fragile time

~chapter 2~

Chapter 2: "Detention For Two, Please."

~✶~

Xavier swung the door open. A warm gust of air blew in our faces, with the smell of healing flame. It smelled of burnt cinnamon and some sort of medicine. The classroom looked as if a tornado went through it. Loose papers and books scattered over the floor, and all of the shelves' contents were unorganized. The windows were crowded with rain drops and fog. The light in the back corner of the room flickered over Mr. Alwater's desk.

He gave us a friendly grin and nodded to say, 'hello'. The others nodded in return, "My most sincere apologies, Sir." Lillith explained, "I found your students on their way here. I am positive this was only a one time... predicament."

Emily muttered something under her breath, too quiet for me to hear. Mr. Alwater continued, "Well, it's quite alright. Be quicker next time, 'kay?"

We all nodded in thanks as we made our way to our separate tables. Four per table was the rule, and of course, none of us sat together. In fact, there was just enough we could all sit apart. I pulled out my chair by the window, next to a boy whom I didn't know. I didn't have many friends because, for some reason, I repelled older kids. I decided it was better to be feared than tormented. In fact, they all leaned as far away from me as physically possible.

Except for some sort of dog-hybrid named Gayla. She lazily leaned back in her seat while one of her feet was on the table, intruding on the girl who sat next to her's space. The girl pushed Gayla's boot back a little, "Could you please move your foot?" she asked, "It's a bit in the way."

"Sorry," Gayla muttered as she slid her leg under the desk where it belonged. I cringed at the dirt left on the area by her boot.

Mr. Alwater shut the door and walked to the front of the class, "Alright. While Carter's being healed, we will continue our lesson." As if by instinct, everyone turned a little toward Carter, who sat at his desk with a healing flame on his arm. Healing flame. Strange, isn't it? Weren't flames supposed to cause destruction? I've always wondered if my sister, Taylor, could conjure those same flames with her elemental powers. Though, it never worked on vampires. We were too sensitive to fire. He smiled and waved to all of us with his unoccupied arm, dimples forming in his cheeks.

Mr. Alwater cleared his throat. "Everyone, yes, I know, Healing flames are very interesting. Let's focus on the lesson, please, now," He strode over to the chalkboard which had 'Sprite's Weakness- Stingtrap' written on it, "Anyone know what a stingtrap is?" It was quiet enough to hear a pencil drop. "Alright, we'll just sit here if nobody speaks up..."

After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, a small voice piped up, "Sprite's weakness." My eyes drifted from the healing flame on Carter's arm to the smaller girl at my table. "It's a spell created with angel's lightning for the sting, mermaid scales for the long-lasting, and..." She looked from Mr. Alwater to the rest of the class, but froze when she caught my cold gaze, ".. dragon's breath.. for the.. uhm... " She snapped her head back towards the board, a mix of worry and embarrassment painted on her face, "for the... something else."

Mr. Alwater noted all of the things the tiny voice had pointed out on the board. "Wonderful job, Trixie! Now, does anyone know what the dragon's breath is for?" There was awkward silence before he continued, "Surely, someone must know." I was surprised I couldn't hear the crickets outside. After a moment, our teacher's eyes settled on a perfect victim, "Ah, let's see if you can tell us."

All eyes landed on Wes as he slouched down in his seat. He cleared his throat, "Sprites hate warm things, the dragon's breath is for heat." The class started to giggle, knowing Mr. Alwater didn't count on Wes being right. Wes had retaken level seven almost four times now, so nobody ever counted on him being right.