Things has changed, a lot. My whole existence was leading to this. Another World, another life. Everybody counts one me. At least I'm not completely alone.
My name is Arianna Lovett.
'SHOOT!' I shout when I open my eyes and look at my alarm clock. 7:13AM! I overslept, again. I have exactly 17 minutes to get ready and go of the school. This was the third time this week I overslept, I don't know how, but I sleep through the sound of my alarm. I have no idea how that's even possible! My alarm clock makes that extremely loud 'beep' sound were nobody can sleep through! I jumped in to my clothes, quickly got a combs through my hair and making a messy ponytail, like I've been doing a lot lately with all that oversleeping. I ran to the kitchen and grabbed an apple and a box with pasta (some extra from yesterday), and sprinted to the garage to get my bike, like I expected was Alex already waiting for me outside. Alex has been my neighbour since forever and my best friend. I look at him and smiled.
"Hey, sorry I'm late, I overslept." I said with a guilty smile on my face.
"That's okay, I overslept as well, and I was here just when you got out of the garage, so I'm as guilty as you." he smiled. And now that I look at him closely, he does look tired and sleepy, like me, his blond hair was all messy. Well, messier than normal. It was such an odd day. I don't know why. I've had that feeling since last week or something and I couldn't shake it off. I also guess that Alex had the same feeling. He was as distracted as I was the last week.
We finally made it to school and we were in time, what I honestly didn't expected. We left our bikes in the cycle shed and walked to our class, we had physics first. When we came in the classroom, we automatically went to our usual spot in the back, next to the window. I realized we hadn't said a word to each other since this morning before going to school, when it got to me that the teacher was calling our names, and then I looked at him and asked, "What does she want us to do?"
He just pulled up his shoulders and stared back at his papers. The rest of the hour I have actually now idea what the teacher was talking about, I was too busy concentrating on what was so odd about the last days, there also kept pictures and little fragments of bright colours and swirling people. I saw a lot of dark green, the dark green that matches my eyes, and silver in it, but I don't know what it is, and I don't know where I should get this from.
The next hours, in math and French and chemistry were just the same, I just couldn't focus on what the teacher was saying. I tried but then I saw these flashes again. I even Black-out for a bit, I think it was in French, I don't really know what class I was in anyway, it became all black for my eyes. When I started to see I couldn't properly see, my vision stays cloudy for a couple seconds, which seemed to be hours, but finally I could see where I was. I was sitting in a chair looking at a boy with dark green eyes, like mine. I didn't know any people with dark green eyes except for mine. Most people have those bright shining light green ones. But his were, now I'm looking at them closely and carefully, there were little silver lines in his, they look somehow familiar.
"hi." he said, "Are you feeling alright?" I was impressed, I've never had such realistic dreams, and I've also never had such detailed faces in my dreams. And he was cute, his hair was black with some dark brown stroke, matching his beautiful eyes perfectly.
"I think I am, thank you." I said, it might be a dream, but that doesn't mean you don't have to be rude. I realized that was still staring at his face, not the subtle kind of staring, but the creepy kind. I immediately turn my eyes to my lap.
"You don't have to look away, I know this might be weird, but you're going to see me more. First like this, in dreams actually more trances. Maybe a few visions, but soon you'll see me in real life. You don't have to be scared, you're not alone in this, just be your charming self, until the time is ready." he said. I look at him like he was nuts, but then I thought I'm the one dreaming this, so I'm the one who's nuts, right. With that thought in my head, I black-out again, opening my eyes, again with a blurred vision for the first few seconds. But when I could see properly again, I saw that nobody noticed I was mentally gone for a bit and 'tried' to concentrate on the less, what didn't work.
The rest of the day I felt so weird, the whole day I was thinking about normal explanation. But I couldn't get one. I felt like I was becoming nuts, or something. the whole day past and I didn't notice a thing of the lessons or break, even when my friends talked to me I hadn't noticed, 'till they punched on my shoulder and looked at them, what lasted for 5 seconds and I was gone again. In those few, rare moment of awareness I noticed that Alex wasn't paying attention either.
After school we went straight back to our houses, again we were too busy to thinking about stuff, we didn't say a word. When we were at my house, we both stopped.
"Bye." I said.
"Bye, see yen tomorrow." he answered. I think in this whole day we didn't say more than five word to each other nor anybody else.
The next days, maybe week, I don't even have a sense of time. It was all going by like a blur. I was running on automatic pilot and didn't have any clue of what was happening around me. Until one day I blacked out again, but this time with the falling and fainting and stuff.
Chapter Two
The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes were those beautiful dark green eyes. I realist I was outside when I felt a cool breeze across my arm and the dark hair of the boy fell over his eyes. When I was out of the little trance I was in, I saw that I sat on a wide balustrade on a balcony. I looked down and thought, I'm gonna fall down and die!
"You’re not gonna fall and die. Look I got you!" he said looking down. I followed his glance and saw, indeed, he was holding my hands, and so if I may have come out of balance, he'd pull me back. I looked up again from my hands. Suddenly two questions came in my head. First, how did he know exactly what I was thinking and second, I don't even know who he is? Not a clue, he does look familiar, though, but still.
"Hi, I just realized that I haven't told my name last time, there was also little time. My name is Nate Beaumont, nice to meet you again. And to answer you second question, yes? I know what you're going to say before you actually say it. It’s pretty cool, not that I can do it with everyone unfortunately. With you I can, obviously." he said, with an ear-to-ear smile on his face, so I started smiling myself.
"So you probably know I'm Arianna Lovett." I said still smiling.
"Yes, I know. But you know me too, you know. I've been visiting you in your dreams since I'm able to do it, with permission, of course." he said, I was confused because the first time I saw him was a couple weeks ago when I blacked-out in class.
"I'm not lying, it's just like your normal dreams, and they are in your memory the first seconds you wake up. But soon after that you totally forgot what your dream was about. With this sort of dreams-like vision experience, I can choose whenever I let you fully remember it, like a vision. Or let it be blurry like a dream."
"And what is this then." I asked, because I did want to know if I was going to remember it or not.
"This will be a vision, like last time. The other times were always dreams-like; but I don't know if you noticed but those dreams, became less and less blurred. That was so you would be a little prepared for this all." he said, his smile was getting smaller.
"What do you mean, prepared? Prepared for what?" I had absolutely no idea of what he was talking about. And I could see on his face that his 'preparing me for all this' part had failed.
"So you have no clue of where we are and you have really no idea of what this is going to be?" he asked, and I could see the disappointment in his eyes, but not in me, in himself.
"Euhm... no, I'm sorry." looking at my lap, I was a little bit embarrassing that I didn't remember a thing he had told me. While looking at my lap I noticed for the first time that I wore other clothes then I had worn to school that day.
"You like the dress, right... at least something I can do right." he said and started to smile again.
"Yes I do, how you knew." I jumped of the balustrade and did a pirouette. It looked a bit like a ballet tutu dress. But then dark green instead of pink or white and there were little silver pearls on it. It was beautiful.
"Well, I create this all in my head, so I can choose were we are and what every ones wearing, as long as I seen it in real life before. And in one of the dreams I let you wear that one. And you liked It." he said, while he jumped of the balustrade, took my hand and twirled me around.
"If you can only create things in your head that also exist in real life, then where are we?" I had absolutely no idea of where we were.
"We are in an old abandoned house, it's build centuries ago, but the family who lived here, were killed.” he stopped for a moment, looking in my eyes. "You don't really want to know where we are now, he?"
"Well, I think it cool, you know this stuff, but I suppose that we aren't in my world, right?" I asked. It didn't look like where I live, but on the other hand it does, but it doesn’t feel like I'm in my world.
"No, you're right. We’re in Sempera, I don't really know how to explain it, but it’s a big city indeed in kind of another world. Normally we don't have anything to do, but we had to save our world." and I could see the sadness in his eyes.
"What happened?" I asked, it was the best that I could see, knowing that I have no clue of what this all is.
"Well, 54 years ago there was a war, a really big war. Our whole world was in this - and our world is gigantic- all the six tribes were working together. Eventually when the war was over and there were lots of deaths and people who were badly hurt. Everybody thought it would be over but a couple of months after the war, the six elders predicted another war, a much bigger one. One that we won't win if we don't have the Eligants - 'the chosen ones'. It lasted months until they found who they were. All the elders and their whole family had to gather their powers, to find them. All of the Eligants were orphans, their parents were killed in mysterious cases, so the order decided to make sure they'll be save until they are needed. They thought that the safest would be to hide them in another world. They choose the world of the humans, because they look the most like us, so it took the less magic, and which was also the safest. The less magic the less they could be found." he stopped.
He looked slightly away but I could see the pain and fear in his eyes, a lot of fear. After a few seconds he looked back at me and his eyes changed, like there was hope.
"Can I ask something?"
"Of course, anything." he said.
"Those six tribes, what are that?"
"The six tribes, are the six different races. You have the Venefici, the Bellati, Lupi, Transeatur, Dhampirs, and Nymphiae. In English they're called. The wizards, the warriors, the werewolves, the shape-shifters, dhampires and the nymphs. There are also Custi, or guardians to protect the others."
"You also said, that you look the most like humans. What are the differences?" I asked.
"Well, the biggest difference is that everybody has sort of a tattoo. Not like the ones humans have. They start to appear when you turn 12, it starts light and gets slightly darker by time at the age of 16, and the tattoo is complete. Sometimes when you did something brave, but I mean really brave, and it helped a lot of people, you're tattoo can change a bit, it can add something. But of course it can also remove something when you do something horrible." he was still looking straight into my eyes, it was getting a little scary.
"And another little difference are the eyes. The colours aren't the same as ours. We -most of the time- have two colours in it. One main colour and the other is unnoticeable when you look quick. Also the colours aren't the same, we have more colours." He answered me.
"So I have pretty unusual eyes plus the fact that I'm talking with about this and I'm not retarded. I'm one of those Eligants, right?" I said, calmly? Even though I’m freaking out inside.
“I don't know if the others told this all to their wards, but I think you should now that you are indeed an Eligant." he said, happy and sad at the same time. I could see it in his eyes.
"And can you tell me, what I am?" I never been this curious in my life, I actually was pretty excited.
"I don't think I am allowed to tell you that much. I only told you what I was allowed to say. And that fact that you’re not retarded made you figure out that you're an Eligant, by yourself. So technically I didn't tell you something I shouldn't have. But I can't tell you which one u are. I'm sorry" and he was sorry, I could see he wanted to tell me but he couldn't.
"That’s okay, I'll find out later. They have to tell me eventually." I said, knowing that they would. And I saw the smile growing on his face.
"So Can I ask you something else?" I asked.
"Of course, shoot!"
"What are your hobbies?" I asked. I figured that I have to know him and that I probably was going to spend a lot time with him, I should get to know him.
"Well, I like reading and sporting. So I'm lucky that I have a lot of P.E. in my school schedule. And you."
"Like you don't know." I said, knowing very good he probably knew everything about me.
"Okay I do know, but I'd like it if you tell me, then I feel less weird for knowing everything already. Then I don’t feel like a stalker." he said smiling.
"Okay, so I like drawing and reading. I also like to write but I'm not so good at it. But my dreams is to write a book someday. That is I thing the only goal I had, before this happened." I thought back at what my life had been until now. I really hadn't had so much to life for. I wasn't one of those girls who liked to go out every week and get drunk and think they're all so cool because they drink too much alcohol and use drugs or something. I actually rather stay home and watch a movie with some chips and a blanket around me, than being pushed around but drunk people and dancing on shitty music. I was totally zoned out, thinking about random things. I was just staring at nothing. Suddenly I got out of my trance a saw Nate looking at me with a big smile on his face. I start blushing.
"What are you smiling for?" I asked.
"Just you have nice thoughts and you look pretty when you’re thinking." making me blush even more
"Euhm... thanks I think." I couldn't stop blushing. I looked down at my lap, until was sure my face had his normal colour back.
"You don't have to be shy. I'm just saying the truth." he said, and shoot, I could feel my face turning red again.
"I'll try not to embarrass you next time. But unfortunately it's time to go. The next time you'll see me will be in real life," he smiled, "and don't be scared if you wake up, okay I'll be there."
"Okay... nice too meet you... again... this was fun, will we do more talks like this?" I asked softly.
"Yes if you like, I'm your Guardian. So I'll always be with you when you need me, remember that. For whatever it is. You only have to think about it and I'll be there. I'll keep you save, don't worry." he said. And everything went black.
Chapter Three
I woke up, but I couldn't open my eyes. I also couldn't hear a thing. I didn't lay on the cold floor I fell on. I could feel the soft blankets under and on me. It felt warm and cosy, but there was still and uncomfortable feeling. I had no idea where I was. I couldn't get up, like I was tied on the bed. Which I wasn't, I could feel my arms and leg weren't tied, but still I couldn't move. I was getting scared, I wanted to get up, open my eyes! But nothing helped, I was paralyzed. Breathing wasn't going as easy as it should be, it felt like there was a giant block on my chest and it hurt a lot. I tried to relax. Maybe I could count breaths, yeah, I'll do that, not that I can do more than that anyway.
36 582, 36 583, 36 584, I still can't move, I wanted to scream. But there came no sound. I kept screaming and screaming. But no sound, so I kept counting... 84 264, 84 265,
WAIT! I could hear something. There were people talking, but everything was faint. Slowly my hearing was getting better, very slowly. After a while, I could hear it were a man and a woman, who were talking, still not able to understand what they were saying.
I don't know how long it took until I could hear properly, but I think it took days. I hear people coming in, talk and go away again. Sometime it lasted forever before someone came in. on that I could guess a little bit of how long I've lay here.
Finally I began to hear the soft music that was playing in the room. And I could hear everything that was said.
"How long will it take, before they wake up?" the man asked. His voice sounded low and old.
"A week max, but I think most of them are slowly waking up. You have to understand that the black-out they had, was a heavy one." the woman said nicely, but warning too.
"I know, Gwen, but it's been three weeks now. That isn't normal, right," the man asked concerned.
"Don't worry, they be fine. Without the medication I gave them, it would last must longer." said Gwen comforting.
"Okay, when there is any progress, or if someone wakes up, you call me immediately." the man said and left, I could hear the door close.
I kept trying to open my eyes or make a sound. Or move, but days when by and still nothing has changed. Although I was happy to hear, I still wanted the use my whole body again.
One day, after I heard a lot of conversations, all like the first one K heard. I felt a pain in my whole body, it left like I was on fire. The block on my chest was gone, I suddenly open my eyes and start to scream, it sounded like I was possessed. I kept screaming, I couldn't stop. My eyes were open but I couldn't see.
It felt like minutes before I stopped. I felt a woman getting me to sit straight up. My vision was coming back and the pain had disappeared. The woman that got me up was around 30, I think, and still really pretty, she had blond hair in a high ponytail and some pieces of hair fell out of it.
"It's okay... you're fine. Just relax, everything is alright. Don't worry." she said smiling kindly while handing me a cup a water.
"Just lay down for a bit, and rest." I nodded and lay back down, I think I fell asleep.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" I jump out of bed, never been this frightened in my life. It sounded like somebody was being killed. Then I saw the girl on the other side of the room, she looked scared. I think I must have looked as scared as her. Gwen did the same what she did with me, she comforted her and gave her some water. After a minute the girl went back to sleep.
The next day, the other girl and I were moved to another room. I heard Gwen say to the old man, that it was better to move us in different room, so we don't get scared again when someone wake up. The man agreed. They put us in wheelchairs and pushed us through the building. Our room were across each other. Not that we were allow to leave the room.
It was a nice room, although it was a hospital room. The ugly light green sheets and the white walls. I saw there were magazines on the table. So I took one and sat on my bed. I was here and it seem that I'm gonna stay here, so I might as well know a little bit more about this world.
In the centre of the front page was a beautiful girl, with Brown hair and dip dyed dark purple ends. I guess she must be around 18 or 19 years old. She wore a pink dress with white dots, I think it was a fifties style dress and pink pumps. On the side of the magazine cover were some titles about other celebrities and some tests. But then when I got to the bottom of the page I saw 'EXCLUSIVE! The Eligants are back! P. 9' I immediately turned to page 9.
'The Eligants are back!'
'Confirmed by Head of the biggest magic school in Sempera!'
"'The chosen ones are, indeed, back. After 16 years of living in another world, for their safety. Now it is their time to live and learn in this world. They have a lot to learn. But I'm sure they'll do great and if the time is there, they will prove themselves.' says Charles Devereaux.
'There will be a ceremony later when they're all good again and healthy. You should not underestimate travelling from one world to another. It is a very exhausting trip, physically as mentally.
But when they are back to their feet. There will be an official ceremony where they'll receive their power that we took from them, for their own safety, and also the assigning of the Custos, for each. It will be a magnificent event.' Charles continues.
Much more he wouldn't reveal for us. He literally said: 'It wasn't supposed to be revealed at all. But somebody, should have let it slip. So the Order and I decided, that if they were about to gossip about it, it would better to confirm it than to ignore it.'
And with these words we and this super exclusive -and short- interview with Charles Devereaux Headmaster of Univite School of Magic."
After reading that, I didn't feel well, there was a whole world -that I didn't know at all- that count on me and five others. It was really creeping me out! What if I'd suck at magic? What if this world will go down because of me? I can't do this, but I have to. I didn't want to take another magazine, because I didn't want to read other stuff about 'being the ones that can save our world' and that crap.
I was zoned out for a bit, not really knowing what I was thinking of, when I heard a knock on the door. I actually hoped it would be Nate, because he can explain to me what this all is. What everybody expect from me. The door opened slowly and luckily it was Nate. I was happier to see him then I thought I would be. I jumped out of bed, run towards him and hugged him. Without fully realizing it, I started to cry.
"It’s going to be alright! Trust me." I pulled back and looked in his eyes and I stopped crying.
"I have good news for you!" he said and smiled.
"What is it?" I could really use some good news now.
"Well, I wasn't allowed to tell you before, in your visions. But they give me permission to tell you one other Eligant, because you know him." he stopped, looking in my eyes, seeing that I didn't want to wait longer, before he continued, "one of the others is Alexander Harrison."
I couldn't believe my ears, did he really say that Alex is also an Eligant. I was much happier than I've been the last hours. I could feel my smile getting bigger and bigger. And also the smile on Nate face grow.
"And I'm now also allowed to officially tell you that I'll be your Guardian. What you may already had figured out, but I wanted to tell you anyways." he said.
"Really! So you're gonna be my Guardian and Alex is here to! Maybe it isn't going to be all bad." I sat back on the bed. I felt relieved that I wouldn't have to start without knowing anyone. Although the fear of failing was still there.
"I can also tell you that there is a ceremony tonight were they'll give you all you powers back and give you your Guardian. But you already know it's me so don't worry about that and then they will officially tell you in which tribe you're in." he said.
"And can't you tell me already in which tribe that is?" with a hopeful smile.
"Sorry I can't, I want to, But then they have a reason for replacing me by another Guardian and we don't want that, right." smiling and looking at me for checking if I agreed, I nodded and his smile grew to an ear-to-ear one.
"And more good new!" I liked the good news so far, so this will the great to.
"What! Tell me" I said when he still wasn't telling what it was.
"Okay, relax! You can leave the hospital, now." at first I was happy not to stay in this cold, ugly hospital room. But then suddenly I didn't have a home here, were was I supposed to go? Nate saw the change in my face and asked if everything was alright. I told him that I didn't know where to go.
"Don't worry about that either! Every Eligant will live -temporary- with the family of his or her Guardian. Because you have lots to catch up, and all the Guardians are from the family of an Elder and that are large families. Perfect place actually." So I could live with Nate and his family? That didn't sound so bad.
"Okay," I said, "When do we leave?" he smiled and put his arm around my shoulder and said, "Now!"
"And where do you live?" I asked, knowing that I wouldn't know where that would be.
"Far from here actually, but I'd feel like seconds." he said smiling, because he knew that I didn't had a clue what he was talking about.
"How?"
"You'll see." and we continued walking through the hospital. As we walked through the halls, looked at all the paintings on the wall. There were a lot of paintings of old men and women. Probably all the important people. Also the building seemed old. I haven't seen it on the outside, but the halls seem very old. I liked it, I thought it was very pretty.
We arrived at a gigantic, old, dark wooden door. Nate opened it and we walked in. it looked like an office. Like the office of the head of the hospital.
"Are you sure we can come here? It looks like an office." I said, nervously, I didn't want to do something wrong on the first day!
"It's the shortest way home."
"I don't understand." I felt a little stupid, for not knowing what he mean. We walked to a wall, he raised his hand above his head and quickly pulled it back down.
"Okay, we can go now." I look at him, confused. I didn't understand what he meant.
"We go through the wall." He said, when he saw that I didn't knew what to do.
"Th-though the wall? This big hard, stone wall?" I said not believing him and he was just laughing with me. "Stop laughing, it isn't funny!"
"We'll go together, okay?"
"Wait, what. You really meant it?"
"Yes, of course!" and before I could react he pulled me through the wall.
It took a couple minutes before I recovered from the wall-experience. When I looked up I saws that we were - indeed- in another house. We stood in the hallway, to be exact.
"Welcome in 'Domi Beaumont!" He said happy. He led me to the living room. Where six people were sitting, two little guys, one older one -I think a couple years older than me, then the parent -probably- and the grandfather.
Nobody noticed that we were there, until the oldest boy looked up and jumped of the couch.
"Hey, you must be Arianna. I'm Oliver, Nate's older, smarter, cooler, and more handsome brother." He said, he was indeed handsome, and he looked like a nice guy. He pushed Nate away from me and took in the spot where Nate's arm was a couple seconds ago. I looked at Nate but he just smiled at me.
"So, let me introduce you to the family. This is my mother, Elizabeth and this is my only a first unborn sister." pointing at his mother's belly. It looked like she could give birth any second.
"Nice to meet you Arianna." she smiled. And before I could respond, Oliver moved on.
"This old grumpy guy, is my father Henry. He's a Guardian, too. In fact he was my mother's." His father shook my hand and smiled.
"Moving on to the little ones." he said, and the older of the two immediately responded: "I'm not little." and I couldn't help it to smile a little.
"Of course not," Oliver said, "But yeah, this is Lucas and the youngest is Ryan."
Ryan looked up by hearing his name, he stood up and walked towards me.
"Hello, I'm Ryan." he said a little shy.
"Hi, I'm Arianna." I said as sweet as I could.
"You are really pretty."
"Oh, thank you. So sweet. You are so adorable." After I said that, he start smiling, like it was the best thing he had ever heard and returned to his spot and started to play again.
"And finally... Grandpa Raymont." Grandpa Raymont stood up, which went easier than I expected from an old man like him.
"Arianna, It is a pleasure to meet you." he said and meaning it.
"It's nice to meet you too."
“I’ve been waiting so long for this day." his eyes lighted up and he looked genuinely happy. I didn't know what to say and I could feel my face turn red.
"Owkay," Oliver said, "introduction is over. I'll show you your room." He putted his arm around my shoulders again and leads my upstairs. The house was smaller than I expected, knowing that seven -almost- eight people live here. We walked thought the small hall. There were four doors. He opened the last door. Behind the door were stairs, we went up the stair and there were 2 doors on each side.
"The right door is my room and now also Nate's and the left one is now yours."
"Do you have to share a room because of me?" I asked. I didn't want that the boys had to share a room if they didn't want to.
"Yeah, but that's okay. Nate is still in school, so he stays there like everyone, so It's only for the vacations and now exceptionally the weekends."
"What do you mean with exceptionally?"
"Normally they only come home during the holidays and vacations. But because he's your Custos, he is allowed to come home, to 'bond'.
"If he must go to school. Than should I go to school too, right?"
"Yes but not now. You’ll have a lot to catch up before you can go to school. And you're lucky that I'm already done with school, so I'll be your teacher."
"Aren't you a guardian, too?" I asked confused.
"No, I'm not. I'm what you are. And no I will not tell you what that is!" knowing that I probably want to know it so bad.
"Please! I won't tell anybody you said it, and I'll look surprised when they'll tell me officially!" trying to convince him. He bend over to me, with his mouth next to my ear.
"Nope" popping the 'p'. And I gave him the 'that's-not-funny-look and he laughed.
"Now this is your room. There are clothes in the closet. Most are new clothes, and don't worry we didn't have to buy them ourselves, there are also thing from your own." I looked around the room, It was a small room, But big enough for a bed, a large closet and a desk. I liked it, the walls were in light green and very light pink. The bed stood against the green walls on the opposite side of the door. On the left of the door stood the desk, and against the last wall was the closet. I was here for half an hour and I already liked it here.
Chapter Four
We -Nate, Oliver and I- were sitting on the couch in the living room, while Lucas and Ryan were playing with toy cars.
"So, tell us how it is in the world you lived?" Nate asked me.
"Well, I don't know if there is much difference, except for the magic part then. I went to school, did my homework. And when I had some free time, I draw or write something. I had a pretty boring life, actually. “I said, thinking about it.
"Yeah, I don't think there is much difference. We have to go to school and do homework to. We do less after-school activities, because we go to boarding-schools." Oliver said. "But now I have more free time to do other things."
"Did you go to boarding-school?" Nate asked.
"No, I went home every day after school. Luckily, because I didn't want to be with all those annoying people 24/7." I said, laughing a bit.
"Dinners ready!" Mrs Beaumont yelled from the kitchen. Lucas and Ryan jumped up and run to the kitchen. I heard Mr Beaumont and his father come out another room on the same floor.
We all sat at the table. Dinner was great. Mr Beaumont were talking about some business things and Mrs Beaumont kept telling the little ones to stop playing with their food. Nate Oliver and I were talking about some random stupid thing.
"And are you ready for tonight?" Grandpa Beaumont asked me, with a hoarse voice.
"I guess so, I don't really know what to expect?" I said honestly.
"Everything will be alright. You just have to do what they say you must do. It is not going to be a long ceremony. Just something, like give your power back, tell you who you Guardian is, thing that you already know actually." he continued.
The rest of the time during dinner I was very quiet. I was thinking of what the ceremony would be like. I never been to a ceremony, I mean an official one, with important people and expensive food and stuff. What if I do something wrong? Will Nate and Oliver come too? I hope so! Then at least I know somebody. Maybe Alex will be there too. He has to be, he's an Eligant too. Maybe I'm exaggerating. Or maybe not? I don't know what to think anymore.
Apparently dinner was over. Everybody stood up, so I did the same. Mrs Beaumont came up to me.
"Sweetie, you have to get ready for the ceremony. The dress is on your bed, call me when you’re dressed, then I'll come do your hair. Normally the dress and shoes should fit." she smiled at me.
"Thank you, Mrs Beaumont." I said thankfully.
"You can call me Elizabeth." She said, I nodded and when to my 'room'.
The dress lay indeed on my bed. It was -No surprise- dark green with silver shining accents. It was a long prom dress like with a wide long -wedding dress- shirt, on the top of it were green silver flower on it. When I looked closer I saw that it was a strapless. It was a beautiful dress. I changes clothes as fast as I could. And even before I had the change to call Mrs Beaumont she knocked on the door and came in.
"I thought that you would be ready by now." she smiled. She pointed to a make-up table that I hadn't seen before.
"I thought you would like a mirror in you room so I got you a make-up table." she said.
"Thank you very much, you didn't have to do that." I said, meaning it.
"It was nothing, every girl want to look good right?" she said, while I sat down on the chair in front of the table and she started brushing my hair. I could see she loved it. I think she hope that her unborn daughter will let her do her hair too. After brushing she curled my hair and grabs some strings of it and fastened it at the back of my head. In the front there were also a couple strings lose, so it would look aristocratic enough for the ceremony, but on the other hand casual. I loved It.
"Oh my gosh! This looks amazing!" I couldn't stop admiring my hair in front of the mirror.
"I love to do this. But with four boys that isn't an option. I've always wanted a girl, and now I suddenly have two." she looked at me as if I really was her daughter, even though I've been there for only half a day. She looked at me and hugged me.
"You look really beautiful." and I started to blush.
"Now go down stairs, Oliver and Nate are probably waiting for you!"
"Aren't you coming?" I asked.
"No, It is too exhausting for me and I have to what the little ones as well, But Grandpa will be there and maybe Henry will stay too." she said encouraging me, you could probably see on my face how nervous I was.
Carefully I went down the stair on my new -way too high- dark green pumps, matching my dress of course. As I walked down the stairs, Nate and Oliver were waiting for me. When they saw me they both went "Wow". I couldn't help but blush, a lot!
"Ready?" Oliver asked when I was down.
"No! How are we gonna get there, anyway?" I asked hoping they wouldn't say 'through the wall.
"Through the wall!" Nate said, and he and Oliver started to laugh, probably because they saw on my face I didn't like that.
"This time it will go better." Oliver said, putting his arm around my shoulders, I put my arm around his waist and with my other hand I grabbed Nate's arm. I didn't like the feeling of walking through wall, it felt like you were losing balance and I felt nauseous. We walked toward the wall, this time it was Oliver who put his -free- arm up and quickly lowered it again, this time I could see a change in the wall, the colour of the wall changed in brown bricks instead of the red wall. Why didn't it change the last time? It's weird, I'm confused again. I closed my eyes as we were walking to the wall. I could feel that Nate and Oliver were holding me straight up, otherwise I felt, no doubt that. I felt less sick than the first time, but it wasn't a great experience either.
The room we walked in to be loaded was important looking people with long dresses and jewellery. I was looking at the people and I couldn't help feeling I didn't belong here.
"Come, before you go in you have to meet the others." Oliver's arm left my shoulders a Nate took me with him toward the enormous stairs.
"Aren't you coming?" I said, with a little fear in my voice.
"No, only Eligants and their Guardians. I'll be in the Ballroom." I nodded and looked at Nate, hoping he would give me an encouraging look, because I really needed one right now, I was so scared.
After trying hard not to fall on the stair we walked to the door Nate pointed at. I run as fast as I could, I smacked open the door and looked who was there. There were three people, two guys and a girl. I looked at the guys and saw that Alex was one of them, I run toward him and hugged him, and luckily he hugged me back. And at the way he hugged me, I knew he was as terrified as I was. He hugged me like it was the last time. I didn't my best not to cry, because then my make-up would be ruined and then I would look terrible in front of hundreds of people. He let go when we heart the door open again it was a girl, she had long blond hair and bright blue eyes. She was skinny and I thing as long as I am, which isn't so tall, actually. She looked as nervous as I and everyone else. When she looked around and looked when her eyes fell on the guy behind Alex and me she run to him.
"Drew!" she shouted,
"I'm so happy you're here too." she looked relieved. After a couple minutes we started to talk. The girl with the long blond hair was Luna and the guy's name was obviously Drew. Then there was another girl, with long black hair and matching black eyes. She was tall taller than Luna and me, but not as tall and the boys. Her name was Sky and her ironic last name: Blue. when she heard the door open again she immediately jumped up and watched as a tall, handsome guy with also black hair and green eyes walked in, and just like everyone else had done, started to hug. At least we all knew somebody.
As the guy introduced himself as Blake, I noticed that Nate wasn't here and the other were alone, too. They didn't do anything wrong I hope? I was getting worried. I reassure myself that there is probably nothing wrong at all. And get involved in the conversation again.
Twenty minutes later the door opened again, six people entered the room, I saw Nate between them. So I realized that would be the other's Guardians. The guy who walked in the front looked the oldest, I guess Oliver’s age, maybe. He started to talk.
"Okay, everything is ready to start the ceremony. I will now tell you what you have to do and what will happen in which order. First you walk with your Guardian to the door a little bit further. Behind that door is the ballroom, but at the balcony. Try to be as elegant as possible when you walk down the stairs, but mostly try not to fall." and smiled comforting us all, and continued, "Then when you're all downstairs you'll walk behind each other in the order we will tell in a minute. There will be a short speech, in line of 'In name of Senio Tribus, I present to you... blablabla.' after that he - Charles Devereaux, head of the order and the school in Sempera- will call your name. Then you and your Custos walk forward, when you two stop, you -alone- will take another step forwards and he'll hand you your powers and he'll officially appoint your Custos. And that's it, you take your Guardians hand and walk away."
He made it seem like it was nothing, but I didn't feel calmer because of it. We walked out of the room. First Luna, followed by Drew. Then I and after me was Alex. Then Sky and the last one was Blake. The most Guardians looked like my age, but some looked older, like Luna's, the one who explained what we had to do. And then Blake's Guardian, a girl, looked older too. Alex Custos was also a girl, just like Drew and Blake. And all the girls had a boy. Maybe coincidence, but I don't think so.
We stopped at a big, old looking, wooden door. When the door opened you looked into an enormous, gigantic, beautiful ballroom. With murmur and gold and all those posh expensive things. As we walked in I head someone speak. "Ladies and Gentlemen, May I introduce to you, the Eligants!" and everybody and I mean literally EVERYBODY looked at us and started applauding. We walked slowly down the stairs, trying to focus on 'not falling' and not on 'Oh no everybody's watching, I'm gonna screw this up!' I've never been this nervous is my life. After what seemed hours we finally downstairs.
We walked further down the room, towards nine people, in the middle sat the old man from the hospital that must be Charles Devereaux. There were six old-er people, three on each side of him. And at the two ends were, on each side and old-er woman. I thought it would be the Elders, but the women I had no idea.
Still in a row, we stopped, about five meters of the nine people sitting in front of us. Mr Devereaux stood up. "Dear people of Senio Tribus. Welcome to Sempera, the Capital City of Oblivioni. Thank you all for coming to this ones in a life time happening. Let me introduce you to the six Eligants!" he paused and everyone start applauding.
"This ceremony will start now." Six little light balls came flying above his head, all in another colour and all very sparkly." Let me present to you Luna Blackwell, Eligant of the first tribe the Nymphs." Luna and her Guardian stepped forwards and stopped, she took another step alone, just like she was supposed to do. "Honora ad Nymphae!" he said and a little pink light ball moved from above Mr Devereaux' head to Luna. The ball twirled around her body and disappeared in her chest. "And I also name Aiden Davis as her Custos." and as they walked away together everybody cheered happy.
Now that I saw what I had to do I didn't pay attention to Drew. Instead I was calming myself, but I didn't work. When Mr Devereaux called my name, I got out of my trance.
"Here is Arianna Lovett, Eligant of the third tribe the Wizards." and I nervously walked towards him, just before Nate let go of my hand he squeezed it soothing. I stepped forward.
"Honora ad Veneficus!" and the green light ball came twirling around me and also disappeared in my chest. I'm a wizard, I'm a wizard, it’s still a vague in my head, and it doesn't seem to get through. Nate grabbed my hand and totally lost in my thought I walked with him. Still trying to comprehend what just happened. I am a Wizard, nope still doesn’t feel real.
