by ERIN BEDFORD
“Actually,” - I removed my arm from her grasp - “I think I like it right here.”
Trina stopped trying to grab at me and went silent.
The main blonde girl’s eyes narrowed a warning smile on her lips. “Oh, is that so? Maybe I’m mistaken.”
Her friends gasped, and the brunette shook her head. “There’s no way. You’re never wrong. They’re bottom feeders. I can smell it.”
The big boobed blonde leaned forward and sniffed the air. “Yeah, smells like ... tacos.”
The blonde leader rolled her eyes at her friends and then focused back on me. “Where are my manners? I forgot the introductions. I’m Sabrina Craftsman.” She flipped her hair and grinned like her name was supposed to mean something.
The way that Trina stiffened beside me told me it should have, but it didn’t to me, which meant she was just another girl who thought she was too hot for common manners.
Apparently, I didn’t respond the way she wanted me to because Sabrina continued. “You know Craftsman Spellwork? My father is Xander Craftsman. He revolutionized the way we work spells.” She kept going as I stared at her blankly. “What is wrong with you? You should be kissing my feet right now.”
I shrugged. “Sorry, never heard of you.”
Her cronies giggled, but when Sabrina shot a glare back at them, they quickly shut up. Turning back to me, Sabrina snarled, “And who are you?”
Grinning from ear to ear, I held my hand out. “Max. Nice to meet you.”
Sabrina stared down at my hand like I had just handed her a bag of trash. “Max what?”
I frowned and then glanced back at Trina. “What do you mean?”
Stomping her foot like a petulant child, Sabrina snapped, “Max what? Who are your people? Where do you stand in the magical community?”
I chuckled lightly. “Oh. Norman. My last name’s Norman and as far as where I stand in the magical community ...” I glanced around the hallway. “Well, for the moment I stand right here with you all.”
The brunette clearly was trying to hide a laugh and covered it up by pretending to cough. The other blonde didn’t seem to get my joke. Someone was missing a few crayons in their box.
Sabrina, however, clearly understood me. Stepping into my personal space, she moved in until our nose almost brushed. “You think you are so funny, don’t you? Well, let me tell you something, Norman. The people at this school respect my family and me. They would do anything to be friends with me, meaning they would do anything for me. And people like you?” She flicked my shoulder, and I raised my brows at her ridiculousness. “You’re big nobodies, just in the way of the real talent. So, get comfortable with that thought, it’ll make things a lot easier for you. Are we clear?”
I forced back a grin and nodded. “Oh, we’re clear.”
“Good.” Sabrina moved back and smiled smugly. Turning to her friends, she clicked her fingers. “Come on, I’m hungry.”
Before she could get too far away, I cleared my throat. “There is one thing I’m not so clear on that maybe you could clear up for me?”
Sabrina froze in her steps but didn’t turn around. “What’s that?”
Brows furrowed, I tapped my chin in thought. “Do your parents hate you or did they just really love nineties sitcoms, because I have to tell you, naming your witch child Sabrina?” I chuckled again. “Really not fair.”
Sabrina’s shoulders shook, and her fingers curled into fists, her friends watching in awe and horror. For a second, I thought Sabrina was going to turn me into a toad for daring to make fun of her name, but she simply straightened her back, let out a ragged breath, and kept walking.
When they were well out of eyeshot, Trina smacked me on the shoulder. “Holy shit, Max. You have balls. I could never have done something like that, especially to a Craftsman.”
I smiled down at her. “I don’t like bullies, and people like Sabrina only have power because people give it to her.”
“Well, she does have a point.” Trina continued as we followed the way the trio had gone. “People do respect and fear her family. She could have the whole school against you for what you said.”
“She’s that petty, huh?”
“You wouldn’t believe it.” Trina snorted and puffed her hair. “That girls got deep-seated problems starting from the silver spoon her parents shoved up her ass.”
When we finally found our way out of the hallway and into the main quad, I let out a sigh. Here they at least had signs.
