Page 10 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“Yuuuuup,” he said, mimicking my voice, “mine is Admiral Asshole himself.”

“A student?!” The identity of my own tutor flashed across my mind and I hoped it was my anxiety rather than any strange clairvoyance.

“Yeah, class rep or something.” His comment solidified my thoughts as a premonition. Fantastic.

“Well, so long as we can graduate next year with everyone else, it’ll be fine. Tell me about the campus there! What’s it like?”

He told me that while a few Gothic things still stood, most everything was white stone and columns, more modern…. “The headmaster gave a speech about how Warlocks required more order and balance than the ‘frills of Witchcraft,’ so it was built to reflect that… But apparently it’s just not as old. I think he’s butt hurt about it honestly.”

“Yeah I’m sure that’s it. Since you know, they’re exactly the same.”

“Well there’s acoupledifferences.” He said with a waggle in his voice.

“I swear to God, Theo if you make this into an innuendo…”

“Whoa, whoa there, Sis! Where is your mind?! You know me… I would-”

“Always make an innuendo,” I interrupted.

“Okay, fair.” He laughed. A door slammed on his end and he went quiet, “hey sis, I’m gonna let you go, but let’s check in tomorrow, yeah?”

The line clicked and I rolled over with a sigh. Yeah… tomorrow would be better. I just had to keep my head down, not touch any stones, and then I could enjoy the freedom of my own lovely haunted school.

Seven

Adeline

Isat up in bed, heart pounding, and vest clinging to my damp skin. I brushed my hair back with trembling fingers as I closed my eyes. Cold dread swept over me and my eyes snapped open again. Nope. I swung my legs out of bed and stood, shaking my limbs out and rolling my head from side to side. Lighting a pillar candle that was on my bedside table, I sank down onto my knees, the hardwood cold on my bare legs. I whispered an incantation used to banish demons and blew out the candle. If only the demons weren’t in my own head, it might actually have an effect.

It was late, my room mates would all be asleep, exhausted from their long day of travelling, unpacking and then the usual drawn out feast my mother and the other teachers put on to welcome the new students. Opening one of my dresser drawers, I pulled out the first things my fingers touched and put on the tiny black cycling shorts and matching vest. I crept into the dark lounge and sat down to tie my running shoes and hair back into a high ponytail.

Running usually exhausted me to the point where even if I couldn’t switch my mind off my body would take over and I would plunge into some kind of sleep until getting up for the day was more acceptable.

I wandered up the shimmering path, occasionally passing another student who swerved away from me, head down obediently. Fine with me. My hands still held a faint tremble and I could feel the urge to cast the darkest of magic still lingering over me like a cloud.

As I turned down the path away from the centre of campus, my mother and Professor Hershaw rounded the corner, talking quietly.

“Mother?”

“Adeline,” my mother greeted me. A look of disappointment passed over her composed face as she looked over my outfit. I folded my arms across my bra-less chest and looked away from her, “going… somewhere?” She asked.

“Just for a run.” I stated, looking her in the eye, “why are you even outside?”

My mother raised a perfectly waxed eyebrow and I instantly knew I’d made a mistake, her mouth pinched. “Not that it’s any business of a… Student-” she said the word like it was dirty… like that’s all I was to her, “but we were gathering some supplies for a class we were discussing,” she continued, “And what is your excuse for leaving your dormitory at-” she glanced at her designer watch, “Twenty-past Twelve? Looking like a common whore?” My cheeks burned with shame and a cold laugh escaped her, “honestly darling, get changed before someone sees you.” She swept past me without giving me a second glance and I stood fixed to the spot.

Miss Hershaw shuffled uncomfortably, lingering behind, “perhaps you’d be warmer in something longer lovely?” I gave a quick nod before turning away from her.

“Lydia!” My mother called from behind me and Miss Hershaw squeaked before trotting quickly up the path after my mother.

I looked down at my vest and shorts. I hated her… but I hated myself more. I set off running towards the forest, at a pace which I couldn’t maintain but for now it would do. Hot tears were streaming down my face, my eyes blurring, resulting in me taking a few leaves to the face. I felt so much rage inside, my fingertips tingled with magic.

I ran harder and harder, until I hurt as much on the outside as I did on the inside. The urge to scream or destroy everything slowly faded. Rain started around me as I slowed my pace. Drops hitting the leaves of the trees, which grew sparser, around me. I detoured off the path towards the edge of the tree line, where light filtered through from a nearby lamppost.

I was very aware that I looked like I’d fallen in a bush and so began pulling the, okaymany, leaves out of my hair. Frustrated, I pulled out my bobble, my dark hair falling around me.

My heart jumped as I looked up to see a student standing on the path.

His blonde hair fell into shocked blue eyes. He was dressed equally as unprepared for the weather, a black tank over - I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry - an obviously muscular body, and grey sweats. He was watching me… a little too closely, his crystal blue eyes looking into my soul. Nope nope. I couldn’t do this right now. I turned away and began walking up the path which skirted round the edges of the forest towards the lake. Hell, if I saw any other students I would just flip them off and keep walking.

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