After the ceremony was finished the 'party' started. Everyone was still numb from what the hell just happened and returned to their 'temporary' family.
"Is she alright?" I heard someone ask.
"I hope so, she zoned out or something." another voice said.
"Maybe a kiss would help her." the first voice said and when the words hit me, I turned back to reality. I saw Oliver’s face like two inches away from mine.
"Hey!" I said shouted when I pushed him away.
"Don't worry, I wasn't really going to do it. But I was right, it worked." he smiled, like he just got the title of 'smartest' person.
"You know that's not a good thing for you, you know." I said.
"What do you mean?" and his 'smart-face' disappeared.
"There must be a reason I don't want to kiss you."
"pff, you do want to kiss me. Why wouldn't you? I'm the smart, cute, handsome, cool, older brother, remember." he said.
"Haha, sure. If you want to believe that, then keep living in that haze of wishes that will never come true." I said laughing.
"You are a mean little dwarf!" he said poking me in my side.
"How dare you call me like that?" I said laughing because of the poking, "you don't need to hide it you know. I know you love me." I couldn't stop laughing and poked him back.
"Yeah, you're right, I do. But hey, just look at us we would be the most handsome couple ever."
"Haha, I'll take that as a compliment?"
"Hey, we lost Nate!" I said.
"Don't worry. He is..." Oliver said, looking around the room, "there just where I though he would be. Or actually with WHO he would be. That's Quinn."
"She's pretty, is she his girlfriend?"
"Haha, no! The concept is called: Skinny Love. They like each other but they’re both too shy to tell or do something." He said with a face sympathetic grin on his face.
"You think this is hilarious, don't you?"
"Yes, indeed." with a grin on his face, “but don't tell me you don't find it funny as well."
"Okay I admit, but look, he is event o shy to look in her eyes. That way they will never get together." I said.
"I know, I even had to ask her to come with me because he had to come with you and he wanted her to be here too. Like I don't have girls who wanted to come to ceremony with me and now, after what I've done for him, he don't even dare to ask her to dance."
"Oh, I have an idea. You introduce me to her, we chat a little and then I'll say something about dancing and hopefully she wants to dance, too."
"That plan is actually pretty good." he said and he stretched out his hand to me and I lay mine is his. We walked toward them. They didn't stood far, but far enough to almost trip with stilts of shoes.
"Hey, my little brother!" Oliver said theatrical.
"Hi Nate." I tried had not to laugh out loud, but he face was just 'what-are-you-doing-here? Get-out! It was just too funny;
"Hello, My name is Quinn Carr. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Hi, I'm Ari-"
"Arianna Lovett, I know." she said
"right, I forgot, the Eligant thing." I said, I actually forgot for a minute.
"And having fun yet." Oliver said.
"Yeah we've been talking." Quinn said.
"We only talked too." I said, we, meaning Oliver and I, "But I'd like to dance, don't you."
"Yes, But I'm not a really good dancer, you know." she said only because she was too nervous to ask Nate to dance with her.
"Trust me, you better than me, this is the first time I have to dance on high heels and a princess dress."
"Haha, yeah maybe." she looked at Nate, like she wanted him to notice that she wanted to dance, but as clueless ad he was, he just kept looking around.
"Nate, don't you want to dance?" Oliver asked.
"What? Nah, maybe I don't know?" he said. And I gave him a 'we-are-trying-to-help-you look. And I think he got it.
"Yeah maybe I do want to dance, it seems fun." he said and I was glad he got the hint, but still he didn't really know what to do.
"Well, Oliver, I think it would be fun to dance, don't you think?" I asked, Oliver immediately knew what I was doing.
"Okay then. Would you like to dance with me, Arianna."
"I thought you would never ask." I said smiling. And we stepped towards the dancing couple.
Not even a minute after we start dancing, we saw Nate and Quinn come to the dance floor.
"It worked, we just got Nate to dance with his crush. That’s what I call progress." I laughed and Oliver spun me around. He wasn't a bad dancer at all, plus he managed to keep me straight up when I tripped. Now and then my eyes fell on Nate. He looked like he was having the best time of his life.
Chapter Five
I felt like a princes, I mean with the long dresses, the guys in suits, the massive ballroom, the live violin music. It was so fun that night, with the dancing. I mostly danced with Oliver, but I danced with Alex a couple times and with the other Eligants. I liked it, I wouldn't mind if there were other ceremonies like this soon. I almost completely forgot what this was all about. Around one o'clock the party was over and everybody was leaving. I was looking for Nate, so we could go home together. When I spotted him he was standing at a pillar nearby the door, with Quinn. They both looked nervous, I could see it from across the room. I noticed Oliver was looking too.
"Will he kiss her, you thing?" I asked him.
"Normally I would say no, but after our successful plan earlier, he might do It." he said not taking his eyes of the couple, to be sure he didn't miss it. They already held hands, so that was a start. She got a little closer to him, he put his hand around her waist, to that Quinn lay her hand around his neck. Again a little closer, and a little closer. And yes, finally they kissed. It was a small kiss, but it was a kiss.
"Oh, wow, he did it, I didn't know he had it in him."
"Oh wow, and he get the girl and you are still alone," I laughed, “I though you said you were the cool, hotter, older brother?"
"The girls just can't handle this hotness, so they go to the version of me they can handle, and that would be Nate." He said and both laughing at his comment we went to Nate and Quinn.
"We don't want to ruin your moment here, but I think we shouldn't head home." Oliver said.
"Yeah, everybody is leaving." Quinn said, "Well, I'll see you at school, Monday." she said giving him a small kiss on the lips.
"Bye!" Nate said to her, a big smile to each other and disappeared into nowhere.
Nate saw my confusing look.
"There are more ways to go somewhere than through the wall, you know."
"Really? Can we do than one of the other ways, because I don't feel like using the wall again.”?
"As you wish." Oliver said, "Evanesces!" He shouted and I felt like were suck into something and then pulled to the ground beneath it. I felt strange, but it was better than the wall."
"Was that better?" Nate asked.
"Much, much better!" I said relieved. I walked to the couch and plop down.
"Shouldn't you go to bed? Breakfast is at nine o'clock." Nate said. What nine O'clock! So early. But actually I had no idea what day it was.
"Yeah maybe, but I don't want to take of the dress. I like it!" I said while I stood up and spun around in the living room.
"You do look great in that dress," Oliver said, “But you can't wear it forever."
"I know." I said with a sad face and plop down on the couch again.
"Come on, let's go upstairs." Said Nate while pulling me up by my arm.
"Okay then, but let me take these heels out first, before I wake everyone up." And I felt little again. I just reached Oliver’s shoulders with my eyes, Nate was a little smaller than him, but still.
"From now on I'm wearing heels all the time. I don't want to feel little;" I said sadly.
"But even with heels you'll always be small. Come on now, first night to sleep here." Nate said, I almost forgot I've only been there for a day, but it felt like at least a week. I just like them already.
In my room, I walked to the closet and looked for a pyjama. I found a pyjama pants, but I don't really like to wear the tops of it, I always take a regular tops to wear. It's more comfortable I think. I ploffed into the bed, rolled myself in the sheets.
-----------
"Arianna, wake up." someone softly whispered in my ear. I thought I was dreaming, until someone shook on my shoulder. But I didn't want to get up yet.
"Urrgh... “Was the only noise I was able to make?
"Come on, you have ten minutes before breakfast, otherwise no food for you 'till noon." another voice kind of yelled in my ear. By hearing the words 'no food' my eyes went open. But immediately closed them again, because there was too much light all at ones. I started blinking and after a while I could see properly. Nate and Oliver were both next to my bed.
"She awake!" Nate said. "Now go change, 'cuz we meant it about the 'no food when you're late'"
I jumped out of bed, looked in the closet for clothes, Took a pair of jeans, a black top.
"Euhm ... If you guys don't mind I'm gonna change now." I said, while they already made themselves comfortable on my bed.
"We don't mind, go ahead." Oliver said, and I looked at them with an 'annoyed' face.
"Really funny, now get the hell out of my room!" I yelled.
"Wow, the Little One is getting bossy." they laughed and left the room. I quickly changed and also went downstairs.
"Goodmorging, Arianna!" Ryan yelled.
"Goodmorging." I said back.
"You can sit here." while he pointed at the chair next to him. Not being able to resist the adorable look on his face, I sat next to him.
"Did you sleep well?" He asked.
"Yes, I did and you."
"Me too." and he turned back to his breakfast. Mrs Beaumont gave me a plate with some scrambled eggs, it looked delicious. In no time I finish my plate.
"Do you want anything else?" She asked me.
"No, thank you, I've had enough. It was delicious."
"Always nice to hear that." she said, "Now what era you are planning to do today?"
"Well, I'm getting ready for school." Nate said.
"Hurry a little then, it's already nine thirty. It's not because lessons start later today because of the ceremony you can come late!" His mother said. I guessed it is Monday today. Because yesterday he didn't had school, I think. I don't want to ask, otherwise I seem dumb.
"And what are you going to do?" she asked Oliver and me.
"Euhm, I don't know." I said.
"Well, It's a surprise but I think you're gonna love it." He said winking at me, "And after that surprise we start with the first spell class."
I was really excited for class, it's everybody's dream to do magic in the human world and I can realise that dream.
"Okay when do we leave?"
"When you are ready." I nodded and went upstairs to my new room to put on a warm looking black hoodie I found in the closet, I grabbed a pair of woollen sock out of the drawer and went to the bathroom. I splashed some cold water in my face, put some mascara on, and did my hair in a loose ponytail, all as fast as I possibly could. I was downstairs before Oliver was, so I sat down on the couch.
It was only the second day I was there, but it didn't feel like it. I felt like I fit in here better than in the world I've lived in for 16 years. I always felt different, but then again, who doesn’t? Now I felt like I’m home, like I found where I belong. I miss my parents, though. I know now that they weren't my real parents, but I loved them, I still love them. They raised me like I was there daughter. But why didn't they tell me I was adopted?
"Hey!" a voice said. After a few seconds I look up and saw Nate standing in front of me.
"Hey! Are you leaving for school now?"
"Yes, I just wanted to say bye."
"Okay," I stood up and gave him a hug, “bye!"
"See you Friday evening."
"I thought you only came home during holidays and vacations?" I said confused.
"Well, Christmas holidays begin next week."
"Is it almost Christmas?"
"Yes, you didn't know?"
"Euhm, no. I actually didn't had any idea what day it was, until you said you have to go to school." I said, a little embarrassed.
"Oh, we didn't think about it either, I'm sorry. It's the 15th of December, by the way." He said smiling, “But I have to go now, bye." I nodded and he was gone. I ploffed down in the couch again and two seconds later Oliver came down the stairs.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"It's almost Christmas." I said a little sad.
"Yes, I know." He said, he had no idea what I meant with it.
"I don't have presents for you. I don't know what I should get you. What can I do?" I was totally confused.
"It's okay, you don't have to buy us presents." He said calm.
"Yes, I do. You let me live here. Plus its CHRISTMAS, I need to buy presents!" I was getting upset.
"Calm down, “He sat down and put his arm around my shoulder, “It’s okay, you didn't know. Nobody is blaming you. You can help decorating the house and the tree, or help mom with the cooking." I nodded, I was calmer now.
"So, are you ready for your surprise now?" He said, I jumped up and nodded.
"Okay then, you might want to put on a hat and a scarf, maybe some gloves too. They all lay in that closet, take anything you want." I took a woollen hat with matching scarf, no gloves, I don't like to wear them.
We open the door and a cold wind came across our faces. It was very cold, it had been snowing, the whole street was full of snow, and it was beautiful. There were no car marks here, I don't even know if they had cars. But why would they need cars they can travel with magic, and a bonus: it's better for the environment. I turn around to look at the Beaumont house, it was relatively small, if you know there are living seven, now eight people in it, you expect a bigger house. It looked cosy, though and I saw it has a large garden, with all kinds of flowers in it, very colourful.
"You like it?" Oliver asked.
"Yeah, I do, it's a lovely house."
"I like it too. Mom and Dad have looked very long for a house and when they saw this one, they immediately fell in love with it."
"And they were 100 percent right, I love it already." I smiled, I did love it already.
We walked further in the snow, the whole street was full of sort like houses, but all unique. I loved it, it was the most beautiful street I've seen. It maybe sounds weird, but you don't see street like this in the human world. I looks a bit authentic. We kept walking in the 'virgin' snow, until we came up to a crossing, there were some footprints in the snow there all walking all in the same direction. We followed the direction of the footprints and also turned left. After a couple minutes walking there were Small Street Here And There. We kept walking and took the fifth street on the right, it was called Parva Platea. It was a small, but long street, it was still a three minute walk to the end of it. The street ended in this gigantic shopping street, it was extremely wide, compared to the small alley we came from and it was full of people. The shops were decorated with Christmas lights and Christmas trees. Everybody looked all happy and already in Christmas Spirit. Some people were rushing through the crowd, for last minute presents, probably.
"Come, it's not that far anymore." Oliver said.
"Are you going to tell me what it is?" I knew he wouldn't say anything, but I could try.
"Nope, patience. You're almost gonna see It." and it was indeed the answer I expected. There were so many people here and Oliver was walking so fast I could keep up. Luckily Oliver noticed and started walking slower.
"Here we are!" He said with an exaggerated announcer voice." I looked up at the sign above the door and window 'Mrs Wardrop's Wand Warehouse - Sempera number 1 Wand Shop'.
"A wand?" I asked, I wasn't sure if he meant this for real.
"Yeah a wand, why?" He asked confused.
"Well, I didn't expected get a wand. I've read in books about wizards and that they use wands, plus I thought it was fictional, but I didn't think it would really be like that, with the wands I mean." I said.
"Well, it is true, but not only the wizards also the nymphs and the warriors use it. The other don't, because, besides the basic magic power, they have animal strength. With a wand you can produce more difficult and complicated spells and charm, and if you do them correct it will be more powerful as well.' He said, and looking at him I knew he must know a lot about these things.
"So are you ready to feel the magic with your very own wand?"
"YES!" and we entered Mrs Wardrop's Wand Warehouse. It was a small, cosy, little shop. There were shelves full of wands, all looking different. At the back of the room the door opened, an old woman walked toward us. I pretty sure, that that is Mrs Wardrop.
"Ah, Oliver. So nice to see you again." she smiled and hugged him. "And who is this lovely girl?"
"This is Arianna, she is currently living with us." He said, while Mrs Wardrop gave me a hug as well.
"It can't be! Arianna Lovett in my own store? What a honour." she took my hand in hers and gave it a little squeeze and smiled.
"What can I mean to you, dear?"
"Well, she needs a wand." Oliver said.
"Oh, yes of course, why else would you come to a wand shop, silly me." I smiled softly, she looked so confused, and I think she must be kind of old. She turned around and gave a sign that we should follow her, so we did.
We went through the door she came from earlier, it was a small living room. She pointed at the flower print couch and sat down herself is the chair on the left.
"Let's see which wand would fit you. Give me your hand, dear." so I did, she closed her eyes. I took awkwardly long. I looked at Oliver, who took my other hand to comfort me a little.
"Oliver, dear. Will you please let go of her hand." Mrs Wardrop said with her eyes still closed, "I'm feeling your personality as well."
"I'm sorry, Mrs Wardrop." He said quite.
"That’s okay, you just wanted to reassure her, I know. that's just the way you are, honey." maybe twenty seconds later, she opened her eyes and let go of my hand.
"You have a very clear personality, Arianna, I'm afraid I can't tell you, because you need to figure out yourself who you are. But I think you find out very soon.
"Now let me find you a suitable wand." she said, she went back to the store and we followed her. After at least five minutes of wandering though the store she lay four wand on the counter. They were all four kind of the same, only the carving was different. They all were in one piece, not with a grip, like I saw on other wands. I don't know why but I immediately took the third wand. It was dark brown wood and it has this swirly pattern on it, I loved it.
"I think, from the look on her face, that that is the one." Oliver said.
"Yes, it is," Mrs Wardrop answered, "I can feel the connection." that is the one." I looked up and smiled.
"Okay, let's go home then." Oliver suggested.
"Can I do it?" I asked.
"Are you sure? It's not the easiest one."
"I'm sure, really. Please?!"
"Okay then, think of the house, take the place you can picture the best and say 'Evanesces' very clearly and make a circle with your wand."
"so, it's Eva-nes-ces, right?" just to be sure and everything.
"Yeah, indeed. Hold my hand, if it doesn't go well, I can help you."
"Okay. Evanesces!" I said while making a circle with ma wand, and we got sucked into something and suddenly we were in my room.
"I'm very impressed, I didn’t even had to help you. You’re a natural." He was genuinely impressed.
"Thanks." and I think I blushed a little.
"Well I think this spell class, is gonna be easy for you."
Chapter Six
"Here are the spell books from the first year until the fifth year, where you supposed to be in now." Oliver said, while he putted six big books on the desk in my room. Six book! No way that I'm memorize SIX big fat books.
"But don't worry, by every spell or charm, there is a part meaning and history with it. And that are we going to skip. Plus, I don't do books and I'm a master in spell. So we don't need the books either." He said amusing, while shoving the books to the end of the desk.
"And I'm not done with the good news yet, from my own experiences, I learned that theory lessons aren't doing anything besides letting you catch up some sleep. So... we’re doing 'the Practical Experience' dum, dum, duuum. Just adding some dramatic effect over there." he said, he putted his arm around me and said: "Are you ready?" I nodded, "Let's go to the garden, then."
"Okay, first things first. Protection Charms, that -of course- an easy on. But put that wand away for now, we first practice wandless." He said, pointing at my wand.
"Why?" I just wanted to use my wand so badly, it is an amazing feeling using it.
"Because if you can do it well without, it will be great with wand."
"Okay, understood, can we start now?" I said impatient.
"Yes. So first the five basic ones, the first. This is just called 'Protection' it's a short lasting protection, though. You lift up your arm like this," he lifted his arm above his head, "and then you quickly sweep it down and you say, again very clearly, Auxilium. AUX-I-LI-UM."
"I can do that. Auxilium!" and I swung my arm down, it was like a transparent wall came up in front of me. It wasn't complete, though. I could see some cracks and holes in it. A couple seconds later it was gone.
"Did I do it well?" I asked unsure.
"Yeah, you did great, only some holes in your wall, but it was already very good." he smiled, genuinely glad that it isn't too hard for me.
'Here let me show you. Auxilium!" he said, and a strong big, transparent wall appeared in front of us.
"Waow, that look strong." and the wall disappeared again. With a bit practice, I could do that too.
"Auxilium!" I said, the wall reappeared, it looked stronger, and the holes were smaller. I really believed I could do it.
It took a while before I could manage to make a complete wall, but I did.
"Congratulations, Ari, want to test how strong you're wall is?" He said cunning.
"Yeah sure, but tell me what effect your spell is going to have when it does hit me, okay?" I was excited to know how I did it.
"I'm going to do a power boost spell, if it hits you, you just get pushed back. Not very hard, you'll hit the floor, but nothing to worry about."
"Okay, do it."
"Just to let you know, this will be also a reaction exercise. But the first times I will count before I cast the spell, but after a bit of practise. It's gonna be up to you, little."
"Don't call me Little, I will still grow." I said with a played annoyed face.
"Of course you will, little." He laughed, "Okay here we go, three, two, one 'Ventilabis' "
"Auxilium!" the wall appeared, with luckily no holes, maybe a few scratches. When the spell hit the wall, I got pushed back. Hard enough to lose my balance and fall. When I looked up I saw Oliver laughing with me.
"Haha, not funny." okay maybe a little "I want another try!" and we continued practicing. It has to work.
------------------------
"Come, I think we did enough practice for today." Oliver said, walking up to me.
"Why I like practicing." I said with a pout.
"It's very exhausting using so much power in a couple hour." he said.
"I don't feel tired."
"You will, believe me." he looked at his watch and then back to me, "It's already two O'clock in the afternoon, we missed lunch. It's a miracle that mom didn't call us."
"I'll kind of hungry now you mention it."
"Well, let's eat then." and we went back inside.
"Hey, mom!" Oliver said.
"Hey, how was practice?"
"Arianna, is doing very good. She can already make a small protection wall -wandless- so with a wand it should be must stronger."
"That’s wonderful, I'm glad it isn't too hard for you." she said smiling, "do you want to eat something?" I nodded and so did Oliver. "I didn't want to interrupt you're first spell class, so I left some you. Ryan, Lucas and I already ate."
"We’ll eat alone." Oliver said and his mom nodded and left to the living-room.
"Don't Lucas and Ryan have school?" I asked.
"Yes, but there holidays start a week earlier, because the teachers need to make there year schedule and send it to the ministry to check it." I guess the school system here isn't like in the human world.
"Do they learn to do magic?" I asked.
"No, they can do it yet. They have powers but they're still undeveloped. They can do little things like levitate and move things, but not like we did. When they are 12 they go to 'Univit’ magic school' with you and Nate."
We ate our plates were finish. Oliver had to go to the school, for some study material and other books. So I asked Mrs Beaumont, if there were any books I could read. She said I should look in Oliver’s room so I did. They weren't hard to find, they were all on the dresser, I took a history book and a book about the Tribes wand went to my room.
I started with the history book. It looked nice on the outside, brown cover with golden letter 'History of Senio Tribus' I opened it and started reading. I don't know how long I have been reading, but I stopped when Mrs Beaumont called me for dinner. I couldn't put the book down, so I took it with me. Then I can read in the living room after dinner.
Dinner was nice, Mr Beaumont and grandpa were there too .Nobody said much, but that is normal. We ate in silence, for a while.
"And how is the spell class going?" Grandpa asked.
"I think I'm doing well." I said, a little shy.
"She is doing great, she can already make a small protection wall, wandless."
"She is as good in spells as you." Mrs Beaumont said.
"Were you good in spells in school?" I asked curious.
"Not good, he was the best of his year. Top score in his final exam last year." His dad said proudly.
"Waow, really. You were kind of a nerd in school then? I thought you said you were the cooler brother." I said laughing.
"No, I wasn't. I was as cool as I am now." He answered.
"Yeah sure."
"He wasn't really a nerd, only when it comes to spells." His mom said, but I could see that Grandpa was laughing at my comment.
"Thank god, I don't want to hang out with a nerd, you know."
"Even if I was, you don't have a choice, you're stuck with me until you can go to school." He said poking me.
"Then I am lucky you're not a nerd, right."
"Yes, indeed."
The rest of the evening I sat on the couch in the living room, reading the history of Senio Tribus, I never was into history books? But hey, this is magic history, like in the fiction books, but in real life. Everything is interesting when magic has to do with it.
"Is it interesting?" Oliver sat down beside me.
"Yes, it is." I didn't look away from the book, though.
"Good, that you like it, there are more books like that in my room, you know."
"Yes, I know. I've seen them."
"You have been in my room?" He asked, like it was the biggest crime in the world.
"Yes, were do you think this book comes from?" I said, like it was the most obvious this ever, what it kind of was.
"Oh yeah, didn't think of that. Is it bad that I've been in your room?"
"No, of course not." he smiled and I gave him a small smile and went back to the book.
The history of Senio Tribus is so much more interesting than the humans. Although a very long time ago, the human world and this world, knew about one another, because they were so close to each other. I've read that there was a collaboration between the two worlds. They helped each other out in difficult periods and with hard decisions. But then there were revolutions and stuff going on. The collaboration ended. The two world didn't want anything to do with the other anymore. There weren't book in that time, so this was being told orally, generation to generation.
"With the centuries going by, the stories changed. They changed into fantasy-talk. Nobody believed it anymore. The world of Senio Tribus was forgotten." the last sentence I remembered reading.
The next morning, Oliver thought it would be funny to wake me up on a rather abnormal way. He didn't say anything, but I woke up from something else, when I opened my eyes, I saw that I was floating like a meter above my bed, It scared me, so I struggled. But that wasn't such a good idea, I started tumbling and spinning, which made me -of course- struggle more.
"Oliver, Put me down! NOW!"
"Why? You look like you are having a great time up there." he said laughing.
"Oh, come on! Please!"
"What do I get when I put you down?" He asked.
"Euhm, I don't know? What do you think about this: if you put me down now, I won't hit you in the face?"
"Nope, because I know you will, even if I put you down now. Did I mention I can move you around the room, as well?" and totally disorientated if flew to my mirror, to the dresses. Still spinning around.
"Please Oliver! Put me down, I'm getting dizzy."
"You know, maybe if you'd stop struggling, you might stop tumbling." he couldn't stop laughing.
I tried not to move anymore, but that was rather hoar, because I kept having the feeling that I was going to fall. When I was finally spun out, I hung about two metres above the ground, facing down. I saw that Oliver had made himself comfortable on my bed, still laughing.
"Yeah, really funny, now put me down."
"Oh, but I'm having so much fun." He made me flew toward him, I was now hovering two metres above him. I thought I could hit him, so I swung my arm, didn't hit him. But I did manage to turn around and was now facing the ceiling. Of course that was hilarious. But for some reason he had stopped laughing and I felt myself falling down. He did me, though, eventually. If he hadn't catch me, I'd probably fallen on the edge of the bed and fell on the ground.
"What was that! When I said 'put me down' I meant 'put' not 'let me fall'" I said, my neck hurt a little from the clash.
"I'm sorry, it's just I saw something. Euhm... Can I just euhm, look?"
"Look, at what exactly?" I had no idea what he meant.
"Euhm I think your tattoo came thought, so can I look if I'm right?" he pointed at my back.
"Euhm, yeah sure." I turned my back to him and he moved the fabric of my top that was covering my upper back, a bit down.
"And how does it look?" I asked curious. I couldn't wait to see it myself.
"I can assure you, it's a beautiful mark. It really is." I jumped of my bed and ran to the mirror. It was a swan, a tribal swan, it was indeed beautiful.
"Wow, and what does it mean?"
"I don't know, It could mean anything, you have to figure that out yourself. It has to do with your personality, mostly."
"What's your tattoo?" If it has to do with personalities, than it's good to know, what are others personalities are, right? Or maybe I was just curious what it was.
"It a wolf. I think because I'm loyal and when I want something I really go for it, but I'm relaxed, too. Family before everything. And that's kind of like a wolf. So you probably have similar qualities as a swan."
"That doesn't sound bad." And we went downstairs for breakfast, followed by half a day spell practice and an afternoon voluntarily self-studies of history. And I love it.
Chapter Seven
I was here for a week, now. I really liked it there, but I miss my parents. It's the 24th of December, tonight is Christmas Eve, without my parents. It's weird to have a Christmas without your family. I know that Mr en Mrs Beaumont count me as family too -already-, but it's not the same.
I sat in my room, it was morning, but I had no idea what time it was. I knew it was before nine O'clock, because no one had waked me yet. I just sat there on my desk drawing a bit, didn't want to go downstairs.
I heard someone knocking on my door.
"Come in." the door opened and I expected to see Oliver, like every day, but it was Nate. He came home last Friday for the Christmas holidays.
"Good, you’re already awake and dressed. Breakfast is in five." I nodded and he left. I went after him, to the kitchen. Everyone was already they except Lucas and Oliver. I sat down and took some bread.
"What do you want for Christmas presents?" Ryan asked happy. I never saw someone so happy.
"I don't know if I will get a present?" I said, I probably won’t and I don't mind. I happy they let my stay at their home.
"Why not? Weren’t you a good this year?" He asked.
"Ah, no I was a good girl this year, but I don't know if Santa knows I live here now?" I said and I think Ryan thought my answer was very logical, 'cuz he said that Santa will see that I live here now, when he brings their presents and he will drop them too. And he said it at a tone like he was sure he was right. It was so sweet. But that wasn't all, he continued: "And if he doesn't do that, you can play with my presents, too" and he meant what he said, I could see it. It was too adorable, I could cry, I really could.
"Thank you, that's so sweet of you." and I gave him a big hug. Oliver came into the kitchen followed by Lucas. The rest of breakfast I was quiet and zoned out. Just me and my thoughts, making myself sad.
"Can I help with something, Mrs Beaumont?" I asked, for trying to distract myself a bit.
"That's nice of you! My boys should take an example to that. And you can call me Liz." She said.
"Hey mom, how much I'd like to helm you this year, but I'm meeting with Quinn in ... oh 5 minutes, so I gotta go." Nate quickly said.
"Yeah, you have something to do every year, just because you don't want to help. And you, Oliver, you can help me this year; right?" she said and he couldn't find an excuse not to.
"Yes, I'd love to, I'll help Ari." He said, but his mother looked like she was already happy, he did something.
"And what exactly can I do then?" I asked her.
"Euhm, you can set the table. And Oliver your aunt is coming so that's nine people, okay?"
"Okay!" And we went to the dining room.
"I think somebody likes you, Ari." He said laughing, while we were setting the table.
"What do you mean?"
"I think Ryan has a crush on you."
"no, he is just being nice too me."
"Nha, he never shares his toys and he said you were beautiful. yeah I sure he like you."
"Oh no! That's not good."
"Why not?"
"I'm gonna break his little sweet heart, I can't do that!" I couldn't imagine how I would possibly be able to do that.
"Don't worry, it will last maybe a couple weeks and then he likes someone else. He is seven, he has a new favourite toy every week."
"Really? Okay, that's good." and continued setting the table.
The rest of the day Mrs Beaumont, I mean Liz, didn't let me do anything else. So I asked Oliver if we could do another little spell class, he said yes.
He though me how to absorb spells, Pondus, apparently that's possible. Also I learned to paralyze people, and that's with the 'obrige' spell. It's really cool. We also did like a little battle with the spells I’ve learned, what weren't that much, but it was cool.
"You're really good, you know that?" Oliver said.
"Thanks, I just really like it!" I said happy. When you compare magic classes to regular non-magic lessons, it's easy to decide which one is the coolest.
"We've been doing this for a week and a half and you're already at week three of the schedule the school send me. Must be because of the teacher, of course!" teasing me.
"Yeah sure!" I said, "It probably has nothing to do with the incredible, awesome, smart student that would be odd, right?" I said, teasing back.
"Glad you agree. But let's stop for today, it's already afternoon. Why did you want class today?"
"I wanted class, I like it. And what else could I do? Your mother doesn't let me do anything to help, she want me to sit and relax. Nate is out with Quinn and the little ones are making me something, so I have to stay out of their room. So-o-o I thought why doing nothing, if you can do some magic." I said.
A couple hours later their aunt, Mary, arrived. She was Mrs Beaumont's sister, she looked like a fun aunt. Aunt Mary brought presents for all her nephews. They were really excited, so I think so much buy incredible gift, even Nate and Oliver were all excited. But weren't allowed to open they gifts until Christmas morning.
It was a cosy night. It's was still weird without my own family. But it was fun. Dinner was great as usual. Nate Oliver and I sat at the end of the table, Ryan and Lucas in the middle and Mr, Mrs and grandpa Beaumont and Aunt Mary sat on the other end talking about work and stuff. Rayn and Lucas went playing a game in the living room and we talked about random things, like school or hobbies, I told them a little about the human world and they told me more about this world -and I was right about the car, they don't exist here- it was fun. The little ones went to bed around midnight. I went to bed not very long after them. Not because I didn't had fun or something, it was more because I missed my parents.
I didn't went straight to bed though, I took some papers and draw a little. Later I fell asleep. I woke up a couple times that night, I don't know why, but I couldn't fall asleep again, so I worked on my drawing, and I'd fall asleep again. My drawing wasn't finish when they woke me up in the morning.
"Wake up!! Santa was here!! Presents, present, wake up!!" Ryan was yelling, he was running up the stairs. He first went into Oliver’s room, I guess, because it wasn't my door that opened. A couple seconds later I hears him yell: "let me sleep, you little sugarbom! Get out!" and then my door opened.
"Wake up, presents time!" He said shaking my shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm awake." and I got out of bed.
"Oliver has to get up too! Mom said that I could only open my present if everyone was there." his said with a pout.
"Don't worry, I have the perfect way to get him out of bed."
We went to his room and he was already asleep. I took my wand out and said: "Ventilabis!" And Oliver got pushed out his bed.
"Hey, what was that about?" He said.
"I thought, you wake me with a levitating spell I'll wake you with a power boast spell. Nice isn't it, I think I'm already good at this one." I smiled.
"Happy now? I'm awake." and I laughed along with Ryan.
"Come on, it's present time!" I said and we went downstairs.
When we came down, it's was actually like a TV Christmas. All present under the tree, sitting around it. Liz made warm chocolate milk and everyone was in pyjamas. It was lovely.
"Come sit next to me!" Ryan said and Oliver gave me this look like 'told you so!' and I looked back like 'okay you're right' and he laughed. I sat down and took a mug of the table.
"Youngest first" Liz said. Rayn stood up happy and his mother gave him his present, he ripped the wrapping off.
"Look! Look what I got!" He said happy, he got a train and helicopter. Lucas was as happy with his broom. It was his first, he goes to Univit next year, and there he will get flying lessons, so he can practice a bit now, too. Nate also got a new broom, apparently the other ones had been broken. Oliver got a book, and he was extraordinary happy about getting a book. But hey, if he's happy with it.
I took another nip of my chocolate milk, when Liz put a present on my lap.
"What's this?" I asked;
"Your Christmas present, of course." She said. But before I could open it Ryan put something on my lap as well.
"That a present from Lucas and me, because you weren't sure you would get a present, so we made you one, too."
"oh that's so sweet of you guys, come here!" And I gave them a bear hug. I first opened the present of Lucas and Ryan, it' were two drawings, one of a teddy bear from Ryan and a Santa Claus with a present is his hands from Lucas.
"Thank you, guys. I'll hang it in my room." They went of playing. Then I opened the other gift. It was a sketchbook with good pencils and coloured pencils, I was really glad with this, because until now I was sketching on regular papers with ballpoint, actually.
"You like it?" Liz asked, I nodded.
"How did you know?" I asked her.
"I didn't, Oliver did. He bought it for you." I looked at him, confused.
"How did you know?"
"Your desk is full of biro drawing, so I thought you'd like some proper things." I couldn’t but hugged him.
"Thank you!"
"You’re welcome."
The rest of the day was kind of the same as always. We ate breakfast, we skipped spell lesson, though. I went upstairs reading, we ate again, and I continued reading in the living room. We ate again, we had a chat all together. The kids went to bed, grandpa, too. Liz was cleaning and Reymont was is his office. I thinks he is a workaholic.
Nate, Oliver and I said on the couch. Oliver and I were reading and Nate was scrabbling things on his notebook, probably homework. But I don't know, I fell asleep not much later.
I woke up on the stairs, which I though was weird. Then I looked up and saw that Oliver was carrying my.
"I can walk now, I'm awake." I said, feeling a bit awkward.
"It’s okay, we're almost there."
"Why don't you just use a spell?"
"'Cuz you'd wake up from the energy of the spell, like when I woke you up with that levitating spell, it was because of the energy you woke up."