“There’s the cafeteria.” I pointed at the sign directing us to the left where the smell of something delicious wafted toward us.
“And there’s the administration office.” Trina nodded to the left. “You should probably head there. No doubt the line will be long, and you don’t want to end up missing your first day of classes.”
I glanced between the cafeteria and the administration office. My stomach grumbled its opinion of where I should go, but I knew Trina was right. If I didn’t get my class schedule, I’d have to spend tomorrow playing catch up. Frowning at being a grown-up, I turned toward the left.
“Want me to bring you something back?” Trina asked as I started to walk toward the office.
I glanced over my shoulder. “Yeah, just grab me a sandwich or something. That’d be great.”
“You got it.” Trina clicked her fingers and skipped toward the cafeteria.
Chuckling at my roommate, I didn’t see the person coming out of the administration office until it was too late. My head turned, and my nose smashed into the walking wall of beef. Crying out, I grabbed my nose, rubbing it for good measure as I glared up at the perpetrator.
“Watch where you’re going!” I swallowed my words as my mouth went dry and all my irritation vanished, replaced by trepidation. The chest I had slammed into belonged to a very large, very frightening looking guy who cocked a brow at me.
“Yes?” The deep voice belonging to the mountain before me wasn’t quite as scary as how he looked but had a smooth undertone that did ridiculous things to my insides. What the hell was wrong with me? This guy could give a professional wrestler a run for his money, and here I was, drooling over him.
“I ... I mean, uh.” I chuckled nervously. “Excuse me. I’m new here and a bit on edge.”
The guy tilted his head to the side, the edge of his lips twitching as if he wanted to smile but refused to.
Not sure what else to do, I inclined my head and pointed toward the office letting another nervous laugh. “I’ve gotta go in there. Yeah, bye.”
Darting around him, I pushed the office door open only to see a line so long I’d be missing lunch and dinner. Groaning in dismay, I checked my phone. More messages from Callie waited on the screen. I couldn’t very well call her out here in the open, but I couldn’t make her wait any longer. After all, I had time to spare.
Me: Hey Callie, sorry for the late response. I couldn’t answer my phone on the plane.
Callie’s answer was immediate, and it made my throat tighten. She had been waiting for my message. Probably spent all day just biting her nails.
Callie: Where the hell have you been? I’m calling you!
My phone started to ring as I tried to text her not to. I got a series of glares from the others in line, and I quickly hit ignore. Taking a deep breath in, I got ready to lie my ass off.
Me: Sorry again. I can’t talk right now. My grandma has a lot of people over to check on her.
Callie: Then at least explain to me wtf is going on?
Me: I told you. I have to take care of my grandma until my parents get back from Cairo.
Callie: But what about Brown? All our plans!
Me: I know. I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do.
A throat cleared behind me and I looked up from my phone to see the line had moved and I hadn’t. Shooting an apologetic look to the person behind me, I moved further up in the line before looking at my phone again.
Callie: I know, but it still doesn’t suck any less. What am
I going to do with all the hotties here by myself?
I giggled. Callie never could stop thinking with her hormones. I shifted up the line once more before texting Callie once more.
Me: I’m sure you’ll do fine without me. ;)
Callie: Well call me when you can. Miss you already! <3
Tucking my phone back into my pocket, I sighed. That wasn’t as bad as I expected. Not that I believed for one second that Callie was going to let me off the handle this easily. I expected a long and drawn out conversation was due in the near future, right after I got myself squared away.
“Next!” a slightly irritated voice shouted out, and I glanced around the long line to catch a glimpse of a messy mop of reddish brown hair and a shuffling of papers. Those same papers flew through the air and toward a pile by the door, stacking into a neat pile. I gaped at the first sign of magic I’d seen since getting to Winchester Academy.
“I wish I still had that kind of wonderment just from a small flotation spell.” I spun around to see the same dark head of hair that had saved me from face planting at the knick-knack store.
