up with a dare that’s actually challenging.”
“I dare you to light your textbook on fire.”
“That’s too far!”
“Then take the first one.” Breeze gave him a look that told him it was time to move on.
Runt frowned. “Look, I’m sorry about that question. I can tell I made you uncomfortable.” He glanced away before he said softly, “I liked your answer, anyways.” She looked at him incredulously as he continued. “I… don’t know why I said that. I just like that we’re close. I like to know that you can be honest with me. Makes me feel special. Since you don’t have many people you’re close with… I’m glad I get to be one of them.”
Breeze’s heart was pounding. “Thanks,” she murmured. “I’m glad we’re close, too.” She took his hand and squeezed it.
“Truth or dare?” Runt said.
“Truth.”
“That’s the third one in a row!”
“Fine.” She brought his hand towards her, the palm facing upward. Her finger lazily trailed across it. “Dare.”
“I dare you…” He took a deep breath. “To kiss me.” She looked up at him in utter shock. Upon seeing her face, he began to stutter. “Th-that was a joke. Pretty funny, right?” He laughed nervously, his turning bright red.
Breeze didn’t say a word as she leaned in. Her lips met his. She was exploding with emotion as she brought her hand up to his cheek, running her thumb back and forth soothingly. Runt brought his arms around her, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss. How many times had she imagined this moment? It could’ve never prepared her for how perfect it was. His hands caressed her back, then slid up into her hair. She felt her lips part slightly as she smiled. Finally they pulled away, both breathing hard. “How was that for a kiss?” she teased.
Runt didn’t answer as he leaned in for another. For a few moments, nothing else existed, just them, in that room, alone. She was disappointed when it ended. His hand rested on her shoulder. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted that,” he said.
She smiled. “I’ve liked you for a really long time. I was wondering if it was ever going to happen. Who knew you were so romantic?”
He took her hands. “How long?”
Breeze sighed. “Definitely since graduation. Maybe a bit before that.”
“Me too,” he said with a grin. “I can’t believe we missed each other. So…” He cleared his throat awkwardly and cringed. “I have no idea how to ask this… would you like to be my girlfriend?”
She answered by giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Only if you’ll be my boyfriend.”
“Then that’s a yes.” He was smiling from ear to ear, his cheeks painted with a soft pink. His green eyes were radiant as he gazed down at her. He began to kiss her again when they heard the doorknob click. They instantly pulled away, both of their faces flushed and their breathing heavy.
Stump stared at them with a bewildered expression from the doorway. “I… I’m just going to go get a muffin,” he said quietly, shuffling away.
Runt looked mortified. “Well, next time we’ll do this somewhere more private,” he grumbled, embarrassed.
“Next time.” Breeze leaned her head on his shoulder. After a moment, she said, “I think I should get back to my room. It’s getting late.” She glanced at the dark window.
“Okay,” Runt said sadly. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
“See you tomorrow.” She stood up and gathered her book and pencils. Not much studying had happened, but she wasn’t going to complain. As she left, she couldn’t contain her excitement. She was practically skipping into the room, where she saw Emerald lounging on her bed. “Wait. I thought you were too busy to study with us tonight?” Breeze asked.
“Yeah. Busy relaxing,” Emerald responded. Seeing the look on her friend’s face, she shot up. “What happened?”
Breeze ran her fingers through her hair. “Where do I even begin?”