"Fun facts with Oliver." I said, while his l put me down in my bed.
"And thank you for the present, I really like it" I said and closed my eyes, I think I fell asleep immediately because I didn't heard him leave my room.
Chapter Eight
Days had passed and it was New Year's Eve. Nate went out with his friends, Oliver too. After days of trying to convince him to go. I said to Mr and Mrs Beaumont, they should go out to, that I will babysit on the kids. They were easier to convince than Oliver, though. Also I wasn't alone, Grandpa were there too, but he did go to sleep early, leaving me and the little ones playing games.
It was really fun with them. It's not that I missed a lot, I don't know any friends of Nate or Oliver, only Quinn. I've been here a while and I never actually been anywhere, not that I mind or anything. I just want to get my schoolwork done, that's the best for everyone, anyway.
We Had a great time, we baked cookies -without magic. We ate chips and played all games they had. I let Ryan and Lucas stay up, until after midnight. It was New Year for them too. A bit after midnight we got ready to go to bed.
"Can we sleep with you?" Ryan asked.
"Why?"
"Everybody's out, what if they break into the house?" I got his scare, I was scared when my parents weren't home.
"I don't think we can all sleep in my room." I said and they looked disappointed, “but there are two bed in Nate and Oliver's room, maybe if we put them together?"
"Yeah!" We went to their room and put the beds together. We also remembered to put a not on the door. "We've taken over your room! Find another one! -love, Lucas, Ryan and Ari :D" and we went to bed.
I woke up from a noise, coming from the stairs. I sat straight up in bed. Again noise, I hope the kids don't wake up. I got out of bed to see what it was, or probably who it was. I was almost by the door when it opened. It was Oliver.
"Hey." I said, "Sorry we took your room."
"Yeah, I just read that, but I need to change." He said.
"I'll get it, 'cuz there is no way you can do that quiet. I don’t want them to wake up."
"That's probably right. I'll be in your room then." I went to the closet and made a light ball, read how to make it in one of those books, I took something what at least look like pyjama's and left the room, closing the door slowly and carefully behind me. Walked into my room seeing Oliver lay on my bed with his hand on his head.
"Drunk too much?" I asked.
"No, absolutely not. I don't drink." He said.
"Oh, why do you have your hands on your head then?" laying the pyjama on the bed. Oliver got up and lowered his hands. The left side of his face was red and he had a cut on his forehead.
"What happened to you?"
"The party we were at, well someone started to fight and I'd try to stop him, so instead he hit me. After he was kicked out, I left, too, and came home."
"Let me see." I stroke some strings of hair out of his face, the bleeding was stopping, I think.
"Can I try a spell on you?" I asked, I read about healing spells and I'd like to use it.
"Wow, I'm hurt and you want to cast a spell on me? Why not?" He said sarcastically.
"A healing spell, please, I want to try it." I said with a pout and puppy-eyes, and he gave in.
"prohibere cruenti, sana." I said and the cut disappeared.
"Were did you learn that?"
"One of the big fat spell books, were else?" I said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"You’re a nerd, you know that right? Its official now."
"Yeah, I know." I was just about to leave and go back to bed when he asked if I could stay a while.
"I just not tired yet." I nodded and sat back on the bed.
"So how was the party, before the fight?” I asked.
"It was okay. We had a good time with my friends. And you, was it fun here?"
"Yeah, we had a great time. I think we played every game you have." I smiled, "And did you get a New Year’s kiss?" I asked curious.
"No."
"Why not? Isn't there someone you like?"
"Yeah, maybe, but she wasn't at the party. Not all my friends were there." He said.
"Maybe next year." and then there was silence.
"Well, I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Happy New Year, see ya tomorrow." and went to bed.
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In the weeks after Christmas break, Oliver and I became very close. Nate was back to school, so were Ryan and Lucas? Mr Beaumont was at work and Grandpa meeting with the Elders more than he liked, I think. So it was only Oliver, Mrs Beaumont and I who were in the house.
I was sitting on my desk writing some things down from my spell handbook I thought might be useful for helping around the house, or getting revenge on Oliver when he did his pranks on me. I was about to get up and go to my bed to read my history book, when their appeared and envelope right in front of me. It had my name on it, this was the first time since I got here I got post. And I'm not gonna lie, I was excited about it. Now who would be if you got your first mail popping in front of you face. I grabbed it out the air and ran to Oliver's room.
"Look what I got!" I said happy.
"You have the post." obviously not knowing why I was so happy about it.
"Yeah, but not any post. Post for me, with my name on it, popped in front me, just now." And I fluttered it in front of his face. He came sitting next to me on his bed.
"Well, what does it say?"
"I don't know, its looks kind of official, maybe it's something bad. You open it." And gave it to him.
"It's from the ministry and the school board, so it can't be bad." He reassured me, I hoped he was right.
"Here, it says that they noticed that you’re taking lot of interest in learning about this world. Also, because of your interest they'd like you give you the opportunity to follow classes at the school." I was glad I could go to school, how much I'd liked to be here and do my self-studies. I hadn't made any friends, except for Oliver, plus at school I can maybe get other classes as well. Oliver was staring at me while I was smiling like crazy, but his stare was rather sad.
"What's wrong? Aren’t you happy I can go to school? It's also because of you."
"I know, but then I alone again here."
"Give me that letter, I'm sure you'll have to come, too." I said, grabbing the letter out his hand. I skimmed through it, blablabla, meeting next week, blablabla, schedule, ah here it is.
"Your current spell casting teacher Mr Oliver Beaumont must be attending for further planning of the lessons. See, you have to come, too. I knew there was no way you won't have to come. Nate has to be there, too, because he's my Guardian." After I was finished I looked back up at him and saw that his lips turned to a giant smile.
"Woohoow, back to school! When is this meeting?"
"Next week at 4PM." and he nodded
"NO! NO! DON'T! I kept yelling, but nobody seemed to hear me, everywhere there were people fighting, killing I couldn't stand it. I couldn't move, I could only watch. I was screaming disparately, hoping they would hear me, even though they wouldn't stop. It was horrible, light flashes flew through the air, fire. Thing exploded, people exploded. I didn't immediately saw faces I recognised, but looked around, trying to move, trying to help. Suddenly I saw Oliver, fighting with older guy, flashing spells at him. He blow him away, he fell against a statue. He tried to reach his wand, which he dropped. He looked away for a second, to get his wand. Too late, the guy raised his wand and killed him. I fell on my knees, crying, yelling. I wanted to go to him, but I couldn't, I couldn't. The fighting went on.
Heard a voice, it was very soft, I couldn't hear what it said. I focussed on the voice. I became clearer and clearer. The war scene disappeared, slowly.
"Shh, its okay, It's gonna be just fine. You're alright." the voice said, saying that sentence over and over again. I recognised the voice, it was Oliver's. I relaxed again, and I saw my room. I started crying. I looked up to see Oliver's face, he was hugging me, stroking his hand over my hair, to comfort me. I sat up a bit straighter and hugged him back, tighter than ever before. The image of him being murdered in front of my eyes was burned into my memory. I really thought he was death, that I would never see him again.
"It's alright, you're okay." he said hugging me back. "What did you see?" he asked gently.
"You- you-" I couldn't find the breathe to say it, "you- I, I saw you get ge-get killed." And I burst out in tears again.
I realised it happened again, I had a nightmare again, well not actual nightmare but more like visions, we weren't sure what it was but it was always followed by a massive panic attack, because the visions were war scenes every time. I was always scared to death. We told Grandpa about it, hoping he would know what it was, but he didn't he said he'll discus about it on the next meeting. These vision-things started shortly after the Christmas break. I had it almost every day. So Oliver thought me the Silencium Vacue spell, it sort of puts up a screen around our rooms, so when I scream nobody would wake up, or even hear it. It's a difficult spell, because it has to last the whole night. Oliver tries to comfort me every time, it was nice to know that we would always be there for me.
"Oliver?" I asked, with a shaky voice from the crying. He looked at me, "Will you, please, stay with me tonight? I don't think I can be alone now." he pulled me a little closer and said: "Of course I will."
My head rested on his chest, feeling it moving up and down, slowly. He was sleeping fast, now. But I couldn't, I wanted to be sure he was with me. I was afraid that when I closed my eyes, I'd only see him die over and over again, and that I couldn't handle. He moved a little, his arm lay around my waist and I put my arm around his chest. It was nice laying here, I felt save in his arm, like nothing bad could happen to me when he hold me. And I finally fell asleep.
I woke up that morning, still holding Oliver. He had his arm around my shoulder, softly stroking it with his thumb. I hugged him tighter and a tear left my eyes.
"We have to get up, I think. I heard Lucas and Ryan getting ready for school." I noded and got up.
Chapter Nine
I was sitting in on the couch in the living room, on my usual spot in the middle. I was reading another History book, I took from Oliver's room. I was concentrated on my book, when 2 boys appeared on each side of me.
"hey guys." I said casually.
"You didn't even blink, when we flashed in?" Mike, that taller one, said, "How?"
"Yeah, that's not funny! Someday It will work to prank you." Ethan, the other one said convinced. Mike and Ethan were Oliver's best friends, I've first met them a couple week ago and since then they come rather regularly. They, for some reason, always try to scare me or prank me, which never work. Main reason for that would be that they are not subtle at all. Now for example I didn't scare, because they first appeared outside the house and heard them talk.
"Yeah, sure guys. Good luck with that." I said sarcastically and focussed back on my book. I felt them staring at me and a couple seconds later they took my book away.
"Oh come, give it back!" Mike and Ethan stood up. They were towering over me and they were two years older, so they think that they can intimidate me. Wrong thought. I didn't even bother standing up trying to get it back, 'cuz I won't.
"Guys, how much I love to spend time with you, I have to go get ready." I stood up, when Oliver just came in.
"Get ready for what?" I gave him a 'are-you-serious' look and he really didn't have a clue.
"The appointment with the principle? That in an hour! you nitwit!" I walked passed him and slapped his arm, When I was running up the stairs i just said: "make sure you're ready! and guys, that's not actually my book, it's Oliver's." I saw they were kind of demolishing it.
I went to my room to pick out clothes. I picked a casual dark red dress, I wanted to make a good first impression, but didn't want to exaggerate of course. I dropped the dress on my bed and searched for black tights.
I went to the bathroom, I stripped of my clothes, got in the hot shower. I didn't want to come out of it. Eventually I did come out of course. I was looking for a towel, but didn't found one 'shit, shit, shit!' was the only thing I was thinking. 'What am I gonna do, now. I soaking wet and naked! I can run to my room, because it's too far away and maybe Oliver is upstairs. Wait, Oliver can get me a towel.'
"Oliver!" I yelled, "Oliver!" After I couple more yells he was in the hall.
"Yeah, I'm here, where are you?" He said.
"euhm, in the bathroom, but don't come in!"
"Owkay, why did I have to come then? Afraid to shower alone? Cuz I'm here if you want company." He said, joking of course.
"Haha, no! I'm kind of forgot my towel in my room, will you get it, please?" I stretched my please.
"Well that's interesting. So your naked and obviously can come out, which means I'm the only one who can help you?" He said cunning, this was not going to be good.
"Yes."
"So, you really need the towel, right. And there is not much time left before we should leave, right?" He said, I didn't trust this.
"Yes, get me a towel!" I said, I was getting impatient and I was shivering.
"What's the magic word?"
"Please?" I said.
"Well, actually it was jelly-legs, but I'll count 'please' good as well." and I finally heard him going upstairs. A minute later he was back.
"You know, you have to open the door if you want the towel." I opened a little bit, so just my hand would fit through, I peeked a little to see where he held the towel. And of course I couldn't read it.
"Oh come on, I'm freezing here, just give me the towel!!" he was swinging it in front of the door and finally I could grab it, wrapped it around me. I put my ear against the door to hear if Oliver's still there and he was, shit. I had to go to my room, my clothes were there. I checked if my towel covered everything and opened the door slowly.
"Ah, so are coming out of there, I was beginning to worry." He said sarcastically, he was leaning against the door of the stairs. But I was not planning on letting him win.
"Yeah, I had to be sure my boobs and but were covered, right. Don't want you to have a good view if I don't." He had a daring look in his clear dark green eyes.
"Shouldn't you get ready, bathrooms free?" I waited until he was in the bathroom, before I went upstairs.
"Wait!" he said, "What do I get for helping you with your nude problem?"
"Euhm, me NOT slapping you in your face."
"Babe, you can always give me that answer, you know I'm not accepting that."
"Well, sweetie. You're not gonna get something else;"
"I do except kisses." He said, ticking his finger on his lips. I walked up to him, he bow a little, so I could reach his face, and I laid my hand in his neck.
"You’re really gonna do it?" He wasn't expecting this, I didn't answer, and I just smiled playfully and bite my lip. I went closer and closer. I was just a couple centimetres away from his lips. I passed his lips and brought my lips to his ear.
"You wish." I whispered, and turned around, walking to the stair.
"You mean little b*tch, it only worked, because you were almost naked. You're getting too good at getting back at me.
"Yeah, I know." I said, I blew him a kiss and closed the door.
I went to my room and got dressed. I had to hurry, 'cuz with the towel thing I lost a lot of time. I still had to do my makeup. I put on some foundation, mascara and natural lip-gloss. I combed my hair and made a braid.
We had 10 minutes until we had to be there. Oliver wasn't in his room yet. I when down to the bathroom.
"Oliver, are you still in the bathroom?" I asked.
"Yes!" he yelled back.
"We have ten minutes!"
"What! I'm not even dressed yet!" and before I could answer he stormed out in his boxers. And hey, he had a six-pack! And his tattoo still amazes me.
"Why did it took so long? Come hurry!" and he ran upstairs.
Five minutes later he came downstairs.
"Ready!" he said. I started laughing, "What?"
"Oliver, I might consider closing your pants. I don't think you have to show that to the school principal." He quickly closed it, "Come on let’s go!"
We appeared back at the port of the school. As we entered I could only say one word:"Woaw!"
"I know right, it's a gigantic school, indeed. And we have four minutes to get on the other side of the school, so come on." The school looked like what I always expected a university to look like, but this was bigger. I was like rectangular, it has four or five flours, and it was hard counting while you're running. I was exhausted when we were at the principal’s office.
"Ah, just in time! Come in!" And we walked into the office. Nate already was there, "Sit, sit." And we sat down on the chairs in front of his desk.
"Ah, lovely Arianna. How are you doing?" He asked, he looked like a very kind man, he was old, maybe 60 years old, and had a short grey beard and a little bit grey hair on his head, but mostly bald.
"I'm good, thank you." I said, trying to be as polite as possible.
"So, I came to notice that you are doing very good, almost excellent in your spell classes with Mrs Beaumont, and that you do some self-studies, as well. I'm very impressed.
"Thank you, I'm doing the best I can. The history of this world is very interesting." I said genuinely, Oliver and Nate almost burst in tear from laughing to themselves. I gave them both a death stare.
"I spoke with the board and we think you might have more benefits in the classes here in school. We made a schedule for you." He handed me the schedule and I studied it carefully, I looked like light study.
"Like you can see, you'll have everyday spell class, because it is the main class for wizards. You'll also get potions, one a week flying lessons, well you can see it. You have more spell lessons than others but that is the most imported class for you. You'll have everyday an free period, that's for homework help, extra explanation and help with homework or revision from class or for continuing your self-studies" he said and looked at me for conformation I got it, so I noded.
"Okay, next." He turned to Oliver, "Mr Beaumont, I know for sure, it's also because of you that's Arianna is excellent in spell. So you'll continued teaching her. You'll also be her homework tutor." Oliver noded. "Oh, this I forgot, every two weeks you come to my office, to see how you're doing, the two of you."
"Nate, you just have to help her, when you can and take responsibilities as her Guardian, understood?" Everybody noded. He stood up to let us out.
"Sir, I just have two questions?" I said.
"Ask away."
"When can I start school and where will I stay?"
"Oh yes, We already have a dorm for you. And you can start Monday. And Mr Beaumont, we also have a dorm for you, so you can stay at the school, as well. Okay that was it, see you Monday. Nate not wandering around the school," he shook his head."
When we came home, we both went upstairs to our rooms. Just when he dragged me into his room.
"Hey, we have some unfinished business here, remember?" I stood with my back against the wall with his hand and each side of my head.
"Yes, indeed," I said daring," I think that history book I was reading is here." I continued on a casual tone, and ducked under his arms.
"You little mean-"
"And this time I wasn't almost naked." I laughed, "So where is that book." I saw it on his desk and took it, walked to his bed and sat down.
"Aren't you nervous to go to school Monday?" Oliver asked.
"Not really, I have you, Nate and I know Quinn. And the only people I've met are Make and Ethan. I'd like to make some friends."
"Did you feel lonely?"
"No, not really. But you have no idea of how sick I am of you." I said sarcastically.
"Yeah, like you can get enough of me." and he sat down on the opposite side of the bed. I started reading, but after a while I zoned out and I saw flashed of my nightmare again.
"Are you okay?" Oliver asked concerned.
"Yeah, I'll be right back, I walked to my room got my sketchbook and pencils and took them back to Oliver's room.
"Yeah, sorry. I just had some flashbacks from the nightmare that's all." and I started to draw, it help to sketch what I saw, I wasn't a perfect drawing, just rough sketches. But it helped me, so that's all it mattered.
"Oliver, what if I get those nightmares at school. You won’t be there." I'm sure that he could see the panic in my eyes.
"You'll be fine, at the school you're safer than here, and I’ll talk about it with Mr Devereaux, Monday. Only two days and you'll be able to socialize." He said, comforting me.
Chapter Ten
I was completely ready to go to school, I had my suitcase, and I had everything I need. I was excited to go. I couldn't wait.
"Ready to go?" Oliver asked, I noded and followed him to the living room.
"Mom, we're leaving!" Mrs Beaumont came out of the kitchen.
"Now already? Come say goodbye to the kids will you, they’re gonna miss you." Lucas and Ryan sat on the table eating.
"Bye guys. We’re going to school" Oliver said, and I gave them both a big hug, then I thank Mrs Beaumont again for letting me stay here. She just said 'you’re welcome' and we left.
We appeared again in the port of the school, this time we didn't had to run, we had some time left. We first had to go to Mr Devereaux, before we could get to our dorms. I knocked on the door and waited for the come in to open the door.
"Ah, good morning," The Principal said, there were two other people in the office. "Yes, this are Drew Matthews and Jai Louth his Guardian. And this are Arianna Lovett and Oliver Beaumont. You've met at the ceremony." I knew who the other Eligants were, but vaguely. I’ve seen them ones.
"You and Drew are both ahead of your study schedule, so we gave you both the opportunity to come." So I wasn't alone, that's good.
"There is already been rumoured you would come and that's of course big news. A lot of magazines ask for interview, so I though you two might be willing to give sort of an interview?" I looked at Oliver and then at Drew, We both didn't know what to say. "It would be the best, people get more confident in you, because you're learning so quickly. It will do them good if you talk to them." Drew and I gave in to the interview.
"Great, I thought you would say that, I've found someone to take the interview. It will take place tomorrow at 2PM, meeting here." He looked all happy, he stood up and walked to the door.
"I'll show you your dorms, you both have roommates, and they are waiting for you." And we followed the principal.
Drew's and my dorm were both at the third floor. It was a long hall, he was in the beginning of the hall and we walked further. When we were at the last room, we stopped. Mr Devereaux knock on the door. And a girl with long dark brown hair and red eyes opened.
"Hello Nicolette, can we come in, I brought you a roommate." he said kindly.
"Yeah, of course!" And Oliver and I walked into the room.
"Euhm Oliver, you know were the teacher dorm are? Here is you room number." He said and left us is the dorm.
"Hi, I'm Arianna." I said, shaking the girl’s hand.
"Hey, name is Nicki. I'll show you your room."
"Ari, I'm gonna find my room, I'll catch you later okay?" I noded.
The room was quit big, it was a small living room with 2 couches and a table in the middle, it was small, but cosy. There were 4 doors, a bathroom, a toilet and two bedroom.
"We’re sharing a bedroom. This is my bed," she said pointing at the left one,” and that is yours. We also share a closet, but don't worry it's a big closet like you can see." It was indeed really big. "Then we also have a desk over there and a bookshelf. And because are at the end on hall, we have more light from outside." I looked very cosy. The walls were light purple and white, there were light hanging bed and pictures and pictures and quotes in colourful frames on the wall.
"I hope you like the colour, we can always change it."
"No, it's perfect, it’s a really pretty room. Where did you get the light, I like it." I said putting my suitcase on the bed.
"Oh, I have some other lights, the principal said I had to clear your side of the room, so you could decide yourself how you wanted to decorate it. But maybe first unpack your things I'll help you.
Nicki and I got along from the beginning. We liked the same things, she was helpful, I was sure we'd become really good friends. After we unpacked my things we went to the living room to talk.
"Who sleeps in the other room?" I asked.
"Ah, you know one of them, that's one of the reasons Mr Devereaux put you in our dorm. Quinn, Nate’s girlfriends, sleeps here, too, and another girl, Lily. Lily is a Nymph. Oh and if you didn't know I'm a Dhampire."
"Yeah, Quinn I know, but not that well. Oh a Dhampire, that like a vampire or something?" I asked, I only read history books, not about the tribes.
"Kind of, Dhampires have a lot of strength and we are really fast and all, but we don't drink blood or something." After a while somebody knocked on the door, it was Oliver.
"Hey, are you ready for your first lesson?" Oliver asked.
"Yes, what do I have now?" I looked for my schedule, but he answered before I got it.
"You're lucky, you have spell class, with me now."
"And after that? But that he didn't know, "Let me check my schedule, "I have, oh, potions."
"Really, then you have that with me, it's on the second floor. I'll meet you there, because I don't think you're gonna find it on your first day here." Nicki said. I smiled thankfully, said goodbye and left the room.
"I'm first gonna show you were my dorm is, so when there is something or you miss me so much, you know where to go." We stopped at a wall, I had this feeling it's like those travel walls, "You just have to think carefully at the floor you need to be and walk through the wall. I know you don't like that, but if you want to see me so bad, it's the only way. Okay let's go, I'm on the ground level." and we walked through the wall.
"My room is somewhere is the middle." We walked down the long hallway and entered his dorm. The living room was like ours, but there was only one bedroom for one person. He did had a double bed, which is always more comfortable then a single one. This was smaller than our dorm, but this was a one-person dorm.
"So if you want to do a secret make out session with me, this is the place to be." He said joking, while he slide to me and put his arm around my shoulder.
"Sure, but you know, you're now officially my teacher, on school grounds. You know that teacher-student relationship are forbidden, just to let you know what you're missing by being a teacher." I said pointing at my body.
"That's why I said SECRET make out session. Like in nobody knows. I thought you were smarter than this. Come on, if you don't want to make out, we'll started class.
We went to the court. Oliver said he'd talked with the principal about that we always had the lessons outside, and he just said, Teach her like you did at home. So we were outside practicing spells, like usual.
"I think we did enough for today." Oliver said.
"But it's still 10 minutes 'til next period." I said.
"Oh, than we do have to stop." He continued.
"Why?"
"Because, beautiful, you need to change into your brand new school uniform!" My eyes went big, I didn't want to wear a uniform. "Surprise!" He said after he saw the look in my face and I gave him the death stare again.
"Come on!" and we went back to the dorms, "I ran into the teacher who was on the way bringing it to you, so I, as kind as I am, said I give it to you."
"Wow, a real gentleman." I said laughing.
"Yeah, I know."
"You can change here if you want." He said when I was observing my uniform from a distance, "But I can't promise I won’t peak." It was a black skirt, a white blouse and a black tie. There was also a blazer, black and a pull-over. But those weren't obligated.
"Do I have to wear it?" I said with a pout, knowing that indeed had to wear it. Oliver noded.
"You don't have much time left, you have no choice you'll have to change here." He said with a cunning smile on his face. I had five minutes left, he was right I didn't had time to go to my room and change.
"Fine. Where is your room, you don't expect me to change in the middle of the living room, right?" I said.
"Well, I guess not, But I could only hope, he. There is the bedroom." and I quickly went in.
"Are you ready yet?" he said while opening the door, probably hoping to see me in my underwear.
"No and I'm not stupid you know, I'm not gonna change right in front of the door, when I know you’re on the other side of it." I said, I stood in the corner behind the door, button up my blouse and struggle with the tie. Never wore one, I had no idea how to do that.
"Euhm, Oliver, how fasten a tie?" Right when he was to answer I could hear a bell ring. Shit.
"Come let me do it."
"I feel like a little kid." I said.
"You are a little kid. Now go, or you'll be late." and I went to the second floor on the other side of the building were the classrooms were and waited for Nicki.
My first potion lesson was terrible, it didn't work at all. The teacher was nice, though, he said it wasn't so bad that I never had potions before. But he suggested to do some extra work with my "homework help" teacher, Oliver.
At lunch break I followed Nicki to a massive room, there were all round wooden tables. I followed her to a table, close to the window. I saw Quinn, she smiled at me, and so I smiled back. I noticed that an awful lot of people were staring at me, I didn't feel comfortable at all. I sat down at the table. Nicki immediately introduced me to the other and vice versa.
"This is Lily, Quinn's roommate. This is Daniel." pointing at the black hair and yellow eyes, I still had to get use to the different eye colours, but he was handsome. Then Nicki pointed at the other boy at the table. "And finally Sam." He was handsome as well, he was blond and I think tall, he looked tall even though he sat down, and he has pink eyes, that was weird. A girl with pink eyes is easier to accept than a boy. They were all very kind to me, they tried to get me involved in the conversations and had conversations with me. A bit later Nate came with us, gave his girlfriend a kiss and sat down.
After lunch break I had shape shifting, apparently I can do that to, not as good as a shape shifter of course, but with the right spell it worked. I was good with spell so that lesson when quite well.
Before evening meal I had two hours spell class and a free period, in which we did an extra potion class.
At the meal I sat again with Nicki and her friends, the food was amazing, I was totally stuffed up afterwards.
We all went to our dorms to study and make homework, I didn't had much to do, I only had potions homework, but I did that in my free period with Oliver. So I did my self-study history, cuz I didn't had that in my time table. I think my first day went quite well. This was all so different from the lesson I used to have. I don't think I gonna do my homework against my will.
The next day we had the interview so we missed some lessons, of course, Mr Devereaux had planned the interview so that we missed only our free period and for me an hour spells and for Drew shape shifting.
The lady that interviewed us was nice, her questions weren't that hard.
"How was your first experience with magic?" She asked. I thought for a second and answered.
"Well, it was unbelievable. I think I can't really describe how it felt, I thought my dream came true, I live in a fantasy book." I said and she laughed at my comment.
"So, I assume, you like reading?"
"Yes, I do. Always when I read I feel like the words disappear and it becomes a movie in my head, like I actually live in that world. And now I actually am."
"And you, Drew, you like reading, as well."
"Yes, in fact, I do. It's like Arianna said, it like living in that world, Love it. And knowing that you really are in that world, that it isn't just fantasy, that's really amazing. I think that's why we are so far in our self-studies."
"Yes, that's what I think as well. And do you think you fit in here?" She asked, I didn't even had to think about that one.
"Yes, I thought from the beginning I belong here. I know a lot of people feel like this, but I always felt like an outsider."
"I felt like I was finally home, it was like I felt I was different." Drew said, "It was like I knew I didn't belong in the human world." I could only nod to agree with him.
"And how is school going?" The lady asked.
"My shape shifters class is going great, my teacher Jai Louth sais I'm doing amazingly. Potions is going less good, but apparently they saw that coming."
"Yeah, my potions are like the worse ever, I think. I don't know what I do wrong, but I'm following extra lesson for that. For spells I have a great teacher, Oliver Beaumont, he was best in his year, so I’m glad I have him to be my teacher. He said he's sure I'm maybe going to be better than him. So that’s really encouraging."
"So you both have good hopes?"
"Yeah, absolutely." Drew answered.
"Yes, indeed." I said.
"Well, that’s it, thank you very much for having me, and good luck with your studies." She stood up, shook both our hands and left the room.
"Pff, I hope we did well." I said.
"I thought it went smooth, it's gonna be fine, we only said good things. We did great." He held is hand up for a high five.
"And now back to class, Woohoow."
On my way to my classroom, I ran into Oliver.
"And how did the interview go?"
"Good, I think. And I did you a favour." I said.
"Oh really?" He said, curious.
"So don't say, I never do things for you."
"And will you say what you did?"
"In the interview I said that I was glad you are my teacher, and that I'm lucky with you. So when the interview comes out, you'll maybe get a girlfriend, thanks to me, you're welcome."
"Do you think I can get a girl on my own?" He said acting hurt.
"I don't think that. I know. But I have class, see you in a bit. Bye!" And I walked away.
Chapter Eleven
I was getting used to my time table and I started not to completely suck at potions. Shape shifting is good and spell class is still my best. I was also happy that people finally stopped staring at me.
The Interview came out a couple weeks ago and my goal for Oliver kind of worked. Well to put it like this, because of the article a lot of student have a crush on him, but they're student and he's a teacher, so that's not going to happen. He did like the attention, though.
I had a lot of classes together with Nicki and Daniel, so I became very good friends with them, we did many things together after classes, too. Most of the times we studied together. I also got along well with Lily and Sam, and Nate and Quinn of course. But Nicki was my best friend, and so was Dan. I also spend much study time with Oliver, because we don't get to hang out as much as we did when I didn't went to school. And I kind of miss that. As much as I love Nicki and Dan, Oliver will always be my best friend. When I went studying with Oliver, it usually turn out with conversations like, 'Hey, let's make out." or "I know you can't resist me." It was always so much fun. Once he said. "God, I want a shower." and I said: "yeah, me too." he answer with daring tone in his voice: "Let's safe water and shower together." I just couldn't stop laughing.
"When I study with Nicki and Dan we gossip and talk about we like. Well, Nicki and I gossip, while Dan just sit and observes, and laugh with us. Dan was more of a silent type, but he was always very sweet and kind, I liked him.
It was the week before the Easter holydays and there was the annual Easter ball. Nicki and I were talking about when we would go shopping, cuz we still had no dress. About who we would go with, cuz neither of us had been asked.
"I know somebody who wants to ask you, but he's afraid." Nicki said, I stared at her with big eyes.
"Who?"
"Haha, that's something you want to know right?" I was nodding impatient.
"Yes! Of course!!"
"I'll give him two more days to ask you, if he didn't, I'll tell you. Maybe you can ask him?"
"Yeah, maybe." I looked at my watch, it was almost 7:30, and I had half an hour to go to Oliver, "Promise that you'll tell me. I'm going to Oliver now." She noded.
"Hey!" I said, walking in, I didn't even knock.
"Hi, gorgeous, come in sit." He said, patting on the spot next to him, indicating I had to come sit, he put his book away and turned to me.
"So have was your day." He asked.
"It was okay, potions is still hard. It's Easter Ball next week." I said.
"Yes, it is, do you have a dress already?"
"No, why would I, I don't have a date."
"Nobody has asked you yet?" He sounded like it was a surprise.
"No, why would they."
"Those guys are nuts if they don't want to go with you, you're beautiful." I looked at him and smiled, he meant what he said, and I could see it in his eyes. "You know, if I could've asked you I definitely would, but I'm a teacher."
"I wish I could go with you, remember the ceremony my first day here?" He noded, "I had so much fun with you, that night."
"Yeah, that was fun."
"Bur Nicki sais, there is a guy, who wants to ask me, but I don't believe her, if there was, he would have asked me already." Oliver put his arm around my shoulders and I rested my on his.
"Hey, I go shopping tomorrow with Nicki, maybe we can get something to drink?" I asked.
"Yeah, alright, it’s been a while since we got a drink together. All the girls are going to be jealous of you, being on a date with me." I was about to ask why, but then I remember that like half of the girls has a crush on him.
"God, you know it's not a date."
"Yes, it is. And for all the girls who'll see us, it will be a date as well. And believe me, all guys are gonna be jealous as well. Maybe so jealous they'll ask you to the ball."
"Yeah, maybe, I hope so. Urg, I should go, it's almost 8pm, rather not get detention for being out of after hours. Bye!" I gave him a kiss on the cheek and walked back to my dorm.
When I entered the room, it was completely silence.
"So, Ari, somebody likes you." Lily giggled.
"You tell them but not me?" I said with fake annoyance.
"It's kind of obvious now, I can't believe I never noticed it before." Quinn said, I had really no idea, who they meant.
"Okay, if you won't tell me, fine! And for tomorrow, is it okay if I go drink something with Oliver first, before we go shopping for a dress?"
"Yeah, that's fine we meet at 2PM to go shopping? Is thatalright.
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The next morning I got up early and as nerdy as I am, I got dressed and went to the library, which I discovered last week. Lots of interesting books and its quiet there, there are only a few people there. Even on a Saturday morning there was a girl sitting on the same spot as she always is. I smiled at her I got my seat as well. I picked a book about dragons, because, yeah there are dragons in this world. Well, there used to be a lot, but now they're an endangered species.
After an hour, I saw Dan coming in the library, but there was something odd about him. He came sitting next to me, so I put my book down.
"Hey." I said.
"Hi, how are you?" Dan answered.
"Good, and how are you? You don't ever get up this early on a Saturday?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, I came here to ask you something." He said, he was a bit weird now, I don't know what it was, but there was something.
"Yeah, ask away!"
"I was wondering, if you, maybe, want to go to the ball with me." I smiled, somebody asked me. And then it hit me, if Dan would ask me, he wouldn't done it so easily, he wouldn't be so straight forward. I leaned in a bit and indicated that he must do the same.
'Quinn, why are you disguised as Dan?" I said and her eyes widened.
"How do you know?"
"He's my best friend, you acted weird, not Dan-like. And I Dan want to go with me, why didn't he ask me?"
"He was afraid, you'd say no."
"Why would I say no, he's my best friend, I love to go with him."
"Okay I'll them him."
"No, I'll tell him. Where is he?" I asked and I stood up.
"In our dorm." And I left the library.
I opened the door from our dorm and skimmed the room, I saw Dan sitting on the couch, and I walked towards him.
"Daniel Mills, will you go to the Easter Ball with me?" I said, with a big smile on my face.
"Yes." he said.
"Great, but I have to go now, Nicki, Lily, I'll see you at the pub at 2?" They noded and walked to the door. Just before I closed the door I heard Dan say: "She said yes!"
"Well, technically speaking, you said yes, 'cuz she asked you." I heard Sam said.
I opened the door of Oliver's dorm, but I didn't saw him.
"Oliver are you here?" I yelled.
"Yes, I'm in the bathroom, I was just about to take a shower." he said, he opened the bathroom door and stuck his head out."
"You're free to join me I you want?" and he winked.
