Auctioned off to a School for Magic

Chapter Seventeen: Hook up

I made a big mess while looking through my clothes trying to figure out what to wear tonight. “Dammit Jezebeth can you make me a dress?” It was Friday night and I cared way too much about looking good.

Jezebeth looked up from her studies. “You’re going to wear a dress? Where are you going anyway? I thought you’d be going researching with Alice again in the library?” I knew she’d assume that and I wanted to let her assume it. I didn’t want to lie to her so I had to tell her the truth. I was embarrassed to tell her where we were going because it seemed silly to me.

I shook my head even though I didn’t want Jezebeth to know what I was doing. “We’re going into the city tonight. I just want to wear a dress because I don’t wear them often.” I used telekinesis to pile up all my clothes next to me. I didn’t want to explain what we were doing in the city so I left that part our and hoped she would ask more questions.

Of course she still asked more questions. “If you’re going on a date with her you can tell me…” She muttered. “You don’t have to hide it, I won’t tell anyone.” The only person I wouldn’t want knowing was her not anyone else but we weren’t going on a date.

I started folding my clothes and putting them away. I needed to stop omitting details and just tell her the full truth. I’m not going on a date with her, she’s taking me out to see if I’m interested in anyone there.” I don’t know why I went along with the idea in the first place but it's probably because I liked Alice even though it wasn’t a date. Spending time with her at all was all I wanted at this point.

Jezebeth turned to me while at her desk. “Why do you keep letting people persuade you into something you don’t want? You’ve said plenty of times that you’re not interested in relationships.” That’s what I thought to but now that I can’t help but like Alice it’s different. I still knew it would be difficult to be with here so I just wanted to be her friend for as long as I can.

“This isn’t about relationships… it’s about hooking up.” I shrugged. “I just think I should try it before I say it’s something I don’t want.” I didn’t want to be having this conversation with her because I didn’t want her to see me as someone who was willing to hookup with strangers. I didn’t actually plan on hooking up with anyone.

Jezebeth turned back around. “Have fun.” I couldn’t tell what she was feeling and I didn’t want to use my empath psychic ability to feel it.

“Are you going to make me a dress?” I asked again trying to sound more sweet this time.

Jezebeth hesitated before answering. “I’m really busy… but okay.” She got up and started to summon the materials she needed.

Now I could tell how she was feeling by looking at her. She looked really sad and it was something I couldn’t just ignore. “Jeze, is something wrong?” I sat down in front of her.

Jezebeth shook her head. “...It’s stupid, don’t worry about it I’m fine.” I felt really selfish.

Once Jezebeth finished my dress she left the room. I put the dress on and it was nice. It was tight at my chest and waist then flowed down midcalf. I put my hair up into a ponytail with bangs out. I left to Alice’s room and knocked on the door.

Grace answered. “You look so cute Ruth. I wish I could go with you guys but I’m seeing Zander tonight.” They were dating now so it made sense she was spending a lot of time with him. I was glad she wasn’t coming along because I wanted one on one time with Alice.

“Nobody wants to hear about your s*x life Grace.” Alice joked and I saw her putting shoes on. Her short black straight hair was up in two pigtails and she had black glitter on her face. She looked gorgeous.

Grace chuckled. “I didn’t say anything about s*x, we haven’t even done that.” She blushed.

Alice walked past grace at the door and to me. “You look half decent, good.” It wasn’t the best compliment she could have given me but I’d be lying if I didn’t feel good from it.

We left to get our bracelets and when the front desk officer handed me mine he said. “Be careful tonight, the collective have been spotted in the area.” He warned.

I walked with Alice out of the line. “Who’s the collective?” I asked. I think I’ve heard of them before but never really knew who they were.

Alice opened the door for me. “They’re a group of dark magic users. I’m surprised you’ve never heard of them, the order hates them.” I cups assume there were a dangerous group if they were into dark magic.

I walked out the building and we headed towards the magic city. “Dark magic? I didn’t realize there were groups for that.” The only person I ever knew who used dark magic was Red’s best friend Violet but she doesn’t use it anymore so that it wouldn’t have negative affect on her soul as black magic can have on it the longer you use it.

Alice shrugged. “The collective are the most active but there have been past organizations for dark magic.” She explained. “They’re power hungry and thieves. They don’t have the same purpose as we do and aren’t backed by the gods the way we are.”

We walked into the city and Alice led me into a club for teens. “This is where I meet people.” She said over the music. It was crowded and there were people dancing on the dance floor and people sitting around in the lounge area chatting. I followed Alice into the lounge area and we sat down on a couch. “Do you see anyone you’re interested in?”

“Yes.” I said by mistake. “I mean no.” I looked around and no one interested me except Alice. “I don’t know…”

“You’re too in your head Ruth, relax.” She looked around. “Look watch me.” She stood up and walked to someone who was across the room. She introduced herself and I couldn’t hear too much more.

Then I saw them kiss and instead of inspiring me to talk to people it just made me jealous. I looked at my phone when I got a text from Zander that read, ‘I’m asking Grace now!’ He was referring to asking her if Alice liked me or not but I didn’t want to know. It was just confusing me more. Especially since I’m watching her make out with a random girl. I shouldn’t be here right now, I should be studying or working towards completing one of the million goals I’ve set for myself.

She walked back to me. “See, just go up to someone, introduce yourself and tell them you’re interested in them, nothing more.” She looked at my phone as I put it away. “Are you texting Jezebeth? Cause if you’d rather be alone in your room with her then I’d get it.”

I frowned. “Why do you keep assuming I like Jezebeth?”

