Young Writers Society

Miss Antoinette walked through the aisles, inspecting each vial, flask, and beaker and inquiring as to their creation. She reached them all too soon, and Darren felt apprehensive, for he had taken the time to scan the benches of his classmates. Nicole and Leslie had only a few, and Duncan (much to Miss Antoinette’s and the rest of the class’ surprise) had eight. Tyler and Aiden had fourteen, which the Axew and Growlithe noted with disappointment. Therefore, the only other table that posed any danger was Malcolm’s and Seamus’ – unfortunately, they appeared to have twenty potions.

His fears weren’t assuaged much when the Bellossom teacher spent about a quarter of the time at his and Minerva’s workbench that she had spent at the Venipede’s. She stood behind her desk and beamed at her pupils.

‘Even though only pair of you will receive the prize, I’d like you to give each other a round of applause for your hard work. Go on.’ After Tyler and Duncan clapped their hands (everyone else had to flap their wings or stomp on the floor), she continued, ‘I am impressed that everybody made a Colourful Shake and each of the Coloured Juices; it gives me hope that, even after you have graduated from school, you ought to retain at least elementary knowledge of the fascinating science that is Alchemy & Nutrition.

‘Now, a winner must be declared. Duncan, Leslie, and Nicole, you are all out of the standing, as you are probably aware. Aiden and Tyler, you place third, though you shouldn’t be disappointed with your work, since fourteen potions are still very good. That leaves Minerva and Darren, and Malcolm and Seamus. The first two are the only ones who created both the Rare and the Ultra Rare Soda, which is astounding. However, they had only sixteen, while Malcolm and Seamus had twenty. The winner should therefore be clear. However, the last two made a number of potions incorrectly.’

Darren heard Minerva catch her breath. Did they actually stand a chance?

‘Luckily for them, it was only three, so with seventeen potions, they are still our decisive winners. Malcolm, you may come forward and collect your pair’s reward. Let’s give them another round of applause!’

The class reluctantly did so, but no longer than was necessary. In fact, Malcolm’s smug smile discouraged the other students from congratulating him and his thug of a friend for more than about five seconds. Miss Antoinette pretended not to notice and handed the bug the chocolate.

‘We are done with alchemy for now, so from our next lesson onwards, we shall discuss grasses and their nutritional properties. You don’t have to read about the grains yet, but some general reading about grass won’t do any harm. Enjoy the rest of your day!’

Once outside, Darren found Aiden and Tyler waiting for him. Minerva nodded at them and walked away, quietly fuming.

‘I can’t believe Malcolm and Seamus actually won the chocolate,’ Tyler complained when they were out of earshot of the class and on their way to the school’s outdoor arena. ‘I mean, it’s not like he can’t afford to buy chocolate with his own money.’

‘He could live in a house made of chocolate, but he would still have participated to win the candy, if only to spite everyone else,’ Aiden said bitterly. ‘That’s the kind of person he is. Even if he doesn’t need something, he’ll acquire or keep it if it is of value to someone else, just so he can use it as leverage.’

‘Like father, like son,’ Tyler added.

‘Aren’t we being a little harsh?’ Darren asked. ‘I know Mr Donnelly isn’t the friendliest of mons, but I don’t think he’d raise his son that way.’

‘Come on, Darren,’ Tyler said, regarding the Electrike with a sceptical look, ‘do you actually believe Malcolm became how he is because he had nothing better to do? His parents are rich, and his father is stingy. That already provides a recipe for a spoiled brat, but most likely, it also results in someone who is greedy, or at least selfish.’

‘Malcolm’s mother and uncle are kind.’

‘Yes, and I suppose that means Mr Donnelly has some redeeming qualities, but from where I’m standing, it’s pretty darn difficult to see them. Compare him to his brother. Both Scolipedes and Yanmegas look intimidating, but Mr Riley Donnelly is really nice. That’s because he chooses to be nice, despite his appearance. In the same way, Mr Morvan Donnelly chooses to be curt and abrupt. If only Malcolm chose that too, but he takes it a step further.’

Darren sighed. ‘I suppose you’re right. Besides, Malcolm really is a nasty piece of work. I hope I don’t have to deal with him as an adult. If he’s horrible now, imagine him then.’ He shuddered involuntarily as he imagined their rival as a Scolipede, looking down at them from above.

‘Darren, we live in a village. By the time we reach adulthood, we’ll know everyone around here, and whether we like it or not, Malcolm will be here, except then he will run the general store. I hate to say it, but we’re stuck with him.’

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