The next morning, Ellie and Lottie walked into the Ivy dining hall to see all the students excitedly buzzing. They hadn't seen Ivy like that since Horace being poisoned the previous year. 

They sat down at their usual to table when Binah came up to them. Lottie offered her a weak smile. 

The girls hadn't slept much that night, staying up to chat and steal food from the Ivy kitchen. It was a wonder they didn't get caught. Perhaps Professor Devine had a day off?

"Girls!" Binah greeted them, "There's a new teacher coming, and she starts today."

Lottie's interest piqued up, looking up at Binah. New teacher? "Seriously, on the second last day?" she asked, stifling a yawn. She shared a look with Ellie, and they looked back up at Binah for explanation. 

"Her name's Miss Pumpkin-" Lottie frowned- "and she's going to be our new royal history professor."  Binah continued, too excited to noticed Lottie's agitated state. "For next term, of course." she added. Lottie's mind was working over time. 

Miss Pumpkin? There was only one Pumpkin she knew of that was her-

Wait. June....

Lottie stifled a gasp of horror, but Binah caught on. "Lottie, what's wrong?" she asked quietly. Lottie spaced out, dimly aware of Binah. "Ellie, we need to see her." she said urgently, gripping her friend's arm. Ellie nodded, and the two started getting out of their seats.

"Lottie, we're going to see her next period." Binah soothed, pushing Lottie gently back into her seat. "We've her for elective." 

Lottie slowly relaxed back into her seat. She took a quick breath, before explaining the situation to Binah. 

"Binah, I haven't received any letters recently, but the last one I got was one sent from a 'June Pumpkin' from Leviathan." Binah stared at Lottie, blank faced. Lottie blinked. "Binah?"

"Sorry, just thinking." Binah said, pushing her glasses back up her nose. She cleared her throat. "Well, I'm going to go get my things for class. You two should, as well." she said, voice far away. With that, Binah left.

Ellie and Lottie shared a look. 

"That was weird..." Ellie murmured, taking a large chunk of toast and eating it. Lottie nodded, mind somewhere in space. 

🐺

Lottie yawned as she took a seat in her royal history class. Plopping down into her chair, she couldn't get that letter out of her head. She could barely register the fellow students trooping into the classroom. 

"Morning, class!"

Lottie's attention was caught by Professor Adina Devine as she sauntered into the cozy room with a intricate teapot. Trailing closely behind was a tall, young woman. She had the same blonde curls as Lottie. Her baby face had rosy cheeks and sparkling blue eyes. 

It was almost as if Lottie was looking into a mirror. 

"Everyone, this is Miss Pumpkin. She will be here for the last few days, as she will be taking this class next term." Professor Devine said. Lottie looked up, and offered a feeble wave. The woman locked eyes with her, and Lottie was taken aback by glare shot at her. It lasted for a split second before the woman resumed her sweet smile. 

What is she doing here?

What does she want with me?

Is she here to take Ellie?

Lottie forced herself to pay attention. "Morning students!" Miss Pumpkin greeted them. Lottie took note on how sweet she sounded, almost like the Tompkins Twins. "Since this is a small class, we can be cozy and get to know each other little more."

Lottie could've sworn that June's eyes lingered a little longer on her as she said the last few words, before taking a seat next to Professor Devine. 

The rest of the lesson went on smoothly. A few times, when Lottie went to get another cup of tea and a piece of shortbread, June purposefully bumped shoulders against her. It was enough to tell her that she wasn't there to help. 

But Lottie just gritted her teeth together and pretended not to notice. She looked over to Binah. She was staring at June in thought, biting her lip. Then she turned, and the two girls locked eyes. Lottie nodded subtly, telling her they needed to talk. Binah nodded back, before they turned back to the lesson. 

As soon as it was done, Lottie packed her things up hurriedly, thanking the teachers as she walked out. 

"Miss Pumpkin, please wait."

Lottie paused at Professor Devine's concerned words, and groaned. Staying behind meant talking to June, and she did not want to do that. But, she was Deputy Head and her house mother. 

Lottie waited by the door for all of the students to ford out. As Binah walked by, she nudged her arm a little. Binah seemed to understand, giving her a subtle nod before walking down the hallway. 

She re-entered the room. For some reason... it didn't feel cozy or inviting anymore. The room felt cold, the sunlight cut off. It seemed to loom a little bigger, too. 

Professor Devine was perched behind a desk, June standing by her side. 

"Charlotte..." she started, pouring another cup of tea, "Were you aware that you had a long lost relative?"

Although Lottie was prepared for questions, she was at loss for words at this one. Wait... Professor could think that she's a long lost relative, and then the Portman thing will be blown.... crap. 

"N-no Professor." Lottie stuttered. Adina eyed her suspiciously as she sipped her tea. June took a step forward. It took all of Lottie's will not to step back. 

"Leave this to me, Professor," June spoke up, "I think I know what's going on more than you, with all due respect."

After a moment of consideration, the Professor sighed and left the room, leaving the tea and biscuits behind. The door clicked shut quietly. 

"I'm not going to be calling you 'Miss Pumpkin'" Lottie spat, crossing her arms. June chuckled quietly "I don't expect you to." she responded cooly. 

