splitmemory | The Care and Keeping of Bunnies

It had been about a month since Cater Diamond had transferred into Easton Academy. It wasn't altogether common for transfers to happen during the middle of the school year, but apparently exceptions could be made for the right circumstances. The new Adler third year had immediately gone about making an impression on his fellow classmates. Although he wasn't an outright exceptional mage, he made up for it with charisma. Where his work ethic fell short in many classes, Cater helped underclassmen in others. Even though it had only been a few weeks, he fit in well--almost as if he had practiced such a transition before and knew a little too well how to ingratiate himself to a student body.

But there was just one nut he couldn't seem to crack. If it had been any other student, maybe Cater would've let it be. But this was the Adler prefect--he had no choice but to put in the extra work. Besides, something about that steely glare of his just kept the redhead's attention. He often found his gaze wandering toward the stoic teenager when he was spacing out in their shared classes. Oh, Rayne Ames, he would figure out what it was that made you tick.

At least it was easy to get the guy alone--it seemed he was one of the very few people who were willing to approach him on a whim, who didn't rethink the choice to do so when fixed with that derisive stare. As has become almost a ritual, Cater trails after Rayne once their last class for the day is dismissed. The guy always had a rebuff ready, but that didn't deter Cater in the slightest.

"Heya! Whatcha doin, tonight? There's this mega cute place in town I was thinking about checking out. Wanna come with?"

The next few days were rough. Cater blamed himself for all of it, of course. He'd pushed Rayne too far, made him uncomfortable. Still, Cater had entertained that after they'd both slept it off, maybe they could actually talk about it...but the next day in class, a single look from Rayne and he knew better. For the first time since he transferred, Cater listens to that glare. He stays back, doesn't try and run up to him or follow him around. Cater watches as Rayne all but ignores his presence, seeming to want to stay as far away from him as possible.

No matter how much his insides ache and he can't stop thinking about the other boy, Cater does his best to keep up his smiling mask, socializing with other classmates and cracking jokes like nothing was wrong. It was a good thing he had that stupid study party to see through. At this point, Cater wanted nothing to do with it--after all, it had been a ploy to get Rayne to hang out with him. Still, he had to see it through, now. Too many people had been invited and were excited for it. He takes it for what it is: a distraction. Planning it keeps his mind off of Rayne as much as it can be expected to, which still isn't enough.

When the day of the party arrives, in question, Cater and his Splits are setting up stations of snacks with different subjects of study. Students are trickling in and starting to mingle, and he can't help wondering--would Rayne even show up? Certainly not, right?

Bait with Carrots

No Sudden Movements