(The New) Power of the 8 Elements: Part Two

Chapter Nineteen: Summer Bash

"The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives." - Albert Schweitzer
PRESENT DAY
CELESTE

"I think it's sad that Mr. Ravenwood is leaving," I say as I put on my bright yellow earrings.

"He's leaving?" Lucifer asks. "I didn't realize it."

"The school gave out an email. He's no longer teaching magic history."

"What a shame. He was a good teacher, but he was old. Jason said he was going to die soon."

"Jason's obnoxious. I hope he doesn't stay."

"Oh, no, Jason's staying. He made a big deal in the class Discord."

"I don't know why you bother reading it anymore. I thought you didn't like it."

"Discord has grown on me."

"Well, it's the last day of summer vacation, and I want us to go the entire day without using our phones because it's the Back-to-School bash, and we haven't seen a lot of our friends in a while, and this should be kind of like a reunion, you know."

"Understood, but if Ophelia is there, you need to promise not to use your swords."

"I won't; I promise."

The Back-to-School bash is an annual event at school that invites the kids from all grades as well as their families to have fun on the field. Alumni are also allowed to be there. Throughout my time being at Diamond Hills, I've always gone to the celebration, and it's felt like a tradition for me.

As soon as we step out of the car, I notice Terry who is playing with some of the younger kids. She seems more cheerful than I've seen her before, but I have no time to wave as we're both immediately greeted by Amaya.

"Oh, my Gosh! You two look gorgeous!" She squeaks. "Regal as always."

"As do you, Amaya," I say.

"Okay, so my mom and I had the opportunity to plan the Back-to-School bash, and let me tell you it is a freaking hit! Terry is great with the kids. We have bubbles, sprinklers—you probably don't like that. Um...let's see. Glamour's dad is barbecuing. We have some new parents checking things out if you want to meet them. Slushies, there's an ice cream truck, we have a table where you can play cards, game trucks, there's basketball on the court, hammocks. Y'all might want to rest in a hammock. Anyways, I'm going to say hi to everyone else. You can talk to Terry though."

Terry turns away from a group of 1st graders to run up to us both.

"Hi! You're here. Wow, I mean. It's been a while."

"I know," I say. "How are you doing?"

She sniffs, wiping at her nose. "Allergies. They started flaring up about a week ago. It's just...Nari's started this garden in the house, so everyone in the Arcane Order is sneezing, but how are you? I mean...wow..."

"Good. Really good. Excited for a new school year."

"I see a few familiar faces. Cheryl certainly hasn't changed."

"Oh...Cheryl's here?" I say, surveying the field. I'm sure that bright red cherry lipstick isn't hard to spot.

"Yeah, she and I haven't spoken. She's changed a bit."

"Gotten taller?"

"She's nice."

"I'm sorry...what?" I say in disbelief. That's not Cheryl. Cheryl's the type to start a fight with you for the rest of the school year all because you stood in front of her in a group photo. Cheryl's the type to publicly humiliate you. Cheryl's the type to incessantly bother you simply because she can.