Annie, a mature and friendless 13-year-old, originally lived in the bustling chaos of New York City, where she was an outcast at school and a target for relentless bullies. Her family life was equally challenging. Her father abandoned her before she...
Annie was peacefully sleeping in her bedroom when she woke up the next day on the floor, drooling. Disgusted by this, she immediately got up from the floor. Annie was sleeping peacefully in her bedroom... She woke up the next day on the floor, drooling. Annie was disgusted by this and immediately got up from the floor.
Annie: Did I fall from my bed? And drool? Wow, isn't that a nice start?
Annie wiped the drool near her bed, saying sarcastically.
Bell: I know, right?
Bell giggled in Annie's dream room, finding Annie both funny and annoying.
Bell: I wonder what your routine is?
Bell's comment intrigued Annie, shocking her as she assumed he found her boring. Yet, she smiled, as no one had ever shown an interest in her routine before.
Annie: It's different from other kids, according to what my mom told me... but it doesn't include waking up on the floor drooling.
Annie said, smiling. She first folded her blankets, fixed her bed, and then did some cleaning on the floor. Afterward, she went to the bathroom and undressed.
Bell: How is this different?
Bell said, confused, thinking Annie was lying.
Annie: You're impatient for a ghost who's 190 decades old, y'know?
Annie said, quite annoyed. She turned on the hot water, grabbed the soap and shampoo, and took a quick shower. After 10 minutes, she used conditioner. Belle was confused as to why Annie used both a bathtub and a shower.
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Bell: Is that really necessary?
Bell said as she was lying down on Annie's dream bed in the dream room.
Annie: I used to live in a small bathroom with a bucket and a tabo, so I want to experience a bathtub and shower, okay?
Annie sat back, relaxing in the hot water. It was true that she had never experienced a shower and bathtub before; her old landlord had been a cheapskate. After three minutes of leisure in the shower, Annie began to ponder deeply. She couldn't understand why they had moved here, how her mom could afford such a large cabin house when she could have easily bought a normal apartment in New York. What was her mom's job?
After two minutes, Annie got out and dried herself with a single towel. She also wiped the wet spots on the bathroom floor. Afterward, she went downstairs and found a plastic-wrapped jacket with her name on it. As she got closer, she realized it was not a uniform but a jacket with the school's logo "Mahika" or "M Academy." The quality of the jacket was truly amazing. It felt like it was handmade just for her, soft like raw wool, with the logo as a golden stamp. Annie's eyes lit up as she felt hopeful for the new school... but she told herself not to get her hopes up and placed the uniform back. She went to her room and wore a white blouse and black pants with a neon dragon tattoo on the side of the pants, which also glows in the dark. Annie went back downstairs as she finally opened the plastic from the school's uniform jacket. Annie put it on, and it was really good quality like it was made for her. Annie made a small smile.
Bell: That jacket really suits you, you know?
Bell said, smiling. Annie's smile widened; it was rare for her to receive compliments.
Annie: Thanks, I guess...
Bell: You're beautiful when you smile... your smile is beautiful.
Bell said positively and nicely. Maybe Annie's life will be happy from now on...
Annie was stunned and stood there, thinking about the compliment. After a few seconds, she focused on what she was doing, getting ready for school. She went to the kitchen, got a jar of powdered milk and sugar, and put a bowl of rice. She was about to steam some hot water when Bell spoke through her head yet again.
Bell: There's hot water in your water dispenser, you know?
Annie stopped and looked at the water dispenser. She had never had one. She got a cup and filled it with hot water. Wow, it was very convenient!
Annie: Wow, I never had one of these.
Annie said shockingly. She put 3 spoons of powdered milk in the bowl of rice and added a small cup of hot water and a little spoonful of sugar to the bowl. Annie made the food she first made when she was 4 years old before knowing how to make eggs and instant noodles. Annie ate her food, which she called milk and rice.
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Bell: Isn't that unhealthy?
Bell said with a hint of concern and innocence.
Annie: Don't worry, I have a powerful immune system. Trust me, I haven't gotten sick in 8 years.
After Annie finished her breakfast, she saw her school schedule in the living room.
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As Annie glanced at her schedule, she realized that her class was very short today... only 5 hours. To her surprise, it included choosing classes in magic!
Annie's eyes widened, her jaw dropped, her heart raced, and her hair stood on end. Her emotions were a whirlwind: excitement, worry, happiness, and hope all mingled together.
Bell: Cool... you will be a magician.
Bell said calmly, not reacting as chaotically as Annie.
Annie: Magician is an understatement...
Annie said as she processed this. After a few seconds, she calmed down, though still feeling a bit chaotic. After reviewing her schedule for the day, Annie also got the debit card her mom left her. With an hour to spare, Annie read "Titan's Bride" again, while Bell covered her eyes dramatically, still traumatized from yesterday.
