Catherine sat in the corner of the history club room, watching girls swarm Maximilian with "questions" that had very little to do with history.
It was her first time attending the club.
She was bored out of her mind.
She honestly didn't understand how anyone stayed awake listening to his deep, steady voice dissect ancient wars and fallen empires, but clearly, she was in the minority. The girls around him were practically glowing. There were squeals, dramatic gasps, and even little victory dances when he called on someone.
That part, at least, made her smile.
Some of them drifted over to sit beside her, chatting freely. She understood maybe half their slang, but their carefree energy was contagious. For a moment, she almost felt her age; felt light, almost normal, as if she wasn't battling supernatural curses.
Almost.
Her gaze dropped, again, to the bracelet on her wrist.
It had opened. It had almost fallen off.
She had almost been free.
