Playing with Fire

"So, you see, we're your seniors," Nora smirked, a playful glint in her fiery orange eyes. "Which means you gotta respect us, y'know?"

Without warning, she reached over and smoothed out Ezra's collar, her grin widening like she was thoroughly enjoying herself.

Ezra stiffened, caught between confusion and mild panic, his eyes darting to Atlas for some kind of escape.

Atlas sighed, adjusting his glasses with a look of exasperation. "Stop acting like a creep, Nora. You're scaring him."

Nora rolled her eyes dramatically, popping her lollipop back into her mouth with a loud click. "Whatever," she muttered, leaning back into her seat like she hadn't just completely invaded Ezra's personal space.

"So, Eli—that old man—told us to help you settle in, huh?" she continued, flicking her gaze back to him. "Room 784, right? Your roommates are Silas and Asli." She waved her hand dismissively. "God knows where those two have disappeared to."

Ezra listened, still trying to process everything, when Nora leaned forward again, her tone shifting into something more serious, though the playful glint never left her eyes.

"You do know this school isn't for just anyone, right?" she said, tapping the table for emphasis. "It's for special people. People with powers, brains, or… well, families with a little influence," she added with a smirk, clearly implying he didn't fit into any of those categories.

Before Ezra could respond, she grabbed his chin and turned his face toward her, conjuring a ball of fire in her other hand. The flames crackled and danced, casting a warm glow across her face.

"And as you can see," she said, her grin widening, "I deal with fire."

Ezra blinked at the flames, unimpressed. "I can do that too."

Before she could retort, he lifted his finger, and with a flick of his wrist, small white flames erupted from his fingertip. They weren't as large as Nora's, but the intensity of their glow was undeniable. The flames flickered with an almost unnatural light, pure and searing.

The effect was immediate.

Nora's mouth dropped open, the lollipop teetering dangerously at the edge of her lips as she stared at the flames in disbelief. Even Atlas, who had been the very picture of composure until now, arched an eyebrow, his cool demeanor cracking as he let out a rare smile.

"It seems Nora isn't the only one who deals with flames now," he chuckled.

Ezra couldn't help the small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, feeling the tension ease for the first time since he'd stepped into the academy.

But Nora? She wasn't having it.

She shot Ezra a quick, almost grudging glance before her expression twisted into an annoyed scowl. With an exaggerated sigh, she pushed herself up from the bench, her fiery curls bouncing with the movement.

"You're both insufferable," she muttered, though the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at her lips.

Before walking away, she turned on her heel and flashed Atlas the middle finger without missing a beat, her lollipop still dangling from the corner of her mouth.

Atlas only let out a small smile.

Ezra watched her retreating figure, shaking his head in disbelief. "She's… something else."

"That's one way to put it," Atlas replied, still chuckling as he adjusted his glasses.

"Welcome to Blackspire."

Ezra frowned, glancing in the direction Nora had stormed off. "What's wrong with her?"

Atlas's amusement softened into something more neutral, though the smirk lingered at the edges of his mouth. "Nothing. She'll get over it. She's just… very prideful about her flames," he explained, his tone dropping to something more matter-of-fact. "And now, well, she has to share the spotlight with someone else."

Before Ezra could respond, Atlas's demeanor shifted. The warmth in his voice cooled, his sharp, analytical edge returning as he stood up smoothly, adjusting his blazer.

"Now, where did she leave off…" Atlas muttered, almost to himself, before turning his piercing gaze back to Ezra. "Ah, right."

He motioned for Ezra to follow, his strides purposeful as they navigated through the bustling cafeteria.

"I suggest you stay away from Cassian," Atlas continued, his voice low enough that only Ezra could hear. "Try not to get on his bad side. The teachers here? They'll turn a blind eye to whatever he does."

Ezra's brow furrowed. "Why?"

Atlas sighed, shaking his head in quiet disappointment. "Something about pompous rich brats with no manners," he muttered. "His family's influence buys him immunity, and most of the staff aren't brave—or stupid—enough to challenge that."

" I would suggest keeping your head low, considering your status—" Atlas began, his tone cool and pragmatic.

But Ezra cut in, "How did you stand up to him?"

Atlas glanced at him from the corner of his eye, the faintest hint of amusement flickering across his face. "I'm his senior. Simple as that."

Ezra blinked, processing the nonchalant response. 'Right… Nora did mention her and Atlas being seniors,' he thought, recalling the way both of them had handled Cassian without a second thought.

Atlas continued, his voice dropping slightly as they turned a corner. "Seniority has its privileges here. But it's not just about rank. It's about reputation. Cassian knows better than to cross certain lines with me." He shot Ezra a sharp look. "You? You don't have that luxury yet."