"How much I want to take a shower with you, no!" I said.
"okay, but you’re gonna miss this." indicating to his body.
"SO, you're never gonna see this." pointing at my own body. He stuck his tongue out and went back inside.
By the time he came out the bathroom, I had already a book in my hands. I knew he was only in his boxers when he came out, so I didn't even look up.
"Wow, that you don't obsessively stare at me, okay, but not even a secret quick look, that hurts, Lovett."
"God Oliver, I've seen you in your underwear plenty of times, don't be shocked if it isn't so surprising anymore. So go change!" I said, still not looking up.
The book I was reading was about the last war, the second tribe war. I hadn't read that much about it, I wasn't there yet in my history self-studies, this wold has an extremely long and interesting history. The 'bad' side was called 'The Dark Traitors', they tried to take over the ministry, so they could change to school systems to launch dark magic into the program. All that so they could take over other worlds and be more powerful than any nation in the entire universe.
More I couldn't read, because Oliver was ready to go. I put the book back where I found it and turned to Oliver. He was looking good, black jeans, white shirt and a grey jacket, handsome.
"Trying to make all the girls jealous or something?" I said, It had been a while that I saw him in regular clothes and not it his uniform, yes teacher had also a uniform.
"Well, yeah, let me have some fun, too. And besides, the better I look the more guys a willing to ask you to the Ball." He said, and a big smile appeared on my face; "Okay, who asked you?"
"Dan." I said.
"Dan, Like in your best friend, Dan?" I nodded, "That's not really a date, Ari, he's a friend date, that's like going with your brother."
"So what? He's fun, so why not? You're just jealous, because you can't go with me." I said firmly.
'Pff, no. I'm sure I like standing at the side, seeing you have fun, checking all of you, little kids." He said sarcastically, I felt bad for him, I could say he could dance with another teacher, but they're all much older than him. The only one of his age is Jai, Drew's teacher, but that's a guy.
Oliver held up his arm, I took it and we walked off.
Chapter Twelve
It was nearly 11 O'clock, when Oliver and I entered the pub, ordered something to drink and we were having a great time.
After a while a group of girls walked in the pub and saw Oliver and me sitting in the corner, the girl shot daggers at me, if looks could kill, I would be death now? Then there glance when to Oliver and they started giggling like idots. Oliver gave them smile and they ran off to the other side of the pub, were they continued staring at him, not even subtitle. I rolled my eyes and took a sip of my drink.
An hour later we ordered some food, I took a spaghetti and he a steak with fries. We had a great time, it had been a while. I never realised how much I've missed this, how much I've missed him. Not that I didn't like our classes, but that is different and when I saw him outside classes our extra lesson, it was only for a couple minutes.
While we were eating and having fun, I still could feel those girls staring at us.
"Don'tpay attention to them." Oliver said.
"So, that," meaning the stalky girls, "is why you're dressed so nice?" I said, "Even with a garbage bag, they would admire you."
"So you think I look good." He said cocky, giving me a wink, I raised my eyebrows.
"Don't exaggerate what I say, will you." I said finishing my plate.
"You know, when I was waiting for you earlier, I was reading this book, about the second tribe war. But I don't completely get what their goals were?" I said, and it all went serious.
"You know, that a long time ago, our world and the humans were collaborating, but that changed. Mainly because some people from our world, though they were superior. And wanted to take over there world and gain power. They first started a war between the humans and the people who were for the collaboration against the so called 'Dark Traitors'. After that war they ended the collab out of precaution for other wars." He was quiet for a moment and continued, "There have been a few other wars since then but no big ones. Then a couple decades ago, there were again people who though our race is superior to others and wanted to take over other worlds. But the ministry and the board, of course, didn't agree. The Dark Traitors tried to take over the ministry so they could teach Dark Magic to the children, so they could help taking over worlds. They didn't succeed, lost the war. But the Elders have predicted that they're gonna raise up again and try again." I listened very concentrated to what he was saying, I stayed zoned out a bit after he stopped talking.
"Ari, you okay." returning from my thoughts, I nodded, "It's almost 2PM." He said, I checked my watch, he was right.
"So what are you going to do next?" I asked him, he pulled up his shoulders.
"Dunno, I'll sit here for a while, I think." He said, but he seemed a bit odd.
"Okay, I'll go then." I stood up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
I stepped outside the pub and saw Nicki, Lily and Quinn walking towards me.
"Hey, guys. Ready for some shopping?" I said, and they all reacted enthusiastic.
We did like every clothing store there was. Quinn was the first to find a dress, she chose a dark purple dress with glitters, matching her eyes. It was a rather poufy dress, but she was gorgeous in it, her long blond hair went perfectly with it. She looked like a ballerina.
After done a lot more stores, Lil found her dream dress, she picked a strapless black and pink, short dress. The top was git black and the skirt was soft pink. Also matching her eyes.
I reckon it's hard to pick clothes, when you have pink or yellow eyes. I glad I have greens ones, easier to find something. But still I hadn’t found my perfect dress, we did all the stores there were. There were only two left, and they were in a rather forgotten street.
"This store looks cute." Nicki said, pointing at small store, with a baby blue facade. We walked in the store and start looking around, the store was all cute and girly, with pink little loveseats and ribbons hanging on the wall.
"Hello, young ladies, welcome. Can't I help you?" a middle aged woman asked.
"We are just looking for a dress for the Ball." Nicki said kindly.
"Well, then you've come to the right place. With one of these dresses you are 98% sure, nobody else will have the same." She said.
"Why?" Nicki asked, but then I saw it, there were only one or two, maximum three dresses of each kind.
"Well, these dresses are almost unique. So if the dressed doesn't fit, give me a call and I'll fix it up for you." We smiled at the woman and looked around the room.
Nicki quickly found a dress and ran over to the changing rooms. As I was walking through the store a red fabric caught my eye. I pulled it out of the rack and studied it. It was a rather short dress, knee high. It had a low back and a bow where the fabric started again, the shirt was loose, but wasn't poufy. There weren't extra decorations on it. I loved it.
I spurted into a changing cabinet and took of my clothes. The dress fit perfectly.
"Nicki, Ari! Come out, We want to see it, too." Lily and Quinn complained. I opened the cabinet and looked into the great mirror, I twirled around. Nicki came standing beside me. She looked gorgeous, in her short strapless black close-fitting dress, her blood red eyes coming out perfectly.
We all had our dresses, which were all shockingly gorgeous. I looked at my watch, we had been shopping longer than we though.
"Girls, It's 6PM, we are gonna miss diner, if we don't hurry. We paid our dresses and walked out the store.
The moment we walked out that door, I saw something I wish I could unseen. My heart just dropped. At the end of this abandoned, forgotten street, I saw Oliver kissing with a tall blond girl. I didn't know why it affected me so much, but I couldn't move. Lily and Quinn already walked out of the street. Nicki also saw what I saw and pulled me out of the street.
"Are you okay?" She asked, tears were coming in my eyes, but I blinked them away.
"Yeah, I'm fine, why wouldn't I." I said, Quinn and Lily stopped.
"Are you guys coming?" Lily yelled from a distance."
"Yeah, go ahead, we'll see you at dinner!" Nicki yelled back, and they walked off.
Nicki looked at me with concern.
"I'm fine really. Why should I care who he's snogging." I said firmly.
"Ari, we know you like him." I looked up at her.
"What!? No I don't. He's like my brother, I like him as a brother." She just nodded.
"Either way, I'm sorry." She hugged me and we walked back to the school.
We were beck at the school at 6.30 just in time for dinner. I didn't really eat, I was just picking in my food with my fork, playing with it. I didn't see Oliver sitting at any of the tables, he was probably still snogging that blond chick. I left dinner early and ran to our dorm. I changed in a dark blue, high waist skirt, a white top and black cardigan. I liked to wear skirt, I think they sit comfortable.
After I wandered about 10 minutes around the room, I decided to go to Oliver. He's my best friend, I can just ask who that was, right?
I opened the door of his dorm, but there was nobody, the while dorm was empty. I decided to wait for him here. He has to come back some time.
Normally when I have to wait, I'd take a book and read, but I was to -, to, I don't know, I don't know why I feel like this. Why do I care that much. I remembered what Nicki said, 'We know you like him', Do I? No, I can't, He's like my brother, I'm his sister, and it would be weird.
While I was buzzy with my thought, I also manage to unknowingly levitate things into the air.
7.15, the door opened. "Euhm, hey Ari, what are you doing here?" Oliver asked suspicious.
"Oh, just waiting for you. You weren't at dinner, so I thought I come check on you, but you weren't her."
"Oh, I was at the bar, lost track of time." He said, calmly.
"Have you been in the pub the whole time? Did you see, someone you knew, maybe?" I said, looking at him, raising my eyebrows.
"Nope, I just sat there alone talking a bit with the bar tender or random people." I said, he took of his jacket and threw it on a sofa.
I could feel the anger boiling in me, I was about to lose my temper. I managed to stay calm for a few seconds.
"Oliver, did I ever lied to you?" I asked, as sweet and innocent as I could at that moment.
"No, I think not?" He said suspicious, and I totally lost it.
"So way do you lie to me then! Fortem repellendum!" I yelled, he flew to the other side of the room.
"Ari, I can explain." But I interrupted before he could say anything else.
"So, you admit that you lied to me?" Tears pour out my eyes. He looked down guilty, "Why?"
"Because-, I don't know." He said.
"Why couldn't you just say, you were with a girl?" I screamed.
"Because it's not what it looked like. Wait, how do you know?"
"Maybe because you were snogging in the middle of the street!"
"You don't understand!"
"Oliver, baby," I said sarcastically, "I don't care. I don't care who you hang out with, I don't care who you make out with, I don't care about you, and I DON'T CARE!" and I ran out of the room, barely seeing where I was going because of the tears in my eyes.
I ran to the wall, it was already after 8, so we weren't allowed to out the dorms. When I walked through the wall, I didn't though of a specific place, I just thought about hiding. I came out in an empty hallway I've never been before. I didn't know where I was, I wandered around in the hall. I sat down on a stone bench and continued crying.
Chapter Thirteen
Oliver POV
I opened the door of my dorm, I saw Arianna sitting on the couch, randomly levitating things.
"euhm, Hey, Ari, what are you doing here?" I found it a bit odd, it was almost 8 O'clock.
"Oh, just waiting for you. You weren't at dinner, so I thought I come check on you, but you weren't here." she said.
"Oh, I was at the bar, lost track of time." I said, trying to stay calm.
"Have you been in the pub the whole time? Did you see, someone you knew, maybe?" she said, I think she didn't believed me, she raising her eyebrows.
"Nope, I just sat there alone talking a bit with the bar tender or random people." I said, I took of my jacket and threw it on the sofa.
She didn't look very happy, but I don't know why, then she said: "Oliver, did I ever lie to you?" with fake sweetness. I didn't like this, at all. What happened, she had never been like this before.
"No, I think not?" I said, wondering why she'd ask that. Then suddenly something clicked, she took her wand out and yelled.
"So why do you lie to me then? Fortem repellendum!" I flew back across the room, hitting my back and my head against the wall.
I looked up at her, from the other side of the room, tears pouring out of her eyes. I don't exactly what she meant, but I had a guess.
"Ari, I can explain." I tried, but she cut me off before I could go on.
"So you admit you lied to me?" I did, I did lie to her, and I felt so bad. It hurt to see her like that, I couldn't stay seeing her like that. "Why?" she yelled.
"Because," I didn't why I didn't tell her, why didn't I tell her, I could've told her the truth, but no. "I don't know." I answered, looking down, didn't had the guts to look her in the eyes.
"Why couldn't you just say you were with a girl?" She screamed.
"Because it's not what it looked like. Wait how do you know?" But it hit me before she said it, she saw me with Samantha.
"Maybe because you were snogging in the middle of the street!" Ow, this, I didn't know. But now I know she wasn't mad because I lied to her, she was jealous. So that meant she likes me back. But she didn't see the whole thing.
"You don't understand!" I said, but she wouldn't listen.
"Oliver, baby," The sarcastic tone in her voice, killed me inside, "I don't care. I don't care who you hang out with, I don't care who you make out with. I don't care about you, I DON'T CARE!" and she ran off, her face covered in tears.
I felt my heart break after she said that, I couldn't hold my own tears back. I stood up as quick as I could and ran out my dorm, I saw her walking though the wall, I didn't know where she went, but I had to do something.
The only thing I could think of was going to her dorm, so that's what I did.
I knocked on the door and Quinn opened.
"Is Ari here?" I asked, she nodded.
"Oliver, have you been crying." I nodded, "Come in." from the four girls, I get along the best with Nicki, because she, Ari and I hung out sometimes. Quinn I only knew through Nate and Lily, I didn't know that well. So I decided I had to talk to someone and that would be Nicki.
"Euhm, Nicki? Can I talk to you for a minute?" I said and she nodded, I followed her into the bedroom.
"What did you see," I asked straight away.
"We saw you kissing with a blond girl, she was devastated, really."
"It wasn't what it looked like I swear!" I said.
"Explain." Was all she said.
I was in the pub, after you left for shopping. And then Samantha walked in. I had a crush on her when I was in school. We started talking and then we went for a walk. She said she knew a cool shop, and she wanted to go there. I came with her. We walked into a rather abandoned street. I asked her where the shop is and she kissed me, I tried to push her away. But apparently it was too late." I looked down, trying to blink the tears away that were burning in my eyes. "After that I ran off, back to the pub. That’s why I wasn't at diner. I was thinking about what I should say to Ari." A tear escaped from my eye, quickly wiping it off.
""She was broken, when she saw you. She really likes you, even though she doesn't realise it." Nicki said, I felt so guilty. It's hurt me that I hurt her.
"You like her, don't you?"
"An awful, lot. I thought she only saw me as her big brother." I said, and now I'm not even that anymore.
"You have to find her and explain, she'll understand."
"I don't think she wants to talk to me, ever again. You didn't see how mad she was. She cast a spell on me."
"She'll come by, when she's back I'll tell Ari that you were looking for her, okay? But I have no idea where she is now."
"Thanks, Nicki." and I walked back to my dorm.
In my bed I was thinking about how I could talk to her. But every scenario I imagined, it always ended in her slapping me in the face, run off and never talk to me again.
---------------------------------
Sunday I stood up. Walked to the bathroom. Still feeling miserable after what happened yesterday. I took of my clothes and stepped into the shower, I let the hot water stream over my. I wish I could just wash away what happened.
After the longest shower ever, I came out and got dresses. I walked back into my bedroom and fall back onto the bed, I looked at my nightstand, there was a photo of Arianna and I, after one of our spell classes, we always had so much fun. I missed that, just her and me, nobody else. Ever since her first day with us, I knew she was special, I knew I was going to fall in love with her.
Would she even show up tomorrow? She would probably, she won't get this in the way of her education. What should I do? Just teach, say nothing, or trying to explain what happened? I didn't know.
At 8 O'clock and went down for breakfast, I usually sit with the other teacher, but I only talk with Jai, 'cuz he's the only one of my age there. But today I wasn't in for a talk so I just took my breakfast and went back to my room. But before leaving, I quickly skimmed the room, but I didn't see her. I caught Nicki's eyes, she just shook her head sadly.
I didn't leave my room for the rest of the day, I just lay in my bed, looking at pictures of Ari and me. I should've told her sooner, how I felt about her, instead of making jokes about it, she probably thought I'm just a flirt. Which I was before her.
Chapter Fourteen
Arianna's POV
I was getting cold on the stone bench, so I stood up and looked in the hallway, I saw a big dark wooden door, I didn't see before. I opened the door and entered an empty room, with just a king size four-poster bed. I was a beautiful bed, with a black swirly, iron frame and soft white curtains.
Why would somebody make a room with only a bed in it? And when I saw 'only a bed', I mean literally only a bed there was nothing else, the walls weren't even painted, and everything was grey and dark, except the bed.
I couldn't resist, so I carefully walked towards the bed and slipped in. I was magical. I fell asleep the moment my head touched the pillow, I forgot everything, everything that happened. I just thought of happy things, like flower, I smell flower and grass. It was the best sleep I've ever had in my life.
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I woke up the next morning, in the bed. I had to get up, but I didn't want to, I just wanted to stay here, alone, were nobody can hurt me.
After at least an hours of consideration, I got up, I didn't go to the dorm, since dinner. They were probably worried. I could come back later if I wanted.
I got out of the bed, picked up my shoes and walked barefooted through the hallway. Trying to find the wall I came through last night.
I didn't find it, there were so many sideway. I was starting to lose hope on finding my way back, I couldn't find the way to the bedroom either, so leaned against a wall and slide down. I brought my knees to my chest and everything that happened yesterday came back to me.
Oliver kissing a gorgeous blond girl. Him lying to me, I casting a spell on him, to hurt him back. Nicki saying that I like him. I saw it all again behind my closed eyelids
The one thing that I had realised is that I did like Oliver, more than that, I loved him. And he hurt me, that's why it bothered me yesterday. But still, he doesn't understand how it felt. How it felt when I saw him kissing with that girl, who it felt when he lied to me. It felt like my heart dropped and broke into thousand pieces.
I didn't know how long I sat there, but I stood up from the cold ground and stepped into my back boots and aimlessly wandered into the hall, I guess it's a dungeon, I don't see any windows here. Now and then I stopped and lean against a wall, thinking about what I'm gonna do. Well, first, obviously, I have to try to get out of here.
Then there is Oliver, I could only think of one way that he couldn't hurt me anymore, and that was stopping to care, for real. If I don't care, he can't hurt me like that again, I must find a way to stop liking him.
Eventually I found a portal, so I could go to my dorm. I had no idea what time it was. I just mindlessly walked into the room.
"Oh my god, Ari. Where were you, we were worrying sick about you!" Quinn yelled, while Nicki tackled me into a hug. I didn't know what was happening around me, suddenly I got pulled into my room and pushed onto the bed by Nicki.
"Nicolette, what the hell are you doing?" I said a bit confused, and she raised her eyebrows.
"Arianna, what the hell are you doing?" she said, emphasizing the 'you'.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, were the hell have you been, we haven’t seen you since dinner last night. Oliver came asking if you were here, because you stormed out his dorm, crying."
"Oliver was here?" I said, mentally slapping myself and repeating 'I don't care' in my mind.
"Yes, he came to see were you where, you need to talk to him, Ari." Nicki said, sitting on her bed, facing me.
"Why? I don't care who he's snogging. He can make out with every girl he want." I said firmly.
"I think you have to talk to him." I shook my head, there was no way he's gonna get to talk himself out if this.
I hear noises coming from the living room "Is she here? I need to talk to her!" I recognised Oliver's voice. "Let me see her! NOW!" he was getting angry." Nicki looked at me with a begging look, I know what she wanted me to do.
"No, I don't want to talk to him, EVER AGAIN!" I said a bit louder, so Oliver could hear me.
"Arianna! Come out! We have to talk." He shouted.
"No!" I yelled back, then silently said to Nicki, "Send him away, I don't want to see him!" Sadly she nodded, walked out the room and said Oliver he had to leave, that I didn't want to see him or talk to him.
A tear escaped from my eye, I buried my face into my pillow. I could all three the girls trying to get Oliver away. I had to do something. I stood up, wiped the tears of my face and opened to door. I got my wand out, pointed it at Oliver and yelled 'Ventilabis' he got pushed out of the room and Lily closed and locket the door. I ran into my bedroom and did the same.
I didn't know what to do, I just stood there in the middle of the room, looking lost. So I did what every normal person, who’s hurt would do. I dropped myself on the floor. Okay, it's not what most people would do, it's what I do. I don't know why, I just always do.
I lay there, on the floor, my knees to my chest, just doing nothing. Now and then I changed position. I felt good doing absolutely nothing, thinking about absolutely nothing. I didn't care about anything at that moment.
I hear the switch of the door lock, but I didn't move. The door opened and Nicki came in.
"It's time for dinner, are you coming?" Was it dinner already? I haven't eaten anything since yesterday noon. I slowly got up my feet and did my hair on a messy bun. I still wore the same clothes a yesterday, I did my high waist skirt decent again and followed Nicki and the others to dinner.
"Are you alright?" A familiar voice said, when I sat down at our table. I looked up, into Dan's eyes, I nodded and turn my glace back to the table.
"Here I got you some food, because we don't get it, you'll probably skip dinner again." Lily said, I thanked her and tried to eat.
As I sat at the table, I've been asked at least hundred time if I was okay, I just gave them a weak smile, and nodded, continuing playing with my food.
Back at the dorm, the girls just let me be. I strolled back to my bedroom and took my spot in the ground, staring at the ceiling. I didn’t want to go to class tomorrow, I have three hours spells and a free period. Usually we did potions in that hour, but that's not gonna happen tomorrow. I'll avoid Oliver as much as possible.
Apparently I fell asleep on the ground. Around 11PM, when Nicki came to bed, she woke me and helped me up. I noticed I had dried tears on my cheeks, I've been crying in my sleep.
Sadly the next day came too early. Because I didn't had a shower in three day or changed in three days, I really longed for an extra-long shower. I walked to the bathroom, it was locked.
"I'm almost ready!" I hear Lily's voice from behind the door. I went back to my room and picked my uniform out of my closet. I still hated it, even after two months, I still don't even like it a bit.
"I'm done!" Lily yelled, I put my clothes on my bed and walked into the living room.
"Where are Nicki and Quinn?" I asked her.
"They were up early, so went to the library, this morning." I nodded, "Should I wait for you to get ready?"
"No, go! I'll see you at potions, later." And she went off.
I didn't want to go to spell class. What time was it? 7AM, time enough for an extra-long shower, a facial care, that's been a while. But then I don't have time for breakfast, and I didn't eat much last night as well. I'm still in clothes (yes, still the same as two days ago) I'll go have food first and an extremely long morning ritual
I sat with my friends, being the happiest I've been in the last two days together. I ate like a pig, stuffing as much food in as I possibly could.
When everybody was about to leave for class, I just happily said:
"See you guys in potions, Have to get ready now. I really need a shower." They all looked confused at me.
"Don't you have spells, now?" Quinn asked, I sweetly nodded.
"But I really need a long shower, bye!" and I skipped off.
When I reached the dorm I went straight to the bathroom, locked the door and stripped my clothes off. I stepped in the shower and let the hot water run over my body. I suddenly felt really dirty, I grabbed a washcloth and started to scrub my body thorough. Then I washed my hair, for like 10 minutes, until I was sure it was clean.
I couldn't find the power to get out the shower, so I just stood there under the water. It felt so good. I didn't want to leave, ever. I took my long dark brown hair together and let if rest over my shoulder.
I heard a click, at least I thought I heard it. But after that it was quiet. Then I heard footsteps.
"Arianna!!" It was Oliver, I didn't response. Then I heard him mutter something and the door lock switch open, I turned off the shower and quickly grabbed my towel.
"Why aren't you in class?" He asked, I narrowed my eyes and answered sarcastically:
"Oh, I overslept. Get out of my bathroom!" and he walked backwards into the living room.
"Well, in that case, you don't have to come for the rest of the day." He said, I was quite happy about that.
"Great. I don't even know why I come to your class in the first place, I can do it perfectly on my own. Self-studies, I don't need you." I said and that he snapped.
"Ha, really? You need me more than I need you. You’re just a little girl, of which everybody thinks she's special. But guess what? You're not! You're just an arrogant, annoying, little know-it-all. You know, I even get paid to spend time with you!" He turned around and stormed away.
After he said that, something in me snapped as well. I fell to the ground and started crying. I'd seen the anger in his eyes, the way he said it. He was right, I wasn't special, and I’m just a little girl.
I turned back to the bathroom, magically dried my hair and strolled to my bed, I changed into my uniform and sat on my bed. It was 8:52, I had eight minutes until potions began. I had to go, otherwise they'll think something’s wrong. I got up to my feet and mindlessly walked to the potions classroom.
I sat down on my usual spot, next to Nicki. I tried to be happy, I concentrated on the method of preparation, for this ius veritatem, the Elixir of Truth. It was a duo assignment, so the potions worked, for a change. My individual tasks haven't worked, not even ones.
After two long hours of potions, it was lunch break. I eat as much as I could, mostly because I didn't want my friend to worry again. When we were done eating we walked to the courtyard and sat down in the grass. It was a beautiful, sunny day.
"Hey, Ari. What did Oliver say about you being late?" Sam asked, carefully.
"Oh, nothing. He didn't mind that much. I have 2 hours, still." I was not planning to say, he got mad and kicked me out of his class.
"Oh, good. So you two talked. That's progress." Lily said.
"Yeah, we talked. It was very, euhm, clarifying." I smiled.
"Great, so, you're good now." Lily asked.
"Yep, totally, we talked, told how we fell about what happened and now we have to let it cool down a bit." I felt bad for lying to them, but I didn't know what to do. I didn't want them to worry.
After shape shifting, I normally had three hours with Oliver. So I was free for the rest of the day. I just sat in my in my room, drawing random things, read a bit history, practiced a couple spells and went to the library. Because, sometimes Quinn come to the dorm, during the 15 minute break, probably because she forgot something or quickly copy someone’s homework. Just to be sure, I hid in the library, not on my usual spot but between the shelves at the back in a black loveseat.
While I was staring at the same page for at least twenty minutes a silhouette came standing in front of me, I looked up.
"Hey!" He said, I was Drew, I smiled and sat down beside me. "What are you doing here?"
“I could ask you the same question." I said.
"I have a free periods." He said.
"Me too," He looked at me like 'really', "Yeah normally my last hour is free period, but we switched." I lied.
"Ah, okay. So how is school going, we haven't seen each other much, right?" He said, he was right since the interview in the beginning we only saw each other in the hall or sometimes at dinner. We had different friends, plus it's a big school. We had a couple small talk sometimes, but that was it.
"Yeah, indeed. But school going good, I'm great in spell, shape shifting, average, which is apparently good for a wizard, And I suck at potions.
"Yeah, same, but the other way around, I'm great in shape shifting of course, good at spells and I also suck at Potions." We laughed.
"You know what I think sucked?" He said, I shook my head, "I hated it when they said flying was cut out our schedule." At first I thought it was stupid as well, but then I realised I hate heights and then I was okay with it.
"Not, for me. At first I was excited to learn how to fly, but then I realised I have fear g heights, and then I was glad I didn't had to fly."
"Oh, I didn't know. Yeah, in that case you're lucky. “We talked for a little longer and then it was time for the next periods. I pretended to go to my class, so he wouldn't get suspicious. And then after our ways 'separated' I turned back to the library.
Chapter Fifteen
The week went by very slowly, I skipped Spells for the whole week, so I basically sat in the library doing nothing for half of the day, or wandered around the halls. I haven't talked to Oliver since Monday, I haven't seen him. I also skipped some meals, barely slept, I lost too much weight for one week.
I stood in front of the mirror. I looked pale, I had giant black pouches under my eyes. My cheeks were hollow and my collar bones stuck out, way too much. I've always been skinny, but this wasn’t healthy anymore. I tried to eat, but I just couldn't, not that I vomited after every meal. I just wasn't hungry.
I looked so bad and the Easter Ball was already tomorrow. I had been looking for spells to make look less like a ghost, and wrote them all down, I had 14 spells already. It was almost dinner, so I got out of my chair in the library and walked towards the dining room.
Dan already was there, I took a plate filled it with food and joined him.
"Woaw, you look bad." He said, He was shy, but always told the truth.
"Gee, thanks. Remember you're going to the Ball with me, if you keep giving me those comments I'm not gonna make myself look good." I smiled, I hadn't smiled a lot this week, and it felt well.
"How are you gonna do that, it's tomorrow not in two months!" He said, joking of course.
"We'll, Daniel, I found spells to help me with that."
"God, thanks, cuz I don't want to go with a ghost." I slapped his arm, and started to eat as much as I could. After a couple minutes Lily and Sam, got in followed by Quinn, Nate and Nicki.
When they all sat down, Sam slid over to Nicki and put his arm around her.
"So, are you ready for the Ball tomorrow, we're gonna dance until you wish you didn't have feet." He said.
"I'm already regretting saying 'yes' to you."
"Oh, I know you love me." I had a little déjà vu feeling, Oliver always said that when I made comments like that. But it didn't matter.
As we walked to our room, I told the girls what I was going to do with the spells. Lily agreed with me, she thought everybody had to look pretty on a ball, Quinn wasn't so sure, the spell would work the way I wanted. And Nicki didn't agree at all, she took me to our bedroom once we were in the dorm, and locked the door.
"You know, if you had let us help you, you wouldn't even need these spells." She said, with a disapproving tone in the voice.
"What do you mean?" I said.
"If you immediately told us that you and Oliver just made a bigger mess of it, instead of keeping us out of it. I could have helped you, if I knew earlier." She said, but how did she know, so I asked her.
"Well, because you didn't eat or barely slept, and your answers about your spell class were so vague, I followed you, when you were supposed to go to Oliver, but you didn't go, all day. Probably not all week."
"Since when do you know?" I said, yesterday she had answered.
"I'm sorry, I didn't want you to worry. This is Oliver's and mine's mess. Not that I don't trust you, it just, I don't know, I wanted to forget about it. I thought I would flew over." she hugged me and I wrapped my arms around her.
"Promise that you'll talk to him, tomorrow." She said, firmly.
"But the Ball is tomorrow, I can't let him ruin my mood, that's not fair to Dan." I said, hoping she'd change her mind, but that didn't happen, I had to talk to him, tomorrow. Please, kill me now.
After that conversation, we joined the others in the living room. We talked about the Ball tomorrow, what we were gonna do with our hair, which shoes. It was the most girly girl conversation we've ever had.
"Well, I’m gonna do those spells then, see you in a bit." I said, standing up, but Lily pushed me back down.
"No!" she said, "were watching, so if anything goes wrong we might be able to help you if we put our powers a bit together." she wasn't going to change her mind about that, so I muttered approving.
We all stood in the, too small for four people, bathroom and I took out my paper.
"The first three, are for my skin to look less pale and sick." I said, seeing that Quinn was going too interrupted to mention the risks, but it was faster, "Of course I looked up, if I could use this spells together, so don't worry, Quinn." And she smiled.
"The others I’m not gonna use, because they don't really gonna help for tomorrow, they need more time to work. But this one I'm definitely going to use, and I'm sure you will too." They all looked at me with curiosity.
"It's a spell that makes your hair looks healthier, cuz let's face it my hair is dry and is falling out." They nodded in agreement.
After I did the spells, there wasn't any direct effect, but before I went to bed, I looked in the mirror and there was already a difference. A positive one.
-----------------------------------------------------
Because of the Ball that evening, breakfast lasted an hour later. So we were surely all rest out for the event of that evening.
The first thing I did, when I woke up, later than usual Saturday’s, was checking my face in the mirror. Thank god, I didn't look green or orange, I was my normal skin colour. My hair was shinier, I was glad it worked. The spells last three to five day, then they begin to fade again. Still time enough.
I took a long shower. I had time, nobody was up yet. After the shower I dried myself and put on a dark red skirt and black tights and a white thin sweater with an owl on it. When I don't have to wear that stupid uniform, I want to look nice, cuz during a school week that isn't possible.
I let my hair loos, so it could dry naturally, after I was dressed I went out, to the courtyard. It wasn't cold outside, but not extreme warm as well, it was still morning, so I was sure it was going to be a warm day. I sat on the at the stairs outside, leaning against a pole.
I liked to sit there, especially in the morning, when nobody else was there. It was a great place to think and be alone. Looking at the sky, laying on the grass in the sun. It had been a while that I sat here. I couldn't sit here during the periods I had lessons. Because the principal has a nice view over the courtyard from his office.
I was almost falling back asleep against the cold stone.
"Well, you look extraordinary good, compared to last week." A voice said, I turned around to look at Dan's face. I smiled.
"Thank, what can't magic do?" But I knew what it couldn't do, stop your feelings, restore your heart, take away the pain.
"Well, at least I’m not going with a zombie to the Ball, because of that magic. So what were you doing here, so early?" He asked.
"Well, I come here to sit and be alone. To think."
"What were you thinking about?" He said interested.
"Oliver." I sighed, "Nicki said, I had to talk to him, but I don't want to, ever."
"Well, if you don't feel good about it, then wait until you do feel comfortable to talk with him."
"You think so?"
"I know so. If you only talk to him, because they made you, you're only gonna argue more. That ain't gonna help."
"Yeah you're right. I'll talk to him when I feel ready to talk to him! Thank Dan." I said, I stood up, gave him a kiss on the cheek and ran off.
"You're welcome!" I heard him yell.
I ran back in our living room. As I hoped, Nicki was awake. I told her what Dan told me and she just heavily sighted, disappointed. And I ran back off, this time to the dining room, I was hungry.
I filled a plate with food and sat down at our usual table. A couple minutes later I saw Nicki coming, Dan caught up with her. She slapped him and said "You Idot!" and she talked further with him. I didn't have to lip read to know what they were talking about. Nicki was pissed because Dan talked me out of talking to Oliver. I could see it. She was so glad, yesterday, when she got me convinced and now all her work was for nothing. But Dan was right, though.
Within 15 minutes our group was complete. The girls and I talking about clothes and make up, and the boys were talking about hot girls, they want to make out with.
After breakfast we all went outside, to go sit on the grass and enjoy the sunlight. Everybody was excited. The whole school was nervous. We didn't talk much we just lay there, see everybody stress out. While we just sat there, after lunch we would go pick out hairstyles, choose which shoes we were going to wear. And more we didn't had to do, only a bit of makeup.
So after lunch we said goodbye to the guys and went to the dorm. We immediately took out all the magazines and started flipping through them for hairstyles. I wasn't stressful at all, we had a great time. Trying out hairstyles, seeing if it suited us. I choose for a low messy bun with some stings of hair loose at the side of my face. Quinn picked out a fishtail braid to the side. I took us a couple times before it looked good, but it worked.
Nicki wasn't sure what she would do, her hair loose in soft waves, what would be very pretty with her dress or something else. Lily was also not completely convinced, but after a lot of procrastination she choose for the waterfall braid with curls. And that took a while to figure out how to do that.
After everybody had their hair done, Nicki finally decided what she wanted, a little hair bow and loose curls. So we tried, we took two strings of hair from the side and tried to made a bow with it, that totally failed, so magic was the solution.
When that was all done it was already almost 5PM, we had three hours to do our nails, pick out shoes and get dressed and put on makeup. Time enough.
I never put on much make up, so I wasn't planning on doing that now. But that turned out otherwise, I just used some foundation, a bit blush. Mascara, soft eye shadow and soft eye liner. The only thing I did what I normally never do, I put on bright red lipstick, matching my dress.
Lily and Quinn, I think experts in makeup, helped me a lot, knowing that I don't get a clue of it. They said what I had to do. And eventually I had more make up on than I was planning to. Nicki had smokey black eyes. Really sexy and Quinn and lily as always cute make up, suiting perfect with their skin tone and clothes, like usual.
