The Sunhide University of Wizardry

Chapter 14- The Forbidden Whispering Peak

Jessica hadn't ventured out until the next morning. As she neared the lively dining hall, saw everyone casting spells and enjoying either making a small breeze or repairing the pieces of glasses they just broke for fun. The moment she stepped into the room, an immediate silence engulfed the space. Every conversation paused, every gaze turned towards her, creating a momentary bubble of silence that enveloped her in its grasp.

Walking through the dining hall, Jessica could feel the weight of countless gazes, each one laden with a mix of curiosity, awe, and a trace of fear. The faces around her were a vivid tapestry of emotions, betraying the widespread rumors that had undoubtedly taken root since yesterday's incident.

Jessica tried to keep her head held high, focusing on the far end of the table where Amy and Lucas were seated. As she approached, the silence was broken, replaced by a cacophony of whispers that buzzed like a swarm of bees.

As Jessica seated, Amy whispered. "Hey, Jessy, don't mind them. You're much more than yesterday's news. Honestly, it's kinda cool what happened."

Lucas nodded in agreement, adding, "Yeah, you've got something unique, Jessica. People always buzz about things they don't understand. It'll pass."

Amy leaned closer. "You know, Jessy, if you keep causing whirlwinds in class, we might just start calling you 'Weather Witch' instead. Forecast for today? A 100% chance of awe and a sprinkle of envy!"

Jessica managed a small smile, grateful for their support but still feeling the weight of the room's eyes on her. "Thanks, guys. It's just... overwhelming. I didn't want this kind of attention."

Amy said: "Imagine the headline: 'Local Wizard Accidentally Summons Tornado, Classroom Now Air-Conditioned for Free.' You're not just powerful; you're eco-friendly!"

Jessica couldn't control her laugh this time. Despite the discomfort, she found solace in the familiar faces of her friends and laughs that cut through the tension.

Jessica then noticed her friend's red, puffy eyes. "Why are your eyes like that, Amy? You okay?".

Amy tried to shrug it off with a tired smile. "I'm okay, just didn't get much sleep, that's all." She reached into her bag, pulling out a stack of papers, and slid them across the table to Jessica. "And here's your assignment for today!"

Jessica eyed the papers with a mix of surprise and apprehension. "Assignment? Did Hendrickson give us homework? Why didn't you mention it before?"

Amy gave a small, wry smile. "You had your hands full yesterday. I figured the last thing you needed was to worry about Hendrickson's surprise assignments, especially with his penchant for sending us off to talk to the most uncooperative statues in the entrance hall!"

Reviewing the pages, Jessica realized they were filled with questions and answers. "He wanted us to interview a statue?" she asked, her brows knitting together in confusion.

"Yep," Amy confirmed, rolling her eyes. "Classic Hendrickson, always with the challenging and last-minute tasks. We had to gather historical insights and details by interviewing them."

Amy let out a heavy sigh, her exhaustion evident. "I ended up talking to Professor Maria Seager's statue. She was surprisingly cooperative. But Davis was a whole different story. He kept changing the topic, making me chase after the answers all night. It was... a very long night."

Jessica's eyes softened "Thank you, Amy... This means more to me than you know," she said, her voice laced with sincere appreciation. The tension that had wound itself tight around her heart easing slightly. The weight of the whispers, the stares, and the isolation she felt within the walls of the school seemed to lift. It was as if Amy's act of kindness had thrown her a lifeline, a reminder that, despite everything, she wasn't entirely alone.