Careless Magic book 1

Chapter 3

Once the door closed behind me, I headed straight to the nearest bathroom. Kingsley was a school for the privileged; the girl's bathroom reflected this. The stalls, sinks and hand dryers were all made of the latest bathroom technology and porcelain, I guessed. The mixture of class and technology seemed a little strange, especially in a bathroom. Conveniently, there was a plush sitting room adjoined where I could hide my shame in private.

I plopped down on the nearest divan, pulling my knees to my chest. I rested my head in my hands and let out an audible groan. What was wrong with me?

"Ugh. What is wrong with me?" I echoed loudly.

"Is there something wrong with you?" a soft, sweet voice asked. I had forgotten all about the girl who was supposed to take me to the Nurse's Office. I would have rather not had an audience during my impending breakdown, but it was a little late to think up an excuse now.

"It seems like it," I looked up and gave her a small smile. She was pretty, with bright green eyes and clear, pale skin. She was shorter than me, maybe 5'6 or 5'5, and had impeccable posture; which I was sure, was a sign of her upbringing. I expected her to look back at me as if I was crazy, but to my surprise, she only looked concerned. Her forehead had creased in worried lines and her plump red lips were pressed together in a frown.

"What happened back there?" She sat down beside me and waited for an answer. At least she hadn't tried to console me by assuring me everything was Ok. We both knew everything was not Ok. She sounded genuinely concerned though, and I was suddenly grateful not to be alone.

"I wish I knew. Sometimes I just, uh, faint," I knew it was a weak explanation, but I didn't think she would believe me if I told her that sometimes I felt my body turn into a giant microwave. "I am a freak show; I was kind of hoping to avoid drawing that much attention to myself today.... or like ever," I started to laugh; this was absurd.

"I'm Lilly Mason, by the way. And I know exactly what you mean," she thankfully didn't ask for more of an explanation, but I was one hundred percent positive that she had no idea what I meant.

"Nice to meet you," I said with a genuine smile. "Thank you for volunteering to help me. I know that you didn't have to, but I would have just died if Kiran witnessed anymore of my meltdown." I rolled my eyes, expecting her to understand.

 

Oh, do you know him?" Her question caught me off guard because clearly I was new to this school.

"No, not at all. I don't know anyone here. I ran into him in the Administration Building."

"That's so strange. He's new today, too." The worry lines reappeared on her forehead.

"Why is that strange?" I remembered that Talbott was worried about Kiran being late on his first day. But if he was new too, then why would he offer to take me to the Nurse's Office?

"Well, Kingsley doesn't usually allow anyone to start classes late, let alone three students in one day. I can understand Kiran Kendrick, but why did they let you in?" Her question could be taken offensively, but the way she asked it seemed only curious. Her voice was so pure; and her eyes so innocent, that I could hardly believe this girl could ever have a hurtful thought about anyone.

"I'm not sure, actually. I'm not what you would call the ideal student," I confessed with a cynical smile, but offered no explanation to my statement. I wanted at least one friend in this place; admitting that I was practically a ticking time bomb seemed like the wrong way to make one. "You said three students, who is the other one?" "Talbott Angelo. He was sitting on the other side of you." Lilly started blushing as soon as she said the word "Talbott." Her cheeks turned a crimson red against the pallid tone of the rest of her skin, yet somehow it enhanced her beauty instead of diminishing it.