And yeah, we even di our nails. We didn't spend much time on that, though. We just did nail polish in the colour of our dresses. Nothing much, no glitters or nail art. We didn't had so much time left. But we couldn't do anything until our nails were dry, so we started gossiping and making predictions of what was going to happen tonight. Who was going kiss, new couples.
We had so much fun, gossiping, but our nails were dry and we only had to put on our dresses, shoes and add accessories. We had an hour left.
We all changed into our dresses and picked out heels out of our shared shoe closet. I borrowed bright red pumps from Lily, while she took her own soft pink ones with black lace finishing touch. Quinn lend my black pumps and Nicki had her own pair of black ones with straps.
Then came the last thing accessories! It lasted forever till we had all our stuff. Nicki was done the first, matching with her bow hairstyle, she had a fine golden bow ring with necklace. I had chosen for my favourite accessories, owls. So that was easy as well. Big owl ring, owl medallion, and earrings and bracelets.
Quinn took some earrings with the lovely quote 'Life is what you make of it' on, black and silver bracelets a dream catcher necklace. Lily was as always completely tip-top. She looked so cute. She chose the golden bracelet that said the word ‘love’ and one with a heard in it and a soft pink watch, wing shaped earring and a twisted ring.
"Girls shall we?" Lily said, we nodded and hooked our arms into one another and left the living room.
Chapter Sixteen
Arianna's POV
We were all ready, we went to the hall to wait for the boys, not much later Dan, Sam and Nate came out the room. After A couple minutes Eric, Lily's date came out his room, too. I didn'treally know him, but Lily apparently does. They all looked great. I love guys in suits, that's (most of the time) sexy.
We hooked our arm out and took those of our dates. We walked after each other in a sort of row. As we came at the door of the Ball room, we waited. We were a bit late and there was nobody outside anymore.
"Boys, girls, I think we're a bit late." Quinn said.
"Well, then we take advantage of that, shall we. We’re gonna do I freaking bitchin entrance." We weren't at all like the popular group of the school, we weren't the mean bitches or something, but we all like the idea of an attention seeking entry. We all smiled approving.
"Okay," Lily said, “we stand in a row, with our date, of course." Then she pushed me to the front.
"Hey, why do I have to stand in the front?"
"Okay, we'll stand in a zig zag, Eric and I'll stand at you're right only a bit behind." Then she placed Nicki and Sam behind us and Quinn and Nate behind Lily and Eric.
"Ready for our bitchy entry? Before you go walk straight in, make sure everybody looks first. Maybe swing that door open with a bang." She was really good at planning this. "OH! And don't forget to give them your best smile. Go!"
I took a deep breath, I've never done something like this before. I've always been the weird one everybody ignores. Okay, I was ready. I gave a firm flick with my wand and the double door slammed open, and like Lily predicted: everybody looked at us. I gave them a smile, looked quick around and we started walking in. Mean girls were nothing compared to us now, it was so funny to do. But never again.
I think we looked good, as I saw a couple guys stare at us like crazy, that their dates had to slap them, to get attention. Even the music had stopped. We went straight to the dance floor. Nicki did a sign to DJ to play a song. It was a quite quick number, and Dan started spinning me around. Soon, the others joined in as well.
We didn't were bitchy the rest of the night, of course. We had so much fun, I mostly danced with Dan, 'cuz he was my date. But also with the girls and with other people who wanted to dance with me. I danced all night even though my feet were killing me in these pumps. There was good punch, without alcohol, of course, it's still a school. Even the Principal danced with some if the teacher, but it was rather weird to see. I caught Oliver staring at me, quite a lot. He just stood there whole night, doing nothing. If we weren't hating each other now, I'd probably danced with him.
From al the twirling and spinning, half of my hair got out of my messy bun. So I took it all out, shook with my head and my hair was all full of little soft waves. I took my hair in the side and danced with Dan.
The DJ put on a great song and I was looking for Nicki to dance. But I could find her.
"Hey, were is Nicki?" I asked Sam, who was behind us, alone. He shrugged.
"Euhm, I gonna look for Nicki, I'm back in a second." I said to Dan, he nodded and turned to Sam. I squirmed through the dancing people looking if Nicki was there but she wasn't. I got out the crowd, where I had a better view over the room.
Then I saw her. She was talking with Oliver, she looked stressed and a bit angry as well. I was staring at them, I think they felt that someone stared, because suddenly they both turned their heads to me. I quickly looked away and got back in the crowd.
She's probably convincing him to talk to me. But I told I wasn't ready to talk to her. I couldn't believe she was doing that. I found Dan again, I was a bit pissed and apparently it was a bit obvious.
"Everything okay?" Dan asked. I nodded and muttered something that was supposed to be 'fine'. And started dancing again.
Nicki's POV
From the moment we entered the room, everybody stared at us, it was cool, being the centre of attention for a change. After a while everybody stopped staring at us and focussed back on their own dates.
There was only one person who kept staring at Arianna, Oliver. I felt so bad for him. I couldn't take his eyes of her. He just stood there, with his punch in his hand, against the wall. He hadn't done anything else that night. Maybe I've Ari had talked to him, they might have made it up and he would have fun, too.
I also saw Ari looking a couple times at him, probably because she felt the stare in her back. But she looked at him, like he murdered a person. I couldn't stand the fact that she is too stubborn to talk. And I have no idea why he doesn't make the first step and talk to her.
"Will you stop worrying about them and have fun?" Sam said.
"I'm having fun, really and no, I'll stop worrying when they made up. Ari looked horrible, well not now. But as soon as the spell wears off, she looked like she did the whole week." I said, worrying like crazy about her, she is my best friend. I hated to see her like that.
"Yeah, she didn't look great." He said, 'didn't look great"? She hadn't eaten all week, she slept maybe three to four hours a night, and she looked all stressed out. But instead I just said to him.
"Well, at least you noticed." He just muttered something back and I sighted.
I had to do something, it's almost 2AM, and I just go talk to Oliver.
"Sam, I'll go rest for a minute. My feet hurt like crazy." He nodded and I left the crowd, making my way to Oliver.
"Are you just gonna keep staring at her, or are you gonna do something about it?" I said, raising my eyebrows.
"What can I do, she hates me, I broke her." He said, I felt so bad for him, he hurt her and he is devastated about it.
"You're also the one that can restore it." I said, he looked at me and shook his head.
"She doesn't want to see me anymore, and we live in the same goddamn house!" He raised his voice. "She'll never forgive me for what I said to her."
"Did you see how she looked, yesterday I mean." He nodded. "We’ll that's because of you!" I didn't want to sound harsh, but it's the truth, it's because of their fight.
"How can that be because of me? She said it herself she didn't want to see me!"
"She was angry, you nitwit, and more important, she was jealous!" He looked at me and there was a silence.
I had the feeling that somebody was staring at us, Oliver must had the same feeling, 'cuz we both turned our heads. Arianna was standing there and a second later she had disappeared in the crowd again.
"But there was nothing! She just won't listen to my explication. And what has that to do with her looking like she dying?" Why are all guys so dumb? I rolled my eyes.
"She can't sleep, nor eat, she avoids you like you have the most contagious illness ever. You broke her heart. And you know, before someone can do that, you have to love them." He looked at me like I spoke Chinese. "She loves you, Idot. That wasn't that hard to understand." He just nodded.
"She hates me."
"She hates you, because she loves you and you broke her heart."
"You think?"
"I know, now go make it up!" and I pushed him towards the crowd.
"But what can I do, here?" He asked, but I already though of that of course.
"Dance with her, I'm sure she'll not make a scene in front of all these people." I said, proud of my plan.
"But isn't it weird, I'm a teacher."
"God, just ask, Mr Devereaux if you can. If he says something about it, just say that everybody knows you know each other outside school or something like that." He nodded and walked to the principal.
Proud of myself, I went searching for Sam. Ari was not going to be happy about it, for now. But it will all turn out exactly how it should be. Just wait.
Oliver's POV
I walked up to Mr Devereaux, as he saw me, he opened his arms and said: "Ah, Mr Beaumont, having fun on this Ball?" It was actually the worse Eater Ball ever, I always enjoyed it, but now, with the whole Arianna situation, I didn't want to come.
"Yeah, it's great, like every year," I said, "But there is a way it could be better." I had probably handled differently, but no turning back now.
"Ah, and what would that be?" He asked, now I had to say, maybe it will work, without sounding weird.
"Well, I was wondering if it would be inappropriate if I'd dance with Arianna." He looked weird at me, I blew it, and he probably thinks I'm a paedophile or something.
"Why would it be inappropriate?" He said.
"I don't know, because technically I'm her teacher." I said casually.
"Well, technically you live together, so go ahead, and dance with her." That was close.
Now I had to find her, I had to make sure she didn't see me, and run off. I saw her standing a little bit further with Dan, Eric and Lily.
I stood behind her and tapped on her shoulder, she turned around and said: "Yes." Sweetly, but the moment she saw it was me, her eyes narrowed, like she tried to kill me with her eyes.
"We're gonna dance." I said, she raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms.
"Why would I?" She said,
"If I was you I would act sweet and dance, 'cuz I think the principal is watching." I said in defence. She stretched out her neck to look. I think he was indeed watching, because suddenly she smiled and took my hands.
"Why do you do this?" she said, I could hear the anger in her voice, but there was nothing to see of that on her face.
"I need to talk to you?" I said.
"Bummer, I don't want to talk to you. Oh sorry, was that mean?" she said as sarcastically as possible.
"Well, good for you, you don't have to talk, you just have to listen." I said, and she got even angrier.
"Well, I don't want to listen to you. In fact I don't even want to see you." That hurt, I knew it already, but still.
"Well, I do want to talk to you and see you."
"Why? I'm just a little girl, of which everybody thinks she is special, but I'm not, remember? I'm just an arrogant, annoying, know-it-all." She tried to get out of my grip, but she hold on to her too tight. I pushed her again my chest, laying my hand on her bare back. She shivered. With my other hand I held on to her wrist. But after a lot of struggling, she got her self loose.
She got really mad, when I didn't let her go, but I mean really, really angry.
"Fine." She said, I was relieved, but then she got this cunning smile on her face, I didn't trust it. And a couple second later, she smashed my toes, with her heels. And god that hurt. She found her way through the people and ran away.
After I finally got out of the crowd she was already at the double door. As she saw me, she quickly took off her heels and ran through the hall. I had to get her before she walks through the wall, cuz then I have no idea of where she is.
Arianna's POV
When I got out away from the dancing people, I ran to the double door. When I got there I looked over my shoulder, if Oliver was behind me. He had just left the crowd and was getting ready to run. I took out my heels, so I could run faster and ran through the hall. I had to find a portal, before he got me, because then I lost him and he couldn't follow me anymore.
I was almost at the end of the hallway, which meant almost at a walk-through-wall -I like to call it that. Oliver was red on my heels, I speed up as much as I could. Almost there, almost.
Shit, he grabbed my elbow the moment I walked through. We were in the dungeon, but not the same as last time. I shook him off, and ran to the first door I saw, locked. Next one, locked. Finally I found one, I closed the door just before his eyes. I locked it, stepped to the middle of the room. I was also a bedroom, but much smaller, it had a double bed, blue walls a small couch and a white soft carpet in the middle.
I decided to do what I always do when I'm upset, I lay down on the ground.
"Let me in!" Oliver yelled. "No" I replied, and suddenly tears streamed down my face.
"Just listen to me." He said, almost begging.
"No, I don't want to hear it, I don't care." I said.
"Is that why you starve yourself and don't sleep, he, because you don't care." I didn't answer. I started sobbing.
"Ari, I saw that there was a bed in the room, at least get off the ground and go sobbing in the bed." He said, how was he so sure I was on the ground?
"How do you-" He interrupted me before I could finish my sentence.
"You always go laying on the floor when you're upset or angry. And since you are both, I'm sure you are on the ground." I hated that he know me so well.
"Then you stop getting your hands through your hair every five seconds."
"I'm not doing that!" He said, but I know he was, even though I couldn't see him.
"Yes, you are. That's what you do when you're upset." And I hated that I know him so well.
"You know, since you locked yourself up, you can't not listen to Me." urg, he was right. He started talking, and indeed, I had no other choice than listen. Wait a second, I do have another choice. I'm wizard, I can do magic, how can I forgot that.
"Well, you're wrong," I said, "Muta!" I knew the spell would last maximum an hour, if I did it totally wright, but I only used this one a couple time, and it was wandless. So if it last half an hour, I'll be happy.
Because he was at the other side of the door, I couldn't really mute him, but I muted the door and wall, so it's like a shield, his voice can't get through.
After a while I fell asleep, I guess it must be past 3AM or something.
Chapter Seventeen
Oliver's POV
I'm must had fallen asleep. I woke up from something, a noise, I just didn't know what. Then I heard in again. It was kind of a growl. It came from the room Ari locked herself in.
"No! Nooo!" She yelled, I jumped up from the cold ground and held my ear against the door, she growled again. I tried to open the door, but she locked it with a spell, of course, otherwise I've could’ve gone in a long time ago.
"AAAAAH!!" Her scream was unbearable. It was dreadful, I shook the door, trying hopelessly to open it. I had to see how she was doing. She hadn't had nightmares since she got here. The last one she has, was of me dying.
I had to see her, and the only way was through the small keyhole, but it was better than nothing. I sat on my knees as I watched through the little hole. It was awful, well it must've been for her, I suppose. I saw her, levitating? She was at least 1metre and a half above the ground. Her arms were spread wide, her eyes and her mouth were open. She screamed again, it was horrible. Her hair flew wildly around her, like it was crazy windy in there.
She looked like she was being tortured, from within. I couldn't stand it, I had to help her.
"Ari! Calm down. It gonna be fine, I promise, Arianna, please!" Tears escaped from my eyes, and once the first one fell, they didn't stop.
I had to get someone, but I couldn't leave her here like that. I had to stay with, be here for her, I was not leaving her, EVER.
Why the heck is she even levitating? That isn't normal. She never levitated before, when she had nightmares.
Her nightmares have always been freaky, especially the first time. If she hadn't woken me up with her muttering. She'd have woken the whole street, when she started yelling and screaming a couple minutes after I put a quiet zone around her bed.
But this was thousand time worse. The screaming, the yelling. I've never heard a more horrific sound in my life. Like it was reminding me of all the bad, stupid and dumb things I've ever done, plus the things I will do.
I didn't want to know in what kind of pain she was in. If it was effecting me as well, it must have been so much worse for her. If I could I'd swapped. For her I'll go through the pain, if it takes away hers.
"Ari, please! Do you hear me? It gonna be fine, really, I promise. I know you won't believe me. But I'll make you another promise as well." I screamed over her yelling, "I’m always be here for you. I won't leave you, I'll protect you, against any kind of harm or pain." I continued desperately, "Even though, I know I hurt you as well. And I'll never do that again. Please, Ari, come back!"
I knew she probably didn't hear me, but it was worth a try, she was worth all the tries I've got. I couldn't stop crying. I felt like a baby, but I didn't care. All I cared about at that moment was Arianna.
Arianna, the best thing that happened to me, I could not lose her.
Then I heard the scream again, it was scarier and more terrifying as all her previous screams combined, multiplied by hundred.
There was a power boost, pushing me against the wall next to the door. Before everything went black, I heard a drop, she fell. She fell from a metre and a half, flat on her back.
Arianna's POV
I opened my eyes, at least I though I did. But I couldn't see a thing, it was all black. I couldn't move. I was a bit freaked out.
'Oh, pour Arianna." A soft, warm women's voice said. I didn't knew where it came from, it sounded more like it was coming from every way. I wanted to know who said that.
'I feel so sorry for you." The voice said. Why is she sorry for me? And soon after that thought the voice answered my question. "I just can't believe he did that to you, that's why." The voice was sweet and smooth, I started to relax. "What do you mean?" I though, and she replied:
"Dear, he lied to you." "
Yes he did, indeed." I thought, beaming.
"He betrayed your trust." She was right, he did betrayed my trust. "He hurt you, by kissing another, sweetie." Everything came to me again, it was all as clear as when it happened.
"He broke your heart."
"I know how you feel, darling. Someone broke my heart, the same way he broke yours." She said, I heard sadness in her voice.
"What did you do?" I thought, I took a while before she answered.
"I did what looked as the best option, and believe me, it was." She said, definitely not regretting what she did, whatever that was.
"And what was that option?" I thought.
"I choose the option to never let him break me again." In her voice was a certain persuasive tone, but that option sounded good, I don't want him to break my heart again.
"What did you do?" And she replied on a very sweet, warm almost hypnotising voice.
"The same you will do after I'll tell you." she stopped, I will do what she did, it was the only thing I thought then. And she continued, "I went up to him, and I killed him." Her tone, still soft and sweet.
Go up to him and kill him, go up to him and kill him. Him, Oliver. I can't kill Oliver.
"Dear, he broke you. I understand, you hate yourself as much as you hate him, now. You hate yourself, because even after what he did, you still love him. And that is the problem. Because you're still in love with him, he will keep breaking you, over and over again." She replied after my last thought.
"He'll break me, over and over again. ’Cuz I always love him. If I kill him, he can't do that. If I kill him, he can't break my heart. Go up to him and kill him. Kill Oliver, for my own good." I kept playing it in my head.
"Good, darling, very good. Now, do it now. It will be the best decision of your life." She said with a rather hypnotising voice.
I was about to get up and really go kill him. But it was Oliver, my best friend, I couldn't do that.
"Sweetheart, it's for you own good! Get up and kill him." Her hypnotising voice hit me again.
Hypnotising! That’s what she was doing, she was hypnotising me, to kill him.
"No! Nooo!" I yelled, or thought. I yelled at least in my head. "I won't kill him!" That I did just thought. I felt like something hit me, giving me a giant headache. I felt like I was burning, from the inside. And seconds later I was almost freezing to dead.
"Get up and kill him!" Her voice wasn't warm and sweet at all, it was harsh and cold.
"No!" Then I felt like a million dagger were stabbing me.
"AAAAH!" I screamed. The pain didn't stop. She kept trying to convince me that I should kill him. And every time I refused, she put me through more pain.
I had to fight her. But I couldn't see her. This was all in my head. I didn't know how to fight my own head. But the pain was killing me. I mentally cast a spell, and the pain stopped. For a couple seconds, then she was back, angrier than before.
I kept mentally casting spells and mentally slapping and kicking it seemed to work. But she started to fight back. I could feel al the energy that was going through my body. I couldn't even fell the ground beneath me.
I was exhausted, but I couldn't let her torture me or worse, convince me to kill Oliver, I had to stay strong.
Suddenly a spell came to my mind, a spell I read about, the other day. I hadn't even time to think if I'd cast it. Because the moment I thought of it, I casted it, unconsciously, of course. I would never use that spell on purpose. I would never use Anima corpus Separare, the Death Spell. But apparently I worked, I fell on the ground (I think I was levitating from all the power in my body), but she was gone, I killed a voice in my head, I'm mental. A bit later I blacked out.
---------------------------
I woke up the next morning, I felt pain everywhere. I just didn't know from what. Okay I danced a lot at the Ball, but not that much. I looked around the room, questioning myself where I was. Oh, right, I ran away from Oliver and hid myself here;
Oliver, Oliver, there was something bothering me in the back of my head, but I didn't know what. So I ignored it. I took my heels from the ground and walked toward the door.
"Muta, “I said whispering, so the door won't make a sound when I open it.”Aperi!" I said, to unlock the door. I pushed the door open a bit. To see if and were Oliver was laying. As I pushed open the door a bit more, I saw him, leaning against the wall next to the door. I came out the room and closed the door behind me. And I walked to the walk-through-wall as silent as possible.
I felt horrible, I had pain everywhere in my body, and I was exhausted. Even though I slept, I think, 8 hours. It's now 11 O'clock, I thought I fell asleep around 3AM? But I'm not completely sure. I strolled into my dorm. I still had to make my suitcase, cuz we all had to leave before 3PM this afternoon.
As I walked into the room, Nicki immediately jumped on me. "Where were you, I haven't seen you since you and Oliver ran away." And after she said that, a big ear-to-ear smile appeared on her face. I looked at her, confused.
"What are you smiling for?"
"Did you and Oliver found a cosy room for the night?" I got what she meant and I felt like playing on her.
"Yeah, we found a room, in the dungeon. Luckily it had a lock. We didn't talk that much, though. We slept. Oliver's still sleeping, I didn't want to wake him." Technically, I didn't lie. But I knew she was thinking that we made up and were snogging in a cosy dungeon room. I smiled and walked to our room, and she followed me.
"So, did you guys, like I mean, kiss?" She asked hopefully, I could play a little more, but we only had a couple hours and I don't want her to get mad at me. "No." I said.
"Cuddle?" She raised her eyebrow. "No." I said again.
"Then what did you do?" she said, sighing.
"Well, let's see. I got mad at him I run off, that part you witnessed. Then I somehow appeared in the dungeon, after going through the wall. He got me in time to go there too. I looked for a room and locked myself up in it. I used a mute spell, so I didn't had to listen to what he had to say, cuz I didn't care and then I fall asleep, I guess." She looked disappointed. I shrugged.
"Were you that mad at him, you wouldn't even listen?" She asked.
"Let me say it like this, I locked the door and dropped immediately on the ground and didn't move again."
"Yeah, that's pretty upset." She also knew that I lay on the ground when I'm upset.
"But I have to pack, and I'm so hungry." I said, she smiled and put her arms around my shoulder. "But first, I'll take a shower and put on other clothes." I said looking down. I was still in my prom dress. She nodded and I walked to the closet.
Chapter Eighteen
When I got in the bathroom, I looked in the mirror. I looked as pale and sick as two days ago, I thought the spell was supposed to last at least five days? Maybe I got too exhausted from last night.
I took a quick shower, wrapped a towel around me body and strolled back to the bedroom. When I walked in she looked apologising, didn't know why. Until I turned to the bed, then I saw why.
"What are you doing here?" I snapped at Oliver who was sitting on my bed.
"I wanted to see how you're doing?" I looked at him, confused.
"Why wouldn't I be?" I don't know what was so different about our argument last night and those from the last week.
"Don't you remember what happened?" He asked, raising his eyebrows. Of course I remember, I'm not stupid.
"Yeah, I got mad at you, ran away, locked myself in a room, and slipped out when you were asleep." He looked at me like I was crazy. “What?" I snapped.
"No, nothing, that's what happened last night." he said, while we got his hand through his hair.
"And now get the hell out of my room! I don't know if you noticed, but I stand here in just a towel. GET OUT!" I shot him an angry stare and he left.
"Why are you so mean to him?" Nicki asked me.
"Because he's a liar, he broke my heart, he betray my trust." After I said that I felt weird, he betrayed my trust, I hadn't said that before, odd.
"Ari, how many times did he tried to make up? Come check on you? See if you were okay? I'll tell you, a lot. Even when you're not here, he'll ask us how you're doing. He loves you." Nicki said.
"Yeah probably, that's why he lied to me? Right?" I snapped at her, I didn't meant to.
"I'm sorry." I said. "It's okay." She replied, "Well, put on some clothes, then we go to supper." I nodded and she left the bedroom.
I put on a casual purple dress, with a light brown belt and strolled to the living room, where the others were waiting for me. As I walked in they stood up to go to the dining room.
It was a nervous supper, though. Lot a new couples, or people who kissed, but don't know if it was for real or just the heat of the moment. I thought it was kind of amusing. The principal gave a little speech. Just about the Ball and he thought it was a success, and wishing everybody good Easter Holidays.
After supper students started saying goodbye and went home. I still had to pack, not that if would take long, just a couple swings with my wand and that's done. We stepped into our dorm. Two weeks is this place gonna be empty, instead of being here, I'm gonna be with the Beaumont’s; Not that it's so bad, only the fact that it will be two weeks with Oliver. But I had the other boys.
I was saying goodbye to my friends and waited ‘til Nate was done snogging Quinn, so we could go. It's not that they aren't gonna see each other during break, they'll see each other probably every day.
When they were finally done, we walked to Oliver’s room, Because Liz would find it odd if we didn't come together, and would start asking questions. We knock on his door and stepped inside. He still wasn't ready. I just though, how much does a guy need.
"Come on, it's almost 3 O'clock. Why aren't you ready yet?" Nate said irritated. He looked at me.
"Well, I took a nap, because I slept on a cold hard floor last night." I shot dagger at him.
"Oh, yes, Cuz that was what I wanted, right." I snapped back sarcastically. He shot daggers back at me. Nate just sighed and rolled his eyes.
Eventually we were ready to go. Nate all appeared us back at the house. Liz came out of the kitchen. When she saw us, a smile grew on her face.
"Oh, you're back! Finally, come here." She walked over to us, I expected her to hug her sons first, but she didn't, she hugged me.
"Mother!" Oliver said acting shocked and hurt with his hand on his chest. I couldn't resist sticking my tongue out at both of them.
"Well, maybe if you'd help me as much as Arianna does, you’ll get a hug first." She said. I laughed.
"Well, I install in my room again and I'll come help you, I'll watch Gemma, we have to catch up." She smiled at me thankfully, she looked very tired. But I understand a baby needs a lot of attention and she still has two other kids walking around.
I unpacked my suitcase and walked back down, playing with Baby Gemma, newest member of the family Beaumont
---------------------
We were back at the house for a couple days now. I hadn't talked much to Oliver, only when his mother was around, but she was still getting suspicious. She already asked me a couple times if something happened between us. Because before I left to school, Oliver and I used to be like super close. I always answered her with the same thing, 'I think we just grew apart a bit.' Then she just smiled at me, weakly and unconvinced and go searching for Oliver to ask him the same thing, but I don't know what he answered her.
The last days I spend mostly with the kids. I've missed them, actually. And because my flying classes were cancelled at school, I asked Ryan to teach me, and apparently he was good.
"Why don't you as Oliver to teach you? He's like your teacher, right?" He asked, he was quite smart, though.
"Because,” I started, "He taught me so much already and besides, everybody says you are the best flier of your year. And I wanna learn from the best!" I said and the lights in his eyes started to flicker even more.
I hated flying. It was scary and I sucked at it. I didn't even had balance, so I regularly turned upside down or just fall of. I could only fly slow and low, 'cuz when I fell then, I didn't fell hard. And I fell an awful lot;
But even though I hated it, I loved it to see Lucas and Ryan having so much fun teaching me. What I didn't like, on the other hand, was Oliver. He was staring at me from his window. And I mean really staring, like creepy staring. Always when I flew across his window I gave him a death glare and then he looked back down. For a couple seconds. After that he continued staring, it was annoying.
Also I helped Liz a lot, 'cuz since the baby she was always tired. I took over so she could get some sleep. Gemma was only a couple months old, so she couldn't do much. But I did anything to avoid Oliver, who was taking every opportunity to try to explain what happened the week before the Ball, but he didn't seem to understand the words 'I don't care!' Which I said every time I walked away.
And I didn't mind spending time with Gemma, she was my sister. Just like the boys are my brothers, except Oliver, I don't consider him as a brother. He used to be my best friend, and I can't deny I didn't still love him, but I just don't want to give him a chance to break my heart again.
I tried helping as much as I could. Cooking, cleaning, keeping the kids buzzy, take them to the city, for shopping or things like that. There were not many moment I was 'free' but I didn't mind, I liked it.
But there was this rare moment I was free. I got bored quickly and was about to go to my room to read. When I was almost at the top of the stairs I hear Nate say:
"Come on, just tell me. I'm your brother. It has been bothering you for days now. Plus it has to do with Ari, so I should definitely know."
"Why?" Oliver said, and Nate replied: "Because I'm her Guardian, that's why." He said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
It was probably about the girl he snogged and I didn't need to be reminded of that. So I didn't bother eavesdropping.
"Well, the thing is, she doesn't remember it happened. And it is something I'll NEVER forget." He said emphasizing the 'never'. And then their conversation got my attention.
After Oliver had told Nate what happened or at least what he saw happening, I smashed the door open.
"Are you serious?" I asked/yelled. They both jumped up. They had no idea I sat there the whole time. Oliver just looked at me sadly, I was still waiting for an answer. Eventually he nodded. I was shocked. I walked over to the bed and let me fall down. I couldn't believe I didn't remember that. I felt so stupid.
And Nate, obviously taking advantage of Oliver and I being in the same room. He stood up and said: "You two definitely need to talk, now! For your own good. I'll leave you two to it and you won't leave until everything is cleared out." He closed the door behind him, locking it with a charm, of course. Otherwise I'd storm out after two minutes, he knew me and my temper.
Sooo, that really happened?" I asked awkwardly, he nodded.
"It was horrible. And you know what the worse was?" He said, obviously being a rhetorical question, since he didn't gave me time to answer, "That I wasn't even able to help you, because you locked yourself in, 'cuz you were to stubborn to talk to me. You were screaming and yelling, like you were being tortured, and I couldn't do anything!" He was angry, he yelled at me. Normally I would yell back and get even angrier. But he was right. Because of my stupid, stubborn behaviour, he had to see me being, probably, tortured. I could hear it in the way he said it, it was one of the worse things he ever had to do. So I just said that I was sorry. I felt guilty, I couldn't even look him in the eyes.
"I'm sorry too, I know I hurt you, but will you let me explain what happened when you saw me with that girl?" I nodded.
He gave me a brief explanation of what happened, I was less mad, but there was still something bothering me.
"Why didn't you just tell? Then all of this wouldn't had happened." I said.
"I dunno, I just didn't know how to say it." He sighed and looked down. "So are we good?" He said, rather muttered, actually I could barely hear it.
"Yes, we are." I stood up and gave him a hug.
It's not because we fixed things, that we immediately were close again. We did more things together and we talked instead of snapped to each other. But it isn't the same as a couple weeks ago, but we're working on it.
I still got flying lesson from Ryan and Lucas. And Nate and Oliver just came to laugh at my terrible flying skills. They tried to teach me a game. But it involved speed and height. Which I suck at, so that didn't work out very well.
They soon gave up on me, I was a lost case when it comes to flying. So I let them play without me. I watched it, it looked so cool. I was a bit jealous of them, being so good. I was disappointed that I suck at it, it looked so much fun.
The point of the game was blowing each other from their broom, with safe, specially developed spells, of course. There was also an energy shield, so if they'd fall, they wouldn't get hurt.
I was reading and watching the game at the same time. And because I'm a professional multi-tasker, I was also revising the conversation we had earlier this week. I had to remember something, right?
That night, I overheard another conversation they were having, by accident this time. They probably didn’t realise I was in my own room and could here every single word they were saying.
"We have to tell her!" Oliver said, nervous."
"No, we don't. It's safer for her to not know." Nate calmly answered his brother. I had no idea what this was about.
"Why don't you want to tell?" Oliver was getting irritated.
"Because Mr Devereaux said it!".
"That was before what happened the night of the ball." So it had to do with that creepy attack I had then.
"That only happened because she was upset and vulnerable at that moment, they waited for the right moment, her weakest moment, to attack." Nate said, less calm than before.
"But this wasn't like the nightmares, they really were in her head this time. It's different!" Oliver was pissed off, He normally was always relaxed and easy-going, but now.
Now I knew what they were talking about, but I didn't understand it. They were talking about me, the nightmares and something they obviously won't or can't tell me. But I had the right to know. I lay down my book and got up. This time I did knock on the door before entering. They immediately stopped talking and smiled awkwardly at me.
"I don't know if you guys know, but the isolation isn't great here. I can hear every word you are saying, in my room." There smiles dropped, they shot a glance at each other and then back to me.
"So, I wanna know, what Nate doesn't want me to know?" I crossed my arms over my chest, raised my eyebrows and stood there, waiting until they would tell.
Chapter Nineteen
They were looking at me with a nervous expression on their faces. Nate obviously didn't want to tell me and Oliver was the exact opposite.
"Well, I'm not leaving until you tell me what that all was about?" I said, starting to tap my hand on my arm, while they were crossed over my chest.
Oliver sighed. "Well, they fou-" he started but was interrupted by Nate. "No!" Oliver shot him a mad look. He turned back to me. "So they found out that-"
"Will you shut the f*ck up!" Nate said with a death stare.
"Why, she has the right to know, it about her safety." Oliver replied.
"Like you care about her safety, you just want to snog her that's all." This was already getting out of hands.
"Guys, please stop." I said, trying to calm them down, not that it worked.
"Yeah, like you take your responsibility as her Guardian seriously, if she wasn't friends with Quinn, you wouldn't have spent half as much time with her." Nate was now seriously pissed off, I wouldn't be surprised if there came smoke out of his ears. "Unlike I," Oliver continued, "I spend time with her voluntarily. I know her better, and I think she has to know."
"If something happens to her because of this, it will be my fault!" he screamed. I couldn't stand it anymore.
"You only care about yourself, not about h-" and before he could finish his sentence, and before I could react, Nate blew Oliver across the room.
He smacked his head against the wall first, and then fell down smashing his head into the windowsill. He had some red spots and a giant cut on his cheekbone.
"Why was that necessary?" I yelled at Nate, while I walked over to Oliver.
"Oh, so now you're back at his side, just a couple days ago, you couldn't stand being in the same room together." He snapped at me. I turned furiously at him.
"If he blew you against the wall, I would've run over to you. Don't take your anger out on me!" I snapped back, "Now get out, and go cool down." He didn't move, "NOW!" I screamed. And he walked out the room, pissed.
I quickly walked over the Oliver and helped him up. He rubbed the back of his head, while there ran some blood out of the cut in his cheek.
"Lie down, you probably have a concussion." I pushed him down in the bed, but he got up immediately.
"Can't you just fix it, you learned about healing spells, right?" I sighed, I could do little healing spells, not like those involving brains.
"I'm not gonna mess with your brain, who know, maybe you'll be more stupid then you already were before." I said, he laughed. Which I think hurt, cuz he pulled a face and rubbed his head again.
"I'm not stupid, you know. But I think I'll just lie down. Before my head explodes." And he slowly lay down on the bed again.
"I can heal the cut on your cheek, that doesn't seem that serious." He nodded.
I got up after healing his cheek and turned to the door.
"Aren't you staying here?" He asked, I suppressed a smile and turned back to him.
"I go check on Nate, I’ll be right back." I smiled and he nodded.
I walked down and Liz immediately ran over to me.
"What happened upstairs?" She asked worried.
"They were fighting over something I may or may not know. Where did Nate go?" I said and she pointed at the door.
"I saw him running to the back yard, and he didn't seemed happier. He practically stormed out." I nodded and ran outside as well.
"Are you cooled down by now?" I asked as I walked up to him. He was blowing up stones.
"Sorry for snapping at you, it's just better if you don't know." He said and turned to me.
