"… Anyway, it's getting kinda late, so I should probably get home," says Theo.

"We all should, I believe. We can meet tomorrow in the library at lunch to plan our next step?"

"Sounds good," nods Theo.

"Mm," agrees Eva.

They don't encounter any more trouble on their way away, and reach their respective homes without further harassment.

Eva is at school the next day as usual.

As is Theo.

As is Willow! Sadde's nowhere to be seen.

… And for how long is Sadde nowhere to be seen?

They have not shown up by the time the bell rings.

Theo will send them a text, then, asking where they are.

And hoping they were not killed by some demon or eaten by the gym teacher or– whatever.

No reply.

And in English, Brad gives Theo a quite smug look when their gazes cross.

… Theo gives Brad a bit of a flat look.

Does anything happen before the end of English?

Before the actual start of English Sadde appears, prim and proper, to Brad's apparent bafflement, and takes his usual seat by Theo. "Sorry, got delayed, Brad decided locking me in a stall and dropping juice on me was a good way to spend his time." Sadde and his clothes look completely devoid of any juice.

"… Oh, well, I'm glad you don't seem too impaired by that," says Theo.

He grabs a pencil and starts twirling it around his fingers in a way that's only obviously magical if you're close enough and paying attention.

"Oh yeah, I have a lot of experience dealing with it."

Nod. "Sorry you had to deal with it anyway."

"It's fine, I live to see my bullies' faces when this kind of thing happens." He catches Brad's eye and winks at him, then the teacher arrives.

English will start in that case! (Woo, English.)

English! Then English is over! But before they go to their respective classes, Sadde pokes Theo.

Theo is poked! "Yeah?"

"So, I haven't been a boy in a while."

"You– haven't, that's true." Headtilt.

"And there's this one thing I quite enjoy doing when I'm a boy, which I've missed."

"Hmm," says Theo. "Is there? I'm not sure I know what you're talking about."