Chapter Six
Morning, Star
My alarm rang, and I stretched after the best sleep in years. Through blurry, tired eyes, I saw Remy sitting at the edge of bed with a tall disposable coffee cup in her hand. She pointed to my desk with a long finger where another cup sat waiting.
“Got you coffee. The line was intense,” she said and then took a sip. Remy looked quite comfortable wearing sweats, and an oversized blue sleep shirt.
“You are a goddess. I could just hug you,” I mumbled, voice thick from sleep, while reaching for the coffee on the desk next to my bed.
Remy shook her head and said, “Goddess yes, hugger, no.” She took a sip of her coffee, then scribbled something on her tablet without looking my way. Perhaps one day I’d get the gift of receiving a Remy hug one day. We’d have to work up to that.
After adjusting the pillows, I sat up. The blankets kept my bare legs warm as I inhaled those sweet scents of java and chocolate. “Oh, this smells divine.”
It tasted divine too.
Remy finished her coffee and looked my way. “What’s your schedule like?”
“Conjuring first, potions second, divination third, and transmutation fourth.” There were only four main classes for now. As the school progressed, they’d likely add more.
It would be interesting to learn the history of magic and how Nathurian’s coexisted with it. But the professors decided it would be best to start slow this year. Teach everyone how to survive with their powers.
“I’ve got potions as my second too.” Remy stood to stretch and quickly made the bed.
While waiting for the caffeine to kick in, I scrolled through the map on the school app. A notification popped up announcing that clubs and school calendars would be handed out this week.
“I wish we were able to learn more about Nathuria,” I mused aloud. “The Nathurian staff only offered to help us stabilize, so we should be happy with that, but still. It’d be nice to know a bit more about them.”
I hoped whatever clubs that would be available would give us more room to explore our minds and powers.
Remy nodded and dug through her dresser. “Both sides of the realms are nervous of each other. They’re keeping it hush-hush wherever they can. Eventually we’ll get to see more of Nathuria. I’m sure of it.” She faced the wall and whipped her sleepshirt over her head.
Alrighty then.
She dressed in a pair of leggings, blue tank top, and a set of black combat boots. In front of me. Without a care in the world. Even when I was younger and fitter, I still wouldn’t have undressed in front of someone I’d just met.
Remy noticed the blush on my cheeks when she turned around. “Body is a body, right?”
I nodded despite the pink face. “I’ve got no issues with bodies.
” We were adults, and I supported women’s right to be naked in front of others if they so choose.
Didn’t make it any less awkward, though.
Perhaps I’d get used to her undressing in front of me and she’d get used to hugs.
This was a growing opportunity after all.
Remy shoved her phone into her leggings pocket and looked around once, as if to survey the room for anything missed, before facing me. “I’m heading down early. I’ll see you in potions.”
She left before I could wish her good luck, but hopefully my expression said it for me.
Remy seemed nice so far. A little direct, but I’d rather have straight and to the point conversations than beat around the bush types.
“Time to get up, Tempie.”
With momentum on my side, I rolled off the bed and strolled into the bathroom to get ready for a great first day of Magic School.
I searched for a comfy first day outfit in my bag and stood there puzzled.
The clothes in my duffle weren’t mine.
My signature jean shorts and plain shirts? Nowhere to be seen.
So, that’s odd.
Did that magical luggage runner accidentally mix up my clothes with someone else’s?
Last night, I was so tired I didn’t dig through the bag as I grabbed my sleepshirt and toiletries. They were sitting on the top of all my other clothes. Or so I’d thought.
Where were my comfy mom clothes?
I dug through richly colored materials and shirts that I would have never bought, as hysteria rose in my chest. This was not happening.
“What the hell?” I hissed as I emptied the contents onto my bed to sort through the mess. Sweaters, tight fitting shirts, sheer long sleeve tops, skirts, and dresses.
None of it was mine.
Another alarm on my phone rang signaling I had thirty minutes until class started.
“Shit.” There had to be something comfortable for today at least until I could sort out the mix-up.
My jaw dropped as I pulled out a black, short sleeved maxi dress and a matching set of a cream-colored top and wide legged pants.
An assortment of color piled high on my bed.
My hands tingled, and I closed my eyes to calm down.
My powers could very well light these clothes on fire, and then where would I be?
When the magic inside me settled, I opened my eyes to scan the variety of shorts, sweaters, leggings, two pairs of boots, and one set of black heels.
Then, I noticed the lingerie at the bottom of the bag, and I knew who replaced my clothes. Unbelievable. This wasn’t a magical mix-up. It was planned and carefully executed.
I grabbed my phone and hit Piper’s name. It wasn’t her bedtime yet, but I was sent to voicemail after the first ring.
