I blinked. "That's… not how grades work."
"Says you," she shot back. "But it's Blackwell. They make the rules up as they go."
"She's not wrong," Marcus added, sipping his drink like this was normal.
June placed both hands dramatically on her chest. "Do you know what that means for me? My Gleewood Arts application is going to be so freaking beautiful. A talent show win? I'll be insufferable."
"You already are," Marcus muttered.
I blinked again, trying to keep up. "Wait! back up. There's a talent show? With real grades on the line? Isn't that… kind of illegal?"
"Were you even listening?" Marcus laughed.
June ignored me completely and grabbed Marcus's sleeve. "Wait, wait tell him. Tell Ash the other thing."
"I've told him about Blackboard." Marcus patted my shoulder. "June, why are you so active, are you on caffeine?"
She pulled back and started massaging my shoulders dramatically. "You're trending. You're a Blackwell icon now."
Marcus snorted. "Told you."