“You!” I gaped, pointing a finger at him, earning me an amused smirk. “I mean, again. I mean ...” I dragged a hand over my hair. “You go here too?” The guy standing between us gave us both curious looks but just watched.
The black-haired beauty chuckled. “Yes, I do. Have been for two years now.” He gestured his head toward the line. “You should probably move up. It’s almost your turn, and you don’t want Dale pissed off at you.”
I turned around toward the line where the reddish-brown head was coming closer into view. This Dale guy must be a real piece of work if tall, dark, and handsome was worried about him. Glancing back at him, I told my heart to stop fluttering when he winked at me.
“Next!”
My smile deepened as the dark-haired beauty continued to smirk at me. I forgot about the other people in the room, the fact that I was in line, or even that my best friend in my back pocket was waiting for me to call her. There was nothing but me and those gold sparkles in his eyes.
“Next!” I only had a half second to process the words before I was bombarded with a dozen paper airplanes. Covering my head with my hands, I tried to swat away the planes, but they just kept coming. Eventually, when I was curled into a ball on the ground, they stopped.
I slowly dropped my arms and peeked my eyes open to see everyone staring at me. Even the dark-haired beauty had stopped to see the show. I uncurled from the ground and scrambled to my feet, adjusting my clothes and hair as I went.
“Now, if you’re done using my waiting area to make moon eyes at Broomstein, can you tell me what you want so we can all get on with our lives?” a voice full of barely contained sarcasm asked me and my face flushed as I turned around.
While I was making moon eyes as I’d been accused of, the line had moved, and it was now my turn. The reddish-brown head belonged to an attractive intellectual man. He even had glasses and a pocket protector. Blushing even more, I moved to the edge of the desk.
“Sorry, I—”
“Save the excuses. Name?” The guy held a tablet in front of him, his stylus poised and ready to find me.
“Maxine Norman,” I stuttered out, twisting my hands in front of me as he scrolled through the tablet until he pointed at a name on the list.
“What do you need?” his voice had a no-nonsense tone that made me hesitant to tell him how royally screwed I was.
“Uh, I ...”
“Come on, I don’t have all day. Others are waiting to waste my time.” He gestured his stylus toward the line behind me.
“Right, I’m sorry,” I started but paused when a dark shadow filled my peripherals.
Dark-haired beauty had cut in line to stand beside me. Dale’s eyes moved from me to him, and he pointed his stylus at him. “Wait your turn, Broomstein. I’ll get to you.”
“Knock it off, Dale,” Broomstein said, tapping his knuckles on the counter. “I don’t know who spit in your coffee this morning but stop taking it out on the first years. Can’t you see she’s a bit overwhelmed?”
I started to argue my case, but both guys continued as if I weren’t standing right there.
“Go find someone else to pester, Ian. I’m busy.” Dale bit out, finally giving me my savior’s name. Ian. It suited him.
“Go ahead, Max.” Ian grinned at me. “Tell Dale what you need. He’ll get you fixed up and then hopefully pull that broomstick out of his ass.”
I stifled a giggle when Dale glared. “I didn’t get my welcome packet.”
Dale frowned at my admission. “That’s strange. Every student should have received one. I sent them out myself.”
I shrugged. “Well, there must have been a mistake because I didn’t get one.”
The sharpness of the look Dale gave me made me wince. “I don’t make mistakes.” He glanced back down at his tablet, and his frown deepened. “Do you have your room assignment?”
Reaching into my back pocket, I pulled out the paper I’d received in the mail with my acceptance letter. “Yeah, I already put my stuff away though.”
He snatched the paper from my hands and found my student number at the top of the page. Typing into his little tablet, he scowled. “There are two students under this number. A Maxine Norman and a Maxine Mancaster. Which one are you?”
Chapter 6
A pen could drop, and everyone could hear it with how silent the office became. Not sure what the fuss was about, I glanced around curiously and then back to Dale.