Alice rolled her eyes. “You’re in denial about your own feelings for her. The way you talk to her, your body language, the way you look at her.” It almost sounded like she was pushing me to be with Jezebeth until I paid more attention to her tone.

I looked away. “You’re acting like you’re jealous. I don’t like Jezebeth and even if I did I wouldn't want to be with her because she’s my best friend.” How could I be with Jezebeth when she deserves someone so much better? I’d mess that up for sure.

“Prove it then.” Alice tempted me while leaning closer. “Maybe I am jealous Ruth.”

I looked at her and decided to prove it to her by kissing her. My first kiss at fifteen and it felt better than it should have. I couldn’t help myself then I thought if I would do the same thing if I was tempted by Jezebeth. The fact that I couldn’t come up with an answer for myself scared me. How could I not understand my own emotions and feelings?

I pulled away to stop making out with her. “Alice.” I whispered. “What’s the point of this?” My mission to stay her friend didn’t seem as possible anymore.

I could see the light in her eyes dim. “I told you I don’t hook up with other students at the school because it gets in the way of my studies. I kissed you anyways because we’re on the same track Ruth. Your studies are as important to you as mine are to me. We can grow together and become officers together, maybe even head officers.” I want to rule the world not The Order.

I shook my head and stood up. “Alice I don’t have the same path as you. I don’t want to be an officer, I don’t even plan on staying in the order past a year.” I admitted. Me and Jezebeth kept our plans to leave to ourselves till now. I needed to tell her because that’s better than her assuming I just didn’t want to be with her.

She looked confused. “You’re asking your guardian to pull you out? I don’t get it.” She stood up. “You have so much potential. You’ve stayed this long so you might as well stay.”

“No I’m not getting pulled out of school. Me and Jezebeth are going to run away from the order when we have the power to. Don't tell anyone or it can mess our entire plan up.” I trusted her. “I don’t want to be attached to any organization because we could do good on our own.” I knew Jezebeth could be mad at me for telling Alice this but I didn’t want to lead her on.

Alice frowned. “No one can leave the order like that. The order is ruthless and effluent. They’ll find you and bring you back or expel you but you know they’re not going to expel Jezebeth. When you give that idiotic plan up, then you know where to find me. Have fun with Jezebeth.”

I watched her leave then looked down at my phone at a text I got from Zander that read, ‘She said yes!’ Even though me and Alice like each other we’re not going in the same direction in life so it’d never work.

I called Jezebeth. “Can you meet me in the mage city?” I asked when she answered.

“Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can… I hope you’re okay.” She said then hung up.

I left the teen club and waited for Jezebeth on a bench. When she got there I felt so guilty even though I didn’t do anything wrong. “What happened? Where’s Alice?” She sat down next to me.

“She left.” I sighed. “I told her about our plan to leave and she said it was stupid. I don’t think we’re going to be hanging out much anymore. I don’t think she’s going to tell anyone so we don’t have to worry about that.” Jezebeth didn’t say anything but she did let me rest my head on her shoulder. “Are you mad at me for telling her?”

Jezebeth shook her head. “No… I just think from now on we should both just focus on magic. We can leave after the school games.” I think that was a great idea since my psychic powers were increasing.

I chuckled. “We can debut and then leave.” While we’re gone I don’t have to see Alice or think about how much my heart hurt. We finished our week of detention so it’s not like I’m going to have to see her one on one again. I won’t hear her telepathically anymore either. I don’t want to get close to another person while we’re here because I don’t want to end up liking someone and getting hurt again. “Do you like anyone Jeze?” I wanted to make sure I didn’t have to worry about running another friendship. Feelings ruined my friendship with Alice but if Jezebeth didn’t like me then I didn’t have to worry about it. If Alice didn’t want to be with me then me leaving wouldn’t have bothered her that much.

Jezebeth shook her head. “I don’t…” Not only was I relieved but my heart felt even heavier at the same time as if I was more hurt now. She stood up and pulled me up. “Let’s go home.”

I nodded and walked with her and when we got to the room I waited for her to fall asleep before I left to the student lounge to talk to Zander and Julie. No other students were there because everyone else was sound asleep. I told them everything. “You kissed Alice? Why??” Julie asked. “I thought you liked Jezebeth.” She said in an disappointed

“Jezebeth? When did she ever like Jezebeth?” Zander commented. “It’s clear she always liked Alice. The real question is why did she turn Alice down??” I didn’t tell them about me and Jezebeth planning to leave so that part was left out.

“None of those questions matter. I ruined my friendship with Alice and now I can’t sleep.” I groaned of frustration.

Julie hugged me. “Maybe you should move on from Alice, focus on your own plans for the future, not some girl.” I nodded. I didn’t see Alice as some girl but my plans with Jezebeth were more important to me. It’s the only thing that’s been important to me since we met four years ago. “You guys are right because I have so many other things going on that’s exactly why I didn’t want a girlfriend to begin with.” I just wanted to know how to deal with how hurt I was. I know I’m not the only one hurt. Alice is hurt too even if she didn’t want to admit it. Alice has strong emotions so it was hard not to know she was hurt.

They left and I sat around for a little while to think. I looked out the window into the hallway and saw Alice walking in her pajamas. I ran to her to see if she was in a trance and she was. I grabbed her arm and as soon as I did she snapped out of her trance. “Ruth, why-” She stopped when she realized what was happening. “Dammit.” she looked at me. “I’m still not talking to you.” She turned around.

“I know. If I find any useful information about our condition I’ll tell you.” I said as she walked away. I still wanted us to both be working for a solution to our condition even if we weren’t working so closely together anymore. At least I didn’t have to go through my first heartbreak alone, I had my friends and I had to accept that Alice was no longer my friend.