The Secret of the Maiden (#1 Witch academy)

Chapter 11: The longest grudge

Oh, we dance with the Devil
Oh, we'll make you tremble
Oh, you best be careful

witch - karliene 

***

The colder morning brought dew and frost to the world. The warm autumn days had disappeared along with the sun. The mornings were now quiet and calm, disturbed only by the harsh ringing of his phone in the dark bedroom.

Leonardo groaned loudly, fumbling blindly for his phone until he finally found it. The bright screen burned his eyes as he saw it was only five o'clock in the morning. Groaning again, he rolled back into his soft cotton blankets, seeking warmth and comfort as he attempted to return to sleep.

A second message followed, prompting him to give up on sleep and check his phone. Both messages were from R.

{Hey, Leo, can you meet me at the park close to school?}

How could she be awake so early in the morning? Had she gone crazy?

{hey, sleeping beauty, time to wake up!}

Leonardo sighed tiredly, realizing it was time to get up just as his phone started ringing again. Listening intently for any signs of movement in the house, he only heard the wind and the distant sounds of street traffic filtering in through his open window.

"Hey, sleepyhead!" R's voice was far too enthusiastic for such an early hour, and far too loud. Leonardo didn't have the energy to respond with anything more than a yawn.

"Leonard?" Her voice startled him awake, snapping him out of his drowsiness.

"Yes?" He answered, his voice rough with fatigue.

"I knew it, you were still sleeping," she teased, the smile evident in her voice.

"Who's awake at 5 o'clock in the morning?" he grumbled annoyed.

"I never went to sleep, so..." Her voice trailed off. She was too much for him this early in the morning, but he didn't have the heart to hang up on her.

"What? Why not?" Leonardo asked with concern, rolling out of bed. The clothes strewn across his floor protected his feet from the cold tiles.

"I couldn't sleep, but do you have time to meet me? I have coffee." He didn't even like coffee, but it sounded enticing.

"I'm coming," he agreed reluctantly, quickly pulling on pants and struggling into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. He left so hastily that he only remembered to grab his backpack, regretting forgetting his jacket when he saw his breath escaping in clouds. Perhaps jogging to the park would warm him up.

The journey to the park took half an hour, and the cold stiffened his fingers, making his nose run and turn red. He entered the park along the uneven cobblestone pathways, the trees already shedding their leaves, and the strong wind causing a carpet of crunchy leaves under his shoes.

A lone dog walker greeted him; the dog barked friendly before being distracted by geese at the pond, sending the walker into a panic as the geese retaliated, causing the dog to flee as if the devil were on its heels. Leonardo couldn't help but smile at the chaotic scene before continuing on to meet R.

Leonardo met R with a smile, noticing how she had buried her nose in her scarf and bundled up in a thick white winter jacket, giving her the appearance of a snowman. Steam rose from her mouth, surrounding her in a mysterious atmosphere. The early birds announced their arrival with their chirps, and the caw of a crow drew her attention upward to him.

She grinned and handed him the cup from her hands. When he took a sip, hoping for warmth, he wrinkled his nose as the ice-cold bitter liquid met his tongue.