Disclaimer: I do not own School for Good and Evil.

Chapter 5: The Same, Yet Different

September fell upon them with as much grace as could be expected for the start of a new semester. The sun was brilliant, the entrance ceremony even more so, and the month came and went with its usual amber filled glamour. Sophie had made it her new mission to see Tedros at least once a day, and she never skipped out during lunch. Their discussions were not what Tedros had always thought they might be. Sophie, despite ensuring to throw in a few flirty lines with confidence, and it was nice -interesting even- to hear what she had to say.

If nothing else, Sophie was good for discussion. She seemed to have thoughts on a variety of things, her brightest ideas being voiced late into the night via text.

On the evenings that they didn't spend together, they would talk about anything and everything, from their favourite foods to their absent parents, and he found himself growing more and more comfortable with Sophie. On the anniversary of his father's death, he'd sent her an empty text, and she texted back and forth with him for hours when she was supposed to be studying with Agatha just to keep him company. It was the most genuinely, sweet thing Tedros had experienced with her.

It made him want to… help her. Do something for her. Sophie inspired loyalty with her beauty and charm. Which is why, he assumed, he'd agreed to attend the Halloween party in the first place. Both Bonum and Malum held joint parties every few months to encourage friendship (and healthy competition) between the students. They'd decorate one of the gymnasiums and host contests for pumpkin carving and costumes. It was good fun as long as neither school got too riled up, which was bound to happen.

Tedros had always attended with his own friends, dodging invites from girls and trying to enjoy the night. This year, however, he'd be attending with somebody, or at least accompanied by the more pressing expectation to bring somebody, and Sophie had risen to the occasion by deciding to ask him first. Sort of.

"It's basically a costume party," said Sophie over a lunch of fruit and sliced ham. She scrolled through her phone and displayed another slightly showy costume of a bare-chested prince and short-skirted princess. "What do you think of this one?"

"A little… chilly." Tedros saw Agatha make a motion behind Sophie's head, and he amended it with, "I think there's something out there that would suit you a lot better."

"More than being a princess?" Sophie frowned down at her phone before recovering quickly. "Well, I wouldn't mind being a Queen."

"Queen and King," mused Tedros. "Not bad. We just need the right outfits."

Sophie's painted nails clicking vigorously against perfect, tempered glass. "And for you, Aggie?" Tedros met Agatha's eyes from over Sophie's bent head. "Would you prefer a knight's outfit?"

"Why? Because drama has royalty after all?" laughed Agatha instead.

"Perhaps you'd like a court jester better," said Sophie flatly, only succeeding in making Agatha laugh more.

"Don't bet on it. I'll be staying in the dorms."

Tedros frowned, and Sophie spoke his own thoughts aloud. "You won't come at all?"

"Not at all." Agatha uncrossed her legs and leaned back. "Kiko is going off and attending with Tristan, so I've got to hold down the fort. I'm not really into dances anyway. Plus, I'm an episode off one of my favourite shows because of Professor Anemone's midterm."

Sophie looked up from her phone. "Is it that one show with the two schools for fairy tale kids?" Agatha nodded. "Leave it to you to relax by watching a show about kids in school."

"You'd be surprised." Agatha smirked, her dark hair falling just past her shoulders as she leaned forward dramatically. "You know, I think you'd like the antagonist."

"She's divine, I'm sure." Sophie picked another picture and huddled closer to Tedros, screen up. "What do you think? Better?"

Agatha pulled away and busied herself with her phone while Tedros glanced over at Sophie's newest suggestion. He had to admit it did look more...dashing. Very medieval. He could imagine himself in it without much worry.

Sophie seemed to read the expression on his face, and she beamed at him.

/

To absolutely nobody's surprise, the dance began without a hitch and became a messy celebration. All the competitions held were student run, which meant that even when a submission for a Malum student won, the Bonum students accused them of cheating, and whenever a Bonum student succeeded, it was declared bribery or favouritism of the judges.

Dancing with Sophie alongside his other friends turned out to be quite a nice affair. They'd taken cute photos in a photobooth, mixed props to look silly or sultry. He was happy to play the doting partner as Sophie dragged him through the party, greeting wide-eyed Bonum girls and Malum boys alike. It was almost like being royalty among his own peers, being praised and sweet-talked like his team had just won a national soccer game. Like the prince in a fairy tale.

