Ink & Ivory

5 - The Wishing Well

The soft glow of the setting sun filters through the towering trees as Audrey, Lauren, and I step out onto the cobblestone path that winds through the heart of Willow Hall's grounds. The air is crisp with the faint scent of damp leaves, lavender, and something else—something more magical, something electric, that hums just beneath the surface of reality.

I walk between my two friends, clutching my notebook against my chest. My perfect schedule—neatly planned to the minute—is carefully tucked into the front cover, already memorized but offering me a sense of control. The day's classes have ended, and while I can already feel the pull to head back to my dorm and start preparing for the next day, there is something about this evening's golden light, about exploring Willow Hall's witchier side with Audrey and Lauren, that makes me feel alive.

"So where are we headed first?" Audrey asks, my voice bubbling with excitement as I twirl a strand of her strawberry-red hair between her fingers. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I can't help but smile, despite my nerves.

"I thought we'd start with the wishing well," I suggest, checking my notes briefly. "I've heard the water there holds residual Aether, and there's supposed to be a lot of history surrounding it."

Audrey grins and loops her arm through mine, pulling her along. "You and your lists. I swear, you're always five steps ahead. I love that about you!"

"Someone has to keep us on track," I laugh softly, feeling a warmth spread through me at Audrey's casual affection. I've noticed that Audrey has a way of drawing people in, making me feel like it's okay to relax, even just for a little while.

Behind us, Lauren walks with her usual effortless grace, her dark hair falling in perfect waves, her sharp gaze flitting over our surroundings. There's something magnetic about her, something untouchable. She doesn't speak much, but when she does, her words carry weight. She moves like she's always in control—fearless, and competitive, and yet, I sense a vulnerability beneath her calm exterior.

"We're not going to the wishing well just to toss pennies and make cute wishes, are we?" Lauren's voice is smooth, almost teasing, but there's an edge to it, a challenge.

I shake my head, feeling the familiar flutter of nerves when she speaks. "No, I've read that it's tied to old magic. People say if you draw the right sigils and use the water from the well, it can amplify your spells. It's supposed to be...powerful."

"I like the sound of that," Lauren says, her lips curling into a smirk. "Let's see if it's more than just some silly myth."

We reach the courtyard, where the ancient wishing well stands like a relic from another time, covered in creeping ivy and framed by tall, shadowy trees. The well had been there long before Willow Hall became the prestigious academy it is today. A silver mist curls around its base, and I can feel the soft tingle of Aether in the air, a kind of magical static that raises the hair on my arms.

Audrey leans over the well's edge, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Okay, who's going first? I'm dying to see what happens."

I pull a small vial from my bag, the cork stopper already loosened. "I've been practicing sigils in my notebook," I say, a little shyly, holding up my grimoire, which looks like an ordinary composition notebook from the outside. "I thought we could try something simple. Maybe something to bring us good luck?"

"Good luck, huh?" Lauren raises an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Sure, why not?"

I kneel beside the well and dip the vial into the water, filling it with the shimmering liquid. I can't help but feel a rush of excitement—this is the kind of magic I love. Small, delicate spells drawn with chalk, sealed with intention, the kind of magic that reminds me of warm hugs and soft vanilla candles on the windowsill. I draw the sigil carefully in the air with my finger, tracing each line with practiced precision.

As the sigil glows faintly, I feel the energy shift around us, a soft ripple in the Aether that makes my breath catch. I pour the water into my hand, letting it trickle through my fingers, and whisper my intention.

"For friendship," I say softly, smiling at Audrey and Lauren. "For connection."

The water seems to glow for a moment before fading back to its silvery hue.

Audrey claps her hands together, her eyes sparkling. "That was beautiful! You're such a little witch, Cass. I love it!"

I blush, tucking my hair behind my ear. "I just like simple magic," I say quietly. "The kind that's...comforting."

"Comforting magic is still magic," Lauren says, her voice quieter now, thoughtful. She steps closer to the well, her dark eyes reflecting the fading light. For a moment, her guarded expression softened. "We could all use a little comfort sometimes."

My heart warms at that, surprised by the vulnerability in her words. There's so much beneath the surface with her—layers of mystery and strength, but also something fragile, like glass that's been carefully polished to hide the cracks.

We continue our exploration of Willow Hall, wandering through shadowed courtyards and down hidden pathways. Every corner seems to hold some forgotten piece of magic—a cat with glowing green eyes watches us from atop a stone wall, its tail flicking lazily as it follows our every move.

Aether's contagious energy keeps the mood light, even as the witchiness of our surroundings grows more pronounced. She skips ahead at one point, her laughter ringing out as she points to a stone bench where students had etched sigils into the surface over the years.

"Look at this!" Audrey says, crouching down to examine one of the carvings. "Do you think it actually does anything?"

Lauren kneels beside her, tracing the sigil with her finger. "It's a protection spell," she says, her voice thoughtful. "Old magic, probably from one of the first students here."

"Spooky," Audrey says with a grin, but I can see the excitement in her eyes. 

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Thank you so much for reading the latest installment of Ink & Ivory!!  What do you think of Audrey, Lauren, and Cass so far? Do you have any area of Willow Hall you want to see them explore?  Let me know in the comments!  Let's chat!!

xxx

Addison