Hexed Heart: Magic Everywhere

Chapter 18: The leak

January 20th, 2016

Hecate's POV

I woke up early in the morning, full of excitement. It was one of those days in the year when I could fantasize with being happy for some hours. Until, each year for twenty eight years now, that happiness vanished as fast as it came. But this year... this year I had hope, high hopes indeed. Sofía and Esmeralda were very talented witches and I knew that they wouldn't fail to succeed.

I looked at the black balloon So had given me yesterday, that was levitating in the corner of my room. It was a really nice gesture she had, trying to make my day better and brighter. After I finished changing into my dress, I put my new clock around my neck and I left my room to start the day.

As I arrived at the teachers table there was no one there, mostly because it was still early for everyone, but some minutes later, Miss Cackle arrived.

"Are you excited about the Spelling Bee round today, Miss Hardbroom?"

"You know I am, Miss Cackle." I replied.

"Yes, indeed. But I'm worried about the pressure Sofía and Esmeralda might be feeling. Don't you think it would be wise to tell them it doesn't matter if they don't make it? That we would still be proud? After all, this year's competition is going to be very tough, you know well enough Hecate."

"Why would we? They are going to win, not only this round, but the final. Cackle's glory in the Spelling Bee is going to be restored."

"I like your confidence in the girls Hecate, but we've never seen them act under so much pressure. They might be overwhelmed."

"Esmeralda Hallow comes from a very distinguished line of witches and wizards, her family has always expected the best from her, so she is certainly used to the pressure. And Sofía's parents were also very strict and she is literally studying at two schools and she participates in every project at her non-magical school . This won't be a big of a deal to her." I said. Before Ada could answer I saw Sofía entering the room. That was early, even for her.

"Oh, So, we were just talking about you" said Ada. "What are you doing here so early, everything ok?" The girl turned her head to us, a bit surprised.

"I'm sorry Ada, Hecate, I didn't see you two there. Yeah, everything is fine."

"Then why are you up so early? You should be well rested for today's competition." I said.

"Oh. Right, about that, that's not going to be possible." she simply answered.

"What?!" We both exclaimed, astonished. This could not be happening.

"Not the competition. Sorry if I scared you, it's about the sleep. I would love to sleep well before it, it's just impossible for me to do so. I went to sleep earlier last night, as I always do when I have a big event coming the next day, but I have never been able to sleep well. I wake up at least five times during the night and I always have trouble falling asleep. Normally, it takes me at least an hour when I first lay in bed and half and hour in the middle of the night, but it gets worse when I have a big event upcoming. So I'm not well rested at all. Which is always bad, because I get grumpy, so don't take anything that I say in these first four hours personally. But don't worry, I'm going to ask Gabriela to sneak me up some coffee from my non magical school. At first it numbs me and makes me even more sleepy, but I take it earlier because after that, it gives me much energy and I can't stop talking or doing stuff. So don't worry, I'll be fine by the afternoon." she answered, before turning and walking towards Miss Tapioca and her porridge.

"So much for saying that she would be ok, right?" Ada mocked me.

"Well, she said so herself, that we shouldn't worry because she is used to it."