Both Beatrix and Hester had stopped giving him suspicious looks tonight, for which he was incredibly grateful. He didn't think he could take it if their scrutiny continued even at a Halloween dance. Maybe they had lost interest or (and this was what Tedros was hoping more for), they had come to the realization that his interest in Sophie was genuine.

With any luck, he had convinced them, and for the first time in the months after he had agreed to start meeting with Sophie, Tedros thought he could breathe easy.

"Having fun?"

Tedros stifled a gasp and looked sharply to his right to see his friend pouring himself a glass of spiked punch from a large pumpkin shaped bowl at the buffet table. Thankfully, it was only Tristan and Chaddick, and Tedros chided himself for feeling surprised. It wasn't as if either of them could read his mind nor was he hiding from them. He had nothing to worry about.

Despite all of them having shared the same dance floor, Tedros had yet to get a good look at what his friends were wearing. Both of them sported their own costumes on completely opposite ends of the spectrum. Tristan was in a bright, cheerleader outfit that Tedros had no doubt Kiko matched, while Chaddick was dressed as a medieval knight, a wooden sword strapped to his back and everything. "Tristan! Chaddick!" he said with a smile. "I feel like I haven't seen you in a while."

"Really?" Tristan asked. "We've all been together plenty, what with soccer tryouts finished and practice gearing up. And Chaddick rooms with you!"

Chaddick nodded in agreement, his focus currently on balancing the second cup of punch on the flat of his shield that no doubt would soon be put in Beatrix's manicured hands.

"Ah, I guess I've just been a bit distracted," laughed Tedros. "Must be the exams."

"Must be," echoed Chaddick, eyes still on his shield.

"You and Sophie are getting cozy though," continued Tristan brightly. "It's super cute! You guys are really, y'know, picture perfect."

The words were like a balm to Tedros' worried mind. "Exactly. Thank you, Tristan."

Tristan straightened his shoulders and readjusted the pom-poms tucked under his arm. "No problem, man."

"Tristan's right. You two do look like you suit each other," said Chaddick. "Was the whole royalty theme your idea or hers?"

"Hers, actually." Tedros looked down at his outfit for a moment, at the golden trims and cream coloured embroidery. The crown on his head didn't feel heavy at all, and he'd practically forgotten he was wearing it. "But I think it makes me look quite dashing, no?"

Chaddick rolled his eyes. "Cute. You know, this vibe might just make Beatrix more interested in you. You should be careful."

He sure hoped not, and when a look at Beatrix earned him a wink, Tedros turned back to his friends and downed his drink. "Maybe I better call it a night. I'll see you guys back at the dorm?"

"Yeah, we'll see you later. Take your girlfriend away." Chaddick waved his hand dismissively. "Off you go."

Tedros rolled his eyes. "She's not my girlfriend."

"Yet," said Tristan.

"Yet," agreed Tedros. He threw his empty cup into the trash and went to hunt down his queen. It wouldn't be unorthodox of him to leave, considering that it was nearing the end of the party anyway. While curfew had been extended to just past midnight, he wasn't interested in cutting it close. The walk to Malum and back would take a good chunk of time, and Sophie had chosen the highest heels she packed for the occasion. Who knew how long it would take them?

Broaching the subject of ending the night early had led to its fair share of whining from Sophie, but with the promise of Tedros' company on the walk back to Malum, she became just as bright and clingy as ever, using his arm as a one might use a grand staff; partly for support, mostly for show. Her disappointment did not stop her from enthusiastically discussing every aspect of the night with him, complete with scathing reviews of other costumes and remarks on nearly every decoration in the room.

Still, the night had to come to an end. Tedros watched as Sophie attempted to buzz her way into her dorm room, only to realize that she hadn't brought her student card and needed her roommate to come down to get her.

"This has really been lovely, Teddy," said Sophie as they waited. "Thank you." She curtseyed dramatically outside of her dorm, and Tedros bowed back. "It's always been a dream of mine to be royalty, and you've been the perfect king."

