Destiny: The Winx Saga {Parallel storyline}

Chapter 3: Alfea Calling

{Millie}

Aura disappeared again a few minutes before magic class ended. She was off to Chemistry, and Cira followed. Danny, Paya and I headed to English, the last class of the day. It passed by insignificantly enough, with one exception. More gossip about Aura. This time, though, what I heard didn't bring spots to my vision. Instead, I was just as interested as everyone else.

In the middle of class I overheard two specialist students behind me, Brad and Forest, talking (not very quietly) about Aura's visit to the principal's office.

"The doors are so thin I heard the entire end of their conversation." Brad said smugly, as if that were a result of his own machinations. "So, get this – she got an offer to attend Alfea."

"Alfea!?" The word was caught up and carried around the room like a hushed echo. All the students at the back of the class who may not have been paying attention before were now avidly listening in, and all the ones at the front were blatantly staring behind them, hoping to hear the news straight from the horse's mouth.

"Alfea." Brad dragged the word out then paused for dramatic effect. Even if the story had nothing to do with him, Brad was going to milk it. He was too scrawny and too short to be a formidable specialist, and if by God Brad could be at the center of attention for anything he would.

"The headmistress of Alfea called Aura herself, to ask her to attend."

"She's not an alumnus, is she? If she were then wouldn't she have attended last year?" Forest asked, shocked.

"She's not an alumnus," Brad said in a loud, carrying whisper. "Apparently the school is at full capacity, and they've never taken transfers before. At least that's what she was told. They're making an exception – for her."

"How powerful is she?!" someone on the other side of the room exclaimed.

"All I know is this," Brad said shrewdly. "She must have done something incredibly powerful that night by the river. Or why else would the most selective school in the otherworld want her to attend that badly?"

The silence was palpable as the entire class hung onto Brad's every word. Then the whispers started, small at first, then picking up like the sound of rushing water. I sincerely hoped that this would be the last time today I heard that sound.

Rachel, who was two seats over, started gossiping loudly. Paya shot me an apologetic look and Danny wasn't saying a word. Their silence was to spare me further distress. Though, weirdly enough I wasn't bothered. I was just as interested, if not more, than them now. This wasn't petty speculation, flawed conclusions, or cruel words at Aura's expense. This was fact. Alfea, the most powerful school for fairies and specialists in the entire otherworld wanted my best friend.

For a split second I wondered if the events last period in magic class were just the tip of the iceberg.

Well, whatever it was, I desperately wanted to know what happened that night at the river. My interest was piqued beyond Aura's well-being now. Like everyone else, I wanted to know what could have happened that made the most powerful school in existence want her. I was her best friend, surely she'd tell me.

I knew Aura would leave Chemistry a few minutes before the bell, so I left class 10 minutes early to make sure I caught her. I was hovering around the corner when I caught Aura by surprise.

She swore – loudly.

"Shh," I said, my hand covering her mouth.

"What are you doing here!"

"I came to walk home with you," I said with a smile.

Aura frowned. "You live on the other side of town."