"It's okay. I understand, if you think it's better for me, I believe you. But you didn't had to blow Oliver against the wall, I think he has a concussion." His eyes were filled with regret.
"I didn't mean to, it’s just after what he said about me not spending as much time with you, like he did." Oliver was harsh, but he was too.
"No, don't worry about it." I said. I didn't want to make more problems.
"But he's right, if you weren't friends with Quinn, I'd spend barely any time with you. I have my responsibilities, as your Guardian, and I just didn't put enough effort in it, I'm sorry. In fact, Oliver is to you what I should've been, your best friend." He was sorry, and everything he said was true, I think. I knew Oliver was closer to me, than Nate. But I didn't blame him. We still were really good friends.
"Like I said, it's okay. I'm sure when I need you, you'll be there." And I gave him a hug. "I'll go back to your brother, before he thinks I abandoned him or something." I said, joking. He smiled and nodded. And I turned back to the house.
"Euhm, maybe, only to be sure, we should switch room for tonight. I don't want to get in another fight." I nodded and went inside.
"Oh, god you're back! Why did you leave me this long?" He said dramatically, "I could have died! I could've died before you told me you love me!"
"you mean, you could've died before you told me, you love me? Don't be a big baby, it's a concussion, and you’re not dying." He held his hand over his heart, pretending to be shocked.
I sat down on Nate's bed.
"Guess what, I'll be sleeping here tonight." I said and he raised his eyebrow and a cheeky smile appeared on his face.
"You now, if you get scared, there is room enough in my bed." He answered, tapping his hand on the spot beside him on the bed, I sighed.
"That won't be necessary, I, unlike you, am not a big baby." I said, laughing.
"Woaw, just like nothing’s changed, we're best fiends again, Woohoow!" He said.
"Best friends you say? So that means you just put yourself in the friend-zone, again? Great!" I said, raising my eyebrows. He made a pout.
"Oh, no what have I done?" He said, “Oh, wait! Maybe I just put you in the friend-zone! Oh snap." He said, and I couldn't hold in a smile.
"Boys don't put girls in the friend-zone. Nobody puts me in a friend-zone!" I said laughing. "Take that back or I'll do something much, much worse." I said jokingly threatening.
"Pff, Like what?" I gave him a daring look and he gave me one back, I narrowed my eyes.
"Or I'll put you in...” Dramatic pause, "The Brother-zone!" Mentally adding "dum, dum, duum."
"Oh, you wouldn't! Dare to put me in the brother-zone!" He said, he got up slowly.
"Take it back and I won't do it." I said, "And lie back down, or do you want permanent brain damage?"
"Okay, I take it back." I held up his hands in surrender and lay back down.
"DINNERS READY" Mrs Beaumont yelled.
"COMING" I yelled back. Oliver was already getting up, and I gave him glance raising my eyebrows.
"Okay, fine, I'll stay, but you'll have to bring me food, I'm starving." I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, don't be so dramatically." And I went downstairs, for food 'cuz I was starving as well.
"Where is Oliver?" Liz asked, looking a bit concerned. I looked at Nate, who was sitting opposite me, I hesitated and sighed.
"He has a light concussion, I think." Before I could go on, she interrupted me.
"What? How did that happen?" And she immediately turned to Nate.
"Well, I kind of blew him against the wall." And he looked at his lap.
"And why? I knew you had a fight, but hurting each other?"
"It's not his fault, it's mine. I wanted to know what they were talking about and they didn't agree in telling me or not. I'm sorry." She sighed and smiled.
"It's okay, dear."
"So can I take dinner upstairs for Oliver?" I asked after everybody finished eating.
"Of course." I smiled and filled a plate, I took enough from everything, knowing he'll probably say I'm letting him starve, giving him not enough food. He was such a drama queen, but I still liked him.
Here is your food, dare to complain and I brother-zone you." He acted shocked, putting his hand over his heart.
"It's perfect, I couldn't as for better." He said extremely posh.
"See, you should be that polite every time." He snorted and turned to his food.
"Where are you going'?" He asked when I was walking to the door.
"I'm not leaving you, don't worry. I'm just getting my stuff for tonight and my sketchbook, that's all." I said smiling.
"Good, if you're not back in five minutes, I assume you're death, okay?"
"Believe me, I won't die, my room is 2 meters away, I'm sure I won't need the whole five minutes." I said, as I walked to my room.
I grabbed on oversized shirt out of my closet, because I couldn't find pyjama pants. I took my sketch book and pencils and got back to the other room. As I walked into the room I saw Oliver pushing his hands against his head and squeezed his eyes.
"Oliver, are you okay?" I said concerned, he was obviously having a lot of pain. As soon as I said it, he opened his eyes and looked al happy again.
"I'm fine, what would there be?" I sighed and rolled my eyes. I walked over to his bed and sat down beside him.
"If it hurt, just say it. Don't be all manly all of a sudden. Does it hurt?" I raised my eyebrows. He nodded. "I'll get you a pain killer."
"A strong one, please."
"Woaw, 'please', you learned manners." I laughed and went downstairs to get a pain killer. Of course I asked Liz which one he could take, didn't want to accidently kill him of course.
Half an hour after he got his pain killer he fell asleep. I was 10PM. I wasn't really tired yet, but I didn't had anything else to do, so I change into my oversized shirt and climbed in bed.
I kept turning and tossing, it was a miracle Oliver didn't wake up, but that was probably because of the painkiller. I just couldn't sleep. At 2AM I got up and went to the kitchen, I made myself a warm cup of tea, to help me get to sleep.
I wasn't working. Though. I took a magazine from the table and started reading. I didn't really know any of the people on it.
Before I got here, I knew quite a lot about artists, singers and actors. But here? I listened to the radio when it was on, but I didn't really know much about them. I'd always tried to focus on my school as much as I could. I don't want to let this world down. It may sound like I don't think it's a big deal. But trust me, I've been worrying about it. What if, because of me, this world goes down?
I was so lost in my thoughts, staring at the magazine, not even knowing what I was staring at. I was totally zoned out, I didn't even noticed that somebody came sitting beside me. I didn't realize it until the person snapped his finger in front of me, I looked up, completely disorientated.
"Oh, good. I was starting to think you tried to stare him out of the magazine." The voice said. I frowned and looked in the direction of the voice. As soon as I recognised the person, I raised my eyebrows.
"That the hell are you doing out of bed?" I said, whispering.
"I woke up, and I saw you weren't in your bed, so I came to check on you." And he shrugged.
"I mean, you should lie down. Do you remember I told you about the permanent brain damage? I wasn't joking." I didn't even smile.
"I feel fine, my head doesn't hurt anymore. And relax it wasn't that hard." I hope he wasn't lying to me, I don't want him to lie about his health.
"Really?" I asked and he nodded.
"Why are you here anyway?" Oliver asked.
"I couldn't sleep, and I didn't want to wake you up with all my tossing. So I came down here."
"Is there a reason you can't sleep?" He asked, he was worried a bit.
"No, I don't think so." I shook my head.
We talked for a while and eventually I got tired and fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty
Arianna's POV
I woke up the next morning, leaning against something. It was warm and comfortable, even though I'm not in an all-natural position. It had his arm around me, it was Oliver. I remember what happened last night. Then I relaxed again, this was a nice feeling just lying there, in his arms. This was the third time that I slept in his arm, but the last two times where because of my nightmares and he fell asleep before me.
But this was different, his chest moved slowly up and down. I carefully looked up to his face, gosh he was handsome. No! I can't think that! I'm like his sister. I tried to shake the thought out of my mind, but it wouldn't go away. After enjoying the moment for 10 minutes, I took his hand and slowly removed it from my shoulder, my legs were the hardest. They were spread over his legs. Carefully got myself out and tiptoed away. I couldn't help but smile.
*
Oliver's POV
I've been awake for at least a half an hour. In the couch, watching Ari lying against me, with her arm on my stomach. Her one leg pulled up against her chest and her other all over my legs. I put my arm around her and leaned my head against hers.
The only thing I could think of, was how awesome it would be if someday, rather sooner than later, we could lay like this every day.
I could feel her breath was getting a little quicker. She would wake up in a couple minutes. I laid myself in a more 'I'm-sleeping' position. And waited.
I could feel her move I knew she was awake, now. But she didn't have up immediately. Maybe she's thinking the same as I was. Probably not, but never lose hope! After about 10 minutes she took my hand and laid it on my lap. Carefully she got her legs of mine and silently walked away. I opened my eyes, I saw her running up the stair, smiling. I noticed she was blushing like crazy! Maybe she did feel the same for me, as I do for her! And I smiled as well.
*
Arianna's POV
When I got to the room, I let myself fall on the bed. Even though I slept good, my neck hurt from the odd position I laid in. But it felt great. Maybe too great.
I decided to get a shower. I had nothing else to do. Everyone was still asleep.
The door opened and Oliver came in.
"Mooorin'" he said, stretching the word out.
"Good morning." I said as I turned around, with my back to him.
"From my observations, you slept really well, I think." He said, I could feel my head get red the moment he said it. Gosh, I was happy he couldn't see my face. But I wasn't planning on going easy on him.
"So, you watched me sleep, that sounds like you're a stalker. Creepy." Still facing the bed.
"Yeah, maybe I'm a creepy stalker."
"Well, Stalker, I'm gonna take a shower." I said.
"Don't you need clothes for that?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Yeah, so?"
"I don't know if you'd noticed, but this isn't your room, your clothes aren't here." I sighed and made a pout, he was right. Than what can I do?
"Well, then I just lay on the bed, until I can get my clothes. My neck hurts so much, guess I didn't sleep that good."
"Like I slept that well, you kept turning and moving for hours." He said cocky.
"You could've left, you know." he hesitated, probably thinking what he'd say. After a couple seconds he answered. "Why would I, I like it." Before I think of what to do, I felt myself turn around.
"You did?" I asked. I shouldn't have turn around, I was probably all blushy.
"Yes, did you." I noticed he was nervous as well, which made me feel a bit less awkward. I nodded.
"Yeah, actually yes." I practically whispered it and turned my back to him again.
I tried to think of a way to change the subject, so we didn't have to stay in the uncomfortable, rather awkward silence. There had to be something to talk about, right? Or maybe I should just leave the room? But what if he follows me? I need to find a subject, quick! Think Ari, think.
"So, what did you get for Mike's birthday?" Oliver asked me. Gosh, I was glad he found another subject.
"I bought something really cool. He's gonna be surprised for sure. What did you get him?"
"I'll tell you, if you tell me what you bought him. He said, narrowing his eyes. But there was no way I was gonna tell him what I've bought.
"Then I don't want to know. So you're still planning on going to his party?" I asked.
"Yeah, why not?" I raised my eyebrows, something that I do a lot, now I think of it.
"Because you got your head smashed against a wall yesterday? So I think it isn't a good idea to get loud music in your ears." And I crossed my arms over my chest.
"I told you already, I feel fine. And I'm not gonna miss my best friend's birthday." He said dramatically, "You are coming to the party as well." He didn't ask it, he said it like it was a fact.
"I'm just going to give him his present and go. I practically don't know anybody. Just him, Ethan and you."
"So what? He asked you to come, so you go. I'll introduce you to everybody, if you're lucky." I frowned.
"What do you mean, if I’m lucky?" I didn't know what he meant, at all.
"Well, It will probably happen that the moment we arrive, Mike and Ethan are gonna steal you away. And then you'll have to deal with them." He laughed. He was right though. Every time I went with them somewhere, the first thing they'd do is put their arms around me and not letting go.
I shrugged, "Yeah probably. Try not to get jealous okay?" I said, daring.
"Why would I? I know you love me." he said. I hated it when he does that. It's true I do love him. And his flirty behaviour isn't helping. But like I said, he flirts, always.
*
"Are you ready yet?" Oliver shouted at me from the hallway on the first flour. I was in the bathroom, getting ready for going to Mike's birthday. Though I wasn't planning on staying, I still need to look decent. And because I couldn't take a shower in the morning, 'cuz Nate was still sleeping. I had to shower now, much to Oliver's dislike. In his opinion, I spend too much time in that bathroom, like I can get ready in 5 minutes.
"Calm down. It's not because you can get ready in two seconds, doesn’t mean I have to look like shit as well." I was brushing my hair and did it in a lose messy braid on the side. Put on a little mascara and natural coloured lip-gloss. I checked my outfit -A dark scarlet blouse tucked in a dark green, high waist pants, with black pumps, pathetic attend to look taller.
I came out of the bathroom, to look at an annoyed Oliver. "Finally, I was starting to think you fell in the toilet."
“Not everybody is as clumsy as you, you know. And I thought we were in a hurry? Why are we still here then?" He growled at me.
"Fine, we're leaving." He said to me, and then shouted, "MOM? WE'RE LEAVING? SEE YA TOMORROW!" I rolled my eyes.
"Great, now the neighbours know it to. Bye Liz" I said on a more normal volume than Oliver. He was getting his wand out of his pockets, but I held up my hand, and he put it away again. He looked at me curious and questioning.
"I have a much cooler way." He frowned his eyebrows. I gathered all the sass that I had and said the spell. "E-va-nes-ces!" Snapping my fingers in a Z-formation. Oliver rolled his eyes and let out a little laugh, while we got like sucked in a small tube. It was a weird feeling, but still better than the wall.
"Well, well, appearing spell without a wand? You're a very powerful wizard Miss Lovett, I bow for you." He said, while actually making a bow.
"Well, thank you very much, Mr Beaumont." Making a bow as well."
"Hey, Heloooooow there!" I heard a voice saying in our directions and all of a sudden Oliver got pushed away and Ethan and Mike slide to me, from both side. Placing their arms around my waist and shoulder.
"Hello, to you too, guys. Happy Birthday, Mike!" I said picking up a giant rectangular box from behind me. It was larger than me, even with heels. Mike's eyes widened and a smile spread across his face.
"Is that for me? Lovett?" I nodded. "I want to open it, but I have others to open first." I made a pout and replied.
"Please, open mine first. I want to see the look on your face when you open it. And I'm not staying." His eyes shot up, locking mine.
"What do you mean? Of course you're staying! Don't be ridiculous, Petite."
"Woaw, Mike. Learning French?"
"Yes, just for you." He said cocky, patting his own shoulder, to show his pride. “And where did you get the stupid idea of not staying at my birthday party?"
"I don't know anybody here."
"Well, it's my party, I'm the boss, and I say you stay. I'll introduce you to EVERYBODY" And then I was getting scared.
"First open my present!" I just wanted to see the look on his face when he opens it. He took the giant box and ripped of the dark purple paper, revealing a shiny green black box of the newest type of broom.
"Omg! Ari! You’re the best, I love you forever! He squeeze me in his arms and spun me around. He was literally crushing me.
"Mike, I ... Can't ... Breath!" And he let me go.
"Open the box!!" I insisted. And he did, his face was the best thing I've seen in my entire life. His smile dropped and narrowed his eyes. A mischievous smile formed on his face.
"So, Lovett, that's a pleasant gift." He said, while standing up. I shrugged.
"I thought you might find that. You're welcome" I smiled sweetly.
"A book about brooms in a broom box, that's playing with my feeling, little." As he stepped closer, I couldn't hold my laugh.
"I had to get you reading a book, someway. Maybe this way works." He quickly raised his eyebrow and my eyes widened. He ran towards me, I tried to run away but he had me in like three seconds.
He tackled me onto the ground, sitting on my legs and pinning my arms with his hands against the flour.
"So are we sorry for what we've done?" He asked, sweetly. I smirked.
"Nope!" emphasizing the 'p'. He shrugged.
"I gave you a change." He started tickling me.
Maybe that doesn't sound that bad, but I really can't handle being tickled. I already started laughing from to thought of it. I was yelling and tossing on the ground, trying to find a way to escape, which I didn't found. My stomach started to hurt from the laughing, I couldn't take it anymore.
"Okay, fine. I sur-surrender. I g-give up, pl-please sto-o-op!" He got off me and helped me up.
"So, are we sorry now?" I nodded, "Great! We’re friends again. And there is no way you're buying me another present, right?"
I rolled my eyes, "Of course not, nitwit!"
"I figured. Now let me introduce you to my friends." Shit no! I though. But gladly there appeared new guests.
"Look! People with present! Be polite, go to them." I said, pushing him towards the new arrive people.
"Don't run off!" I shook my head.
"Okay then I'll introduce you to everybody." Oliver said, that I found less terrifying, so I nodded.
Chapter Twenty-One
Arianna's POV
Oliver put his arm around me and pulled me with him to a couple people standing a bit further. There were three guys and two girls. They looked nice, that was a start.
"Hey Oliver!" One of the guys called, "And who is this lovely lady?" He got my hand and kissed it, I giggled a bit, and I felt uncomfortable.
"This is Arianna," He said, and I felt more uncomfortable than before when I realised they were checking me out. Oliver continued, "Don't even think about it, Steve."
"Why not?" He guy named Steve said, he looked like the typical 'bad boy', leather jacket, ripped jeans, combat shoes and his hair in a quiff.
"Because she's my girlfriend." I did the best I could the hide the smile on my face when he said that. I covered up by elbowing him.
"Hey, I'm not your girlfriend!"
"Okay, fine, you're not!" He rolled his eyes and sighed.
"No, she isn't. She's mine." Ethan jumped next to me, putting his arm around my waist, pulling me away from Oliver.
"I'm not your girlfriend either! And hey, guys, don't talk about me like I'm someone's property! Cuz everybody knows, you're MY property." I said sarcastically.
"Yeah sure, you wish." Ethan and Oliver said unison.
I slight grin appeared on my face, a little mischievous. I looked at the people in front of me -whom I actually didn't know- and mounted 'watch'. They looked at me a bit confused.
"Hey, guys. You know I'm a bot thirsty actually. Would you mind getting me something to drink.”?
"Yeah, sure." Ethan said, But Oliver immediately respond to that.
"You don't even know what she wants, I'll get it.
"Then both go, geez." And they left.
"That's how you do that. You see, they are MY property." I said, the girls laughed and the boys rolled their eyes, but I could see they found it funny as well.
"I like what you did." A tall girls -not extremely tall, but taller than me- said, "I'm Emma, by the way. Nice too meet you."
"Nice too meet you too."
The others introduced themselves to me as well. We talked and when there came another person to join the group, they introduced me to them.
The party wasn't that bad, I danced with some people I met, and I danced with Oliver, Ethan and Mike. Time went by quick I lost Oliver in the crowd, but I had other people to have fun with. It was about 2AM or something, so we were there for a while now. I was a bit exhausted and went to the side to get a drink and some space. And that's when I saw, what I didn't want to see.
A blond girl and a tall guy with brown hair, definitely Oliver, were standing against the other wall a bit further then me. Oliver stood with his back to me and the girl had her arm wrapped around his waist, with his hands on her upper arms. It was -100% sure- the same girl from a couple weeks ago. She was al flirtyand all over his. She leaned into him and trying to kiss him. Anger raced through my body.
He pushed away a bit. Which made me feel a bit better again. But no it got worse, he took her hand and pulled her with him toward a door at the back of the room. The anger boiled up again and tears filled my eyes. The girl caught my eye and smirked victoriously at me.
"I'm sure it isn't what it looks like." A voice said, it came from behind me, so I turned around seeing Mike standing there.
"Really?" I said sarcastically, "well, what is behind that door then?" I tried my best to remain calm.
"A small sitting room." He answered softly. Narrowing my eyes.
"Well, then I think it is exactly what I think it looks like?" He looked at me confused, "That sentence made perfect sense. And if you don't mind, I think it is better that I leave now. Happy birthday Mike." I gave his a quick kiss on the cheek and I disappeared, I could hear him start to say 'bye', but I was gone already.
*
How could I be so stupid? How could I think he liked me? He's just a big flirt! He flirts with every girl! I can't stay here now, what if you comes home? I can't face him now. That would be too embarrassing. Where could I go? It almost 3AM. Maybe Nicki's awake? Probably now, but I could try. She's my best friend, I need to talk with her.
I took a piece of paper and wrote a note.
Hey Nicki,
Sorry that I send you this so late, but I really have to talk to you! Can I crash at your house, please? I'll explain everything.
I hope you see this in time
Love
Ari
I fold the paper in half and wrote her name on the front. I whispered 'Mitto ut Nicolette" and the letter disappeared and will appear again in a couple second next to Nicki.
*
Mike's POV
I saw her staring at something. I couldn't see what it was, so I moved a little closer. And then I saw it, Samantha was trying to get Oliver. Why are girls so weird? When you like them, they don't like you. When you like someone else, suddenly you're good enough for her. At least that's how it works with Samantha. Oliver had a crush on her during high school, from the first year to the last. And now he's in love with someone else, she can't get off him.
Ari wasn’t seemed pleased with the scene, obviously. I know her quite well, we're good friends. That's why I can easily see she's in love with Oliver.
"I'm sure it isn't what it looks like." I said, trying to reassure her. She turned around, she was angry, really angry?" But I was sure that Oliver would never do something like kissing someone else in front of the girl he loves. That would be completely stupid, too.
"Really? Well, what is behind that door then she asked. I looked up at the door she meant. I just saw a glance of Samantha before it closed. Maybe he was that stupid to let her seduce him! Moron! But I had to answer Ari honest.
"A small sitting room." saying it so quiet that I hoped she didn't hear it, no she did.
"Well, then I think it is exactly what I think it looks like?" I wasn't sure that was a logical phrase, "That sentence made perfect sense. And if you don't mind, I think it is better that I leave now. Happy birthday Mike." She said, she gave me a kiss and disappeared in the middle of my 'bye'.
I couldn't let Oliver hurt her like that! She deserves better! She deserves someone who doesn't let him seduce by the girl who kept him hanging on for so long. She would be better off with me, but I couldn't steal my best friends almost-girlfriend - (which after what happened rather be a never-going-to-happen-girlfriend would be). And she loves/loved him as well. The main reason I didn't go for her.
I ran over to the room where they disappeared in and slammed the door open. Samantha was practically on top of Oliver, who was trying to get her off. But she was a Dhampire, she's stronger than him.
"Leave me alone!" Oliver yelled.
"Why? This is what you've always wanted, right?" She said.
"Yeah, 'wantED, like in past tense. B*tch get off me." Oliver trying as hard get away.
I had to help him, I'm a warrior so I'm good at non-verbal spells. They don't know I'm here, so surprise attack would be the most efficient way.
She got blown away and was glued against the wall, not able to move and/or defend.
"Mike! Thank god!" He got up and stepped over to me.
"You should leave now! Ari saw you two and she was angry. If I were you, I'd do at least an attempt to explain." He nodded and left immediately.
"And for you!" I said the Samantha, "You're a b*tch. I don't even know why we were friends? Just because you're pretty, probably. Now leave!" I remove the glue spell and she disappeared as well.
*
Oliver's POV
Oh no, the point of taking her to that room, which was obviously a big mistake, was to tell her to leave me alone, without getting everybody's attention. Why is my timing always the worse ever? I appeared back in my room, which I still shared with Ari for now. Secretly hoping she would be there, even though I knew she wouldn't be. But I didn't know where she had gone then? It was the middle of the night. I hope she didn't do anything stupid! And if she did, it was all my fault, she had every right to blame me, be angry at me. 'If I find her, she can hit me, yell at me, and curse me.' That's what I thought that moment. But I had to find her first.
Where could she be? I checked the whole house, maybe she hid somewhere. But no, she wasn't in the house. Maybe to her friends? Nicki!
*
Arianna's POV
I've waited for a couple minutes, but she didn't answer. She was definitely sleeping, otherwise I would be there already. I couldn't stay there for much long, knowing that Oliver would be here soon, and I didn't want to face him.
I put on a warm sweater and switched my pumps into black ankle boot, with woollen fabric on the inside. I took gloves, a hat and a scarf and went outside. It was cold for a spring night, but with all the warm clothes I could bare it. I walked the opposite way of the shopping street. The way to the lake and the woods. I've been there a couple time but not many. I've been playing there with baby Gemma when it was warm enough outside.
Now, at night, the lake looked dark and scary. But on the other hand, calm and peaceful. I sat down at a fallen tree and stared over the quiet lake. Letting the tears fall out with no shame. It felt well, the crying, I felt like crying forever. But the tears stopped, still feeling angry, sad and betrayed, but no more crying.
*
Nicki's POV
YES! Yeah! I'm coming, geez, the sun isn't even up!" I cried. Walking to the door, my parents weren't home this weekend, so I hadn't had to worry about waking someone. I opened the front door, I was still in my pj's of course so the cold breeze from outside made me shiver.
"Euhm, Oliver. What are you doing at my house in the middle of the night?" still shivering.
"Is Ari here?" He asked, ignoring my question.
"No, why would she?" I couldn't follow, "What happened?"
"Oh, nothing. Never mind, forget it." He said and al of a sudden he was gone. Completely confused I closed the door and scrolled back to my room.
I saw there was a letter in my nightstand. That wasn't there when I went to bed. I took it and read it. 'Oh no!' Was the first thing that crossed my mind. 'If Ari wasn't home and wasn't here, where was she then.' I wrote back to her; wherever she was, my note would find her anyway.
Hey Ari,
Sorry for responding this late. Come over here right now! Immediately! What happened! I'm worried. Get your ass over here and tell me.
Nicki
and send.
Not even a minute later a knock on the front door echoed through the house. I sprinted down the stair, opening the door and pulling Ari in. He was all wrapped in warm clothes, she was probably wandering outside. The moment I closed the door and turned back to her, she burst into tears. I lead her to the couch and made hot chocolate.
"Tell me what happened?" I asked quietly, when she stopped crying. She took a deep breath and started.
"So, last night I couldn't sleep and I went downstairs, reading and thinking a bit. After a while Oliver came down and sat next to me, we talked and we fell asleep. Then we woke up, all hugging each other in our sleep. Then he said he like it, lying with me like that." A tear escaped her eyes again. Ari closed her eyes, taking several breaths before continuing.
"And then this night at Mike's birthday party, he snogged that girl again! They even when to a private room. They might even had sex in there." I was raising her voice, not on purpose, but because of the cropped up anger.
"What was I thinking, he doesn't like me! I'm just another girl on his flirt-list! I hate him." I put my arm around her and she rested her head on my shoulder. Should I tell that Oliver came here, looking for her? Maybe not now, she need some sleep now.
"Shh, it's gonna be fine, I promise. Let's go to sleep. You can sleep with me." She nodded and followed me to my room, I gave her one of my pyjamas and we got into bed. She sobbed for a while but eventually fell asleep. When I was sure she wouldn't wake up, I closed my eyes as well.
*
Arianna's POV
I woke up in Nicki's bed, only Nicki herself wasn't there. I slowly walked of the stairs. There she was in the kitchen making breakfast.
"Good morning, feeling better?" She asked, I nodded. Even though I wasn't and she could tell. "I have eggs and cereal, what do you want?"
"Cereal is fine, is there coffee." I already guessed there must be, 'cuz the kitchen was filled with the smell of it. She nodded and made me a cup.
We sat quietly at the table. It wasn't an awkward silence, but a pleasant one. She was struggling with something, she had her worrying face.
"What's wrong?" I asked. Nipping from my coffee.
"I don't know if you want to hear it. Maybe you're gonna be mad for not telling you, but you needed sleep."
"Okay, tell me." I said, already promising myself not to get mad, for whatever it was.
"Oliver came looking for you yesterday." I was going to interrupt by she held her hand up to stop me, "Before you were here. That's why I saw your letter then, he woke me."
"He was here? Why?"
"He was looking for you, but I didn't know what happened then, so yeah. I didn't know if I should've told you yesterday or not."
"I don't care if he was looking for me. I'm letting him break my heart again." She nodded, "Can I stay here for a while?" I asked.
"Of course."
Chapter Twenty-Two
I sat on the couch, still in Nicki's house. She was writing her parents that I would stay over for a couple days, as they were out on a romantic vacation. Nicki didn't mind, she liked it, having the house to herself. I had already wrote a note to Liz to say I was staying at Nicki's. She didn't mind and just answered: okay, have fun on your girl’s night!
It was around 12AM, so we decided to have supper outside. We set the table outside and enjoyed the sun. We had a great time, we talked about what we did during this vacation so far. It was almost school again though.
"Oh, it had been great! I've been to a party in the beginning of the vacation. I went with my niece, I was the only one why wanted to go with her." she explained, with lots of hand gestures, like usual, “So, the party happened to be close to the place I went to primary school, before I moved here for high school. And there were, of course, a lot of people who I went to school with." she took a breath, she was talking quick, I was already wondering how long she would talk without taking a breath,
"So, I was dancing with my niece and then this group of mostly guys, couple girls, came up to us and were like 'Hey Max! Who is this?' my niece's name is Maxine." I nodded and she continued, "And she said, 'this is my niece Nicki, euhm, Nicolette.' and then they were like 'Nicki!?' I nodded, and then 'Nicki Short?' and then I was like 'yeah, how do you know?’ cuz my niece has another last name then me. And then he was like 'Nicki, it's me 'Kyle!' Kyle and I were best friends in primary school, but we lost contact and now it's amazing. We've been hanging out all vacation!"
When she was rattled out I asked her how he looked and stuff, she showed me a pic, he was hot Black hair in a quiff, muscled. She was smiling like an Idot.
"Are you in loooooove?" I said on a funny tone.
"Pff, no, of course not." I rolled my eyes.
"Yes, you do!" I smiled, "that's so awesome! When is your next date?"
"I don't know, but I forgot how much fun we used to have together. I missed him sooo much."
"I hope he is 'The One' " I said dramatically waiving my hand slowly over my head in a bow. Her eyes widened.
"Maybe he is! It wasn't coincidence we found each other again, it was DESTINY!" She said, totally believing it was, I giggled.
"Gosh, Nicki I've never seen you like this. I thought you were the down-to-earth one, guess not."
"I'm down to earth!" she said, pretending to be shocked, putting her hand on her heart. I just laughed.
In the afternoon we made ourselves cupcakes and coffee, to have a cosy time. We just set all the cupcakes on a big plate and poured out two large cups of coffee and set it carefully on the coffee table as we sat down on the couch. We would have gone outside but the good weather and the sun disappeared after big rainy clouds. It was almost storming outside, you’d be soaking wet after 3 seconds.
I just had a few bites of my first self decorated cupcake when there was a knock on the door. Nicki looked confused.
"Maybe it's Kyle!" I said on a teas tone, she stuck her tongue out and left the living room onto the hall.
"What are you doing here?" I heard her say. I got up to see who was there, but before I was at the corner of the hall, she continued, "I don't think she wants to see you, go away!" I knew immediately it was Oliver. "I said: Go away!" I heard, followed by "No! Where is she!" and then an "Aah!" He was coming in here. I ran to the back of the living room were the stair to the rooms were I ran up. I saw a flash of him when I was almost there. He saw me too and ran after me. I went into the bathroom and looked the door.
"Ari, come out! I have to explain!" He said, not even out of breath, which I was a little, from the shock and the sudden physical activity.
"Explain what? That you snogged that girl again? You even took her to a nice and comfy room. No need to explain what happened there!" I yelled, fighting the tears that were blurring my vision.
"That's not what happened, just listen!" He screamed back.
"No, I don't wanna hear it, leave me alone. I don't want to see you ever again!" I cried, tears falling down my cheeks.
"Pity, I'm coming in!" Expecting him the break down the door, I leaned against it, but that didn't happen. Instead I heard a small crack behind me. Of course, magic duh! I gave him an angry look, full of tears. And popped away as well. The first thing in my mind was just 'the other side of the door.' I could have taken a better place, but I wanted to get out of there. I started running down the stairs.
I slammed open the front door and started running through the rain. I wanted to pouf away, but I couldn't concentrate on a place, I didn't want to get stuck. So I ran, and ran, not looking over my shoulder. I knew he was behind me, I could hear him screaming my name. I didn't stop running, I was almost out of the street. My lungs were burning, I couldn't see properly 'cuz of the rain and my tears. But I couldn't stop, I had to keep running.
I couldn't breathe anymore, the sobbing has taking over and I fell on the ground, in the middle of the street. I sat on my knees, my head buried in my hands on my lap. I've never felt this shitty before. Love sucks.
I was still out of breath and crying when Oliver reached me. I didn't look up, though. He took my shoulder to pull me up. I shook him of. He sat down in front of me.
"Ari!" He yelled over the noise of the rain.
"Go-o aw-way, leav-ve me a-alo-one!" I said between sobbs.
"No, why would I leave you? I'd never leave you!" He screamed back, but I didn’t react, He put his hands on my shoulders again and pulled me straight, I didn't had any energy to stribble. "Look at me!" He said, but I ignored him again. I sat straight up, but I was staring at my lap.
He laid his fingers under my chin and lifted it up. And even facing him I tried to look down, not wanting him to look in the eyes. Those stupid beautiful eyes, dark green, just like mine.
"Stop crying." He said, "Why are you crying?" I narrowed my eyes and let them met his.
"Do you really need to ask that? You stupid, dumb, f*cking asshole!" I yelled at him.
"Sorry, just let me ex-"
"No, you-, just shut up!" I said, screaming pitchy, and pushed him on his chest. Not that it made any difference, my pathetic push didn't affect him. But I gave him an opportunity to take my wrists, stupid me!
He was pinching my wrists. "Stop it, you're hurting me!"
"Sorry, "He loosened his grip, "Why are you so angry anyway? It's not that w-"
"Are you blind? You shithead?" I was getting cold, the adrenaline was still running through my body, but the rain was getting there too. "Just leave it. I don't want to see you anymore. I know it now so, goodbye!"
"You know what now?" He said, frowning his eyebrows.
"What you feel, prick!" The expression on his face didn't change.
"I don't think you do. And how about you?" He said, he was getting on my nerves, I was getting even more pissed then I already was, didn't know it was possible, but apparently it was.
"Oh, leave it, just go snogging your new girlfriend!" I yelled again, I tried to pull myself out of his grip. "I hate you!" His grip loosened and got my wrists out. I stood up and turned around to walk away. Oliver stood up as well following me. It was only a couple seconds later that he pulled my arm and turned me around. He was only a few inches away.
"I love you too!" he said and before I could say or do, he pressed his lips on mine. First I was shocked, but I quickly answered his kiss. All the cold was leaving my body. I felt like I was glowing. It was just perfect, even better than I imagined it would be. I put my arm around his neck, and he pulled me closer to him. I don't know how long we stood there, but I didn't wanted it to stop. This was the most amazing, perfect kiss ever. Even though, I thought that Oliver's kisses would be rougher and harder, this was even better. Soft and thoughtful, gentle, sweet. And then it stopped.
We looked at each other, I smiled. "So you aren't blind?" I said.
"No, apparently not. And I meant it, that I love you. I do for a while." He said, surprisingly looking shy.
