Ablaze

One

**A/N: Hey, Nova here! I hope you enjoy this story!! The picture is the muse for Ashling Ninomae, try to imagine her without the flowers and stuff in her hair (except if it's being said in the story) :) Also— this story takes place in a made up world with made up towns! Credits to @/bethgilbert_art on IG for the beautiful artwork! Enjoy!! :)**

Ashling's POV

"I feel like I'm going to throw up."

"Just try to relax, okay? I'm sure you're worrying for nothing."

"It's not that I'm worried... just nervous is all. I have no idea what this place looks like inside... I'm gonna be totally lost."

"You're a smart girl, you'll be fine. Now go or else you're going to be late."

My mom pecks my cheek and I hesitate before opening the car door. "I'll be back at 1 to pick you up, love you."

"Love you, too."

I hate the first day of school. And I hate it even more when it's a new school filled with people I don't even know.

I've always been a pretty sociable person, and I've never struggled with making friends before. My old friends however... turned out to be a bunch of fucking snakes. So needless to say, I don't really have any friends. And when my Mom told me she got a great job offer in this city, I didn't hesitate for a second packing my shit up and leaving.

I'm already a few minutes late to school, just great. I find the main office to pick up my schedule and they were also kind enough to hand me a map so I can find my way to my classes a bit better.

I'm kind of nervous, just because I'm sure loads of these kids have amazing affinities that they can show off, but I can't.

You see, I do have an affinity. Actually, I have two. The first one is called siren— basically I can hypnotize people and create illusions based on their mind and thoughts. Not many people know about it, and I've rarely ever used it. I see it more as an evil affinity, and I don't want to be associated with anything evil. It's a long story... but, yeah.

The second one is flight. I have fairy-like wings that I can pop out, it's actually pretty sick— the wings are absolutely beautiful. I don't want to tell anyone about that affinity either because sometimes if I try to use it, my siren is also triggered. So, it's better to just be safe and not use either of them. It sucks— that I have to lie to everyone, but I don't really have much of a choice.

I'm looking down at the map while also looking up at the hallways, and I think after I turn this corner my class should be two doors down on the left.

All of a sudden, I'm knocked to the ground.

"What the hell?" I groan.

I look up and see a tall, white haired boy staring down at me. "Oh, sorry... I didn't see you there."

"Clearly. Watch where you're going next time, newbie." He keeps walking, and doesn't even ask if I need help.

Jeez, what the hell was that guy's problem? Asshole.

I quickly fix myself up after my fall and knock twice on the classroom door before entering.

"Can I help you?"

"Hi... I'm new... I'm—"

"Ash Ninomae, right? I'm Mr. Asano."

"Yeah, that's me. Sorry I'm late, I was trying to find the classroom."