The door of the laboratory was open as he expected, and he walked in with a spring in his step. Vanessa sat at a table, her eyes focused on the biology textbook in front of her.
The night air was crisp and cool, and the science lab was even cooler. He took a deep breath and walked in.
"Hi there," Vanessa said as she looked up from her book. "I've been waiting for you for a while now." She smiled warmly and got up to meet him.
"A while?" he asked. "It's only been three minutes since the bell rang." He felt nervous as she approached him with that strange smile. He remembered what had happened at Miss Greene's apartment and began to feel a fluttering in his stomach.
"Well, you're at least a little early this time," she said, letting her arms wrap around his neck. "I was wondering if you could do me a favour and ask Oliver why he asked for my last name a couple of weeks ago. I'm just curious, and it's awkward for me to ask him myself, but you two seem to be good friends these days, so I thought you could help me." She looked at him, still wearing the strange smile. Their faces were only inches apart. Robert's eyes lingered on her lips, which were the colour of a rose petal. He swallowed hard, wondering what would happen next.
"Okay, if that's all..." he started to say, but her body language told him that she wasn't quite finished.
"Oh, you're in big trouble, boy," Poison laughed in his head.
"Dora said I could never steal you away from her," Vanessa said, her voice low and seductive.
"What do you mean by that?" he stammered, his heart racing.
Before he could finish his sentence, she leaned in and kissed him.
"OMG, Robert. You're in big trouble. Seriously, tonight's been one girl after another. First, it's Miss Greene, now it's Vanessa," Poison teased, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"What can I say? I'm just too irresistible," Robert replied telepathically as he kissed, his 'mind voice' dripping with self-satisfaction.
From behind the window, Jackson balled his hands into fists, his eyes burning with rage.
"That should have been me!" he whispered to himself, his lips barely moving. But how could a wizard not sense another presence? Robert felt someone watching him and immediately pulled away. It would be disastrous if anyone saw him kissing someone else, especially since everyone knew that he and Dora were together.
"We should probably get back to studying," Robert suggested, his heart racing as she continued to stare at him with her charming blue eyes. Vanessa was considered by many to be the prettiest girl in the 11th grade science class, and it was easy to see why. Her long, silky black hair and fair skin were only the beginning. Her eyes were the color of the sky, and her full lips were painted a rosy pink. She had a flawless face, and her smile could light up a room. This earned her the envy of many female students and the admiration of the males.
Robert often compared her to Dora, but he could never decide which girl was more beautiful. Dora had long, wavy hair that was a mixture of red and orange. Her eyes were adorable and full of life, and her lips were perfect. He often found himself comparing their body types, but he quickly realized that it wasn't the time or place for such thoughts.
"Robert," she whispered seductively, "I want you."
Outside, Jackson's hands were balled into fists so tight, his knuckles were white.
"I'm already spoken for," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
"I want a piece of you, then," she said, her voice heavy with desire.
Jackson had had enough. He couldn't stand to listen any longer.
"ENOUGH!" he roared, storming into the room. His face was red with anger.
"Jackson? What are you doing here?" Vanessa asked in a cold voice, withdrawing her hand from Robert's shoulder.
"Ooh, this is gonna get interesting," Poison said with anticipation.
"You bastard! Stay away from her!" he yelled, grabbing Robert by the collar and shoving him against the wall. Robert didn't need magic to defend himself - the passive abilities he gained by hosting Poison's soul were enough. These included the ability to turn into sand - known as elemental morphing, superhuman strength, the ability to run at 1200 kilometers per hour, invisibility, and accelerated healing.
"Let's talk this out, Jackson," Robert said, trying to reason with him. But he was cut off by a blow to the face that sent him crashing to the ground.
"Do you really think I'm going to let you off the hook after what you did last time? You knocked me out and left me lying on the corridor!" Jackson picked him up by the collar and kneed him in the stomach.
"Jackson! I'm warning you - leave before I call the science master!" Vanessa yelled.
"I'll kill you!" Jackson yelled, punching Robert again. But there was no blood, no swelling, no bruise. It was as if the punch hadn't landed at all.
