The University of Magic. Year 1

1. Leaving home

Lucy

Lucy's heart was in her mouth as she checked the contents of her suitcase for the millionth time.

She had never been away from home for longer than a single sleep over at Elvira's house next door. Today, she was about to leave everything she knew behind.

She peered nervously into the mirror again. She wasn't used to wearing long dresses, but the group had decided that where they were going, they would fit in better if they wore suits and ballgowns. Her deep blue dress sparkled lightly in the sunlight. The long flowing skirts would have been better suited to an evening ball or a prom. It looked stunning over her pale, willowy figure, but it felt wrong in this strange moment.
She twisted her long brown hair into a fancy bun, adding a small feather fascinator at a slight angle. Her reflection looked refined, an elegant young lady, so much older than she felt. The seventeen year old wasn't sure what to make of the image.  She twirled in her dress to watch it shimmer and sparkle.

There had been so much excitement on the day they had found their outfits in the charity shops. They had dressed up in so many fancy frocks and suits. Lucy's classmate Jack, had found the most outlandish colours a man could wear, and pranced about like a circus performer.
Lucy smiled at the fond memory.
The thought of leaving everything she knew behind.  Setting off on an adventure with her best friends.... It had felt so different back then. Like a game, or a fantasy, or an incredible dream.  Coming true.

They weren't just planning a vacation to a faraway destination. They were planning to step outside of their whole reality. To enter a parallel universe, where magic existed. They hoped to learn elemental magic at a university. Lucy planned to learn the magic of water manipulation. She remembered with excitement the thrill of passing the series of tests to gain entrance to that prestigious University. The University of Magic. Slight trepidation tingled her spine at the memory of the 'binding contract' she had signed without fully understanding it. That had granted her the acceptance papers that were stowed safely amongst her clothes in her suitcase.

Lucy and her four friends had discovered the parallel worlds together, through Elvira's peculiar magic. A magic that had announced its presence through the creation of a real life unicorn, Sheya. Sheya was the key to accessing inter dimensional travel. Somehow, she and Elvira could form a bridge, through which they could cross between worlds.

Only Elvira's inner circle knew about her magic. It was a secret Elvira guarded closely. Which meant Lucy and her friends couldn't even tell their parents the full truth of where they were headed and why.

The chance to learn magic though...

Lucy and her friends had been looking forward to this day all year. Ever since they'd discovered and then gained entrance to that University. They'd been barely able to contain their excitement as they'd waited for this moment to come.
Now that it was actually happening, the fear was paralysing.

A big part of Lucy wanted to put her ridiculous fancy dress under the bed, and forget about it. Along with the whole crazy notion of leaving. Carry on with her normal, sensible life.

Except that she couldn't. All of her friends were about to leave, and if she didn't go with them, she'd loose them.
Lucy imagined trying to face life without them. Without Elvira's warm, reassuring smile. Without Jack's silly grin...
Tears stung her eyes.

The doorbell buzzed and Lucy heard her mum let Elvira into the house. She wiped at her eyes as the footsteps drew closer. The door swung open and Lucy did her best to smile.
Elvira looked stunning in her emerald green dress. Like an Elven princess from an enchanted fairytale. She'd left her long ebony hair loose, to flow freely over her exposed shoulders. Her smile was infectious, and despite herself, Lucy felt it tugging at the corners of her mouth.