Mirren Academy of Spells

Chapter 15: Alleyway

Chapter 15: Alleyway

Days after the ball, a rumor circulated around campus that I had rejected Liam. I had no idea that leaving in the middle of the dance meant rejection, but that was their impression even if there was really no confession made.

Ito ang paulit-ulit kong sinasabi kay Alice and Claudia. Liam didn't confess because my nerves got the best of me, and I left him standing in the middle of the hall. If I listened to whatever he had meant to say that night, would I be able to answer him?

"Kanina ka pa tahimik."

It was after our morning class and everyone was headed to the cafeteria. Alice noticed that I'd been silent the whole time. "Don't mind the rumors. They just can't get over the fact that you can reject someone like Liam Liecester."

"I didn't reject him," I said for the nth time.

"Okay, okay."

I shoved my thick book of spells back in my bag and stepped out of the classroom with her. Even people from the other class glared at me from the hallway.

"Can we have lunch outside?" I asked Alice.

"Of course. I'll let Claudia know."

We decided to have lunch outside the school tower. After picking up our food from the cafeteria, we found a nice spot in garden where we laid our food on our handkerchiefs under the draping leaves of a willow tree.

"Those rumors are getting ridiculous." Claudia stuck a straw in her box of juice drink. "People are saying you rejected Liam because of Santi. Totoo ba?"

I stopped from reaching my bacon sandwich. "What?"

Claudia shrugged. "I just heard it, so I don't know where the idea came from." She turned to me with her eyebrow arched. "Is there a fire though? No smoke without a fire."

"It's not true," I mumbled.

It was the truth. Santi and I shared a kiss that night but there was nothing to it. We had to keep our promise to stay out of each other's paths, and I understood why.

"Pero sabihin mo nga, Olivia..." Alice scooted closer to me on the grass. "Don't you want Liam to be your boyfriend? I mean, everyone's expecting you to be together."

I chewed on my sandwich with slow deliberation to avoid answering Alice's question. It wasn't a matter of what I liked. I wasn't who Liam thought I was.

We stayed outside for the entire lunch period. The two might be borderline intrusive but they cared for Olivia a lot. I just wished I could tell them the truth...staying as Olivia was getting more and more complicated.

"The list of interns will be posted soon," Alice mumbled.

We just had our dessert of strawberry shortcake and had our palms resting on the grass, lazily watching the clouds roll on the clear sky—a peace I hadn't had in a while.

"For sure, matatanggap kayo as interns sa assembly," Alice added. "Though being apprentice in the ancient library and artifacts isn't so bad."

Claudia scoffed. "Don't be so sure about that."

Alice turned to her. "Your mom was a Liecester, right? So you and Liam are basically cousins. Just tell your uncle you want a spot in the internship program."

Claudia had a scorn smile on her face.

"Trust me, I'm out of the list. It's either the two of you or Santi. But I doubt they will pick him. People either admire his skills or treat him like a villain."

"You grew up together, right? I mean, the four of you," Alice asked.

"Unfortunately." Claudia had a dazed look on her eyes. "Ironic how Santi's family used to be shoulder to shoulder with the Liecesters and Valencourts." Claudia turned to me. "The three powerful families of Cardiff."