Nasia

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

ALL EYES LAND ON THEM as they open the door. The class has started, she thinks. It must have taken a bit more time than she thought when she brewed that antidote. "Well, don't just stand there. Take your seats." The professor points to the several empty chairs in the room. They each take a seat and pay attention to the professor who rambles on about magic and its essence in every single thing. "An entity, be it living or not, has an essence that allows it to be a magical entity. Now, do any of you know who the great god-mother of all witches is?" The professor roams his eyes around the room where most of the students have their mouths hanging open at the non-related question and some have a frown etched on their faces. Nasia raises her hands; careful not to get any attention. "Yes, young witch, with a blue shirt."

She looks at her classmates who stare back at her. Their eyebrows raised at her. "The---" The clamminess of her hand intensifies. The sweat rolling down her back multiplied. Her eyes twitch at the many pairs of eyes looking at her. Her breathing goes from slow to rapid, then a hand reaches out to her. Xena smiles at her and holds her hand. "The great god-mother of witches is Irini Danatea."

"Well, done." The professor raises his eyebrows at her then turns to the board. With a snap of his fingers, Irinis's name appeared on the board. "Irini Danatea was one of the greatest witches in history. She was named the great god-mother of witches for she started the revolution of the use of magic. Witches from before her time used magic without any knowledge of how it can influence the things around them. They solely used magic. However, Irini learned how to manipulate magic to whatever her wishes are by utilizing the essence of the things around her." Her mother has told her the same thing. But she doesn't really understand what this essence is. Can it be seen? How? Where? No matter how much she racks her brain for answers, she can't find any. She's confident that the books she's read before had some kind of information about this essence. Well, maybe not. "I'd never get used to your mother having the same name as that godmother or something." Xena sits straight, like an excellent student would, making Nasia want to laugh.

Xena looks at her and nudges her elbows. She bites the insides of her cheeks to hide her smile. She looks away then coughs before turning to Xena. "My grandmother really liked Irini, the great godmother, and also as a name. So, she named my mother the same as her." Nasia gazes out the window. Her mind travels somewhere far away, into a village of people who never loses their smile. "By the way, you look so refined sitting up straight like that." She smiles at her friend who looks at her in disgust.

"Please don't say things like that. I've heard the teachers here included your behaviors in class as part of their evaluation and all of those are stated in our report cards. Can you imagine the horror on my mother's face if she learns I'm not a proper, fine, and smart young lady?" Xena coils back in her seat with her arms crossed. Her words full of spite, Nasia can almost feel the bitterness in them.

Xena has never confided much to her. She doesn't say anything, but she wishes her friend would tell her the things her heart despises. She might not be able to do much, but won't listening be, somehow, enough? As such, she has also not told her friend of her worries. It's a give and take. Not a one-way road where you get all the benefits. Friendship, that is. It's a wonderful thing, but also - burdensome.

The bells echo through the room and the professor claps twice. "Now, for our next meeting, we will talk about the essence of an entity." The professor leaves the room and the students scramble after him. She looks out at the hallway where another stampede is going on and proceeds to go back to her seat.

"What's wrong?" Xena asks. She has her books cradled to her chest and stares, confused, at Nasia. She lays her head on the table and closes her eyes. The chatter outside the hallways reaches the room, so Xena peeks from the door to see the students' raucous in the hallways. "It's thinning out now. Let's go?"