The Gifted

Chapter 15

The Academy was brimming with excitement and anticipation as the hours ticked by until the ball would commence. Us girls now resided in my dorm, as Gracie insisted that I had the best lighting for photos.

"Where is your straightening iron?" Yelled Bella from the bathroom.

"Under the sink on the left-hand side!" I yelled back, whilst trying to maintain concentration as I applied mascara.

"Do you think nick will be there?" Asked Gracie who was sprawled across my bed playing with her now curled hair. Nick was a guy she had been seeing on and off, the one I had walk in one.

"Of course, everyone is going to be there," I said fixing my straightened hair.

"Are you alright with everyone being there?" Gracie asked sitting up. I had eventually told her what had happened between me and Rivers and that I had seen him with another girl. Gracie being Gracie found out through the grape vine that the girl had asked Rivers to the ball. So this was her subtle way of asking if I was okay to see Rivers tonight.

I nodded, not confident enough to express words as I might reveal how I truly felt. Standing up I smoothed down my dress that had been crinkled whilst I sat. Gracie seeing my sad expression hopped off the bed and picked up my hand.

"You'll be okay, I promise," She said giving me a warm smile.

Smiling back I squeezed her hand, "How about you go pour us some bubbles," I stated, wanting to have some relief from my emotions tonight.

"Good idea," Gracie said with a grin as she spun around and exited my room.

Watching as she left I hurried over to my bed side table and slid the anonymous letter I had received into my bra. I had come to a conclusion that if I wanted to escape unseen, what better time than while everyone was distracted at the ball. Turning around I rejoined the others in the living room.

"Here," Said Darcy as she handed me a drink.

As I slipped in the sweet taste of champagne it relaxed my emotions. By the second glass I was slightly tipsy, just enough to feel happy but also in control.

"Omg, we have to go!" Remarked Gracie as she looked at the time on her phone.

"Oh shit!" Bella said bouncing up from the couch.

Looking at my phone I realised that I had an unread message from Cam. Quickly I flipped him a text saying to we where on our way and to just meet us at the ball. We then all rushed out of my room and down the many flights of stairs. By the time we were near the ballroom we where all panting from running in our heels, which is never a fun thing to do.

"Girls hurry!" Said a voice, coming out of the shadows I recognised it to be Mrs Dartwood.

Nodding we started to walk away, "Not you Lyra," announced The Headmistress. Looking at my friends I gave them a brief smile before turning around to face her.

"Am I in trouble?" I asked not standing too close, as I didn't want her to smell the alcohol on my breath.

"No Miss Black, not at all but I do want to ask you something. Have you received or heard  anything strange in the last few weeks?"

Scrunching my eyebrows together, my thoughts went straight to the letter hidden in my bra. "Uh no, not that I'm aware of," I said trying to play it cool.

Pausing for a minute the Headmistress replied, "Ok, you shall let me know if you do." She said more as a statement than a question. "Now go and enjoy yourself." Mrs Dartwood said with a smile.

Nodding my head I rushed over to the ballroom. Not a minute later I stood in front of the large wooden doors that led into the grand room. Taking a deep breath in I mustered up as much courage as I could and pushed open the doors. The first thing that hit me was the intense feeling of everyone's magic, it drifted over my body, like a soft breeze, causing my stomach to churn with nausea.