The Salem Chronicles

Chapter 3

~ Eileen ~
~ Eileen ~
"I'll just take these, and - oh! This looks good!" I plucked a leather-bound book from the shelf. Creative Spell-Casting: A guide through magical theory. "I'll take this one too."
The man's eyes narrowed. "Are you part of the New Exchange Program?"
I hummed a yes, intrigued by a giant, dusty book sitting behind the counter. It seemed to be whispering, beckoning me closer. "And that one, please," I pointed.
He summoned the book, placing in my already teetering stack, never taking his eyes off me.
"There was another one of you in here earlier."
"Really," I rummaged through my satchel, searching for my wallet.
"Yeah. She was a trickster, that one. Gave me these and covered 'em with glamour." The shopkeeper held up five twenties, and I whistled.
"That's a lot of cash you got there, mister."
"Really?" He suddenly got a greedy glint in his eyes. "How much?"
"I should be asking you that," I said, growing impatient.
"Oh, yes, um... the total will be twenty-eight Galleons and two knuts." I was taken aback.
"That's a lot, isn't it?"
He shrugged. "It's this one, miss." He gestured at the whispering book. "Ancient, by the looks of it."
"Okay, whatever. Here," I hesitantly handed over a pile of coins. Hopefully, my parents wouldn't mind.
"Have a nice-" I was already out the door, but not before hearing an exasperated sigh.
Now the challenge was getting everything back to the hotel without bumping into any-
"Oh! Sorry, didn't see you... Ah! Sorry, sorry, didn't see you either."
My plan was off to a great start.
The millionth time I bumped into someone, however, was better. A familiar looking blonde boy, about my age, offered to help.
"Thank you so much, I just have a tendency to buy anything I see when it comes to books."
He smiled. "No problem. I'm Keith, by the way."
"Eileen."
I attempted to shake his hand.
"Sorry! I forgot about the stuff."
"It's fine. Where are you heading?"
"Oh, it's a hotel." I was suddenly distracted by the sight of Mark and Oliver. "Hold on a sec."
I stomped angrily over to the duo, bumping into a girl on the way before reaching them.
"There you are! What the hell, guys, don't do that again! I can't believe I'm friends with you, how could you two be so irresponsible?"
And then, for the third time that day, they ran off. I closed my eyes, letting out a frustrated shout. "GODDAMMIT, YOU GUYS!"
    The shouting helped.
I turned back around, feeling calmer now.They could do whatever they wanted, I couldn't care less. In fact, good! I wouldn't have to deal with them now.
When I got back to Keith, I found him deep in conversation with the girl I had bumped into earlier. "Sorry about that," I apologized to her.
"No, no, it's okay." She absentmindedly waved it off, smiling at Keith. I stood there for a couple of minutes, just watching them smile at each other, before coughing loudly. They both looked up, surprised I was still there.
"Oh, right! Your books. I actually have to be off now, so here." He waved his wand, vanishing my stuff. "It's at the hotel now. Gotta go, see you later." He seemed to only be taking to the other girl, who only waved and grinned.
"He seemed to be pretty taken by you," I said, looking at the brunette. She blushed.
"Did he really? I didn't, uh... huh. I don't think so."
Wow. Apparently Mark and oliver weren't the only oblivious ones.
"Suuuuuuuuure. And the Huron Hornets aren't the best a cappella group in America."
"Oh my God, I love the Hornets! I live in Michigan, actually."
"Me too!" I blinked. "How come I never saw you at the Salem Institution?"
She shrugged. "Different rotations?"
"Ah. I was Blue."
"Gold."
We both continued to chat about the difference between England and the US, realizing that we agreed on many things. Such as:
"Sherlock?"
"Sherlock!"
And:
"Captain America is so hot."
"Oh my God, yes!
Soon, we both found ourselves at the front of the hotel.
You're staying here too?"
"Yeah. Well, goodnight!"
"Wait," I stopped her. "You wanna do some more shopping with me tomorrow?"
"Yeah, sure!  Night!"
"Night."
I closed the door behind me, yawning and glad for a new friend.
Then, all I remember is a half-brained attempt at brushing my teeth before collapsing into the bed.
I dreamt of flying and a dark-haired stranger.