"You have been the perfect queen." Tedros pressed a quick kiss to the back of her hand. "Thank you, Sophie. Tonight was fun."

"I knew it would be," she said, beaming at him. She turned her palm upward, twisting their fingers and pulling him closer to her. With her hair awash in moonlight, Tedros thought she looked like she truly had royal blood. "We could have been doing this so much sooner," she carried on, her thumb rubbing at the back of Tedros' hand shyly. She fluttered her lashes at him, leaning into him. "Well, I suspect we'll do this at the Winter Dance. And perhaps the one in February." He could feel her breath against his lips as she said, "Oh! And the end of year dance; let's not forget that."

Tedros' smile grew weak at the reminder, and he pulled back. "Ah, I... didn't realize we had so many dances shared between Bonum and Malum."

"We don't," said Sophie cheerfully, "but I'm sure you won't mind having me as your companion for future Bonum dances anyway."

"I-" Future dances? The night had nearly ended, and Sophie was thinking of the upcoming year already. When he tried to picture the next eight months, could he see Sophie by his side? For a brief moment, he recalled Beatrix, her words less cruel and more concerned as she reminded him that he'd always tried to look ahead to the future. To what life would be like after graduation. "I suppose not."

"Perfect. It is settled then." Sophie gathered up her skirts and curtseyed once more as Dot opened up the door in a too-big t-shirt and flannel pants. Tedros offered Dot a tentative wave, which she returned brightly. "Goodnight Teddy," Sophie was saying. He drew his gaze back to her as she blew him a kiss. "Sweet dreams!"

"Goodnight Sophie."

She was half-way through the door before she turned back, fingernails clattering against the metal. "Oh, and before I forget, please drop by Aggie's place and just let her know I've made it back. My cell is dead, and you know how much of a worrier she is. I promised her I'd text her, but the night got away from me and I took too many pictures. Silly me. Thanks!"

"But Sophie-"

"Goodnight!" She shut the door behind her and promptly disappeared, dragging Dot with her.

Tedros shook his head, both fond and exasperated, already turning back the way he came and trekking back to Bonum's brightly lit walkways. If he was walking a little faster than usual, there was nobody around to see it. Besides, late October meant that it was a little chilly out, and perhaps the vast majority of street lamps on Malum's side flickered ominously due to lack of care. There were plenty of overgrown trees that blocked out the moon; it was just...naturally darker here. Maybe their sister school was trying their best to celebrate Halloween by making their side of campus spookier?

That was a somewhat more reassuring thought, but not enough that he didn't take out his phone, ready to turn on the flashlight and text Agatha of Sophie's safety.

Only he couldn't do either because his phone, like Sophie's, was also dead.

After trying and failing to power up the phone (a black screen wasn't about to change anytime soon), Tedros cursed and quickened his pace. He hardly remembered checking his phone at the Halloween party…then again, leave it to him to accidentally have the damn thing on in his pocket the whole night. It automatically ruled out going straight to his own dorms to take off this costume and finally rest. Would this night ever end?

By the time Tedros attempted to buzz into Agatha's dorm, he was nervously tapping his foot and throwing the occasional suspicious look at every rustling bush. He had half a mind to turn around right away and give up.

"Um, Agatha?"

"Tedros?"

"Agatha! Yes, hi." He felt so fidgety, cold and shivering in nothing but his thin costume. Maybe he was half delirious and coming down with something, because somehow Agatha's baggy shirt and track pants, when hallowed in the light of her dorm lobby, made her look like an angel. The thought immediately perished when she tugged him into the lobby and firmly shut the door behind her.

"It is freezing, Tedros. What are you even doing here" She gave him a hurried once over before pulling him over to a large heater. With a grip on his wrists, she forced his hands in front of the vents, and the warm bursts of air soothed him immediately. "Are you insane? And in that outfit too? It's so thin. It can't be keeping you warm." Agatha let him go and crossed her arms over her chest. "But when are Halloween costumes ever been practical? You guys just want to look good. Forget practicality and the fact that October evenings set you up to freeze."

Tedros smirked and, without turning his head, said, "You think I look good?"

Agatha slapped his shoulder. "Tedros."

