Chapter 4

Erica

Even though I know it wouldn't be a good idea to go and revise straight after finishing an exam, there's a part of me that wants to go do that, especially because the exam I have next week makes up so much of my grade for that module.

I attempt to push that thought from my mind and head into the student union so I can do my part for ball prep. It'll be good for me to put psychology and everything associated with it out of my mind, even if it's just for a few hours of making up gift bags or whatever it is that Robin wants us to do today. I'm sure their list of things that need fixing is a mile long, and I signed up to help them with it.

I enter the room and wave to the head of the committee so they know I'm here. No doubt I'll have my assignment within minutes, but I'm going to give myself a moment to decompress.

"You're finally here," Robin says, appearing by my side.

I give them what I hope is a friendly smile. "I had an exam."

"Yes, yes, I remember you saying." Their hair is sticking up all over the place, adding to their frazzled appearance. I don't think I want to be the person suggesting any changes to Robin today. "All right, Erica, Sami, D, and Rupert, I need you to do the painting in the other room. There's lots of pieces we need to get ready, so I'm trusting you with it," Robin says.

I grimace. Really? I have to work with Rupert? Somehow, having to come straight from an exam to another commitment is no longer the most frustrating thing about today.

From the scowl on Rupert's face, he doesn't seem best pleased by the turn of events, though Sami seems to be in a good mood. He nudges Rupert in the ribs and the weasel shifter's face changes.

"I don't have time to micromanage," Robin says. "Sami, can you take the lead?"

"Sure." He beams, and flashes adoring eyes in D's direction. It seems as if Sami might finally be doing something about the huge crush he's been harbouring. Which might explain why he's happy about the assignment that brings him closer together with D.

"Great. I'll trust you to get it done." Robin hands him a sheet of paper and then walks off, apparently not needing to give us any more information than that.

"All right, let's go see what we've got," Sami says, heading through the doors and into the room where the actual ball is going to be held.

There must not be anything else going on in here before the event, because the decorations are already starting to be in place, including a large arch over the stage that's completely white.

Sami gulps and looks down at the sheet of paper Robin gave him. "I guess we're painting that. But how are we going to get up there?" He waves upwards.

"On the scaffolding," I point out.

"Yes, but how?"

"You can pass paint cans up to me, right?" I ask.

He nods. "Sure...why?"

I don't wait for him to respond and drop my bag on the floor. I pull forth a shift, letting my body shrink and take on my least weasel form, giving me the paws I'm going to need in order to climb up the scaffolding.

Sami stares at me as if he was expecting something else. Maybe I've never told him what I am. It's hard to keep track of who knows and who doesn't.

I bounce over to the scaffolding, feeling freer than I did before, especially with the stress of the exam still hanging over my head. I should shift more, but technically it's illegal when in public and it's just not as fun to shift alone in my room.

The scaffolding doesn't cause me any problems, though I much prefer scaling trees to climbing up metal, but it's still perfectly possible.

I reach the platform and shift back into my human form. "All right, pass up the paint?"

Sami just looks at me in disbelief, while D gets with the program and hands up a pot of white paint. I'm guessing that's going to be the base coat of whatever we're doing to the arch.

"We're just painting it white, right Sami?" I ask.

"For now, yes," he responds, finally getting his bearings back. "That was a lot quicker than finding a ladder."

I shrug. "Perks of having small paws."

Rupert scowls from where he's standing beside his friend.

"Got a problem with that, Rupes?" I ask, regretting trying to provoke him instantly, but not being able to do anything to stop myself from doing it. After I realised he was going to be doing ball prep with me, I promised myself that I'd leave the past in the past, and yet when he's in front of me, I don't seem to be able to help myself.

He rolls his eyes and shifts himself. His weasel form is bigger than mine, and he makes quick work of the climb until he's on the platform opposite. He shifts back and runs a hand through his hair. "Even if we're both up here, no talking."

"Fine by me. We can work together without being sociable."

"Good." He accepts a can of paint from Sami, who is watching the two of us in a way that only makes me think that Rupert has told him that we tend to wind one another up.

Which is a shame. I like Sami, he's a sweet guy. I'd hate for his opinion of me to be tainted by Rupert's.

I pull my phone out of my pocket, glad that some witch somewhere developed a spell that allowed clothes, and the contents of my pockets, to magically transform with me. I can't imagine what it must have been like for shifters, either mythical or not, to have to be naked every time they changed form.

It certainly wouldn't have made what Rupert and I just did possible.

I get my music app and stick an earphone in, leaving my other ear free in case any of the others need me. I hope they don't, but it's always better to be safe.

Upbeat music fills my ear and I let myself drift into my own zone as I paint the arch in front of me. I'm not sure what difference painting it white actually does, but this is what we've been asked to do, so I'm just doing as I'm told. Maybe it's about whatever is going on top of the paint once I'm done.

"Will you stop that?" Rupert snaps from the other side of the arch.

I pause and look at him. "Stop what?"

"Singing."

"Oh, I didn't realise I was."

"It's annoying."

"Maybe that's because you don't have music of your own," I suggest.

He blinks a few times. "What?"

"Well, if you had your own music, then maybe it wouldn't be so annoying to you."

"I don't have any," he murmurs.

"You can listen to mine." I take out my earphone and put it back in the box. The music immediately starts playing through my phone speaker. "The sound quality isn't great, but I guess we could bring a speaker next time."

"It's better than your singing," he mutters.

I roll my eyes and place my phone somewhere I'm certain it isn't going to get knocked off before turning my attention back to painting. It doesn't matter what Rupert says or does, I'm not going to let him get to me. All I have to do is think calm thoughts and not be overly sarcastic towards him.

How hard can that be?