Whitethorn Academy

Chapter Thirty-Three

By the time breakfast rolled around, I was beyond exhausted. I'd been unable to go back to sleep after my nightmare and had laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. The crystal ball still sat on my nightstand, empty as ever.

With a sigh, I shoved the thing into my bag so I wouldn't have to look at it again.

My phone beeped on my nightstand. It was a text from an unknown number. Hey new girl, can I walk you to breakfast?

Curious, I typed a reply. That depends on who you are.

The response was almost immediate. Jase.

I bit my lip nervously. Jason was only ever friendly to me, but he made Naomi nervous. He made me nervous too, but not in the same way.

My fingers hovered over the screen, unsure of what to reply. Did I want Jason to walk me to breakfast? I'd already stood him up on Parent's Day and on his offer to walk me to my new classes. I didn't want to lose him as a friend. Before I could lose my nerve, I typed back: Sure. Meet you outside Gamma Hall?

Be there soon.

I set my phone back on my nightstand and finished getting dressed, my nerves fluttering in my stomach. When I glanced at myself in the mirror, I wished again that I had some makeup. Dark circles from my sleepless night hung under my eyes.

For a minute, I debated grabbing the concealer and trying to cover them, but then decided against it. I didn't want to keep Jason waiting out in the cold.

My phone beeped again as I was brushing my teeth and I ran out of the bathroom to check it. Jason was already here. I told him I'd be out shortly before running back into the bathroom to finish with my morning routine.

I slung my backpack over my shoulder before giving Loki a quick pat on the head. "Be a good boy while I'm gone," I told him.

He didn't bother to open his eyes as I headed out the door. Ms. Rose sat at her desk as usual, a thick romance novel in her hand.

"You're quite chipper this morning," she said as I came down the hallway. "Did you sleep well?"

"I slept okay. It's getting easier."

Ms. Rose gave me a smile that made her crow's feet crinkle. "Soon you'll be oversleeping like all the other girls."

"Maybe," I told Ms. Rose as I made my way to the door. Outside, waiting at the bottom of the small flight of the stairs, was Jason. He smiled when he saw me.

"Hey new girl," he said as a way of greeting.

"Hey," I said, returning his smile. I loved his nickname for me. I wasn't sure why it made me feel so happy, but every time I heard it, I couldn't help but smile.

His uniform jacket was open, revealing the pristine white button-up underneath. His tie shifted as the wind blew. I shivered, goosebumps rising over my skin.

Jason stepped next to me as we walked along the sidewalk to the main building, his grin growing wider. "How are you doing after magic class yesterday?"

I tucked a stray lock of my dark hair behind my ear. "A little disappointed in myself." I thought of the crystal ball in my bag, devoid of magic still.

Jason gave me a sympathetic look. "Sometimes it takes longer to access your magic, especially the first time."

I gave a rueful laugh. "It didn't seem to be a problem when I almost killed people with lightning." In the center of the quad, blackened spots of grass remained from my outburst of magic. A shudder ran through me at the memory.