“Uh, I guess both.” I flushed and ducked my head before peeking up at Ian. He smiled at me as if this was all an everyday occurrence for him.
Dale, however, wasn’t happy with my answer. “Either you are, or you’re not. You can’t be both.”
Sighing, I threw my hands up. “Yes, I can actually. My dad’s last name is Norman. That’s what it says on my birth certificate and my I.D. which I’ve stupidly left back in my room.” I kept going before Dale could start arguing with me once more. “My mom’s maiden name is Mancaster. I don’t know why I’m in the system twice. I only sent in information for the first name.”
There were a few gasps and whispering behind me, but I ignored them and waited for Dale to figure out what happened.
Dale let out an aggravated grunt. “Well, someone put you in twice, but now it makes sense why you wouldn’t get a welcome packet.”
“It does?” I asked, not understanding his thought process.
He clicked a few things on his tablet and then picked up the phone next to him. After dialing some numbers, he said into the phone, “Yes, sir? That Mancaster girl is here.” A pause as whoever was on the other end answered. “Yes. I’ll send her right in.”
Pursing my lips together, I frowned harder. “I’m sorry. Maybe it’s because I’m so new to this whole magic stuff,” - Ian snorted at my mention of magic stuff - “but can you tell me what is going on? Am I in some kind of trouble?”
Shaking his head so that his hair fell over the brim of his glasses, Dale sighed as if answering me was so much more work than it actually was. “No, you’re not in trouble. The Headmaster likes to greet students that come from certain families before they start school. Not sending you a welcome packet makes it so that you have to come by.” He said it in a way that made me think that talking to the Headmaster wasn’t exactly a pleasant encounter.
“Oh, okay.” I paused and then pointed behind him. “So, I talk to the Headmaster, and then I can get my schedule and everything?”
“Yes, yes. He’s back there.” Dale gestured a thumb behind him and then looked at Ian. “What do you want?”
Ian lifted his hands in front of him and grinned. “Nothing, I’m good.”
“Then why are you here?” Dale growled, waving a hand to make him move out of the line.
I watched Ian shifted away from the line, curious about what exactly he was doing in the office if he didn’t need anything. Shooting me one of his devilish sm
irks, Ian headed for the door. “Good to see you again, Max.”
A bit flushed, all my brain cells heading directing between my thighs, I completely forgot I was supposed to be seeing the Headmaster until another paper airplane hit me in the back of the head.
I narrowed my eyes at Dale as I rounded the counter toward the door he had pointed at before. Dale didn’t even acknowledge me, his focus fully on his next victim.
When I stopped before the door marked ‘Headmaster,’ my nerves decided to kick back in. That pesky ball of light inside of me started to prickle at the back of my eyes, and I could feel my fingertips buzzing. I thought back to my mom’s last words of advice to me before we left for school.
“Just breathe. The worst thing you could do when you feel like you’re about to lose control is to forget to breathe. In through your nose, and out through your mouth.”
I breathed deep through my nose and held it for a moment. Before I could let it out, another paper airplane smacked me in the back of the head, making me let out my breath in a rush. Annoyance replaced nervousness, and I used that to quickly knock on the door in front of me.
A voice from inside beckoned me inside. I didn’t have a chance to turn the knob before the door opened for me. A little bit creeped out and my nerves threatening to come back up, I stepped into the large office.
A large leatherback chair sat behind a mahogany brown desk. The older man in the chair wasn’t the thing that surprised me. He seemed like he could be one of my grandfather’s best friends from the golf club with his short white beard and rosy cheeks, and the suit he wore looked like it cost at least a couple of thousand dollars. No, the thing that surprised me was the desktop with dual monitors and a processor big enough to handle any video game the player could throw at it.
“Miss Mancaster.” The headmaster stood from his desk and rounded it to stand before me. He offered me an aged hand, and I shook it with a polite smile.
“Uh, headmaster.” I nodded. “And it’s actually Norman, not Mancaster.”