The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over Thornwood Academy's garden, where Raena, Aurora, and Vladimir sat together, enjoying a rare moment of calm. The soft rustling of leaves and the distant chatter of other students created a peaceful backdrop as they unwrapped their sandwiches, each lost in their thoughts.
Raena glanced at the towering trees surrounding them, their leaves swaying gently in the breeze. The garden had become a refuge for her, a place where she could momentarily escape the weight of her responsibilities. She looked at her friends and smiled.
"Is it just me, or did that potion-making class feel like it lasted an eternity?" Raena asked, breaking the silence with a small laugh as she took a bite of her sandwich.
Aurora nodded, her voice gentle but with a hint of playfulness. "It did drag on..." she agreed, her delicate fingers picking at the crust of her bread.
