Chapter One
I hold my breath as she passes by me without even a glance, turning the corner and heading down the stairs. I peel off the safety of the wall and take off after her, my heart pulsing with adrenaline. I need to know if the rumors are true. She skips down the steps with a sort of careless grace that I envy immediately. It will be a miracle if I make it down these stairs without tripping.
I watch the back of her ponytail, the way the long dark strands swing as she flys down the steps, finally making her way into the hallway, where a guardian is always present. I hesitate when she just turns the corner into the lobby because there's almost no way I can make it outside without getting caught.
I inhale a deep gulp of air before plunging after her, ducking below the ancient wooden doorway. No one is in sight, not even Charlie, and I pause for a moment, looking all around me. I've never come this close to the doors alone before. My steady breath falters as Mrs. Rayna suddenly steps out of the shadow, grinning at me. I curse silently but step forward, playing with the hem of my school sweater as my strict teacher gazes down on me, gesturing with her hand to come forward.
"Come here, Amara." I inch forward unwillingly and she stares at me for a minute, looking unfocused, before she opens her mouth with a puzzled frown. "Are you looking for Charlie?" She asks, tilting her head to the side. I stay silent, nodding vehemently as her hair bun starts to fall to the side. I'm paralyzed with fright, so laughing at her slanted hair is at the back of my mind.
"She's right outside, sweetie." So it is true that she sneaks outside after school hours. My eyes widen at her word choice and the small smile lingering on her lips. Why is she smiling at me instead of lecturing me about staying away from the precious door? Besides, this is probably the first time she's ever said something genuinely nice to me. Maybe it's her birthday. I feel an answering grin tugging at my lips as I walk past her slowly, giving her time to call me back inside. One step, then another, then two more... I giggle in delight as I push the door open.
It's pouring. The drops soak me instantly, but I don't care because this is the first time I've been outside alone in years. I don't see Charlie around and since no one is watching, I am free to act as crazy as I want. I spin around, smiling so wide that my cheeks hurt, but my victory dance is cut short when a firm tug on my elbow pulls me back inside. I curse silently as I come face to face with a furious Mrs. Rayna.
"Just where do you think you're going, Miss Brown?" Her seething tone shocks me and I stay silent, unsure how to respond. I'm pretty sure we already talked about this. Of course she was only joking when she said I could go outside. I don't know why I thought I was off the hook. My math teacher is not exactly known for her kindness and patience.
"I was just looking for Charlie, like you said I could. Didn't we already have this conversation?" I stutter, looking at the wall above her head. Her eyes narrow into slits that are barely recognizable as a dark green color. She inhales sharply, filling her chest with air, looking ready to spit it all back out at me. I wince away as she places her hands on her hips, glaring down at me as she pauses for emphasis, anger clear in her eyes.
"I can assure you that we did not, young lady. As I'm sure you already knew, it's against the rules for unaccompanied girls to be outside this school building. You are not going outside." She says in a hushed voice, jabbing a finger in the direction of the door. Although she spoke quietly, her venomous tone promises some sort of punishment for the rule I've breached. I flinch back, scowling at her as she invades my space, and she raises an eyebrow at me.
"But you let Charlie-" I retort, beginning to protest, but she glares at me, effectively cutting off my argument.
"I certainly did not. No one has been out these doors...besides you... on my watch and it will stay that way." My jaw drops in disbelief, and I grit my teeth to stop the scream that desperately wants to escape as I stare at her wrinkled face. She raises a thinly plucked eyebrow at me and I nod in defeat, knowing there's no point in arguing. She nods back at me with a superior smirk gracing her lips. stomp past her, heading towards the stairs, when her voice stops me.
YOU ARE READING
Witch Lights (Nanowrimo)
Ficção Adolescente'They say that power lurks in the most unexpected places. Some girls, like Charlie Frey, are full to the brim with it, and it's obvious to everyone who passes them by. Others, like me, have a hidden light, and it may take a challenge to bring it to...
