Spellbound

The First Lesson

I end up near the entrance of the school, concealed only by the statue of a centaur. I wait for Serena and hug her goodbye before running back to my dorm. Only a few people remain in the common room, getting the last of their things together or shoving pastries down their throats. I take a croissant from the table and scoff it on my way to the bathrooms.

After a hot shower, with the last of Fox's dry blood washed away and out of sight, I drape myself in one of the plain white robes kept conveniently in the bathrooms shelves.

The last of the Pyro's making their way out of the commons give me weird looks as I dart past them and up to my dorm.

"Thought you quit." Avery's voice startles me, as she sits on the edge of her bed, lacing up her boots of the day.

I had been staring wistfully at my bed. Wanting nothing more than to collapse and sleep for the rest of the day. But her comment doesn't bother me. Not until I stare at the dirty dress in my hands, realising I'm one leather jacket short—

"Keep the jacket," she says, throwing a backpack over her shoulder, "It's no good to me now that you've worn it."

Should've known better.

It takes me ten minutes to get ready. I throw on black pants and a black shirt with flame resistant labels—almost identical to Avery. My attempt to braid my wet hair fails miserably, so I settle on yet another knot. And after shoving various notebooks and pencils into my bag, I reach Serena with a minute to spare.

She beams at me. She wears lilac tights with a matching cardigan, hair twisted up in two buns, and residual glitter sparkles beneath her lashes.

"Boring school clothes," she rolls her eyes at me.

Personally, I don't think she ever looks boring.

She leads me into the Grand Hall that reminds me of a theatre—tiered red velvet seats opposite a stage rise up around the room. Groups of students dressed according to their classes, take seats wherever they choose. Serena leads me to the front row where the other leaders are sitting. I can't help but feel awkward and out of place among them.

"Well, well," Talon says, sliding into the chair on the other side of me, "I see you didn't take my advice then—"

I glance sideways at Serena, who is happily chewing on her pink liquorice, and hasn't seemed to notice Talon's presence. I choose to ignore the snide comment, and focus instead on Theresa as she takes the stage. Her eyes manage to find mine, and the world disappears as everything from the night before comes flooding back.

Only when the hall is quiet does she finally say, "Welcome!"

My mouth goes dry and I feel sick thinking back to our last encounter—

"I won't keep you long, I'm sure you're all eager to get to your first classes."

A few of the students laugh. I don't.

"Just a few announcements," she continues, but her words fall flat around me. I steady myself, focusing intently on the way she stands, the way she speaks—but I can't concentrate. Everything hurts.

I lean forward on my elbows and bury my face in my hands. I think Serena says something to me, but words stop making sense. All words except for "Zara Flint".

A strained hush falls over the hall. I hear a few sobs from further away, and can feel Serena stiffen beside me. I refocus on Theresa.

"I'd like us all to take a moment of silence for the wonderful girl, who tragically lost her life earlier this year."