A/N: So this is something I just had to write. The plot bunnies made me do it!
Takes place when Cyrus, Sylvia, Malistaire, and Gloria were in their mid teens. Make of it what you will. :)
She found him in the gazebo on Unicorn Way, looking like he had stage fright.
"Cyrus, are you alright?" Sylvia asked.
The Conjurer nodded mutely.
"You know I don't believe that. What's going on?" Sylvia questioned.
Cyrus mumbled something intelligible.
"I can't hear you," Sylvia said.
"You'd think it's ridiculous," Cyrus said quietly.
"You know me, Cy. Do I call anything ridiculous if it's bothering somebody?" the Theurgist asked.
"Not openly, no," Cyrus replied.
Sylvia gave him a look. "Not even behind your back," she corrected.
The Conjurer sighed. "Fine. It's girl trouble."
He looked at Sylvia, expecting her to laugh. She didn't.
"Which girl?" the Theurgist asked.
Cyrus hesitated. "I can't say. You'll kill me."
"I won't kill you," Sylvia promised, cracking a smile.
"You don't know how hard this is for me, do you?" Cyrus asked, looking straight at the Life student.
"Take your time," she said.
Cyrus sighed again and ran a hand through his hair. He looked out at the giant unicorn statue. "Gloria. It's Gloria."
Sylvia grinned. "I knew it."
Cyrus stared at her. "How?"
"You've been pining for her since I introduced you," Sylvia said.
"Again, how do you know that?" Cyrus asked.
"You're insanely easy to read," the Theurgist commented, resting on the rail.
"Only to you," Cyrus said. "You can read anyone. You should be a psychologist."
Sylvia shook her head. "You know Wizard City doesn't see the importance of psychological health," she said offhandedly. "Now, weren't we talking about your girl troubles?"
"I was so sure I'd distracted you," Cyrus said, sounding somewhat dismayed.
Sylvia chuckled. "It takes a lot more than that to keep me off topic. Now, what kind of girl trouble is it?"
"I don't think she likes me."
"Nonsense. She adores you."
Cyrus gave Sylvia an odd look.
"I'm not lying," the Theurgist told him. "Just go talk to her. Tell her how you feel. Bartleby, I sound cliché."
Cyrus chuckled. "I'll do that right after Malistaire turns into a model student."
"It works," Sylvia assured her friend. "I'd know. I am a girl after all."
"Fine, I'll do what you say," Cyrus said. "But if she's mad-"
"Trust me, Cyrus," Sylvia said. "I know Gloria."