We are silent for quite a while before he breaks the silence. "So how far away have you come?" Starting down the road, I think of home. "Reitz village in the sticks. You probably have never even or heard of it before. Not a lot of people do. Even though it's only an hour train ride from the North West."
"No I have actually. A couple of years ago on business. But from what I can remember it was laid-back and a very welcoming environment. Definitely worth a second trip." His praise of my home town brings joy to my heart. "Thank you for the compliment. I sure will miss everyone there, but going to the academy has been my dream since I was a little girl. And now my dream will finally come true." I feel a small chirp of happiness flick through my chest. That's right. I'm here because I finally get to live my dream and become a powerful witch. I will get to accomplish new spells and master new techniques. By the time I get home, my neighbors will no longer recognize me.
"Well I'm rooting for you. I hope you do well." His smile is so wide and friendly, that I feel a strange feeling in my heart. Someone pulling on the strings of my heart.
Finally after walking for what seems like ages, we are back at the station. Oh yes finally! I turn around and hug Victor. He's taken back by my sudden show of affection, but he returns the hug nonetheless. Not going to lie, I'm just as surprised at myself as he is. "There you are!" The familiar voice of Mr. Letter is heard behind me. I whip around to see him floating down to where we are in the crowd. "Really child, you mustn't wander about when we are trying to get to the academy. Keep this up and-"
"Is that paper talking?!" Victor abruptly overlaps Mr. Letter. The look on his face shows pure amusement. I stifle a laugh at his almost childish innocence. "Yes, he's my guide. He's the acceptance letter from the academy to bring me here." Victor continually pokes him in the middle of his page.
"Will you stop that? And who are you? What are you doing with Miss Bell?" His voice seems rather loud over the crowd as he scolds Victor. "Sorry letter guy. Just a spur of the moment impulse." I stand between the two of them and look up at Mr. Letter. "He brought me back. I got lost and he helped me find my way, so ease off him will you." My voice is as stern as I can make it, as I put my hands on my hips. The letter turns away and lets out a frustrated gasp. With a shake of my head I turn towards Victor and smile up at him.
"Thank you for helping me. I owe you a big one." I smile at him, feeling my face flush again. "No problem. And letter, go easy on her. She is new and this is a whole new world to her. Well I gotta go. See you around Freya." With a final wink at me, he turns and leaves. A pain in my chest comes and I put my hands over my heart. What am I feeling? Why does it hurt?
"You dumb girl, come on. Stop lollygagging and get a move on. It's getting closer to dark and I need to deliver you to the academy." Mr. Letter says, sounding more annoyed than he did a moment ago. Is that even possible? Together we turn and head toward the school that lay in wait in the distance.
After trudging through the thick forest at the end of town, we came to the front of the campus of the school. To my surprise, there is multiple buildings, making the school even bigger than I anticipated. The walls are the color of champagne, with black accents to line the wall. Each tower I can see has a red flag blowing with the wind. The grass is the most pure green, and the trees are almost half as tall as the main building. Off on the side are more buildings that seem to glow in the now descending sun.
"Well child this is where I leave you." I turn to him in complete puzzlement. "What do you mean?"
"I have done my job and have delivered you to this wonderful school. Now it is your time to shine. Make me proud, don't get lost, and keep up with your studies. Now I must go. Goodbye." With a bigger puff of smoke, he is gone. But in my hands lays a map of the school. However, none of the buildings are named. Where is my dorm? Where is anything? "Ugh Mr. Letter!! How do I use this map??"
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