The Magic Makers

Chapter 5

A/N: Hey guys :) another update. Btw can someone tell me why do we write an author's note? I'm sure no one even reads it XD And sorry for this chapter being extra long. I just wanted to compensate for the last chapter but I guess I got a little carried away XD

                         ~♢~

"Is it possible to die of boredom?" Katherine asked as she shut her Lexington: A History book with a bang and propped her sleepy face up on her elbows. Elsa yawned in reply. Ariana glanced at the wall clock and then at all of the other students in the 'Zeta' which was Latin for 'common room'. All the students of Lexington High shared a single common room which was so huge that it was difficult to see from one end to the other. They all look so happy and carefree.. Ariana thought to herself as she cast a cursory glance across the Zeta. We are the only idiots slogging. "Let's do something else!" Ariana suggested, ducking to avoid a paper plane that sailed over her head, gliding smoothly with the wind until somebody knocked it off course with a blob of mud. Clearly a Terranium student. "Like what? Fly paper planes?" Katherine asked, looking really tired. "Why don't you go and sleep or something Kath? You look terrible." Elsa said. "Nah. I'm good." Katherine assured her. "Yes you are." A male voice interjected their conversation. Katherine looked behind and blushed. It was Zack. Ariana sighed. "You aren't too bad yourself, Mr. Havens." Katherine winked, returning the compliment. "So, what's up?" Zack asked, grinning as he dropped into an empty chair beside her. Ariana scowled while Elsa just looked amused. Katherine smiled. "Good question. Trying not to drop dead, I guess." She said, making a light attempt at humour. Zack laughed. "Come with me then." he invited. "I'll save you from death by boredom." "Sure!" Katherine replied enthusiastically and gathered her books. "Catch you guys later." She said and walked off with Zack, looking extremely pleased. "Well, atleast someone's enjoying herself." Elsa said bitterly. Ariana murmured some reply and put her head down on her desk. Elsa sighed. This was pathetic. She wanted someone. In fact, she knew exactly who she wanted. Luke. He might be out chasing girls or something.. she thought dissapointedly. But it was as if Luke had actually heard her. "Hey." Elsa looked up and gazed into those striking serpent green eyes before replying "Hey!" A little too enthusiastically. Ariana narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Hey!" Luke repeated, visibly glad that Elsa was happy to see him. "So, what's up?" He continued, sitting down. Ariana sighed. "Do you guys have a behaviour code or something? Every guy who comes here does the same damn thing!" She said, banging her fists on the desk in frustration. "Woah. Okay, who else came here?" Luke asked, raising his hands in defence. "Who among us girls is not here, Luke?" Ariana asked him testily. Luke looked around. "Okay, Zack came here." He deduced after a while. "Smart Sherlock." Ariana said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. Luke made a face at her. She didn't really bring out the best in people. "So.." Elsa trailed off, trying to better Luke's mood. "Fine. Let me just get to the point." Luke said, definitely not in a better mood. Elsa sighed. "Yes?" She asked. "I overheard Mrs Gestingthorpe talking to Mr Westwood." He said slowly, waiting to see their expressions. He was extremely dissapointed. Elsa just raised an eyebrow, trying hard not to yawn. Ariana was worse. She almost stood on top of a chair. "Which award do you give to a person who overhears Mrs Gestingthorpe and Mr Westwood talking?" She yelled, making everyone burst into laughter. They all were familiar with her sense of humour. She sat down, looking brighter. "Ah. That was nice. Some excitement." She declared, smiling sarcastically at Luke. He sighed. "I don't know why I'm doing this.." he muttered to himself. "But seriously Luke, what is so great about overhearing them?" Elsa asked, trying to make Luke see reason. Ariana shrugged and grabbed her bottled water from her bag. "There was more!" Luke hissed through gritted teeth. "She's taking a surprise exam!"

This time the impact was just as he expected it to be. Ariana almost spit out the water she had just had and Elsa's jaw dropped. Luke grinned, tilting his chair back on two legs. "When did you hear this?" Ariana asked, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Right now!" Luke answered. "She was in one of the third floor classrooms and I was walking by." "Oh." Ariana fell into deep thought. Elsa, looking like she had given up on humanity, slumped over the desk, spinning snowflakes around her index. "Did you hear when we are having the exam?" Ariana asked after a while. "No I didn't." Luke answered regretfully. Ariana sighed and leaned back in her chair. "I'm sure she never mentioned it, though." Luke added as an afterthought. Ariana jerked forward and looked at him with a strange expression. "What?" He asked. "Sorry. Nothing.." She replied and stared into the distance. Elsa looked up at him. "Thanks Luke, for telling us all this." Luke's breath caught in his throat. Elsa's eyes were a stunning colour. Piercing grey. "No problem." he replied after a while, regaining control over himself. "Yeah. Thanks." Ariana said awkwardly. Luke looked at her in surprise. "And.. um.. sorry for.. um.. you know.. being so.. nasty to you." She finished, squirming in her seat uncomfortably, obviously requiring a lot of effort. She wasn't used to thanking and apologising to people, especially guys. "You're welcome too." Grinned Luke, amusement writ large over his face. There was an awkward silence. "Um.. I should get going." Ariana said, getting up, realising that Luke and Elsa needed some 'alone time'. "Why? Where are you going?" Elsa asked. "I.. um.. I have to.. go see Phillip." She blurted out, saying the first thing that came to her mind. Explanations later. She collected her books and walked out, waving her hand at Elsa who just stared after her.

