Homework and Heartbeats

At this point, the library felt like a second home to Percival. As usual, parchment, ink, and the smell of old books surrounded him, and at this point, his head felt heavy because of it all. He pushed one open, scanned a paragraph, then rubbed at his eyes until the words blurred together. With a heavy groan, he let his forehead drop onto the page, muffling the sound of his own frustration against the worn paper.

After a long moment, he turned his face to the side, his cheek pressed into the book as his eyes shifted toward the tall windows. Outside, the grounds stretched, and he heard the sound of his fellow students enjoying themselves. They crossed the courtyards, some laughing, some rushing off to finish whatever task they had left for the day. For a while, Percival only watched, letting the sight of people who seemed less burdened distract him from his own thoughts.

His own mind began to drift.

The ball was coming soon. Posters had gone up, professors had mentioned it, and groups of students already whispered about their plans in the halls. Who they were going with, how they were planning to get dressed, and much more. He wanted to go as well, but every time he even considered asking someone, the words froze in his throat. It seemed easier to bury himself in essays and spellwork than to face the chance of rejection. Still, the thought of missing it made his stomach twist all the same.

Then there was all the homework he still needed to do. Charms to practice, History of Magic to memorize, and an entire assignment that he had barely started. Becoming a wizard was proving far harder than he had imagined as a child listening to his parents’ stories.

Percival let out another sigh, turned his head back onto the book, and wondered how he was going to solve all of his problems.

@Seraphina Vale