Alchanore~ School for Magically Gifted

Chapter 7.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Chapter 7 - First Class (cont) ⭐️⭐️⭐️

After a very unpleasant introduction with my teacher in the corridor before class had even began the lesson which proceeded was challenging, to say the least.

Upon entering the small, cluttered classroom students were given a number and immediately split into groups. Much to my dismay I was neither grouped with Harlow nor Saskia and managed to find myself paired with one of Theo's subordinates, the same bug boy they'd been previously harassing and a mysterious dark haired girl in a white shirt whom kept avoiding my glance.

To say the atmosphere amongst my group was incredibly awkward would be an understatement. Theo's crony kept staring at me with a glance that I couldn't decider as being contempt or amusement. I tried to ignore him as best I could whilst the five of us sorted through several large, dusty volumes of achieved data in an attempt to decipher information about bizarre, mythical creatures that I'd never even heard of.

After several heavy books had been slammed down on the table only inches from my face and after being continually bumped and shoved with ancient, dusty literature I finally cracked.

"What?! What do you want from me?"
The brown haired boy glanced down toward me in fake befuddlement.

"Sorry?" He mused, undoubtedly highly entertained by my reaction.

"Why do you insist on trying to aggravate me?!" My voice was much sharper and harsher than I'd intended as I struggled to vail my growing frustrations.

The bug boy and dark haired girl too looked up from their books, clearly caught off guard by my angry tone.

"Oh, I'm sorry~" replied the boy, placing his palms on the table opposite me as he leant in, whispering under his breath "I thought you wanted to play~ why else would you have been trying to get our attention in the corridor?" He smiled, superiority booming in his voice. "Or maybe perhaps..., other reasons?" He winked at me, suggestively.

"Hey, Austin; is our girl giving you grief?" Shouted a smug Theo from across the other side of the room. A disgruntled looking Saskia stood at the table opposite him, her hands on her hips and an agitated, unfavourable expression was clearly evident across her face despite the vast distance between us.

"Listen here, Austin~" I spat, grabbing his tie as I pulled his face a few inches lower so his large green eyes were now level with mine.

"There is no way I'd ever be remotely attracted to anyone whom was enough of a low-life to try to intimidate and take advantage of someone else. You're no better than him!" I motioned toward the bug boy beside me. I could feel his posture stiffen as our eyes fell upon him. "What is your name?" I asked the scrawny, ash blonde haired boy beside me.

I could feel him trembling as he fumbled over his words in a high-pitched, pre-pubescent voice. "Err, Norman." I couldn't help but cringe at this cliché excuse for a name which seemed to match his feeble persona to tee.

I refused to meet Austin's gaze as he sniggered at my shortcomings.

"Yeah, we're *totally* on the same level~ arn't we, bud!?" Austin ruffled Norman's hair disdainfully before turning his back and heading over toward the vast selection of shelved books.

"Sorry, Norman. I didn't mean to cause you any more trouble." I whispered softly, sinking back into my chair, defeated.

"Oh, that's quite ok!" Norman replied quickly in a jerky, uneasy voice. "Thank you for trying to stand up for me."

I couldn't help but focus on the awkward way his hands seemed to quiver as he tried to turn the pages of the book before him.

"Are you ok?" I asked uncertain, trying to not make a big deal out of his odd behaviour.

"Yes, yes." This is just how I am. Norman offered a weak, reassuring smile but all I could muster was an awkward smirk in response.

"I think you were very brave." Spoke the dark haired girl for the very first time. Her voice was very sweet and delicate. I smiled toward to only to notice that she still wasn't meeting my eye. She appeared to be looking down at the book before her which I was only now noticing appeared to be upside down.

My face fell a little in confusion.

"How do you read like that?" I asked curiously, trying to not sound rude.

"What do you mean?" She replied, equally confused.

"With your book upside down?" I continued.

"Oh." Replied the girl a little uneasy, quickly rearranging the book.

"I'm blind in the day light." she whispered. "I usually wear sunglasses during the day and then I can see a small amount, but I couldn't find them this morning. Please don't tell anyone."

"Oh." I replied, feeling bad for pointing out her error. "No, of course; I won't tell anybody."

"Oh thank you!" She replied, gleefully, raising her head for the first time. Her eyes were eerily small and completely black. I jumped back a little in surprise; but luckily, she didn't seem to notice.

"I'm Chloe." I greeted, cautiously reaching out to touch her hand.

"Ava." She replied in a most pleasant, cheery voice.

---

The rest of the morning succeeded without too much drama; as did the following three classes of the day- Alchemy with Professor Arista; a very informative class about the elements taught by an enthusiastic, eccentric middle aged man with wild curly hair whom liked to say 'apparently' a lot.

An outdoor/survival type class with Professor Rivero; another enjoyable class taught by a young, athletic, muscular looking professor of a Swedish looking appearance- bright blue eyes and sandy blonde hair.

Astrology with Professor Diara- a tall, slender, elegant & attractive looking female professor whom dressed entirely in purple of an undefinable age.

When Saskia and I finally made it back to our dorm room at the end of the day Ruby was already there, busily hanging posters in the hallway with Deon & Varley whom I'd met earlier that day.

"Well, hello there Chloe-cakes~" Varley cooed, tossing his long red hair back like a stallion would it's mane as he folded his arms and reclined against the wall behind him.

"Ugh- don't call her that." Ruby whinged, scrunching up her nose.

"Hmm? How about.. Let's see... Cutie pie? Schnookums? Snowy-chloe?"

"Ha! Because they found her in the snow! That's almost clever, I mean, for you." Deon applauded.

"Deon! Don't encourage him!" Ruby scorned, half smiling.

"How was your day, girls?" Deon asked as he turned his attention toward Saskia and I whilst holding a poster in place for Ruby to tape.

"Uhh, Eventful." I laughed. "What're the posters for?"

"Annual Wilderness Tournament. Seven days camping in the woods where the houses go head to head to earn points for their element." Ruby replied as she fumbled for the end of the tape.

"Ohh I've heard of that!" Exclaimed Saskia. "Apparently it's really full on! You're pushed to your extremes & people get really competitive!"

"Hmm, that's one way to put it." The three third years exchanged glances.

"What do you mean? What happens?" Saskia asked, anxiously.

"Ahem," Ruby started, clearing her throat and throwing Varley a clear 'Don't you dare!' Expression.

"There has been some hazardous probability in the past but management is clearly much more adequate now not so there definitely won't be any more discrepancies. It's all perfectly fine."

"And no more fatalities~" Varley chipped in.

Ruby turned on the spot and angrily smacked Varley across the side of his face.

"What?! It's true!" He retorted.

"You're going to freak them out! We need everyone on their 'A' game! I want to win this year! That's enough for tonight, everyone! It's time for lights out!"