The Witch of Willow Lake

Twenty-Five

As I sat in the dull classroom, in the east wing of the school, someone clearing their throat pulled me from the daydream I'd slipped into.

"Okay, in celebration of Founders day this week, today's history lesson will be on the History of Willow Lake. So, who can tell me what year they built this town?" The history teacher, Mr. Walton, looked to the class through the top of his glasses.

"1973." A long blonde-haired girl answered, "By the Lester brothers."

"Correct. And how did they stumble across this place? Ms. Paxton? Have you brushed up on your town's local knowledge since moving here?"

My eyes went wide as I nodded, "They were hiking in the forest after celebrating the go-ahead to open up their architecture firm. They chose the forest to hike as they thought they might find suitable land for their first project."

"Excellent, Ms. Paxton, nice to see a newcomer do her research. Okay, so next question, what did the brothers believe was on this land before the town?"

As Mr. Walton's brown eyes looked to the other side of the room, I turned my head and mouthed a thank you to Mahala. She figured they'd make today's history class about the town, so she gave me a brief low down on things.

"They believed it was a small village inhabited by Witches and Warlocks, sir." Eric teased in a mocking tone, "I think it's a load of rubbish. I think they made all those books up to get people to buy-in."

"Thank you, Mr. Wallis, I asked for an answer, not your opinion. Contrary to what you may believe, your opinion isn't a fact nor law, just a hypothesis."

The whole class, myself included, turned to Eric and chuckled as Eric scoffed, folding his arms against his board chest.

I never wanted to use my powers against a human, nor hurt them, nor did I wish to get caught. However, right at that moment, I wanted to freak him out.

Only something small, like to make his pencil fall off the desk, or maybe even roll back and forth on the spot for a second. But I contained my desire and turned my attention back to Mr. Walton.

------

"So, Silver, believe in all this Witchy stuff? Is that what brought you to town?" Eric asked casually as he leaned against the lockers, his arms across his chest.

"My opinion is irrelevant, as Mr. Walton said, an opinion is just that. It is a view, something neither fact nor fiction, just how you comprehend something, and my theory will not change yours. Now, if you don't mind, Masato is waiting for me. Saboten de jibunofakku."

"Wait, what the hell does that mean?"

"She said go fuck yourself with a cactus in Japanese, buddy. And make sure you use some menthol lubrication, it will really help it just slide in there." Masato's voice startled me, causing me to jump and turn around. "I was wondering what was keeping her, now I know. Just leave her alone, will you?"

"Yeah? What are you going to do about it?" Eric stood up straight, towering as he glared as Masato. Eric looked taller than usual, his six-foot self mounting over Masato's five-ten frame. It was unaided by the fact Eric had twice the muscle mass Masato did, too.

"Nothing, because I'm not a Mijukunadōkeshi." Masato challenged, remaining unphased by Eric's menacing stance, before turning to me. "Come on, baby."

I smiled at Masato as I wrapped my arm around his waist, "Oh, that means immature baffoon. Bye, Eric."

Eric rolled his eyes as he turned on his heel and stormed off in a temper like a child who'd just been told no.

"That guy is such a jackass." Masato sighed as we got into his car.