The Magic Within

Chapter 1 (unedited)

     In popular culture, people depict witches who are learning the craft to attend a magickal school 100% dedicated to magick. Right now, as I sit here waiting for my math test that I am completely unprepared for, I sure wish that were true. Most of the time, we attend regular school and learn magick on the side, like an independent study type of thing. I'm a senior in high school this year, and my parents are making me take pre-calc because I "need four years of math" (my graduation requirements say otherwise). Most parents, such as mine, have restrictions that prevent me from using magick to complete my school work, so I'll just have to trust my gut on this one.

       Most people, even the clan leaders, have jobs outside of the coven. Most of them do freelance, work-at-your-own-pace jobs so they can dedicate as much time as necessary to their clan. The High Priestess of the Evian, however, happens to be my British Literature teacher.

       After completely bombing my pre-calc test, I have Brit Lit next. This is my favorite class, not because of Ms. Oriel, but because I find it funny how many old British tales have events that correspond with those of our own history. The main reason she works here is because a number of Evian kids go to my school. Children are raised in the clan they're born in originally, but as they get older they can choose to follow the path of another clan. Until such time, they are under the protection of their birth clan. Personally, I think Ms. Oriel just likes to keep an eye on students she believes will stick with Evian. My parents are of a small section of the Animus clan that decided not to live near Stonehenge. They are technically labelled as Ambassadors, but I'm not sure as to what. I myself have never been to Stonehenge. I've lived in the United States all my life, and my parents don't let me accompany them on their trips across the pond. They've done their part to raise me in a way that doesn't sway me one way or another, so I wind up where I truly belong. Technically that's what's supposed to happen, but in most cases children are raised to favor the same clan as their parents.

       "You're late," a modulated voice quipped, breaking me from my thoughts. Ms. Oriel was leaning on the door. Her kind blue eyes sparkled and crinkled in the corners as she smiled. Her straight black hair was pulled into a bun. She reminded me of my mother in that she was dressed as comfortably as she could get away with, and her caring nature. It was like if my mom worked at school, except a whole lot less embarrassing because Ms. Oriel was actually cool.

       "I'm sorry, I got held up in pre-calc with a test I was clueless on, and-- hey, no I'm not," I said as I looked at the clock to my right. I still had two minutes. This was typical of her to joke around with students from time to time, especially with those she got along with such as myself.

       "I'll get you next time," she chuckled. "Hurry up though, we're starting Beowulf today." She stood up straight and moved to the side a bit, as she was partially blocking the doorway. I nodded excitedly (I loved Beowulf, I'd read it before and she knew this) and made my way to my desk. I didn't want to look like I was trying to suck up to the teacher, so I always sat in the middle of the classroom by the window. There was already a copy of the epic on our desks, and the bell rang as I got out the materials I needed for this class.

       "Good afternoon class," Ms. Oriel walked and stood in front of the class. "As I'm sure you've guessed, today we'll be starting Beowulf. Has anybody read this piece before?" I raised my hand casually. She waited a moment. "Okay, has anyone except Elowen even heard of Beowulf?" Two more hands went up. "Okay. I'll show you a video introducing this piece as an epic, and also some insights on Anglo-Saxon culture and how this plays a part in Beowulf." She walked over to her computer and fired up the projector.

*     *    *

       After school I met up with my sibling and their "definitely not" girlfriend, Brooke Taylor. As I approached, Jas and Brooke seemed to be in the midst of arguing about which was the best method of medieval torture like it was the most normal thing in the world.