Luna's Awakening

24

Fortunately, Ms. Rogers, my actual teacher, was understanding about me being so late. By the time I got inside, there were only five minutes left of class. She told me all the class did today was talk about what the class would be doing this semester and she could get me caught up on Wednesday.

After we talked, I had to go by the photography room. This time, there was someone in there, which was good, but I had a big, ugly bruise on my face, and I really, really didn't want to take a picture with the state my face was in.

The room was a mess, with papers and cameras everywhere on the two tables that fit inside the small room. There were small ID cards spread all over the table and most of them were covered with the papers that were scattered all over the tables and floors. How in the world did anyone get work done here?

Inside, there was a petite girl with bright purple hair cut in a cute bob style and had ocean blue eyes. She wore a black crop top that showcased a bright, diamond belly button ring and dark blue jeans. She was sitting behind a computer and was typing away, engrossed in whatever she was working on. She looked to be around eighteen.

I knocked light on the doorway and she looked up.

"Hi," she said and stood up from her computer. "Are you here to have your picture taken?"

"Yes," I said and stepped in. "But is there any way I can take it at a later date?" I pointed to my bruised cheek and felt my face heat up with embarrassment again.

"Oh, I can fix that," she said and walked over to where I was standing.

I was about to ask what she meant by that but before I could, she placed her hand on my cheek. For a split second, I felt warmth on my bruised cheek, then she took her hand away and it was gone.

"All gone," she said.

I took out my phone from my backpack, powered it on, pulled up my camera, and turned it on me. Sure enough, the bruise was gone. Huh, I was now encountering my second teenage sorceress.

"Thanks," I said and put my phone back in my backpack. "I'm Luna."

"Gracie."

"Okay, Luna, I'm going to take your picture and I should have your ID card ready by tomorrow. Just stand over there." She pointed to the back wall, where there was a white poster hung up.

I picked my way through the various objects that were strewn all over the floor and stood with my back to the wall, facing Gracie as she got her camera ready.

She positioned herself behind her camera. She crouched slightly and peered in the lens.

"Okay," she said. "Give me your best smile."

I smiled and there was a bright flash, causing me to blink rapidly. I always hated taking school pictures because of that.

"Okay, one more," she said. She picked up the camera and stepped several feet back. "Now I'm taking a full body shot."

She positioned the camera and got ready to take the second picture.

"Smile again," she called out.

I smiled and a second later, a bright flash filled up the room again. I blinked rapidly.

"Alrighty," she said and smiled at me. "Stop by here tomorrow and I'll have your ID ready."

"Thank you," I said. "Before I go, can you tell me where to get to my next class, Other Supernaturals?"

She walked over to the doorway and pointed down the hallway. "It's right down there. They'll have the teachers listed on the doorways so you'll be able to find your class easily."