The next morning dawned cool and pale, with soft clouds drifting like thoughts across the sky.
Azzy and Leiza stood beside Orion at the academy gates. The massive institution loomed ahead, an edifice of reputation and restraint. Orion kept his hands jammed into his pockets, staring ahead with an expression carved from stone.
Azzy leaned over and whispered, "You don't have to mean it. Just say it."
Leiza shot Azzy a warning glance, but said nothing. She'd already fought too many battles in the past week to waste energy here.
Orion sighed, then turned to walk in.
The apology was short. Dull. Delivered in the principal's office, surrounded by stern faces and stiff backs.
He bowed, uttered the right phrases, and answered a few hollow questions. The principal, already aware of the situation being cleared up and let it pass without fanfare.
By the time he walked back into class, the room went quiet. Every eye turned toward him.
Murmurs started the moment he sat down.