With swift fingers, I moved on to texting.
ME: Piper, what the hell?!
PIPER: Sorry, no Piper here. Wrong number.
ME: These are not the clothes I packed!
PIPER: Still a wrong number. But if this was said Piper’s phone, she’d tell you that you’re hot and needed out of those old lady clothes.
ME: They were comfortable.
PIPER: I feel like this Piper you wish to talk to would say that the clothes are your way of pushing away the opposite sex. Maybe she wants you to have a fresh start and fresh attire. Witchy core vibes for the new witch.
ME: Piper…
PIPER: I’m sorry, the person you are trying to reach cannot come to the phone.
ME: You must get your theatrics from your father. I’m never like this.
PIPER: Wear the clothes, make the honor roll, don’t blow anything up, and have fun. Enjoy yourself mom. You deserve it. <3
I could be annoyed with not having my comfort clothes with me, but maybe Piper was right.
This was a new start all around for me. The clothes did look like something I would have worn in my twenties if I didn’t have a toddler in tow.
I’m curious where she got them and when she found time to switch mine out.
“Fine.” I huffed and grabbed the softest piece of clothing in the bag. The black maxi dress.
I slid the dress on and realized Piper didn’t pack a normal maxi dress. This one had two slits that went mid-way up my thighs.
Time was running out, and I still needed to find my first class. Resigned to not wasting more time, I grabbed a pair of ankle-high black biker boots, my phone, and a mini backpack with basic school supplies. Then, I left for class.
The walk to Conjuring 101 in room three hundred and twelve took ten minutes.
The room was set up with a few potted plants near the windows, long black lab tables, and items that looked like props from a magical movie scene—brooms, goblets, crystal balls, bird cages with nothing in them, cauldrons, and crystals.
Although, I guess if they were in this class, they weren’t props, but the real deal.
There were some tables with empty seats for me to choose, and only a single empty table.
My first big decision of the day… Where to sit?
I wasn’t overly eager to make friends and put myself out there yet. I knew I needed to, but the uncertainty of expectation for how Magic School would be made my tummy flutter.
Sheamus, one of the bearded guys from the dining hall, had an empty seat beside him. He seemed nice enough, might even be a hoot to be around based on the conversation I listened in on.
I took a step forward to take it, but his friend slid into the spot first.
Okay then. Never mind.
My eyes landed on the empty table next, and Piper’s green glare came into my mind. She’d nudge me toward the seats with other adults like I used to do to her in preschool.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
However, Piper wasn’t here to glare at me, and I was an adult capable of making my own decisions. It was the coward’s choice, but I sat at the table with no one.
We had three more minutes before class started, and instead of watching the rest of the students walk in, I braided my long brown hair with absolute focus. Then the sound of heels clicking against the floor made me lift my head upwards.
A woman waltzed to the front of the class wearing a purple dress, black robe, and slippers. Recognition flared in me as I realized she was the same woman who greeted me at the fountain yesterday.
“Welcome to the McKenzie Institute. I am your conjuring teacher, Jules. And you may call me Jules, Witch Jules, or Professor Jules.”
While Professor Jules magically wrote her name on a chalkboard with floating chalk, the chair beside me was pulled back.
“We’re going to be learning where magic resides inside you and how to conjure it.” She swished a line under her name, and the chalk slowly lowered onto the desk in front of her.
I personally was mesmerized and looked forward to what she had to teach us.
She walked over to the wall by the doorway and pulled out a spray bottle. “Before we get into the fun, I want to draw your attention to this bottle.”
It glowed pink, and I remembered seeing something similar used on Imogene’s comrade at the feast.
“As newly magical students, your powers are a bit unstable. This bottle contains an herb from Nathuria that temporarily nullifies spells. You will need to visit the hospital wing to permanently remove the spell. In the event of destructive spells or a loss of control, please give yourself or others a quick spritz, and then see yourself to the healers.” She placed the bottle back in the “in case of emergency” box.
Someone sat in the seat beside me, and my magic tingled under my skin. I looked down to make sure my fingers weren’t sparking like they’d done when my emotions spiked. No human sparkler trick so far!
Professor Jules clapped her hands once, drawing our attention as she stood in front of her desk and smiled at each of us students.
“Now, before we talk about your magic, please turn to your table partner and say hello. You’re going to be working together for the rest of this semester.” Professor Jules waved her delicate hand back and forth for us to say our greetings.
I turned to my right with small smile that hopefully came off as welcoming.
Then I froze.
Rylan McKenzie dazzled me with a grin and those stormy eyes.
Rylan was my new partner.
“Morning, Star.”