"Why are you here?" Lottie surprised herself with how strong her voice was. Two year ago, it would've quavered, unlike the authority she desperately wanted but never achieved. 

June delicately shrugged, her slim shoulders accenting her small bust through her snug blouse. She perched herself down on the edge of the table, taking a biscuit. Lottie eyed her as she took a small bite. The room filled with awkward silence. 

"Well?" 

Lottie was starting to grow impatient. This woman is certainly an A-grade pain up the ass. 

Ellie's growing on me, isn't she?

Or maybe it's Jamie...

It's both. 

"Look, Lottie, I really do want this job. We don't have to like each other, nor do we have to 'make up for lost time' or that kind of shit." June finally said, looking dead into Lottie's eyes. Lottie raised an eyebrow challengingly. June simply rolled her eyes. 

With the sass and attitude of Ingrid. 

"But I need this job, and unfortunately, that means associating with you and helping you in class-"

"Well, lucky for you, I don't need help." Lottie shot back. A wry smile crept onto June's face. "A feisty princess. Ingrid and Jamie are gonna like that." 

Jamie?

"What do you know about Jamie?" Lottie asked. She was furious; this woman decided send to send her a letter saying her was her long lost cousin as bait, then turn up to her school as a teacher and decided to sass her. Ooh, she's gonna regret that. 

June laughed, making Lottie grit her teeth in growing anger. "Oh, I know Jamie very well. Better than you, if I'll be honest." 

Lottie narrowed her eyes. "Liar." she seethed. June laughed harder. "Oh really? Did you know that he's currently writing an album that he never got around to because of his job?"

Lottie blinked. No, but the idea of Jamie pouring his heart out into a song didn't seem quite familiar, neither did it seem too strange. June shook her head at Lottie's silence. "Princess, you should really think before you speak."

Lottie rolled her eyes. She headed to the door, opening it. 

"Lottie?"

Lottie paused without turning back. "What, Pumpkin?" she sneered. 

"I know you love him."

The sentence unsettled her stomach, but she made sure it didn't show. With that, she slammed the door. 

"Lottie?"

"What" Lottie grumbled. Binah walked beside her silently. They got to the Ivy dorms, and Binah followed Lottie into her room. Ellie was waiting there, lying on the Persian rug, reading the famous Romeo and Juliet. She looked up at the sound of the door opening and smiled and Lottie and Binah, but it soon dissipated when she saw the looks on their faces. 

"What's wrong? Did you meet June?" 

Lottie barely registered Ellie's questions as she sat down heavily on her bed, still holding her books. 

Definitely with the Leviathan. June doesn't like me, nor do I like her. She's been sent to find information... And what does she know about Jamie?! Jamie's mine-

"Lottie?"

Lottie looked up at Ellie's concerned face. She didn't smile, but grabbed her friend's arm and forced her down to look at her. Lottie looked dead into Ellie's eyes. 

"Listen, June has definitely been sent by them  to fish out any information. You two-" she turned to Binah and gave her a pointed look- "and the rest of the group need to stay the hella way from this woman. Do you understand?" Lottie demanded. 

Ellie blinked in surprise. "Didn't know you were Jamie, Lottie." she said, a small smile playing on her lips. Lottie shook her head. 

"Do you understand?" Lottie repeated, voice colder than she thought possible. Ellie nodded slightly. Lottie let go of the breath she didn't know she was holding, and Ellie's arm. 

"Sorry." she said sheepishly, watching Ellie rub her arm. She shrugged in return. 

"Lottie, what did June say?" Binah asked. Lottie looked down, replaying their conversation over again. 

We don't have to like each other, nor do we have to 'make up for lost time' or that kind of shit.

"She's also a relative. She... kinda confirmed it." Lottie finally said. Binah raised an eyebrow. "But I'll be honest, she doesn't seem like me at all. Well, yeah, she looks like me-"

"But she's like me?" 

Lottie looked up at Ellie, who was staring at her hands, more specifically, her scars. She had a pained, tortured looked that looked so similar to Jamie's. It made Lottie's heart ache. She gently took Ellie's hands and held them. 

"No, Ellie. She's nothing like you. You're caring, funny, out-going, and the best friend I could've ever found- No offence, Binah-" Binah waved dismissively in her direction- "and she's sarcastic, rude and sassy. Nothing like you."

Ellie smiled back, sitting down next to Lottie and hugging her from the side. "Thanks, Lottie." she breathed. Lottie's couldn't help the blush creeping onto her ears and face. With Ellie's arms still wrapped around her, Lottie looked up at Binah and smiled. "Come on in, Binah."

Binah joined the hug, wrapping her arms around their necks. 

"It'll get better, I promise."

Wow. This is the longest chapter I've written since the first few. 

1908 words.

Should I make longer or shorter chapters? Comment what you want!

Also, that Pumpkin lady is giving off the bad vibes. Hmmm... Not liking her at all (even though I created her, but that's a different story)

I'm starting to sound like a YouTuber. 

Speaking of YouTubers, go check Thomas Sanders out! Such a cute lil' cinnamon roll UWU.

~London

P.S. please leave support and click that vote button!