Crescent High

Chapter 27

Term was drawing to a close as it got closer to the start of summer, and we spent more and more time outside in the blazing sunshine now consistent with every passing day. I was sitting under the willow tree, reading a spellbook after class, gazing out at the glimmering lake reflecting the rays of sun bouncing against it. Smiling, I stood up and brushed my skirt down, revealing the plaid underneath. We were now in the summer uniform - no longer needing to wear our blazers or tights, instead wearing a puffy-sleeved blouse and white ankle socks with a purple plaid bow to match the rest of our clothing.

"Feonyx!" I heard in the distance, and I turned to see Rose and Reef running down the hill towards me. "Feonyx!" They were laughing merrily and joking with each other as they ran.
"I WIN!" Reef screamed as he reached me, and stuck his tongue out at Rose, who wasn't far behind. She pouted as Reef used aqua flexuram on her, drenching her from head to toe. "We had a race and the winner got to aqua flexuram the loser," Reef explained to me as I stood there, a bemused look on my face. "And Rose just so happened to lose." He laughed, and sat down on the grass.

"3 days left until we begin the spring break," Rose said as she came to sit beside us. "Crazy, right. We've nearly completed our first year here, then we'll be Second Years and learn even more amazing magic. I for one can't wait."
"Agreed, but we still have six weeks left still until the end of year, and we have our exams then as well," I reminded Rose. "We're not done quite yet." A smile grew on my face as I remembered the events of the past term. "Hey, do you remember that time when someone spelled Professor Fellowe's chalk, and for the whole lesson, it was just drawing pictures of the teachers, and they weren't the most flattering either."
Reef's eyes lit up as he remembered it. "Yes! That was one of the best lessons to date. Professor Resk- sorry, Crusty Bob looked like a beaver with his front teeth. They were absolutely massive. And Professor Charter looked like an absolute madman."
"He had massively bushy hair and eyebrows, and the picture itself was spelled to move around the board, so he was running around yelling at the top of his lungs," Rose piped in. "It's a good thing they didn't mess with Professor Fellowe, though - she does not take kindly to that." We laughed, fondly remembering the memory. "What about that time we all came out here and decided to climb the tree. We got to the top and just sat in the branches eating food from the dining hall."
" Yeah, I remember that too. It was the first day that this tree really became our hangout spot. I'd grabbed a bunch of spaghetti and we were trying to see who could find the longest piece. It got really messy," I recalled, chuckling. "Race you up!" We all scrambled for a hold on the lowest branch, and started to scale the trunk of the willow. I barely knew what my arms were doing as I climbed higher and higher into the canopy. The leaves tickled my face, getting thicker and thicker the more I climbed.

When I reached the top, Reef was there, waiting. His legs were dangling off of a branch, and he looked towards me, a smirk on his face. "What took you so long? I've been up here for ages now."
"Excuse me," Rose huffed. "You're way taller than us. Of course you'll be faster."
"Anyway, who wants chocolate? I nabbed some from Coral the other night to have up here."

📚

"Students." Professor Ereliar's voice echoed throughout the main hall. "Well done. You have all survived another term, and will be returning to your homes in just a few hours. But before then, you must collect your revision work for your final exams. These are in 12 weeks, at the end of this year, to test your knowledge on all you have learnt. Each professor has set an exam for their class, which you must complete." He paused, hearing the groan from the students. "Third Years, these are the exams that determine your future in this world, for these results are crucial in your further education beyond here, and your careers. Good luck."
The hall was silent as the headmaster finished his end of term speech, clearly all dreading the upcoming exams. "You have 2 weeks off for spring for you to see your family and friends, and possibly go away to other parts of Everitia."

Rose leaned into me and whispered, "Do you want to go away with my family on the second week of the break? I've already asked Reef, and he's coming with us."
"Where are you going?" I whispered back, excited. This would be my first holiday, and who knows where it could be.
"The Emerald Isles. It's about 6 hours by train, then a 3 hour boat ride to get to where we'd be staying. You in?"
"Always!" I responded. "The Isles are so pretty from what I've seen in my books." I remembered when Aunt Willow and Uncle Dan visited, and they came back with loads of souvenirs for us all. They'd gotten me a swathe of the silk that is made there - it was a beautiful green colour, with a gold embroidered pattern around the edge. For ages, I'd used it on the end of my bed as a drape.

"Can you meet us at Colorosa Station? You live near there, don't you." I nodded as a response to the question.
"I can come with Reef. We live in the same village so it's easier if we just come together."
"I'll see you then," Rose said.
"I can't wait!"

📚

"Goodbye!" I waved to Rose as Reef and I boarded the train back to Westfield together. "See you in a week's time." The train started to move, and we began the short journey home.
"Feonyx?" Reef asked. I looked up from my book. "I have a confession to make." I smirked - I could see where this was going. "I think I like Rose. As more than a friend."
"Ya think," I laughed. "I've seen the way you two look at each other. She definitely likes you too." A few weeks ago, Rose had come to me asking what to do. She thought she liked Reef, and wanted to ask him out, but wasn't sure if he liked her back. "You should ask her when we're in the Emerald Isles. She won't say no. I'm sure of it."
Reef blushed, and looked sheepish. "If you say so," He murmured, and looked out of the window. "Thanks."
The rest of the journey passed in silence.

* And I've finished another chapter. The next one will be the trip away, then they'll be back at the school till the end of the book. I hope you enjoyed this one. *