Echoes of the Heart

Magic

I woke up, brushed my hair and teeth, before braiding my blonde hair. I did a little bit of makeup like I usually did to hide the lack of sleep before walking to meet Kaley.

"Hey girl!" She said smiling. Running up to me and giving me a big hug.

"Hey!" I said smiling. "How was your day?"

"Good! Im talking to someone!" She said.

"Really, thats great. Anyone we know?" She smiled and showed me the name on her phone. "Wow. He's a senior right?" She nodded excitedly. "Im going to meet him during the pep rally!" "Have fun." She went on about how they met and exchanged numbers. I listened. She was good at meeting people and talking to them. I failed at that. Another trait I inherited from my mom. I was much better at communicating through "body language" than actual words.

We arrived in the lunch room and she went off to the usual table and I waved bye before heading to the library. Paying for my coffee, greeting Mrs. Barrett "I have that book for you Stephanie! It was returned yesterday!" I smiled and thanked her, checking out the book before sitting down. It was the 5th book of the Gone series by Michael Grant. Which meant there was the 6th one and then I would finish the series. I cracked it open hoping to read a little before class.

The bell rang and I followed my schedule like every day. Getting my homework done it class as usual. In order to get out being picked out by the popular kids I gave them the answers. An average day for me. Then the announcements came on and it was time for the pep rally. I grabbed my things and walked away from the crowd of students ready to support their school and toward the Dual Credit Lab.

I opened the door and saw Blake, Bo and Spencer playing a card game. I walked up and starred at the pictures on the cards. Some type of fantasy game. "What is this?" I asked. "Magic" they all said. Before continuing to flip and lay down cards, saying words like turn, land and summon. I had to admit I was intrigued. Spencer noticed and said "I could show you?" I smiled back and pulled up a chair next to him. I scooted close to him so I could see the cards in his hand. He went over the numbers and the abilities on each card and how my land had to match the number on each card and how the ones in the center were the ones that could be used to attack another or wait and defend. It made sense to me. It was fantasy and combat in one. We were dragons, Bo was the red deck, and Blake was the green deck. The continued to play until Spencer won. Bo commented "he always wins." Blake nodded laughing. Spencer pulled out a white deck for me, "you try" he said genuinely. I huffed and tried to remember what he said. Blake got close to me to give me a hand, giving me pointers when I would get stuck. Spencer would laugh each time. I think he knew he was going to win. His confidence wasn't unfounded, he was good. It was a strategy game and he was good at it. Bo was keeping track of health using a dice I wasn't sure who was winning. My turn, I had enough land to play my powerful card and I used it to attack, hoping the others I played in previous rounds could defend against his flyers. Bo froze as he did the math. "She won!" He said excitedly. Blake and Bo cheered. Spencer ran a hand through his hair laughing. Before extending a hand "good game Stephanie."
"Thanks you taught me well" I said smiling. His personality was magnetic, I wanted to get to know him. To be around him more. His smile was warm and charming. He was kind. His presences quieted them, the demons even they seemed to like him.

They packed up their cards and started working on our Debate Assignment. I wrote down what they said and lined it out. We had it all planned out and started looking into resources we could use as evidence. The bell rang and we stared to gather our stuff. "Alright so when can we meet in the library to look into evidence to cite."

We all talked about how lunch might be the best since most of us had A lunch and Blake could get it out of his class if he finished his work. "Tomorrow at lunch got it" I said, putting the assignment away before heading out the door.

Blake walked with me, he got oddly close. "You're really good at Magic." He said. "Yeah I guess."
"Are you sure you haven't played before?" "First time. Beginners luck." Blake got quiet before starting to ask "Stephanie I was wondering what are you.." he got cut off as Spencer walked up, un aware of what his friend was going to ask. "So want to rematch during the next pep rally?" "Definitely. Better than what I usually do!" He laughed. "Alright. See you around." He said before smiling and heading off. Blake seemed upset and went off to his own class, frustrated.

I think he was going to ask me out. I didn't find him cute, but I was tired of all the guys I usually go for. My go to never ends well. Maybe I could date the safe option and learn to be happy I thought. Maybe if he asks again I'll say yes.

Instead of day dreaming I thought about Magic and Dragons. Finding myself imagining what it would look like in a movie, Dragons battling Angels and Dinosaurs. These thoughts carried me through the day.