If Gideon had left it at 'a lot of things could happen,' Billie was sure she would have had to do the sensible thing and kicked him in the shins. Well, or at least thrown a fuss. She had a bit more respect for Gideon than that, no matter how much she disliked the course their conversation seemed to be taking.

"Expelled," she whispered, disbelieving. Before she stumbled into the magical work and met Gideon, any mention of schooling would have had her scoffing. Education was meant for fancy-pants, privileged snobs who didn't have to worry about where their next meal came from. Her aspirations had only been as high as her social status. In truth, Billie had just hoped to survive into adulthood.

Now that she'd warmed to the idea and saw the possibility of a better life, she viewed school as the exact avenue in which she could accomplish such goals. She knew she'd likely still be behind since she'd only just learned to read and write competently, but, perhaps, she'd be able to catch up more quickly in practical matters and spellwork. If she was even any good. If she didn't just end up expelled.

"Oh. They'd think I was some sort of dollymop*." She concluded, unapologetic for the colorful term she used. At least she knew his meaning. She'd met plenty of women who the world frowned upon either for their actual or supposed activities. She'd seen a girl from her village ruined all because a boy had accused her of something unsavory. She'd merely refused his advances, and he'd sought revenge. If she was to be outed as a girl, she didn't want things to end that way.

Billie didn't fully realize what else Gideon implied, though she likely would have connected the dots if he had been a bit more explicit. It had been one of the reasons she chose to be a boy, after all. It was safer to appear as a young boy than as a young girl. Especially when one was off on their own. She'd heard enough stories.

"I...I don't want that to happen either." She was a bit more calm, but exceptionally more troubled. Why couldn't it be simple? If someone tried to take advantage, she'd have to find a way to blackmail them back. While she was probably capable of such things, she wouldn't be happy. Despite the way she treated her "nemesis," Billie wasn't a particularly malicious child.

"Is there some kind of magic or something that will make sure nobody finds out?" She blurted out, desperate for some sort of solution. She wasn't learned enough in magic to realize that was an even more complicated option. Not to mention, some folks might realize.



*Part-Time, Amateur Prostitute, apparently. ahahaha