Whitethorn Academy

Chapter Thirty-Five

Magic class was as frustrating as ever, since I still couldn't conjure a single piece of magic. The crystal ball, tucked into my backpack, seemed to mock me.

Mari openly mocked me, making rude comments and gestures. Mrs. Tate, if she noticed, said nothing. I wasn't sure if that made me frustrated or if Mrs. Tate knew saying something would only make the bullying worse.

The rest of the class focused on controlling their magic by doing small, simple tasks. Wind users cast a breeze that ruffled feathers held in front of them. Candles were lit by fire users. A beautiful flower bloomed from a small ceramic pot in front of Naomi. Green magic swirled around her fingertips, setting her face aglow.

Since I'd been unable to conjure any form of magic, Mrs. Tate had assigned me reading on magical blocks. She hoped it would lead to answers on why my magic wouldn't manifest. But with Mari and Nadia snickering behind me, it was hard to focus.

When Mrs. Tate dismissed class, I'd read practically nothing. I slipped the book into my bag, where it sat next to the crystal ball. Both were reminders of my failures in this class.

Naomi walked with me out of the classroom, though she was silent. I knew she could sense my mood. I'm sure my face made it clear that the class irritated me.

In front of us, Mari whispered with Nadia. They turned to look back at me before snickering uncontrollably. Next to them, Alek looked unamused. Mari said something else and Alek responded, but whatever he said made Mari angry. Her smile fell from her face and her eyes narrowed. She said something back, before stomping away.

"Your magic will respond to you eventually," Naomi told me as we watched Mari shove through the students crowding the hall. "You just have to give it time."

"How much time?" I grumbled. I'd spent hours and hours with the crystal ball, trying to find some source of that magic inside of me. But there was nothing. Not a single spark.

Naomi gave me a sympathetic look. "It takes some people longer than it takes others. Especially those who didn't know their heritage until they Emerged."

"I caused so much damage when I Emerged. Why can't I access that magic again?"

"It just takes time. Trust yourself and it'll come to you."

I said nothing, though I just felt deflated. I was so far behind everyone else here. What if I never caught up?

I chewed on my bottom lip nervously, not paying attention to where I was going. When I collided with a solid mass, I let out a small grunt as I stumbled backward.

Jason stood in front of me, grinning widely. Naomi's cheeks went a bright pink color before she gave a wave and disappeared into the crowd.

I stared after her for a second before turning to look at Jason.

"Hey new girl," Jason said as he started to walk with me. "You gotta learn to watch where you're going. Though I'm glad you ran into me this time instead of that asshole."

"Yeah, I'm working on my walking skills," I replied, though it was halfhearted.

"What's wrong?" He asked, the concern written clear on his face.

"I'm just frustrated. I nearly killed a bunch of people with my magic, but now it's like it doesn't even exist. Is it possible to lose it?"

My frustration at the whole ordeal was making me crazy.

"You can lose it, but it's not usually caused by Emerging. Some spells can be too powerful and can take it, or sometimes people can take it from you if they're powerful enough, but that's pretty rare."