Destiny's Witch (BxB)

Chapter 3: Jerks

Perry

The drive to Solstice High School is usually a short trip, until today.

The worn red brick of the welcome sign is telling. The first signal, besides the est. Of 1901, the school is older than any school should be. Though, the school has been updated since then.

For instance, the worn brick of the building is now brighter with the white columns and roof looking cleaner than in previous years. The ridiculous number of windows on the buildings is absurd.

That sentence was absurd, but it tells the tale of how I feel about the unusual appearance of the building.

The renovations make going to the school bearable. This extends to the library, quad, lounge, cafeteria, gym, football field, pool, auditorium, and school basement.

Well, I am guessing on the last one. I do not have any intention of wandering down there. The school itself is as close to Hell as I can think of.

They made a show about it in the nineties, though I hope I am just being dramatic.

Alan drives by the stone and brick sign welcoming us to campus, stopping our cerulean SUV in front of the school. I sigh as I watch other students head into the school through the oversized glass doors. My enthusiasm has suddenly deteriorated. The true tragedy is I would rather be in school than in this car. My desire to leave the car overrides my desire to avoid school. As I attempt to open the car door, the doors lock.

"What was that stuff with your mom, about not leaving Solstice?" Alan asks.

"Al—Dad."

"You call me and your mother by our names in your head, don't you?" Alan asks.

"I—how could you possibly know that?" I ask.

Alan laughs. "We're more alike than you give us credit for." He speaks. "Look, I know things are strange right now, but I don't want you to think this is a death sentence."

"Isn't it?"

"No! Being the Zion is a facet of your life, but it is not your entire life." Alan says. "Son, things change. Sometimes, you have to go through the bad things to get to the good things."

"I'm good, dad. I solemnly swear to not leak any deception to the other parental unit."

"That—that's not why I'm saying this. You're a bright kid. You have the world at your fingertips. You can do anything." He says.

I chuckle. "I think you mean on my shoulders. And it's fine."

Alan is about to speak when the locks pop on the doors. Alan warned me about this. I am, above all, a witch. My powers are rooted in magic, giving me sporadic access to perform magic. When asked why I cannot use my powers at will, he was unable to give me an answer.

His experience with magic is one-sided, so he has not been able to help me harness any magical ability. Our training in the mystic arts took a backseat to punching demons.

I thank Alan before rushing out of the car. Alan honks the horn, waving like an idiot before driving off. I close my eyes at the embarrassment. Low chuckles behind me confirm people saw, and were amused by, his display. Without opening my eyes, I head toward the school. My eyes only open when I am at the double doors.

The bustling hallways of Solstice High School are a reminder of my return to form. The familiar sight of the stalwart, Uncle Lurch-like Todd Lowe and high-strung cheerleader Connie Trammel arguing is the welcome required to bring everything back into perspective.

An outburst of obscenities and a flip of Connie's silver hair resolves their argument as Connie storms away, with Todd bounding behind her.

Solstice High School's historic green, yellow, and white colors are emphasized on the large statue of a dragon on the wall in front of the glass-encased administration office. Luckily, Penny stopped by Friday to get my class schedule.