"Are you done?" Robert stood up and brushed off his shirt. His face showed no sign of injury.
"This... this is impossible!" Jackson was dumbfounded. After everything he'd done, Robert didn't have a single scratch on him. It was as if he'd just gotten out of the shower.
Fortunately for Jackson, Robert wasn't the vengeful sort. If he had been, a boulder could have sent him flying into the field.
"I think you should leave the lab," Robert said and smiled warmly at Jackson, but his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. If looks could kill, Jackson would have been dead twice over.
Jackson suddenly remembered the day that Robert had sent Frank hurtling through the air when they tried to extort money from Oliver. He turned and fled from the lab.
"Something isn't right," he thought. "This is impossible. Even the man with the toughest skin in the world would have some kind of bruise after a beating like that. Wizards don't even have skin that strong! And there's no way Robert is a wizard. Anyway, after I finish Grade 11, Dad promised he'd send me to Heiss Magic Academy. When I cast a spell on Robert in front of Vanessa, he'll understand that I'm not to be trifled with." He stomped down the stairs, fantasizing about tearing Robert limb from limb.
Getting into a magic school was no easy task - only people with magical potential and from wealthy families could attend. Only a magic school would have the facilities necessary for an individual to acquire an element and become a wizard, but only those with enough money could afford to send their children to a good magic school.
"I'm so sorry about that," Vanessa said, looking down at her feet.
"Don't worry about it," Robert said. "Let's just get to reading."
"Sure," Vanessa replied, dropping the issue completely. They both sat down and began studying.
"Hey, Robert," Poison said. "You should really find out what Oliver wants with Vanessa. I know you trust him, but Solomon is sneaky, I think he's up to something." Robert was walking back to his hostel after prep.
"Yeah, I'll ask him tomorrow," Robert replied, yawning and stretching his arms above his head.
It was a beautiful, sunny Monday, and Robert entered the classroom with a scowl on his face. His gold wristwatch dangled from his clenched fist.
"I'm really sorry, Robert," Poison said. "I know Billy shouldn't have thrown the banana peels on the floor as you walked past his friends, but you should not use magic on them. The Magic Council won't go easy on you if you use magic on unarmed civilians."
"He ruined my gold watch!" Robert thought furiously. "I'm going to..." His eyes turned brown and sandy as rage overtook him.
"Calm down, Robert," Poison said. "Next time, if you trip and fall, try to protect your watch. Oh, by the way, Miss Shay is about to enter the classroom. You should settle down - your government teacher isn't as nice as aunty Greene."
"Are you seriously making fun of me right now?" Robert asked furiously.
"Good morning, Miss Shay," the students chorused, casually arranging their desks.
"Good morning, everyone," Miss Shay greeted the class with a smile. Her neatly trimmed black hair fell gently around her face as she spoke. "Please take out your government textbooks." The students did as they were told. Robert's thoughts raced as he tried to calm himself down.
"Today, we'll be reviewing for your upcoming midterm," Miss Shay continued. "I know it's not the most exciting thing in the world, but it's important that you're prepared."
---
At the principal's office.
"Hello," said a man in black police uniform. "My name is Simon Stevenson, and I'm a head investigator with the Axille Police Department. This is my assistant, Charles Currie. We're here to speak with a student named Robert Manuel, who was allegedly involved in a 'magic-related' incident. Can you please let us speak with him?" He flashed his badge at Mrs. Miriam, the school principal.
"I'm Miriam Carv, the principal," she replied with an awkward smile. "Just a moment - I'll go and get him." She left her office and walked to the grade 11 art class. She had a feeling this was coming, after all, Robert had been sent to the hospital yesterday, which had been destroyed by some sort of supernatural entities. She had to cooperate with the police to protect the school's reputation.
___
"Um, Miss Shay," Robert said, raising his hand, "may I please go to the bathroom?"
"As I always say," Miss Shay replied sternly, "no one is allowed to leave the classroom until the lesson is over."
"But Miss Shay, it's urgent!" Robert insisted.
"I said no..." The principal walked into the room, cutting her off.
"Robert, you need to come with me," she said, her face grim.