Snowbaz - Lucy Lives

Chapter Two

Baz

The fireworks are nice, but I couldn’t care less about them. I thought I’d be fine coming back. I can barely remember living here with my mother, but knowing she was here... Knowing that her grave is here. It feels different.

I’m leaning against a yew tree with my cousin Dev. He’s completely absorbed with the fireworks, like most of the other students. After this is the crucible ceremony. The fireworks look like they’re about to end so I begin to head over to the bonfire where I know the ceremony will be held.

Once the fireworks officially end, Dev makes his way to my side again. The Mage begins the ceremony by saying an incantation, lights the crucible on fire, and then I feel it. There's a sharp pull in my stomach, but I stuff my hands in my pockets and stand my ground. I don’t want to look like all of these idiots. I’m the heir of Pitch, and I want everyone to know my power. I will be just like my mother.

Dev has left my side so I begin to slowly walk forward. In front of me I can see a boy with bronze curls walking towards me. He’s quickly in front of me, holding out his hand. I keep mine in my pocket, he looks really scared. Out of the corner of my eye I see that many people have already shook hands, so I slowly take out my hand. We shake hands for a moment before I pull back.

“Hi, uh. I’m Simon. Simon Snow Salisbury.” The boy, Simon, says.

“My name is Tyrannus Basilton Grimm-Pitch.” I tell him. I can see when he realises who my family is.

“I - uh. It’s nice to m-meet you,” he stutters out. This kid is so weird.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, I hope that we can become close friends.”

Simon

Watford is great! It’s the second week into term and things are going really good. We have a uniform with a striped blazer with greens and purples, dark grey trousers, green jumpers, red ties, and a boater hat. Penelope and I share a ton of classes, I’ve met this really pretty girl named Agatha, and I actually get some of the stuff we’ve been talking about. Baz and I are already kinda friends too. He might be even smarter than Penny. His mum used to be the Headmistress here until she was killed by vampires when Baz was six.

There is one not so good thing though. The Mage. My mum has always told me to avoid him, but it’s hard to when he calls for you. I can’t exactly say no, he’s The Mage and Headmaster. I also don’t know why he called for me. I don’t think I broke any rules. Oh no, what if he’s going to expel me! I know when my anxiety is being irrational, but that doesn’t make me any less nervous. If I get in trouble my mum will be so disappointed. Penny won't want to be my friend any more. Baz will hate me. Agatha will never talk to me.

My thoughts are interrupted as I get to The Mages door and suddenly I’m having problems breathing. I bring my shaky hand up to the door and give it a knock. It immediatly swings open, revealing a large, messy office.

“Ah, Simon,” I hear a man's voice say. The Mage is standing behind the large desk that is placed in the center of the room.

“Y-you asked to s-see me sir?” I stutter, my voice shaking. I still can barely breathe.

“Take a seat,” he says, gesturing to the chair on the opposite side of his desk. I do. “I wanted to properly introduce myself.” I can instantly feel myself able to breathe again. This must be a normal thing then. “I was wondering if you could summon something.” Oh no. This is a test.

“W-w-what do you need me to s-summon?”

I leave the Mage’s office an hour later. He had me remember the incantation "In justice. In courage. In defence of the weak. In the face of the mighty. Through magic and wisdom and good.” Whenever I said it, a sword appeared. I’m not sure why he wanted me to do it, but I’m glad I could.

At dinner I sit with Penny, Baz, Baz’s cousin Dev, and Dev’s roommate Niall. It’s quite nice, having friends. Back at Normal school, I didn’t have any friends besides Penny. She thinks it’s because magic can put Normals off, and she and I were inseparable so our combined magic was too much for them to handle.

“Hey guys, were any of you called down to the Mage’s office?” I ask everyone a few minutes into the meal. Baz and Penny answer me at the same time.

Baz: “No, why would he call us down?”

Penny: “No, why? What happened?”

I feel my whole body freeze. Why did he call me down? Did he think I didn’t have enough magic? Would I be kicked out for being bad at magic? I didn’t think I was doing too bad. I’m going to be kicked out and my mother will disown me for being such a disappointment. I’ll go into foster care and never get adopted. I hear a faint voice that sounds like Penny.

“Simon, hey. What happened? Breathe.”

I’m suddenly very aware of my fast breathing which just keeps becoming faster and shorter.

“Snow?” A different voice says. Baz. He’s going to think I’m weird. He’s going to make fun of me. He won’t want to be my friend anymore.

“I… I-I’m f-f-f-f-fine,” I say as I stand suddenly. I’m having a panic attack. I need to get out of here.

“Simon,” Penny’s voice says. I feel a hand on my arm and it's all too much, so I run. I can see people looking at me. They think I’m crazy. I’ll never have friends.

I’m in Mummers, running up the stairs to mine and Baz’s room. I still can’t breathe. I’m on the verge of hyperventilating. I need to do something before I pass out.

I get to the top of the staircase and immediately sink to the ground without going into the room, leaning on the door. I pull my knees up to my chest and try to think of the techniques my therapist has taught me.