Alchanore~ School for Magically Gifted

Chapter 8.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Chapter 8 - Camp ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The lead up to the Annual Wilderness Tournament seemed to approach much more quickly than any of us had anticipated and before I knew it, I was packing a bag for seven days out in the unknown.

Over the two week period leading up to the tournament I'd made a small amount of progress in my studies and had even forged a couple of new friendships including one *almost* friendship with a water girl, Mikaela.

I'd seen Mikaela many times out by the lake in the courtyard at night. She was a second year; although one might not have picked it by looking at her. Mikaela was rather small; probably one of the smallest students I'd encountered so far. She had dark hair and large, dark eyes lined with the most luscious, beautiful lashes. I'd seen her many time in the past but it was a long time before I finally managed to pluck up the courage to talk to her.

Mikaela was always sitting by the water, scribbling things into a little black notebook and retrieving unusual implements from her bag that I'd never seen before. She was so mysterious that I couldn't help but stare at her, wondering what she was up to. At least a couple of times she caught me, returning my glance with one of mistrust and slight annoyance.

Although I recognised her as a student from the water element by her blue uniform Mikaela also wore a blue jewelled bracelet which was generally considered non regulation to the strict school uniform.

"I.. I like your bracelet." I managed to stutter one night as I passed her by at the lake.

"Thanks." She responded, her voice heavy with scepticism.

"What're you up to?" I continued, curiously trying to peer into her bag of mysterious objects.

"I'm talking to the fish." She replied, tapping the surface of the water with her fingertips, her expression unwavering.

"Haha!" I laughed apprehensively; uncertain if she was serious or not.

"Chloe!" Saskia suddenly called from up ahead, relieving me from my awkward encounter. "We're going to be late for dinner!"

--
The following few nights when I passed the lake, Mikaela wasn't there. I wondered where she'd gone and if it were really possible to talk to fish or if it'd simply been a joke; though, I dared not ask the others.
--

Meal times had fast become my favourite times of the day; when I could finally relax and chat with my friends without the stresses of teachers and study clouding my thoughts.

The group around our table had slightly increased; a couple of times the dark haired girl I'd met in my first class, Ava; had come to sit with us to ask questions about coursework and study. I'd since learned that she metamorphasised into a bat but barely made it to the hall during dinner time as she was often preoccupied with other unknown ventures. Another third year girl had also joined our group during meal times, her name was Erin. She had straight brown hair and brown eyes. Deon had introduced her to the group but it was still unclear whether they were dating or just friends.

Erin was very friendly and bubbly; she had a vicarious energy which seemed to lift everyone's spirits even on the most taxing of days. A couple of times I observed the pair share a private joke amoungst the banter around the table and once Deon even gently caressing Erin's face as he brushed her fringe away from her eyes.

Varley was still as flirtatious as ever; taking every opportunity to drop a suggestive comment whenever possible. The rest of the group remained the same for the most part; my friendship with Saskia in particular had definitely grown as I began to learn more about her and her life before Alchonore. She had also divulged a couple of comments stating that she and Harlow had briefly unofficially dated but I was too shy to ask much about it.