                         ~♢~

Ariana zipped up her jacket as the night was cold. Shaking her dark hair out from under the collar, she looked up at the beautiful night sky. Ariana was disturbed. Why was Phillip the first one who came to her mind? Why not anyone else? Why Phillip, of all the people? She shrugged, pushing him out of her mind. The grass was soft with dew when she sat down on it. Hugging her knees, she shivered slightly. There were more important things on her mind than wondering why that Idiot had been her excuse. How did Luke know that Mrs Gestingthorpe hadn't mentioned the date or time of the examination? He must've stood listening till the end of the conversation. First of all, why would Mrs Gestinthorpe discuss such a subtle topic on a third floor classroom where anyone could hear her? Ariana shook her head slightly, her brows furrowed over her deep blue eyes. Something was wrong. Mrs Gestingthorpe was known to be very careful, especially with matters like these. How could Luke be sure she hadn't mentioned the date and time of the exam without listening till the end of the conversation? But then Mrs Gestingthorpe would've come out of the classroom and Luke would've had to hide. Where would he hide? There was no nook or corner suitable for hiding on the third floor. Anyway, Ariana had noticed, Luke was wearing a red jacket with dark denims. Not an easy outfit to hide in. He mustv- "Hey Rivers." Ariana sighed. There was no peace anywhere. "Parker." She stated, forcing herself to sound nice. "Thanks for mentioning that, I wasn't sure what my last name was." He joked, dropping down beside her. Ariana scowled and scooted a bit farther, Phillip looking at her with amusement all the while. "Why are you so adorable?" He asked, making her scowl worsen. "I'm not adorable." She said through gritted teeth. "Okay. Whatever you want, honey." Phillip said, winking. "Why are you here?" Ariana asked bitterly, clearly at the end of her patience. "Well, I saw a cute chick sitting here alone, and I came to join her." He explained. "Sadly, she's dissapeared now." he continued seriously. "Well then, you should be leaving too, shouldn't you?" Ariana replied, unperturbed. "Nope I shouldn't, I know she'll come back. Luke told me she wanted to see me.." he said slyly.

Ariana stared at him for a while. Then slapped her forehead, squeezing her eyes shut. Phillip threw his head back and laughed up at the stars, amused at her discomfort. Ariana shoved him, making him yell in protest. "What?!" He asked, trying hard to stop his laughter. "You were the one who wanted to see me, so here I am!" He said, spreading his arms for effect. "That was just an excuse!" Ariana almost yelled. "I never really wanted to see you! I had to get away from there! I had to think alright?!" She screamed, almost livid. "Okay okay Ariana, I get it." Phillip said, trying to soothe her down. "It's okay.. I know you didn't want to see me. I know that, alright?" Ariana looked up at him in surprise with her large eyes, throwing him off balance. Phillip leaned in, not able to look away. They were the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. Dangerously large, blue eyes, giving her an innocent look. He could look into them his entire life. Ariana was looking into his eyes too, confused by the warmth in them, instead of the usual playful spark. A strand of hair danced across her face, tickling it. She didn't push it away. She was waiting for something else. It came almost instantaneously. Phillip caught the strand of hair, touching her cheek in the process. She shivered lightly and was sure it wasn't because of the cold air. Phillip moved closer, tucking the strand softly behind her ear. Slipping his hand under her ear, he tilted her head ever so slightly. Ariana suddenly drew a sharp breath and jerked back, ruining the moment. Phillip cleared his throat and withdrew his hand, gazing down uncomfortably. Ariana felt her cheeks heating up. Just for comfort's sake, she smiled at him. His eyes lit up, getting their playful spark back. "So.." Ariana trailed off, tucking her hair firmly behind her ear. "What did you want to think about?" He suddenly asked her, looking serious. "Huh?" Ariana asked, caught off guard. "You said you wanted to come out here to think. Think about what?" Phillip explained. "Oh. that.. it was nothing." She said, waving her hand dismissively. "C'mon, Tell me. I came this far just for that." He insisted adorably.

The next minute, Ariana was blurting out everything to Phillip, who was listening keenly, a look of surprise crossing his face now and then. She reached the part when Luke warned them about the surprise test. Explaining how she had deduced the fact that Luke was lying to them, she suddenly turned around to face Phillip as he was leaning back on his hands a little behind her. She was surprised to see the concern on his face. Concern?! Of all the emotions? Phillip composed himself swiftly, his face becoming unreadable. But he couldn't hide the concern in his eyes. And Ariana had seen it.