Chapter 226: Substitute Exhibitionist
Sebastien
Month 8, Day 30, Monday 7:30 a.m.
Giving Sebastien the report on his research seemed to have released something held taut within Damien, and as they and their friends gathered for breakfast, he slumped listlessly in his seat.
The food was better than normal, perhaps to encourage them to put their all into the exams. Ana pushed a plate of eggs and toast towards Damien. “You need to eat something,” she said, her voice tinged with concern. “You look like you’re about to fall face-first into your porridge.”
“Too nervous to sleep?” Alec commiserated, his own knee bouncing rapidly beneath the table.
Damien mumbled something incoherent and halfheartedly picked up his fork.
Sebastien watched him with a growing sense of guilt. Damien’s exhaustion was almost entirely due to the research project she had encouraged him to pursue, but at this rate, Damien was likely to perform poorly on his exams. “The quicker you eat, the quicker you can take a nap.”
Damien blinked as that information burrowed past the sleep-deprived barrier in his brain, and then began to shovel down the food. Then he pushed his tray aside, folded his arms on the table, and rested his head on them. Within moments, his breathing had evened out.
Sebastien unbuttoned the light summer jacket of her suit and rested it over Damien’s head to block out the light. When the others were finished, Sebastien waved them off. “You all go on ahead. I’ll stay here with Damien for a bit, make sure he gets to the exam in time.” They still had about forty-five minutes before the first extended test period began. Sebastien knew from experience that sometimes that could make all the difference.