•Ella
School today was awfully quiet. It's not always noisy but all I got today were stares and murmurs, which was completely normal for me.
Maybe today will end on a good note. If it does, I'm gonna assume Leon is one of those with lucky energy which rubbed off on those around them.
I had almost gotten through a school day and there was no childish bullying; My shirt was still clean, no need to change into the extra clothes I always carry in my bag, no fresh bruises—which my parents would often ignore whenever they saw it, no migraine from having my hair constantly dragged by spiteful girls, and no dirty magic tricks. It is a good day.
Younger me would never guess that a normal school day would be one of the best things that could ever happen to me.
It felt like I had my peace, one that I was sure would be short lived, but I had it nonetheless.
During lunchtime, instead of going to the refectory for lunch, I headed straight to the school's library. It was another place where I had peace, since most students don't visit it, especially not when it's lunchtime.
Now I have to look for books and documentations on ACA. If only there was an easier way for me to make researches.
If I can just find one book, I'll borrow it for a day, return it, then take another.
"Ella, you're here? At this time? Aren't you going for lunch?" Olivia, the librarian, asked. Olivia was a young woman in her late twenties who had just started working here a few months ago. I hadn't known her that long , but she was the only person in my life who treated me normally.
"This is the only free time I have in school today and I want to use it for something else. I'll eat later."
Olivia narrows her eyes at me for a second before nodding.
"Alright, so, what brings you here?" She pushes a strand of hair, which had fallen down her face, behind her ears. Liv looked too elegant to be a librarian. She was tall, with a nice figure, her bob cut-black hair and emerald eyes a nice complement to her classy dress. And the way she took each step with such precision, if I didn't know better, I'd think she was royalty.
"I want to make some research on Alpha-Centori academy. Do you have anything here regarding the school?" I reply.
Liv narrows her eyes at me again for a slight second before replying
"Yes, we do, right this way." She begins to lead me down the library towards the lift. When we got in, it began to lead us up until we reached the third floor, where it stopped.
The lift was one of those gizmo thingys whose source was magic, Invented by the magic-smiths.
"This section has everything about Alpha-Centori" She points towards a section that actually has 'Alpha-Centori' written above it.
I need to explore this library more, there are so many things I haven't seen here.
"Thank you" I smile
"If you need anything, I'll be down at reception. Have fun." She winks before heading back to the lift.
…
After what I felt was hours and hours of searching and briefly reading through the books, I finally find one that has everything I want to know.
'An overview of Alpha-Centori academy: Why you should attend ACA, and how to get in'.
Perfect.
"Ella kiyoni, your presence is demanded in the head mistress's office this instant." A woman announced. It was an amplified voice that must have been heard through the whole school.
This doesn't sound good.
"I can't possibly be the only Ella kiyoni, right?" I muttered to myself.
"Ella Kiyoni, of Class 2001, I repeat, your presence is demanded in the head mistress's office." The woman repeated, as if she had heard my thoughts.
Okay, it was definitely me, although, I wouldn't expect anyone else to have that last name unless we were related.
What did I do? I didn't break any rules, as far as I'm concerned. I don't have any reason to be scared, right?
I begin to slowly make my way down.
When I got down to reception, I got a concerned look from Liv. I nod my head, signaling to her that everything is okay. At least I think it is.
"I'll return this tomorrow" I point at the book before placing it in my bag and walking out.
Every step to the head mistress's office felt heavier as I got closer. So many 'what if's' popped up in my head, but I pushed all those thoughts down.
Today is a good day, it will end on a good note.
It is a good day.
I take a deep breath before knocking and entering inside.
Head mistress Rasalind was the only one inside, meaning the woman who had the power to amplify her voice had left, leaving just the two of us. I take another deep breath.
"Please sit" she gestures to the chair in front of her. At least she doesn't sound angry.
As I take a seat, I hear the sound of a bell, indicating lunchtime was just ending.
"I'll say this quickly so I don't waste both our times… You're expelled"
My eyes widen, and my mouth open slightly in shock.
"E-Expelled? W-Why?" I stutter.
"I wish we didn't have to but, this is a magic school, and you're.. well, magicless. There are so many activities and topics we treat here that are of no use to you. I think it's better you enroll in another school. One that's-" she pauses, probably searching for a better way to complete her sentence. "One that's for you"
Of course. This was about my lack of magic.
It's always about my lack of magic. I wasn't the only one who lacked magic yet it felt like it.
I should be happy that I don't have to deal with this school anymore. Excluding the library, I never really liked it. But I wasn't happy, not with the way I was being excused. I felt hurt, and anger.
"Oh, I see. This school is obviously not for me. I'll leave immediately" I stood up from my seat.
"You don't have to leave now, you have a week before you have to" She stopped me "You can use that time and apply to other schools, tell your friends goodbye-" She continued but my abrupt laughter cut her short.
"Is something funny?" She questions.
"Friends? What friends? Everyone knows how many times I've walked out of here covered in bruises and mud, and you all just turned a blind eye to it cause I was just a powerless girl who wasn't worth the trouble. Well,I'm no longer a student here so, you don't need to pretend anymore." I begin to walk towards the door, but I pause and turn to her. I glance a hint of guilt in her face. It's too late for that now.
"I'm leaving today, I don't need one more week here" I say before exiting.
This explains why today was peaceful, they all knew I was leaving.
How would my parents react to this? They still want me to attend a prestigious school but I doubt any school would accept me. Unless they swallow their pride and let me attend a low class school, and chances of that happening are below zero.
"You're back? Is everything okay?" Liv asks when she sees me enter the library again.
"I'm here to return this book" I hand her the book I had planned to borrow and return the next day.
She gives me a confused look and I elaborate more so she'd understand.
"So I won't be seeing you again?" She gives me a sad look.
"No, you won't, definitely not after what I told Rasalind."
She wasn't my headmistress anymore so there was no need to address her as such.
"But you're my favorite teenager" she pouts
"And you're my favorite adult" I mimic her
"Come here." Liv pulls me in a hug and, for the first time in a few years, I felt comforted. Tears prick at my eyes but I don't let them fall. I wouldn't cry where they could see me, it would mean victory for them.
"Keep it." She pushes the book back to me
"What do you mean keep it? I possibly can't-" I pause when I see her wave her hand and another copy of the book appears.
"Duplication spell." She smiles slyly. That's a level 3 magic, one that I didn't know she had.
I reach for the duplicate but she shakes her head.
"You get the original, okay?"
"I'm going to miss you" I take the book and give her one last goodbye hug before I start to leave.
"Wait" Liv runs to me and hands me a sandwich and a small drink. "The lunch you missed." She smiles.
"Thank you" I return her smile.
…
As I stepped through the gates for the last time, a weight lifted from my chest and I smile. It felt like bittersweet freedom, one that was mixed with the bitterness of rejection and the sweetness of relief. I wouldn't miss this school, ever.
I turn and begin to make my way home, where I know trouble awaits me.