Pharen Magick High

Chapter 1: Typical Morning

    My footsteps faintly echoed through the halls as I walked towards my next class. I sighed as I looked down at the smooth, granite floors. I kept  my head down as to not make eye contact with others, unconsciously fiddling with my usual Mage coat I wore. Recalling my next class, I tried mentally preparing, placing a finger near my chin and mouth in a thinking position.

‘Hmm, I did my homework, brought my Magick Spell book, what else was there... I guess that's it then?' 

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted as I bumped into another person. 

"Oh!! Sorry, it was-", I started to apologize but was cut off by a squeal.

"Oh, Katrinna!! It's you!! No need to apologize silly!" Kristen beamed her usual smile. 

I had a shocked expression on my face like always, which Kristen then dismissed with her hand. I smiled slightly; glad that it was her she bumped into. Kristen and I have always been best friends, but since we came to Pharen Magick High, things changed. She became a member of the popular crowds and left me all alone. She knew Kristen couldn't do anything about it, she's tried before and it didn’t end too well. Apparently the popular crowds don’t really associate with the others... 

"A-ah, sorry Kristen... So, how's the popular crowd..." I tried saying.

A sad smile appeared as she spoke her reply.

“Ah, it's alright... But I wish we could do things like we used to... I don't know how I managed to get into the popular crowd..." 

I was slightly puzzled.

“Huh? What do you mean?"

" What do I mean? Trinna look at me! I'm so ugly! You should be the one in the popular crowd! You're beautiful!" she explained.

" Shut up! Kristen you're like . . . GORGEOUS! And don't say that! No way will I ever be in that stuck up crowd. . ." I spat.

Kristen smiled as she heard her best friend say something like that. She tried stifling a laugh with no avail, and burst out laughing. 

I was surprised by Kristens' sudden outburst and had a worried look on my face.

"Ahaha!! Ahh, thank you Katrinna, you always know how to make me happy!!" she said as she wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eye. 

I sighed in relief and smiled with her. 

"Well, we'd better get to class... Come on, I'll walk you to yours," I said with a smile.

She nodded as we walked down the hall together. As we walked, we passed by other students who stared as we passed though we ignored them. I thought about what Kristen said earlier. It was true, Kristen was gorgeous, but I’ve been told that I’m not bad looking either. Then my mind drifted to the thought of being in one of the popular crowds. A small chill ran down my spine.

"Katrinna? You okay?" Kristen asked in a worried tone.

“Y-yeah! I'm fine, it was nothing!" I reassured, though she had a look of doubt on her face.

As we neared her class, we saw a small group of people walking towards us. 

'Oh, great... The popular crowd... Stupid stuck up bastards...' I thought.

I heard a faint sigh come from Kristen as she turned to face me. She gave me a sad smile once again as she said,

" I'm really sorry Katrinna, I guess I must be going... You know... Thanks a lot for walking me! After school?" 

I understood, and gave her a smile and nodded in return.

" Yup, after school. Courtyard 'Kay?" 

She smiled and nodded as she departed, making her way to the approaching crowd. As they turned to walk away, some of the upper members glared at Kristen as she reached them and looked to glare at me as well. 

' Tch, those stuck up idiots...' I thought.  

I watched them disappear down the hall and stared at the last place they were before they disappeared around the corner. With that I turned the other way and took strides towards my class.