"I love you, too. But now you do have to explain what happened, though! But inside." He nodded and a second later we popped up at Nicki's front door.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Arianna's POV
"Oh, you guys are soaked. Quick come in." Nicki said, concerned, but the cold didn't bother me. I was still glowing from our kiss. We dried ourselves, though.
"Sooo, everything’s okay again?" She said curious, raising her left eyebrows and smirked. I shrugged.
"I guess, yeah, why not." I smiled to Oliver, who was brightly smiling back.
"That look tells me it's more than okay between you." I could feel myself blushing, and by that she had her answer.
"Oh my, I'm right, am I? You guys are together!! I'm so happy for you two! And it was about time, something happened." I gave her a 'shut it' glance and she shrugged, looking back at me like 'What? I'm right!’ On that my answer was just rolling my eyes.
"Euhm, I don't think we should tell anyone yet?" I said carefully, looking at both Nicki and Oliver.
"Why not?" Nicki asked.
"Well, he's still my teacher. And that's illegal. And even if it wasn't, I'd like to keep it down a bit."
"I totally agree!" Oliver said, to my surprise, "I'll only tell Mike and Ethan, that's all." I nodded, that was fair.
*
We decided it would be the best if we'd go home separately. Oliver went first and I'd follow 15 minutes later.
"Gosh, I'm soo happy for you two! I was getting worried it would never happen." Nicki said, while I took another cupcake. I knew I was blushing, honestly I was worried too. One moment everything’s great and the next it all fall apart. Hope that doesn't happen anymore.
"Hmmhmm, I feel great! It was just perfect, I can't stop smiling." I replied, lying my hands on my cheeks. I couldn't wait to go home.
Back home Liz asked me how my girls’ night had gone and why I didn't just come home after the party. I that it was late and I didn't want to wake anyone, she didn't ask further. I went upstairs and knocked on Nate's and Oliver's door. Hoping Nate wouldn't be there. As I opened the door I saw my hopes were reality. The second opened the door Oliver jumped up of his bed and came over to me. He put his hands on the sides of my face and kissed me, as reaction I grabbed his waist.
We lay in his bed, just laying nothing more, with my head on his chest and his arm around my shoulders. When there were two little poufs. I opened my eyes and saw two formal looking letter floating next to us. I grabbed the one with my name on and Oliver did the same.
It was a letter from Univit, I opened it and started reading. "Oh" was the only sound I made while reading. I said it a couple times, with different intonations. For example:
The first "Oh" was and surprise one, because the letter said that Luna Blackwell, Eligant of the Nymphs was coming to school, after this holiday.
The next one was excited, 'cuz we would get classes together -Drew, Luna and I. Which was very cool. I never had classes with Drew. Well, I mean like spell classes or something. Only history and biology and other non-magic included lessons.
After that the letter said that because of the extra shared classes, the amount of private classes with Oliver would be reduced. And some tutoring hours, too. So that was a disappointed 'oh'. Less time with him. Just when we got together, typical.
The letter ended with noting a meeting first period at the principal's office, Monday after the Easter vacation.
When I finished reading, Oliver was smiling like and idot at his letter. I couldn't help but smile, too. He was just a thousand times more handsome when he smiles.
"What does it say?" I asked, when he turned away from his letter.
"It had good news and bad news." he made a half smile.
"Mine too." I replied, "First the bad news." And he nodded.
"We have less private classes. And yours."
"The same." A bit relieved that it wasn't something different.
"And what's your good news?" He asked me, I think he was also glad I didn't had more bad news to tell.
"Luna Blackwell is coming to school, after holiday! But I guess that was in your letter, too." And he nodded, "And we'll get shared classes to learn to cooperate with the other tribes." I smiled brightly. "And yours?"
"I got a job offer! Mr Devereaux offers me a job as spell teacher for the first and second years."
"OMG, Oliver! That is amazing. GREAT!!" I screamed and jumped in his arms and he spun me around the room.
Suddenly the door slammed open and he put me down. Liz was standing in the door frame.
"What's going on? So much noise, I thought you guys were fighting again." I giggled, luckily we weren't kissing when she came in. Oliver gave her his letter and she quickly skimmed through it. When he was done she looked up with nothing else than proud in her eyes.
"Come here!" And she pulled him into a hug, a strong one. “I’m so proud of you! You got a job, without even specialising in a profession."
"Mom, You can let go of me. I'd like to breath." He whispered.
"Oh sorry, “and she let go of him, "I'll leave you too then. We have something to celebrate tonight." She said excited and closed the door and I heard her walk down the stairs.
"So where were we?" He said, raising his right eyebrow. I smiled and jumped back in his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist and kissed him. This time it was like I imaged, not soft and careful, like before, but passionate and rough and amazing.
Chapter Twenty-Four
It was Sunday evening, we were all ready and packed to leave to school. Seeing we had to be there first period, next morning. We thought it would be easier to leave today. Lessons would only start after lunch tomorrow, so I don't know why Mr Devereaux made us come in the morning. I know we wouldn’t be the only ones there. There were always kids who like to install without stressing. There would be supper served at school today and breakfast in the morning. Though, we already had supper, Liz insisted on having a last family dinner.
It was almost eight O'clock when we appeared at the big front gate of the school. We opened the double doors and entered the school property. It was so quiet, it was nice. We already ate so we went straight to our own dorm each. I checked the chambers, but there was no one here already, like I expected. I lazily flicked my wand to unpack my things. I hung up a few extra pics I took this holiday. One of Gemma and I. One with Nate, one with Oliver. With Nate and Oliver. And of course also one of me with Lucas and Ryan. My wall was filling nicely with pictures and drawings. Nicki's side looked pretty full to already.
I walked down the hall to Nate's dorm and opened the door. He sat in the couch with his eyes closed.
"Hey." I said, I scared him a little. He got straight up and rubbed his eyes. "Everything okay?" He nodded.
"It's just, my head hurts like crazy. And that doesn’t mean good news. I have the feeling something bad is gonna happen soon." I frowned, and sat down beside him.
"Are you sure?"
"Sadly, yes. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think so. You'll have to be careful." I nodded.
"So want to do something this evening?" I asked, that was the reason I came in the first place. He shook his head.
"No, my head hurts too much, I'm going to bed. See ya tomorrow." I nodded and gave him a smile. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and disappeared in his room and I left the room.
I walked to the walk-through-wall to Oliver's floor. He wasn't in the living room when I entered his dorm.
"Oliver are you here?" I called.
"Yeah, I'm in my bedroom." I didn't immediately react. "It's safe to come in, I'm dressed."
"Like I've never seen you in your boxers. I probably saw you more in underwear than in clothes."
"Don't exaggerate Lovett." He said, while I was entering the bedroom.
He padded on the space beside him.
"Come here." He said, I hesitated. I didn't know what he was up to. "Don't worry, just come lay with me." I still wasn't completely sure, he was older than me. He has had experience with sex and I don't. I wasn't sure if he was up to that. I hoped not, because I wasn't ready for that. Slowly I moved to the bed and sat down beside him. "I'm not gonna do anything. I just want to feel like real couple for at least this night." After he said that, I relaxed, I lay down and laid my head in his chest. This felt nice, one night we can lay together, in a comfortable silence in each other arms.
*
I woke up from Oliver rubbing lightly on my arm. We had to get up. I saw on his clock that it was 7:30 I had half an hour to get dressed for the meeting.
"Do you think we have to wear school clothes or may we put on regular clothes?" I asked, hoping we didn't have to wear the school uniform. He shrugged.
"I guess regular clothes. Technically school starts only after lunch, so we are still free to wear what we want 'til then." I smiled brightly.
"Great!" I jumped up from the bed. A tad too soon, 'cuz there came black spots before my eyes and my got dizzy. I sat down again and waited until it was over. Then I got up again, slowly.
"Why are you leaving already?" Oliver asked.
"Maybe because I only have 30 minutes to shower, pick out clothes, put on makeup and maybe some accessories, that's why." I said widening my eyes.
"Why do you want to be dressed up for this meeting?"
"Because, Oliver, from tomorrow on, it will be rare for you to see me in pretty clothes and not in those boring uniforms." I leaned into him and gave him a peck on the lips, turned around and left the room. I realised I wasn't wearing pyjamas, but my clothes from yesterday. We fell, or I fell asleep before I could even change in my might clothes.
I strolled through the teachers’ hall, 'till I realised that most teachers arrived yesterday or will arrive any moment. I didn't want to get caught seeking out a teacher's dorm, so I ran to the walk-through-wall and ran into my own hall, storming in my dorm.
I was about to open my bedroom door when I heard a noise coming from the other one. Knowing that it was Lily or Quinn. I walked across the room to the other bedroom and knocked on the door.
"Come in." I recognised Lily's voice. "Hey." She said as I was walking into her room.
"Hey, when did you come in?" I asked.
"Around seven, I checked the room if anyone was here yet, and I saw your stuff here, but you weren't here."
"Oh, I was up early and went for a walk." I said, I didn't want to lie to her, but I couldn't tell her the truth. "Hey, if you're finished we can get some breakfast."
"Yeah! Great, I have so much to tell." She was all excited to tell me.
"But I have an appointment with the principle first. So I'm gonna get ready and we'll go eating when I'm back. It won't last long, around nine? Is that good?" She nodded and I walked out of the room again, heading to my own room.
I picked a dark purple dress out of my closet and took my leather jacket to go with it. Also my black ankle boots, flats with studs on the side and back. And because the jacked were 3/4 sleeves I choose all the bracelets that fitted to each other, otherwise I find my arms to naked without any. I laid everything on my bed and locked myself in the bathroom and took a quick shower, 'cuz I didn't had much time left.
I dried my hair with magic, even though I know it's better and healthier for my hair not to. But I'm already late. I changed into my clothes and let my hair loose.
"Lily, I'm leaving! See you at breakfast at nine!" I yelled.
"Yeah, have fun, see you at nine!" she screamed back from her room. I started walking and for some odd and annoying reason is the headmaster's office not near a magic wall. I knocked in the door and waited for the 'come in'.
Everybody was already there, what I kind of expected, seeing that I was a little more than 5 minutes late.
"I'm so sorry, Mr Devereaux, I overslept a bit." I made an apologising look and motioned his hand to let me know to take the seat between Nate and Jai. Next to Jai sat Drew and on the other side sat Oliver, with next to him Luna Blackwell. And the last two people must be her Guardian and her teacher.
"Yes, now Miss Lovett has arrived we can start this little meeting. It won't last long, I promise." Mr Devereaux started.
"So, as I had let you know this holiday, Miss Blackwell is joining the lessons here at school. This is Mr Aiden Davis, Miss Blackwell's Guardian," He pointed to the boy next to her. "You've probably seen him at school, he's in his last year." He did look familiar, odd that he never spoke to me or Drew, looking at his confused expression. "And that is Julie Davis, her teacher and Aiden's older sister." I looked at her, she was pretty, really gorgeous. And the same age as Oliver. To be honest I was afraid Oliver was gonna fall for her, at least eventually.
"You also know, you time table has changed. You'll have collaborating practice two hours a week, this can be changed to three, depending on how it goes. You'll still have at least 1 hour a week homework tutoring, and extra lessons if needed. The private lessons are reduced as well. You'll get one hour extra in the subject you get the lowest grades. That will be Potions for you, Miss Lovett and Spells for you, Mr Matthews." We both nodded, knowing it was the truth.
Also two hours will go to a new course, which is not yet for you Miss Blackwell," She nodded in agreement, "The new subject will be non-verbal spells and shape shifting. This will be a self-study class, questions can always be asked, of course. You can work at both Spells and Shape shifting, although I expect you" pointing at Drew, "to focus the most on shape shifting and you" motioning his hand to me, "on spells." Which wasn't a surprise.
"You can work together or individual, or teach each other. I don't care how you do it, be creative." He smiled. "That was it, here are your new schedules." He handed out A5 papers to everyone.
We were all dismissed from the meeting, only Oliver had to stay. Probably about his teaching job, which I was very proud off for him. Nate and I walked with the other until our way separated. Luna, Julie and Aiden went to the dorms. And at the lunch hall we -Nate and I- split from Drew and Jai. Both to our own lunch tables.
Lily was already there, as was Dan. Nate and I joined them.
"Hey guys!" I called as I sat down next to Dan while Nate sat down beside Lily. "How are you.”?
"You are just in time, I was about to start telling to Dan what I did this vacation." We nodded and she started talking.
The whole point of the story was that she went on vacation with her parents, to Nova Litora in Marmedina. I had no idea where that was, but it was warm there and there was a beach. So they stayed at this big hotel with room service and cool parties almost every evening. Of course she went to those parties and she met a guy and he was also from Oblivioni. She had a summer love and now she's a bit sad because even though he lives in the same country, it's too far away to see him much. That was the big point. I listened to her story, though.
When I finished my cereal and when Lily ended her story, I excused myself and left the table.
"Where are you going?" Dan asked me.
"I'm going to see Oli-, I mean Mr Beaumont about the changes in my schedule." I said. And the reason I said 'Mr Beaumont' instead of 'Oliver' was just the fact that there were younger girls at the table next to us, who'll probably get spell class from him and I wanted them to respect him.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The first week after the vacation when by slowly, I barely saw Oliver, because of his new buzzy teaching schedule. Our free periods weren't at the same time anymore. I only saw him in Spell class and tutoring. I missed him, but I'm happy he has a job, though.
The other classes are going well. The collaboration class with Drew and Luna is hard and strange, but it's going. The purpose of the class is getting to work with others strengths and weaknesses and help each other work on them. Like I suck at potions, but Luna is great at it. Which means we helps me with it like I help here with difficult spells. We sometimes do little battles against our teacher Mr Varion. We mostly lose, he doesn't let us win. He said if we someday win from him we'll be ready. Even though he is strict and severe, I like him.
My extra hour potions is still horrible, I take an extra hour with the fifth years. It's a year below me, but it's hard enough. The people from that class are okay, but there are a couple girls who always stick around me and ask me about Oliver. I never answer the questions, but smile. Sweet little girls crushing on my boyfriend. And of course being a year older, there are guys who have a crush on me. Maybe it's mean, but I like talking to them 'cuz they start stuttering and go all red. But they are sweet boys, I like the people, but the class still sucks.
It was Thursday, I just had one hour Spells and hour history, a free period and shape shifting. This afternoon I have my second hour collab class and my first classes nonverbal spells and shape shifting. I was really nervous and I a little irritated that I didn't had the chance to talk about it with Oliver. I had planned on seeing him during lunch. I ran into him on my way to the dining room.
"Hey!" I said to him and smiled at him.
"Hey, love!" He said. I wished I could kiss him, but there were too many people in the hall.
"Can I talk to you?" I really hoped he had time.
"Euhm, sorry I can't." He said, "Is there something wrong,"
"Oh, no. I just wanted to talk about those nonverbal classes. I'm nervous."
"There is nothing to worry. You’re gonna be great, like always." He said, and I nodded. Even this little talk helped, though a real conversation would be better of course.
"Okay, you're probably right." I said, "I barely saw you this week. When are you free?" He thought for a moment.
"Today and tomorrow, my schedule is full, but maybe we can get a drink this weekend?" I made a pout. "I'm sorry. I'm really buzzy getting all these preparations ready."
"It's okay, don't worry. I understand." I didn’t understand. It's also his first week, of course everything is still a bit rough.
"If you want to do something this weekend, I'm sure Mike and Ethan like to annoy you." He smiled, I could see, he rather want to spend some time with me. But he -and I realize the sooner this all is settled. Everything can go back to normal.
I had collab class after lunch, it was only the second lesson, so we pretty much all suck at it. Drew, Luna and I met at the courtyard, where we were gonna have our class.
A few minutes later Mr Varion arrived, with pieces of wood. We all looked confused at each other. But before we could say anything about it, he started his lesson.
"Good afternoon class." he said, probably a habit, because I wouldn't call three students who have maybe 2 subjects together a 'class'.
"Good afternoon, Mr Varion." We replied unison.
"Today we are going to work on aiming, more specific aiming of collective magic." He told us, while placing the wood against the wall. There were targets painted on it as well.
"So the point is to work together to break these pieces. Of course it isn't as easy as it looks. The wood is bewitched with a protection spell." He continued, "The only way to destroy it, is by making a collective spell -a spell that requires multiple powers- in this case three. Not only do you have to come up with a spell, you also have to aim it all at the exact same spot. That's why I painted targets on it." He motioned his hand toward the wood and then turned back to us.
"You may begin. You have one hour. Good luck." That's all he said, before he left to sit at a bench a little further, correcting tests.
Logically we first tried to figure out which spells we we’re going to use, otherwise we still had nothing.
We had to destroy the wood, so break it to pieces. That meant we had to use a destructive spells, it was hard to find them. But we did it, we found three spells. Each one being a relatively strong spell. It was the hardest for Drew because we were doing spells and that wasn't his best subject.
We all practiced the aiming of our spell, each on a separate piece of wood. We know we wouldn't break them with just our one spell. We di practice a long time on the aiming and making the spells as strong as possible. We had five minutes left, when Mr Varion came over to see the result.
"Let's see, how you did." He said, looking not really excited to see, "The assignment was: destroy the wood. Begin."
We all you in position, we formed like a half a circle. We got our wands out and pointed at the target, counted to three and yelled our spells. At first nothing happened, but luckily we all had the same idea: Don't quit, keep going. It lasted for at least a minute until the wood was destroyed. We were all covered in sweat from the effort.
"Good. You did very well. We'll do more assignments like this. And don't worry all components of the magic arts will be tested like this." He said, still with an emotionless face, "Class dismissed!" He turned around, took his papers and left. So we also left the courtyard.
For the next two hours we sat in the library looking up stuff about non-verbal magic. We found not too much, only that Warriors are great non-verbal magic and that there are, of course, others who can do it very well. But we barely found books on 'how' to do it.
We did find a little book in which was how to do it, but it just said to focus hard on the spell and visualize it. Great!
In those two hours we also decided what to do when. We had two option: One week doing 2hours shape shifting and the next two hours spells or to do one hour of each. Because we could chose when ether we did what and if we'd do it alone or not. We chose the second option and we were going to help each other.
Finally when all classes where over I strolled to my dorm and let myself fall into the first couch I reached. I was exhausted. I just could have fall asleep right that moment, but my stomach started to growl and it was only 4.30. It was still 3 hours until dinner. I was starving, I had to do something.
I got up from the couch and dragged myself to my closet. I changed from my school uniform to a puffy dark blue skirt with a sleeveless light pink blouse with a black collar tucked in. I put on my dark blue ballerina shoes and grabbed a light jacket.
There had to be a kitchen in this school. And I had to find it. The school is huge, I was never going to find it. I don't even manage to get into the dungeons again, even though I know that there were. I wandered around the school for half an hour, walking random through walls, without success. I headed back to the dorm.
The other girls were already there. Quinn and Lily were doing homework and Nicki was probably doing the same in our room.
"Hey, were have you been?" Lily asked me, looking up from her potions book.
"I took a walk, needed to relax a bit. It was so exhausting today. I'm gonna do my homework as well, see ya later." And I walked in our bedroom and immediately crashing at my desk.
I had so much homework to do. I had to make a report for potions about why my magnify potion didn't work like it should have. I also had to do a paper for astrology. I liked astrology though, but still. And my stomach didn't stop growling for a minute.
When it was finally 6.30, I was not even half way through my potion report. Maybe I could do my astrology first and you to Oliver for and extra hour tutoring.
When we entered the dining hall, I saw Oliver sitting at the teachers’ bench talking with that Julie girl. I couldn't help but getting jealous. I walked over to them -and all the other teachers, including my potion teacher.
"Ol-, euhm, Mr Beaumont?" I said, being polite.
"Yes, Arianna." Ugh, I didn't like it when he called me by my full name instead of my nickname.
"Is it possible to have and extra hour tutoring tonight? I have some problems with my potions report." I said, trying not to look at Mr Bell -the potion teacher- who I felt looking at me.
"Yes, of course. After dinner?" He said, but I had to do my other paper as well.
"Euhm, Can it be a bit later I have another paper to finish."
"Maybe, you can finish at tutoring as well. Cuz I they find you wandering around the hall past eight without a note, you’ll get in trouble."
"You're right. I'll be there after dinner then." I said and he nodded.
I walked to our table and sat down between Nate and Nicki. I quickly ate my food, but not too quickly. Didn't want to look weird or suspicious.
When I finished my plate, Nicki and I walked back to our room.
"I have tutoring tonight. So I'll be back late." She smiling cunningly.
"Yeah, if you come back." She said.
"Hey! Keep it down. And no I won't stay there. I really need help with that paper."
"Okay, if you say so." she said shrugging. I sighed and rolled my eyes.
Back at the dorm I took my writing block and my books from potions and astrology. I practically ran through the hall. Within a minute I was at Oliver’s dorm.
Chapter Twenty-Six
I entered his dorm and closed the door behind me. I thought he didn't hear me, because he was still intensely writing and thinking over his desk at the back of the room. I slowly walked over to the desk until I stood right next to him, he still didn't look up.
"Euhm, hey?" I said carefully, He scared a little and turned to me. A smile grow on his face, which made my heart race. He pulled me closer so I sat on his lap.
"Oh god, I missed you." He said before kissing me. When he pulled back, I smiled and got off his lap.
"You know I was serious about the tutoring, right?" I said, hoping he did know it wasn't just an excuse to be with him.
"I thought so, but you can stay longer than you actually have to." He said with a smirk.
"Well.... Nobody knows how long this is gonna take, and nobody's waiting for me." I stated.
"Great, who knows, it can take a whole night to get that potions done."
"Indeed, It's a difficult piece of homework we've got." I couldn't hold in my laugh anymore, so I let it all out.
"I just want to finish my astronomy first, okay?" I said, while I installed myself on the couch, laying my paper on the coffee table in front.
"Great, 'cuz I just have to get this right. Just say when you're ready." I nodded and started on my astronomy.
It was about galactic evolution, quite interesting. I was al finished after about 10 minutes, but Oliver wasn't. So I decided to write a note to Mike and Ethan. I sat down on de floor in front of the couch so it would be easier to write.
Heeey guys!!
Sooo I was wondering if you are free this Saturday?
It's been a couple weeks now, and even though I hate to say it, am gonna say it:
I miss you guys! I really hope you have time, cuz Oliver is buzzy and I need company ;)
Write me back :D
Love
Ari xx
After I wrote the note, I started on my potions already, even though I didn't get further than 3 lines before I was stuck again.
"Hey Oliver, are you almost done yet, I'm stuck here.” I said, I was getting tired as well.
"Yeah, sorry. I’m done for now, I'll finish it tomorrow." He said, He stood up and walked over to the couch. And came sitting next to me on the floor.
"So, what is the potion you have to correct?" He asked me.
"Euhm, my magnifying potion didn't magnify."
"Then what did it do?" I looked at my lap, because it didn't even look like magnifying, it didn't even shrink.
"Euhm well, actually it, kind of like, changed colour?" I said while making a face.
"How on earth did you manage to get that?"
"By sucking at potions. I don't know how, but I always fail at it. I followed the recipe. I don't know what I did wrong. “I said with a pout.
"I don't know either. Let me see what you have." and he took the paper from the table. "Where is your original paper?" I pointed at the scrabbled paper further on the table.
"What is this supposed to be?" He said, when he looked at the paper.
"Euhm, my notes I took when Mr Bell was explaining the potion." I said as innocent as I could.
"No wonder I didn't work. You got more doodles on it then ingredients. Did you even pay attention?"
"I tried! Really! He's just so boring and I don't understand what he mean half of the time. Why can't he just say the ingredients and the quantity and then I'll know what to do? But no, he starts immediately with the method and then he goes in on something and then back at the potion and then I get confused and give up."
"You are such a talented wizard, just because one thing doesn’t go as well as another, doesn’t mean you should give up." He sounded a bit disappointed, I made me feel bad.
"I’m sorry, I'll do better. But will you help me?"
"Yes, I will. But I'm sure if you pay more attention you'll pass potions as well.
We worked on it for more than an hour before we completely corrected it.
"Finally, I'm so tired!" I said, while I pulled myself up and sat down on the couch. I pulled my legs to my chest and rested my head on them. It wasn't even that late it was ten thirty, or something. I heard Oliver mutter something, but I didn't understand what he was saying. I was falling asleep.
I saw a little girl in a red dress. I guess she was 3 years old. She was playing in the yard, letting flower levitate around her body, she looked so happy. Her dark brown hair in a ponytail, although there more hair out of it. Barefoot she trampled around.
"Arianna, sweetie." A women’s voice yelled, I looked up to see who was calling me. But I didn't see anyone, I must miss heard it. I saw that the little girl looked up as well and the flowers fell down on the ground and she skipped to the house.
The scene changed, I was in the house now. The girl wore a cute ballet dress with glitter, she was turning and jumping around the room, while her parent where smiling and applauding. Then the girl stopped, she made a bow and opened her eyes. That was me. Why don't I remember this? Why don't I remember these people? Where they my parents? The scene paused with the little girl, me, looking proud and happy to her parents with her big dark green eyes. The parents looking at her loving.
Tears were filling my eyes, why don't I remember this? I don't know how long I stood there watching my little me, but I didn't care. I wanted to keep standing there, until I remembered again. But the memories didn't come. I was getting frustrated, angry, and mad. I let out a scream and fell down on the ground. When I looked back up the scene changed again.
I saw a little boy, He looked a bit like me, but older. Maybe 5 or 6 year, he had the same green eyes, his hair a couple lighter brown strokes. He sat at the table, concentrated on the paper in front of him. I stepped closer, so I could see what he was doing. How sweet, he was thinking on his math exercises, 3 5 is the brain cracker.
"Louis!" the same women’s voice as last time called him.
"Yes, mom?" He yelled back.
"Your sister's coming of the stairs, will you help her, please, I'm buzzy." the women said.
"Yeah, fine." For a little boy, he had an attitude. He walked over to the stairs, he was about to go up to help her, when she stopped him.
"No, I can do this alone!" She said, I said. It was me again. With both hands on the railing and slowly going down.
"Be careful!" Louis warned her.
"I can do this!" I called back. After a while I was down, I jumped of the last one and ran to the place Louis was making his homework. She sat down on the opposite side he sat.
"Louis, wanna play a game!!!" She, I yelled. She stood on the chair and lean all the way over the table.
"No, not mow, I'm buzzy." He said.
"Nooooooo, I wanna play a game!"
"I said I can't!"
"Mommy, Louis doesn’t wanna play a game with me!"
"Arianna, you're brother’s buzzy, go play with your dolls." She crossed her arms and made a pout lip. Jumped of the chair and disappeared around the corner. And the scene paused again.
What's happening? Who’s doing this to me? Is this real? Do I really have a brother? What happened with him? I wanna get out of here!
Everything went black, I thought it was over, I couldn't handle it anymore. But no, instead of waking up there appeared another scene.
A girl laying on the ground in a living room, she looked 4 years old and I didn't recognised the place. The girl looked familiar, although I'm sure I've never seen her. My focus stayed on her, until she got up and her dark purple eyes looked at something.
"Daddy are you okay?" She asked with a small voice. I turned to the spot she was looking at. At long man with short dark brown hair. The way he sat there, how he looked. I knew him. He looked up at the girl and my heart stopped, it was Oliver, he didn't look much older than he is now.
"I'm okay sweetie, just go play with your toys, dinner is almost ready." He said, while trying to hold the tears back. What happened?
The scene changed. They were sitting at the table. The girl looked up from her plate and looked questioning.
"What is it sweetie?" Oliver asked her.
"When is mommy coming back?" She asked. Tears come into his eyes.
"Mommy isn't coming back." He said and a tears fell over his cheek, I couldn't stand seeing him like this.
"Why?" she looked sad.
"Something happened and now she is in heaven." He took the girls hand and squeezed it.
"Is she happy there?" Oliver nodded.
"Yes, and she will always be with us, in our hearts." He said while touching her chest on the spot where your heart is. The girl made a little sad smile.
Something took my attention at the back of the room.
A picture, a family picture. I stepped closer. It was a picture of Oliver, the girl and myself, pregnant. My heart dropped, tears fell over my cheeks and I couldn't stop them. The room got blurry, followed by black. I felt myself falling. I didn't stop.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Arianna’s POV
it’s been a month since Oliver started on his teaching job. He didn't had experience with it, because he didn't had a diploma. He worked his ass off. He only did private lesson with me and because he was doing so well in teaching me, he got the job. But for a whole class, it's different.
For weeks he's been happier than even, he worked hard and much, but he loved it and was happy. But the last days, almost a week he isn't anymore. He doesn't have that usual carefree smirk on his face. He doesn't talk as much, or make jokes. And worst of all, he ignored me, I left like he's pushing me away. I hated it. After 2 month of been perfectly happy, everything changed.
Oliver's POV
I love teaching and I love the fact I can still see Arianna every day. The first weeks went perfect, exhausting, but perfect. The kids love me, they find the lessons amazing, because they're more interactive, instead of learning spells by heart. But my dad had to ruin it. "You know that teacher-student relationships aren't legal, right?" he had said.
"Why are you telling me this?" I had answered. 'Cuz I didn't know exactly what he was saying. Ari and I never told my parents we were together, so I thought he just meant a teacher-student relationship in general or so, but then he said: I know it's going to be a hard decision, but if Mr Devereaux finds out and goes to the ministry with it, you probably never going to get a teaching job. And I don't know what they're gonna do with her. Don't be selfish and think of her future as well, if you truly love her." And then it hit me.
"How do you know?" I had asked him." He had looked at me with a carrying look in his eyes.
"The last months you and Arianna were inseparable. Oliver everyone noticed. And I'm happy for you. Even when you two got to the school, I didn't say anything, because I knew you would be careful and responsible with her. But now you're officially a teacher there and she is now just a student. I’m sure she'll understand it." I couldn't get his words out of my head, and the worst part is that he was right. It wasn't fair for either of us. If she gets expelled and I lose my job. Only 2 months, but the two best, most amazing ones. Maybe when she graduates or I find another, better job, everything can be just like it is now; But how am I possibly gonna break up with her. I never thought about breaking up for even a second; I actually thought about being together forever, getting married, buy a house, have kids. I never had that with a girls before.
Should I tell the real reason? Maybe not, if she knows it's because of that, she'll know I still love her and never really accept it, plus it would be awkward. If I tell her that we grew apart she'll eventually accept that "I don't love her anymore" and move on. It will be horrible for me, but then she can focus on school and her destiny.
Arianna's POV
We need to talk. We need to talk, that's what he said. We need to talk, come to my classroom after school. His classroom, not his dorm. This isn't good. I know that last week didn't go very well, maybe a bit bad, but not 'we need to talk'-bad.
"You... You break up with me?" And with those words tears came into my eyes.
'Yeah, sorry. It's just-" He started.
"Just what?!" I fired back.
"I have the feeling we grew apart." He said. He didn't even had to guts to look me in the eye.
"Grew apart? Until last week everything was perfect!" He was lying to me, I could feel the anger boiling up in my chest.
"Bullshit! Don't lie to me, I can see that you're lying. Is it because I'm not pretty enough? 'Cuz I have eyes you know, I can see there re girls here, much prettier than me!" I said while pushing him back. "Or I'm I too childish now, 'cuz you're 18, an adult, I'm just some kid, right? Or no, I know what it is. I'm just not good enough anymore. You're a teacher, you have a real job now, and I’m just a school girl. You want some older girlfriends, right, you can get anyone you want, and every girl on this school is fantasizing about you. Or you can get girls with a job now, you know those boring ones with an office job." I cried. I was too angry to have a normal low voice conversation. "But that's probably too much work for you. Well, luckily you have a pretty, adult girl right down the hall, who probably do anything to get you." I was crying my eyes out.
"What do you mean?" Oliver answered, I couldn't believe he stayed this calm.
"Julie of course! Do you think I don't see it? She's totally hung up on you. But fine if you rather have her go ahead. I don't care." I gave him another push on the chest. "You know what the worst part is? I love you and I was stupid and naïve enough to believe you loved me too! But it's fine, I'll find someone who means it when he tells me that!"
My cheeks were covered with tears, my eyes still full of them. I couldn't see properly, everything was blurry. I wanted to get out of there, I turned around and stormed to the door.
"Ari!" He called, I turned back around.
"DON'T call me like that, my name is Arianna, Mr Beaumont. I'm just a student now remember, so treat me like one, then!" I smacked the doors behind me and just stood there. I didn't know what to do, where to go.
I ran through the halls, I ran all around the building, thinking of where to go. I got to the dorms, I was tired so I decided to just go to my room. I walked to the window and sat down on the sill and broke down. Only 2 months it lasted, I thought it'd be forever, that he was the one. But apparently it was only from one side. Memories flashed through my mind. I can't un-love him, I can't delete the memories. I see him always, every day, at school, at home. This is the part I've never thought about, not being with Oliver. But now I realize, don't listen to your heart, it’s only good to get it broken.
"Ari? Are you here?" I heard Nicki’s voice from the living room.
"Yeah!" I could barely say it.
"I didn't see you at dinner, neither was Oliver, so I assumed you two were doing something together. But I ran into him and he didn't even look up to me." After that I started crying again, why I keep did that,
"Ari, are you crying?" And the door opened, but I couldn't look up. My face was probably all red and swollen.
"Hey, look at me. What happened?" I looked at her and tried to speak, but no sound came out my mouth.
"Does it have to do with Oliver?" I nodded, "He didn't hit you, did he?" She asked, with honest concern. I shook my head, "Then what is it?" I had to tell her, I needed to talk about it. I tried to stop crying. Finally some words came out. I took a deep breath.
"He.... Br-Broke up... w-with me." I stayed strong and held the tears back.
"What! He did not! That's impossible." She put her arm around me and pulled me into a comforting hug. Some tears slipped out. I hugged her tight back.
'It's okay, It's gonna be fine."
Chapter Twenty-Eight
POV Mike
It's been a couple week since Arianna and Oliver broke up. Ari and I met almost every day since a week after it happened. She needed somebody to talk to, and no girls. She suffered from the break up. She was focussing so hard on school, just to forget Oliver for a while. She didn't do anything for fun anymore, only school. I had talked to Nicki and she was really worried about her. She lock her up in her room, she only comes out for dinner or to go to the library. Her friends asked me to keep an eye on her, so she doesn’t exaggerate.
She asked me if I could tutor her and Drew in non-verbal magic. I did it, but only so she doesn't push herself too much. She wasn't bad at non-verbal magic, but she wasn't so good either. Drew was better, but only with the shape shifting. I was worried that Ari wasn't better at it than I expected. She is an extremely talented wizard it's not normal she isn't better than that. She was totally overworked. She was broken inside. I was devastated seeing her like that. I can accept that it will never work between us, even though I love her. It's harder to see her like this. She and Oliver are made for each other, I could see that, everybody could see that. I also wasn't planning on stealing my best friends’ girl. I'm sure Oliver had a very good reason to break up with her, he had never been so happy and in love in his life. He'd do anything for her. They'll get through this. And I'll always be there for her, as a friend, nothing more. More wasn't an option.