"Sorry, sorry," he said, attempting to sound as contrite as possible and not really succeeding. "Ah, how did your show-thing go?"

"My what?"

"Yeah. You said you'd be catching up on one of those fantasy shows instead of attending the party?"

He glanced over and saw a curious expression cross her face. "I did, yeah..." Agatha pursed her lips thoughtfully before saying. "It was fine. Worth the wait, I suppose. What brings you here at this hour anyway? It can't be to just ask me about this."

"Not quite. Sophie asked me to drop by. Said you needed confirmation she got back to the dorms."

Agatha snorted. "She couldn't text me herself?"

"She said her phone died."

"Well, consider the message received," said Agatha. "Thanks for coming all this way."

"It was on route," parried Tedros. "I don't mind."

"Still, you must have been freezing your ass off on the way over. Sophie probably could have just asked Dot to text me. She has my number." He barely registered his jaw dropping, cheeks flushing as Agatha let out a laugh. "Neither of you thought that one through, huh?"

"I-uh-"

"Don't worry about it." She pressed her ID card to the scanner on the door and the latch clicked open. "Wait here a second. I'll grab you something."

"But curfew-"

"It'll just be a moment," said Agatha. She pat Tedros on the shoulder before dipping into the building. Immediately, he began rubbing his hands together feverishly, hoping that he wasn't going to have to deal with frostbite in the near future. He paced back and forth in front of the heater, casting a cautious glance through the lobby window every so often as he awaited Agatha's return.

It couldn't have been more than a few minutes before he saw her exit the elevator holding...his jacket?

When Agatha re-entered, a flush of warm air from within the dorm flooded their little space. She handed him the varsity jacket. "It's about time you got this back," she said, folding her arms across her chest as he tugged the sleeves around his poofy costume.

"I'm surprised you didn't just burn it," joked Tedros.

"I thought about it." Agatha leaned over and quickly zipped Tedros' jacket so that the zipper hung closer to the base of his throat.

"Tha-" began Tedros, but then her palm dragged across his chest to pat the embroidered pattern of their school emblem and his mouth dried up instantly.

Was he standing too close to the heater, or had it always been this hot?

"Probably would have gone for some good money if I sold it to one of your groupies too," she sighed, "but it's so warm. It would have been such a waste."

It was too late in the evening for this, Tedros thought to himself. He must be projecting or confusing the dim lighting and the warmth of the heater at his back for something else, because surely Agatha didn't mean anything by her words. Tedros was sure that Agatha wasn't trying to sound flirty. She didn't even like him like that. She was one of the only girls his age that spoke to him without reverence or barely concealed desire. They were friends now.

Which was why he found it profoundly worrying that when Agatha's dark eyes met Tedros' baby blues, he felt his heart kickstart, not with its usual anxiousness, but with (somehow) anticipation.

Tedros swallowed, matching Agatha's gaze and wondering, wildly, if the pair of them had ever stood so close together in the past. This was nothing like bumping into her in the hallways or catching her after a particularly clumsy group of freshmen managed to force her off her balance. This wasn't anything like holding Sophie's hand after soccer practice or dancing with her beneath the party strobe lights. Could she feel the sudden thundering of his heart? How long had her hand been there? Why hadn't she moved away? Why hadn't he moved away either? He had never thought it possible to feel both fear and longing all at once, but the situation was proving it possible.

He stood frozen, caught in her gaze and trying to quell whatever had suddenly flared to life in his chest until Agatha stepped back, turning back quickly to the door as if it had never happened.

"You ought to get back." She buzzed herself back into the dorm and threw him a quick wave. "I'll see you Monday?"

He raised a hand to wave goodbye as well, but she had disappeared back into the dorm. Unlike the windows of the Malum dorms, the windows at Bonum were incredibly clean, so he could see Agatha stride over to the elevator, pace in front of it, stare at her hand as if it had somehow betrayed her, and then step into the newly arrived elevator.

Tedros turned to leave as well, taking off into the night much warmer than he had been and realizing how much this echoed his exit from Sophie's dorm not even an hour prior. "They really are sisters," he mumbled to himself, trying not to dwell on that thought too much as he ran away, the heat in his chest from the exercise and surely not a remnant from Agatha's hand.