I wish I could be there for Oliver too, but he's been ignoring me. He's isolating himself as well.
"I'm sick of it!" Ari said, after the 20th time she tried to cast the spell. They had to try to levitate an object and blow it up when it's high enough. This is one of the easiest spells and she couldn't do it. Drew wasn't much better, but it's harder for him to do as well.
"Ok! Relax! Both of you. Otherwise it's never going to work." They rolled their eyes. It was what felt like the thousandth time I told them that, so they're getting irritated as well. Why did I agree on this anyway! I don't have the patience to teach people. If it was anybody else but Arianna, I'd never done it. I couldn't have been sitting at home in the couch or chilling with Ethan. But no.
"This isn't working!" Drew was getting sick of it as well. I don't know what's going on with him, but it's not good either.
"Well, I give up too, you 2 are really getting on my nerves now. We stop for today. I come back next week, practice and make sure you can do it or there is no need for me to come. And for the last time: RELAX! The tension in your body is blocking the spell. Whatever is bothering you guys, work it out. Or you're gonna fail this class. Class Dismissed!" I was kind of pissed off.
"Arianna, can we talk for a minute?" I said when Drew left the classroom. Ari nodded and came back to the desk in the front.
"I know it's been hard past weeks and I know you use school as a distraction, but if u keep stressing and overworking it's only gonna restrain you. I meant what I said about relaxing! Go shopping with your friends, go out or have a drink." I said, I was quite surprised about myself, these wise moment's don't come to me lot.
"I know, but it's hard. I see him every day, everywhere. I get class from him. Schoolwork is the only thing that takes enough concentration and time to not think about him. And even if I'd go out, there is like 70% I will see him there too.
"Okay, maybe your right, but you still have to relax. So, let's go to town this weekend and go do something. I see u almost every day, but yet you never talk about the 'problem'." She hesitated, but gave in.
"Okay, I'll send you a note. Oh and one more thing. What's going on with Drew?" I asked, she shrugged.
"I don't know." she answered.
"He got to work it out, maybe you should talk to him.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I had the feeling I just fell asleep, when I woke up from a bad feeling. I had sweat on my forehead and I was breathing really fast. I couldn't remember what I'd been dreaming, but I knew it was more than just a nightmare.
I got out of bed and put on some comfy jeans and a black hoodie over my top. I quickly stamped my feet in my black boots and stuck my wand in it.
I was about to do my hair in a high ponytail, when my door smacked open. Both Nate and Oliver stood there.
"What's going on?" Nate asked worried.
"I don't know, but it's not good. I have to go!" I was already reaching for my wand but Oliver got me first.
"What do you mean? Go where?"
“I don't know either. Where the feeling takes me?" I shrugged, even though I knew this wasn't just a casual chill moment.
"What if it's a trap?" Nate said, now standing right beside his brother.
"It isn't. I can feel it's one of us. Don't you feel it?" I asked him.
"Yes, I feel it, because you feel it. But that doesn't mean it can't be a trap."
"Nate! Someone's in danger."
"Wait!" Oliver said, when he saw me reaching for my wand.
"I have to go, NOW!" I raised my wand and flashed away.
*
The place I appeared, looked like an abandoned warehouse. The doors were fallen half out of the frame, the windows were broken. And that smell, like something died in there, and I wasn't even in.
Suddenly I saw something move on my right. I turned around with my wand in my hand, ready for action. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw it was Drew, and so did he. I ran towards him.
"You got the feeling too, right?" He asked, I quickly nodded, "Are the others already here?"
"No, Not that I know, I just got here myself. Do you know who they've got?" Drew shook his head.
Both our heads turned immediately when somebody appeared behind us. I recognised the glowing red eyes in the dark. Vampire, Sky?
"Sky? Is that you?" I didn't see her that much but I saw something change in her eyes, relief. She came up to us.
"They've got Luna. My guardian found out, she's coming. where are yours?"
"He is coming, putting clothes on." Drew answer quickly in a hushed voice.
"Yeah, will be here in a minute." I hoped.
"Sky!" A girl voice whispered.
"I'm over here, Arianna and Drew are already here, and we’re waiting for the others." The girl joined the group. There fell a silence, not an awkward one, but a tense one. Nobody had any idea what was happening.
To more figures appear out of the dark. Yellow eyes, werewolf, Blake and a girl I don't know. Right After them 2 others appear. I saw Nate, but why were there two silhouettes. And then I saw Oliver. I ran up to them, well Oliver.
"What the freaking hell, are you doing here?" I yelled with a hushed voice.
"What does it look like? Helping you of course." If my eyes could shoot lightning bolts he would be burned.
"I don't want your help, I don't need you." I was furious, first dumping me and then acting like he is the hero, I don't think so.
"Fine, then I 'm here to protect my little brother." And he stepped past me to the group. I turned around and saw that Jai had appeared too. And Alex was there, too.
Oh, my god, Alex! It's been so long, almost a year. I ran toward him and jumped into his arms. He hugged me back.
"Oh, god. I've missed you so much." He said.
"I missed you too. Stupid there has to happen something like this before we see each other." I let him go and turned to the others. Oliver was looking kind of mad at Alex, jealousy?
"Okay let's go in two groups." Blake's guardian said, "We’ll go with Sky and Alex. Arianna and drew? Good?" We all nodded.
"We'll take that side of the building, you take that one?" I said, pointing at the 2 door, on each side. Everybody nodded.
We slowly walked to the door at the back. Not that there was much door left. The room was pitch black, we lit our wand up so we could see something. Jai went first, Nate and Drew each on a side and Oliver in the back. I felt a little underestimated. Not because I'm a girl, that I can't fight or protect myself. But I had to admit, I felt less scared with the four guys around me. I shot a glance at Nate, they gave me an encouraging smile and squeezed my hand.
Trying to be as quiet as possible, but the sound of our footsteps were filling the whole room. We carefully took a look at the room, there was nothing, absolutely nothing. We walked on, I think we entered the stocking room, it was full of shelves and closets. All empty, except for the spiders and probably other insects. I shivered, I'm getting a really bad feeling in here, were close, I can feel it. Behind one of the doors in the room were stairs. I looked up the stairs, of course, nothing to see in the dark. But yet, I froze, I felt the blood leaving my face. I knew Drew was feeling this too. She is up there, Luna is upstairs.
We all looked at each other, fear in our eyes. I took a deep breath, gave a nod and made a move to go first. But even before I made my step, I got pulled back.
"What the hell do you think?" Oliver said whispering.
"What do you think I’m doing, going upstairs, of course?" I fired back.
"No, you aren't, too dangerous. You can you find the others." He said, my fear had disappeared for a moment and was replaced by anger.
"No, it's not any more dangerous for me as it is you guys. I am an excellent wizard. And you can't decide what is too dangerous for me based on the fact that I'm a girl. I coming with you." I was hard to keep my voice down in the heat of the moment. I looked at the other boys and they nodded.
"She is right, she is really good." Drew said.
"Thanks. Now let me go and let move. I'll send a follow light to the others."
After that there was nothing but silence. We walked up the stairs, I wasn't in the front, but at least I got to go. I expected the stairs to crack and break beneath our feet, but surprisingly it didn't. It was all so quiet we could hear ourselves breathe. And that's never good.
The room we entered was dark, but my eyes adjusted enough to see that it was one big space. We slowly walked further into the room.
I think there was put on a little light on in the room, or our eyes just adapted so quickly. I was like there was a gentle spot placed above her. Her blond her sticking to the sweat on her face and neck.
She was floating a couple centimetres of the ground. And she had black bands around her body. Around her neck, waist, legs and ankles. They didn't touch her body, though, they hovered around it. But it was hurting her, a lot. We carefully made a move to get closer to her. We didn't see anyone else, this was too easy.
When we about 2 meters away from her, it happened. Like they were recreated from the shadows. Eight figures with black robes floated closer. And half surrounded Luna, with their faces to us. I didn't know what to do, so I fired the first spell that came into my mind, and apparently I wasn't the only one with that idea.
"Obrige!"
"Fortem repellendum" Nate and I yelled at the same moment. But they were fast and blocked both our spells, while another shot a spell back.
"Potestatem murum" it was a calm deep male voice coming from one of the hoods and 2 seconds later we were all thrown back like we hit a wall. I looked at my left when I was falling. I saw Drew smashing his back against a table and a nanosecond after that I hit the side of the handrail of the stairs, and I rolled all the way down.
I knew I broke something in my shoulder or dislocated something, but the adrenaline pushed away the pain. When I was getting myself up the others got there.
"What is going on up there?" Sky asked, helping me up.
"Luna is being kept in cage like belts and there appeared 8 men out of nowhere. Its pitch dark in there, and it's not really big. I think we should drag them outside in some way." I said quickly.
"That’s going to be hard, there are another 7 of those guys out here. How are we going to get them all outside and take Luna." a girl I think Sky's Guardian asked. I shrugged.
"There is a window? Maybe you can do something with that?? The sun will be starting to raise in half an hour?" I said, when we have light, we have a better view on the situation. They nodded and went outside.
When I got back upstairs, they were all separately fighting, each 2 of the opponents.
I quickly fired some spell before they noticed me. I hit three of them and they fell paralysed in the ground, it wouldn't last long so we had to move. I ran over the Nate, who still had 2 robed men to fight.
"Get them outside, I whispered in his ear, he nodded. I fired paralyze spell at one of them and slowly moved back, the man followed me while I made my way to Drew to tell his the same thing. While he moved to tell Jai, I walked over to Oliver. It was hard to talk and concentrate on spells the same time. But I managed to avoid being hit, with or without magic. Seems that when you can use magic, people don't always think of 'duck'. When I informed Oliver as well we came back into a group.
Nate managed to paralyze one of the men and came to help me. These guys were good, I didn't know what spells they were shouting, because they just mumbled them, but I didn't want to find out either.
Chapter Thirty
When there were only two robed men fighting, while the others were down paralyzed, we had to move. It wouldn't be long before the first ones would be getting the feeling in their body back.
Three of us still fighting and defending against the men, Jai and Oliver were 'free' so they'd go and grab Luna. While Nate, Drew and I, distracted the men and lead them down stairs. Drew pushed his opponent down the stairs and Nate did the same. I struggle a little longer, He got to hit me first. But I didn't quit. I got up and kept trying, I finnaly hit, him. Only I didn't throw him down stairs. My aim wan't quite well, I pushed him out of the window.
I leaned out the windowsill, He didn't move, I paniqued. I didn't mean to kill him or anyone for that manner. I climbed up the sill, it was pretty high. I took my wand and said an air spell, so I wouldn't fall on the ground. I jumped and came down, with a tudd.
I took the wand of the men, which fell a few meters further. I paralyzed him, to be sure. Maybe he was still alive, and would attack me. When I was sure he couldn't hurt me anymore I walked over to him to check his polse. No heartbeat, dead. I just killed a man. A part of me wanted to take of his kap, but the other part didn't wanted to see the face of the one I just killed. I tried to keep myself together, even if it's just for tonight.
I heard screams and noises coming from the other side of the building. They managed to get them outside, great. Reunited with the others we'll be stronger. Well I think so, I hope so.
They managed to get Luna out of the bands. We were all together now. Everybody fighting. The sun was raising, more light was exactally what we needed. I joined them and gave them al I got.
There were more of them. After a quarter of an hour another one was death, they weren't as strong as they appeared to be.
The sun and the light made their advantages disappear. A little bit longer and we'll be fine. That's what I kept saying to myself. It will be okay.
The fight kept going, I was exhausted. Doing magic takes a lot of energy. But I could not give up. I had to push through. We moved slowly and unnoticed to the front of the builing. People were thrown agains the statues and the walls. But no one was backing down. Cuts and brusses were covering my body, wiping the drippling blood from a headwound out of my eyes. I think I even head other peoples blood on me.
When I disarmed my oponent and I was again 'free', I turned around just to freeze completely from a panic attack.
Oliver got thrown against a statue and his wand fell out of his hand from the shock. I knew this, I had a déjà vu. I knew what was gonna happen.
And like I expected the robed man swung his arn up and was about to start his killing curse.
"ANIMA CORPUS SEPERARE!" I yelled with at the power I got left in me. The spell hit his side. The man stiffened. His wand fell out of his hand onto the ground. His body soon followed.
Tears welled up in my eyes. I ran over to Oliver, he was bleeding, his hair and leg were full of his own blood. And it didn't look like it was gonna stop soon. I looked for the wound on his leg with my hands. I couldn't heal it with magic right now, because it was a enormeous wound and I didn't have enough strenght. I ripped of a piece of my shirt and tied it above the gap, to try stop the beelding a bit.
His eyes were closed, but he was still alive, for now. But for how long?
"Oliver! Can you hear me! Please!" Tears streaming down my face, tasting the salt in my mouth. I couldn't stop. "Please, please, open your eyes! Stay with me!" He didn't move. I took his hand in mine, squeezing it. "Don't leave me, wake up!" I couldn't talk through the sobbing. "Pl-lease, Oliv..." I moved closer to him, my heas on his chest and my arm hugging him.
"God, please, stay with me," I sobbed into is chest, "I love you"
"I-" I looked up, he was trying to speak, "love-" I looked up, happiness came over me. I reached up and gave him a quick peck on his lips.
I knew I had to go back to help the others. I couldn't seen them from this spot, though. Another part didn't want to leave Oliver. I had to keep him awake, make sure he doesn't lose to much blood.
"Ar-" He tried again.
"Shhh, don't force yourself, stay calm. I'll get you out of here."
I had to find the others, tell them what happened. He needs help. But I can't just leave. "I'll be right back, don't try anything."
I stood up to go look for the others. The fight had moved a couple meters again, back from where we came. I got my wand out, ready to defend myself. I scanned the scene, looking for Nate. As I was looking I noticed there were much less people. When I found Nate I ran to him.
"Hey! Oliver has severe wounds, he is bleeding to death, he needs to get out of here!" I screamed, pumped with adrenaline, firing some spells.
"You go! You need care as well. Luna and Sky are already to the hospital. There are only a few men left. We'll be fine." I nodded, I started stepping backwards to Oliver. When I got to him, I flashed us out of there. Feeling guilty about leaving the boys there.
Chapter Thirty-One
My feet hit the ground, Oliver clenched on my in pain. I fell to my knees, so I could keep pressing his wound. I didn't really know where I was, all places crossed my mind when we disappeared. I wiped the tears out of my eyes, to scan the place. It looked like the court of the school. Nobody was there, so it must be still weekend. I had no idea what day or time I was, the sun was already up, though.
Somebody had to be there! I didn't have enough energy left to move us again. I couldn't let Oliver die, without even trying to do the desperate. I screamed, at the top of my lungs, all the pain and hurt I kept in me during the fight, came out. All the emotions, of anger, fear and guilt. Somebody had to be there.
It felt like ages before, somebody got to us. I didn't hear him approach us, but I was glad he was there. Mr Devereaux rested his hand on my shoulder and held Oliver’s wrist. He didn't say anything, or I just didn't hear him. The ground beneath or feel vanished and we were spinning through the air.
Immediately when we got to the hospital nurses came running to us. Taking Oliver away from me. I kept screaming that I wanted to go, but they kept refusing. I kicking and struggling to get out of their grip. They had to take me to him! I had to know if he was okay! Eventually I stopped kicking around, but the screaming held on. And like a stubborn child I let myself fall straight to the ground. Three nurses were trying to pull me up. Absolutely not cooperating with them. After a couple of minutes trying to get me up, they decides to do it with magic, because I wasn't going to get up by myself.
Levitating me in the air made me feel nauseous. Like I had to throw up. I couldn't see with the tears blurring out my vision. I was completely disorientated. I heard noises, voices talking, but I couldn't understand what they were saying. Screams, shouts, cries. I was put down in a bed and a couple seconds later a warm feeling spread across my body and suddenly all I see is darkness
***
I had a major headache when I got back to consciousness. The light blinding me for a minute, until my eyes adjusted to it. I was alone, in a white sterile room. Nothing around me but emptiness. A window, a door and the bed I was lying in, was all that was there. I tried to recall what happened.
I couldn't cry, not anymore, I run out of tears. And I couldn't see the point in screaming anymore, it wouldn't help. They just put something in me again to shut me up. I had to get out of there, go see if everybody was alright. Nate had said that Sky and Luna were already here before I left the fight, so they're alright I hope. But how about Nate, Drew and Alex? I couldn't sit there and do nothing, I slowly got up, ignored all the pain in my body. I stepped out the bed, shuffling to the door, on bare feet. I cracked the door open, trying to make no sound. The hall were, lucky for me, empty. I rushed into the hall and opened every door I passed. The first few I tried were even emptier than mine, not even a bed. This hospital wasn't making me feel comfortable, at least not this part of it.
After a while I found Sky and later Luna, as well. They were asleep, pale and cover in bruises, but alive. I was so relieved. I was at the end of the wing and came at one of the lobbies. Apparently the girls and I lay in the "temporarily wing', but I didn't know how bad the others were. Accept for Oliver, he was nearly dying. Intensive care, I was sure, he'd be there.
I crawled under the desk, in case someone came here, saw me and send me back to my room. Intensive care was a floor higher, left wing. So that were I headed. The lobby there was much more decorated, with waiting rooms and coffee machines. Left wing, passing an over-night waiting room and a little buffet room, I got to the patients rooms. I figured he would not have been put in one of the first rooms, but further. Those were closer to the operating rooms. Because he probably needed one.
I almost reached the big 'common room', when I found him. He was put on a monitor, had multiple infuses standing around him. The beeps of the monitor were rather slow, he was unconscious, but not death. He looked peaceful, like he knew he was going to be alright.
These rooms were much cosier, a closet, a little bathroom, and a small couch. I replaced the little 1 person couch from the other side of the room, next to Oliver's bed. At the other side of this monitor and stuff. I took his hand in mine, gave it little squeeze, no reaction. I made myself comfortable and kept holding his hand. I didn't stop praying for him. He had to make through. He had to survive. I must have fallen asleep.
"I think we can cut down the painkillers, so he wakes up." A man's voice said, waking me up. "Keep checking the scars, I don't want infections."
"Yes, doctor." A young woman answered. “And what about her?" Meaning me.
"Let her stay, she'll make a scene again if we split them up again." the doctor bored.
"I understand her, after what they've been through." It wasn't pity in her voice, but sympathy. No more words came after that. The door closed and I opened my eyes. I looked up at him, I could sit there all day watching him. He was so brave. He really was a hero. And he loves me, I knew that was what he tried to say. I could feel it.
Chapter Thirty-Two
I don't know how many hours have passed, but when I opened my eyes, there was a meal on the table, with a card. It just said my name, so I guess it was for me. Not that Oliver could eat yet. It was bread with tomato soup. I was glad it wasn't a meat meal, I don't know if I could've hold that in. I didn't realise how hungry I was until I finished my plate. The soup was really good and I did feel better.
After eating, I went back to the couch to sit with Oliver, I just hoped he would wake up soon. I practically didn't move, until I heard a knock on the door.
I turned around to see Nate walk in.
"Hey. How are you?" He asked, I was see glad to see he was alright. I jumped up and tackled him in a hug. Squeezing him as hard as I could.
"I'm so glad you're alright. I was so worried. How did it end, nobody else got seriously injured, right?" His face changed.
"Euhm, not exactly. One of the Guardians didn't make it and one has a double leg fracture. But everybody else is doing relatively well. Luna is still in shock, so they put her under quite a lot of pain killers, so she could get some sleep. Sky is okay, cuts and bruises like us. And then Oliver. How is he doing?"
"He hasn't been awake yet, but the doctors are cutting down on painkillers. They're only checking his leg regularly for infections in the wounds." I stood next to the bed again holding his hand, "Do you think he knows we're here?" I asked, he walked over.
"I don't know, but I like to think he does."
"Yeah, me too. Will you stay with me for a while?" He just nodded and we tried to manage ourselves in the small couch.
Every hours a nurse came by to check. She didn't say much, just a friendly smile. But that was alright, I was enjoying the silence. Nate stayed with me for a while, it was after diner a doctor came in to tell him, he had to come. He didn't seem to know what this was about. But he just shrugged and followed him out, leaving us.
The night came and the nurse, the same we had all say, knocked on the door. She peeked through the door crack.
"Good, you're still awake." She said, and she winked me over, "I got something for you. Sneaked it out of another room." I followed her outside the room. Next to the door was a hospital bed, with new sheets and blankets. "I think you can use a good night sleep." I smiled, I wanted to give her a hug. She has been so kind all day. "Thank you, so much."
"Will you help me roll it in, so I don't accidentally pull some of his monitors out?"
"Sure."
We slowly rolled the bed is, is wasn't easy. We had to move the couch back to the other side of the room, plus move the table and chairs. But we managed to get it in place. After that she said good night and left.
The bed were pushed directly next to each other. I laid on the edge of my bed. As close as I could without the risk of pulling tubes out. This rime it did take a while before I fell asleep. A long long time. I had been sleeping all day, but now everything was flashing through my mind. All the details the pain. Everything.
***
Someone waked me up, saying we had to get ready. I was still half asleep. I opened my eyes, but closed them quickly when the sun burned into my eyes. We had to leave in an hour, but I didn't know for what. Slowly I woke up, somehow I crawled against Oliver's body at night. My head on his shoulder and arm over his chest. I hoped I didn't pull anything out, and moved back to my own bed.
I saw Nate standing there. Still saying we didn't had much time, that they expected us.
"Expect us where?" I managed to get out.
"Press conference." Did they think I would leave Oliver for a stupid press thing?
"No." I said, "I'm staying here."
"You have to, you don't have a choice." I turned my back to him. I rolled over to Oliver and took him hand in mine.
"I'm not going."
'I understand you don't want to, but you'll have to. People need to know that you're all alright. To show that they're save. It won't take long. Just go there accept the medial and we go home."
"A medial for what? Killing people, wow really looking forward to that." Sarcasm all over it.
"I know, but they expect us to show our courage."
"No."
"Why not, it won't take long."
"What if he wakes up?" I said, my back still to Nate, "What if he wakes up and I'm not here. All he will see are these empty wall and some flowers. What if he panics, because he doesn’t know how we are doing, if we're even alive? I have to be here, I want to see him wake up, see him open him eyes and smile when he sees me. I'm not leaving him. Not again."
I heard Nate walk out the door, he wasn't gonna leave it this way. He didn't wanna go as much as I didn't want to go. But we had to. But if they wanted me to go so badly, they would find a way.
And like I suspected, 10 minutes later 4 nurses busted into my room. One of them was the nurse of yesterday, who gave me the bed.
"Sorry, Arianna, but we have no choice. She muttered a spell and I had no control over my body. I heard and understood what they were saying and as much I wanted to disobey, my body did what they said. I walked to the bathroom and took of my clothes, nobody was in there with me. I took a shower, after about 10 minutes a nurse shouted the next command. They weren't rude or anything I just was very annoyed. With my tower wrapped around me, I walked back into the room. A dress already spred on the bed.
Chapter Thirty-Three
I was standing on a stage, along with the other Eligants. All dressed up nicely with glittering gowns and suits. Our Guardians a step behind to our right. They -the Government- claimed this to be a happy victory celebration, but I didn't feel happy at all. Happy is the last I'd be on a moment like this.
Mr Devereaux was handing out the medals, to honour what we did. They started with Luna, who represented the first tribe. She looked as pissed and sad as I probably looked. So did her Guardian, so did everybody else on the stage. While the government people looked all happy and excited.
When they got to me, the anger that made my blood boil, busted loose. I had been silently crying the whole time I was there, Bu nobody seemed to bother. When Mr Devereaux started his congratulations line, I snapped.
"Get away! I don't want that!" I yelled. Mr Devereaux looked at me in chock.
"Why not, we want to reward you for your actions." He said to me kindly. But that only made it worse.
"If you don't mind I’d like to say something." Before waiting for an answer I walked over at the microphone. I noticed that most people were looking at me, confused. And then I started speaking.
"I don't want this f*cking medial. If you give it to me for my heroic actions during the battle, I'd feel even worse then I already would; I souvenir from it for the rest of my life. Sure, who wouldn't want a, let's call it a blood medal.
I don't know if you all know, but I've killed 2 people during that fight. One of them being a 17 year old guy. Four days ago he walked in the same school halls as us. We probably walked pasted each other every day. And I (!) killed him. I killed a human being. A person who was loved by his family, his friends. And I took him away from them, just because he made some stupid life choices. I don't know how I can live with myself.
Every time I close my eyes, I see him falling to the ground, taking his last breath. All because of me. I don't know what kind of sick person you must be to want a reward for that. And how twisted you must be to THINK anyone would WANT to be rewarded for that. We all have to life with other's blood on our hands, forever."
I looked in the crowd to find the Beaumont family and Mike and Ethan, before I continued. I was all shaking and crying, and probably also yelling in the mic. But I wasn't planning on stopping.
"You probably noticed I'm crying, and that's the first time since I woke up in the hospital yesterday morning. I couldn't cry anymore, I had cried so much the day before, that there were no tears left. But do you know why I was crying so hard? Of course not, they only publish the good things.
"The Eligants saved us all!" was what I saw on the front page of a magazine. But nothing about all the bad things. Most of you don't even know half of what really happened. Allow me to fill in." I turned my head toward Drew, pointing to him.
"I'm sure you didn't even notice there are only five Guardians here tonight, instead of six. That's because Jai Louth got injured so bad, he didn't make it." I move on to sky.
"She is covered in bruises and cuts and her Guardian, Emma Alender, got a double leg fracture. That's 6 months revalidation. Everybody gut injuries in the battle, mostly our guardians, because they protected us all the time."
I paused, took a deep breath and continued. "Tonight, there is only one person I can think about, Oliver Beaumont. Brother of Nate," pointing to him," and my best friend. He is in a coma, I hadn't left his side since. And because of this stupid event, I had to. They dragged me away from him. Forced me into this dress and ordered me to stand here and be happy. Like that was possible. They didn't tell you this part, did they? This didn't fit into their heroic picture. He almost gave his life to protect me and his brother. He didn't had to, but he did. He followed me to be sure we were save. You know why? Not to get some stupid reward for doing so, that's for sure. No, he did that because he loves his brother and he loves me, with all his heart! I would never forgive myself if he dies.
So stick that stupid medial in your arse, 'CUZ I DON'T WANT IT!"
After that I was finished. I fell to the ground. The whole audience was quiet. I looked up, guilt and regret in their eyes.
Somebody lifted me up of the ground and zapped us away. It was Nate, who else. He put me down in the bed. "That was incredible, you have no idea how proud I am. The others all have your back on this, trust Me." he gave me a kiss on my forehead and I fell asleep.
Chapter Thirty-Four
After the speech the whole Beaumont family came to the hospital. I actually enjoyed the company, playing with little Gemma. He had grown over the last couple day, or was I imagining that? Playing with her dolls, I felt like everything was okay for a moment. Lucas and Ryan were there too. A little less happy, of course, because were already old enough to understand what happened. But they were proud of us. Elizabeth even told me Ryan was even more crazy about my. That I was his hero. Which made me cry a little.
For the first time since I got to Oliver, I voluntarily left the room. My heart was breaking when I saw the glances Lucas and Ryan were giving their sleeping brother. I decided to take them downstairs to the cafeteria. Gemma on my hip and Ryan clenched to my hand, we walked to the elevator.
When we got down there I let them pick a slice of pie, which did cheer them up.
"Is Oliver gonna be okay?" Lucas asked picking his fork into the pie.
"Of course! Your brother is a fighter, he is strong. He will wake up." He just nodded at my answer.
"Let's talk about something else, shall we? How is school going?"
I tried to keep the small talk going. But that was hard. I was constantly distracted. They looked so much like their brothers. So did Gemma. Her smile was exactly like Oliver's. I was jealous. Not knowing what happened. Someday she will be old enough to understand what all this was. And what her family means in this world. She will follow their footsteps, protecting the next generation.
After half an hour, I felt tired. I took Gemma and told the boys to get up as well. No one said anything, even Gemma was quiet. As we reached the room, I could hear voices coming through the door. It sounded very serious, so I knocked first.
"Come in." I heard, I opened the door slowly, peeking through before I let the boy go in. Elizabeth was crying, and her husband had his arm around her.
"We're back" I said, just in case they didn't know who it was. She wiped the tears of her cheeks quickly and a faint smile replaced them.
"I think, we are gonna go home." Henry announced. He was staying strong, but I could see that he wasn't holding this much longer. He was pale and had baggy eyes.
I put Gemma in the buggy and buckled her up.
"Are you coming home tonight?" He asked me. I shook my head.
"No, I'm staying here. I don't want him to wake up alone." I knew they wanted to stay themselves, but they couldn't. Three children home alone or in a hospital for days won't do them well.
Ryan came up to me and squeezed me with his little arms. I got on my knees.
"What was that for?" I asked him in surprise.
"Just because." He answered silently.
"Just because what?" I was confused.
"Just because, you saved my brother’s life." He hugged me again. His arms around my neck.
"And your brothers saved mine." I picked him up. My eyes were watering because of his comment. No one else heard what he had said. "I love you. You know that, right?" I said and he let go and nodded. He walked back to him mom
Nate said he stayed here as well, He got a guestroom down the hall. Elizabeth said she will bring us mew clothes in the morning. We said our goodbye and they left.
***
Weeks passed, and nothing changed. Oliver's was in a coma for 3 weeks already. Nate and I were always there. Every two or three days his parents came, sometimes with the kids, sometimes without.
They were slowly cutting his medicine. But it was difficult, when the changes were too big, his heart rate dropped very low, quickly. The doctors kept assuring he would be fine. If he react abnormally, nothing could go wrong.
Mike and Ethan came ones a week. Which was the most fun moments we had. They told about all the crazy fun stuff they used to do when they were in school. It would be nice if Oliver could here all the things they were saying.
Except for them the only people we saw was the doctor and a couple nurses. They brought us practically everything we asked for. We could see they were pitying us.
I overheard some conversations, when the thought I was asleep or when I was in the bathroom. They didn't think Oliver was going to wake up. They were talking about stopping the meds and the oxygen tanks. I wouldn't let that happen, he was going to wake up.
I barely left the room, only to go to the hospital's library. Looking for book that were somehow related to a coma's and how to get out of it. Luckily there weren't only pure medical books. But also, alternative medical books. I always took about three or four book to shim through.
One day one of the nurses brought us a whole pack of newspapers and magazines. I didn't even had to see them to know they were about us.
"They are about you." She said.
"I know." I answered dryly.
"I also wanted to let you know, from all the nurses that we are still very moved from your speech. And we're not alone. The papers are even now still full of letters from readers." She said, she meant well, I just don't want to read about it.
"Thank you." I whispered.
The hours were ticking by. By now I was used to sit there and do nothing. Waiting for Oliver to wake up.
Nate was supposed to come over, like always, but he had to go to a meeting with the others. Luckily I didn't had to go to those meetings. Apparently there were major press scandals going on, all since the speech. They weren't very pleased with me at the moment. But that's their own fault.
They think I'm losing control. That I should go see a psychiatry. They even tried putting me on medicine.
Nate wasn't back yet. I sat on the bed reading a book on alternative medicine. It was a rather dark book. About rituals, not always the most helping ones. I read one about blinding someone. It really gave me chills
Even though the book kind of freaked me out, I kept reading. After reading a lot of sinister spells and rituals, when I came across one on how to take someone's powers away. The result, except for the no powers part then, was a coma. That was a huge lead to something. I read through all the pages, nit skipping a single word. And that's when I found it, the ritual... reversed. I used to be a much used method a couple decades ago. And I isn't that hard to do.
I was anxious for the rest of the day. I kept thinking on what I had to do, what would happen if I did something wrong. How would everybody react when they found out what I did? I will probably loose most of my powers, only half of it if I do it right. The Order’s gonna be pissed about this. How would the Beaumont family react?
I decided I wasn't going to tell anyone what I did, until they will find out themselves.
I didn't say much when Nate finally got back from the meeting. But neither did him. He couldn't tell me what they'd said at the meeting, that's secret. And I didn't tell him, because I know he would try to talk me out of it, even though, deep down, he wants me to do it anyway.
As we sat there in silence, I kept thinking about the ritual. It was so easy. You just need to connect your blood, say the spell and let go off each other’s hand whenever you want. Oliver's very weak, I think if he would wake up on his own, he'd probably lost all his powers. I have lived my whole life without powers, I’m sure I can manage without them the other part of my life.
Another thing I kept wondering about were the effects of this ritual. Because of the blood connection we'll have from then on, we'll be connected forever. In all ways. He will have my power. And in some cases we’ll even share feelings. People with a blood band can sometimes see each other’s aura. Bu the biggest side effect, if I can call it that, is that we can't live without the other. Would he be okay with that?
***
That night when everyone was gone. The last check-up of the doctors was over. I waited until I was sure everybody thought I was asleep. I put the lights out and had some little light bulbs floating through the room. So that I could just see enough.
I sat next to him on my knees, on the beds. I took his right hand and held it palm up. Picking my wand up from the bed and gave it a quick fast swipe over Oliver's hand. A cut, just deep enough to bleed a little. After that, I made a cut in my hand as well.
I took his hand and placed it in mine. I held it tight. And started the spell. I held my wand above my shoulder and slowly made my way over our linked arms, all the way to his shoulder, while speaking out my ritual. Soft but clear.
Annecto sanguinem nostrum,
Pertinent venas,
Nectunt nostrae cogitationes,
Diviserunt sibi virium.
I kept repeating the four lines. A thin silver thread appeared, wiring around our arms. I felt the power leave my body. I was getting tired. A little more and then it was enough. A little more. A few more seconds.
I jerked my hand always, with the strength I had left. Breaking the wire and falling backward on my own bed, falling asleep immediately. I hope it worked.
A couple hours later I woke up, maybe 5am. Feeling tired but excited. He could wake up any minute now. My eyes didn't leave him for a second, even blinking could be too long. He was going to be fine, he'll life!
Around 6am, the first shift started. A nurse came in and checked his results. She looked surprised.
"His results are so much better, I think we can cut the last doses of his medicine and then try to get him of the oxygen." She smiled at me, and I was happy to give her my biggest smile in return. It worked!
A couple hours later he was breathing on his own, without painkiller. I squeezed hi hand every 2 minutes, waiting for a response and it happened. He squeezed back.
My eyes filled with tears. He was trying to open his eyes. I got closer to him. He opened his mouth.
"Hi, gorgeous." He said with a low cracky voice. I smiled.
"Hi, handsome." And I knew everything is going to be okay.
***
THE END