Auctioned off to a School for Magic

Chapter Four: Ahead of the Curve

Jezebeth’s POV

“Jezebeth, we called you in to talk about your future.” Officer Natalie said. The seven heads of The Order called me up to their office on the top floor. No student ever gets called up here except the upper class seniors but I’m just an upper class freshman. “You're the best student in your grade and one of the best in the entire school.” It wasn’t something I aspired to be. Magic is all I’ve ever known and all I was ever taught at such a young age. 

I came forward in my chair. “I decline.”

“We haven’t offered you anything yet.” Natalie had a bit of worry in her tone.

I looked down at the table. “Anything you have to offer… I’m not interested.”

“We want you to skip grades so you can be more challenged." One of the officers offered. "We think you could become our greatest officer.”

“I decline.” I repeated.

I looked up and another officer looked upset with me. “You don’t have a choice Jezebeth.” Officer Winer said, I think he wanted me to reach my potential more than any other officer.

I pushed on the table and stood up out of my chair. “I might not have a choice but if I am skipped then my learning might drastically suffer. I won’t be able to keep up and I will fall behind. I can personally guarantee that.” I threatened the only thing I could which was my performance and effort. The only reason I tried so hard was for Ruth, so she could see that I took our plan to take over the world seriously… If I get put ahead it ruins everything she wants for us. We’re finally in the same classes now that she’s on the advanced track so I’m not going to leave her. 

“Think about it Jezebeth.” Natalie said.

Officer Winer nodded. “Your mother would have wanted it.” I cringed at those words as I left. My mother dropped me off with the order when I was only five. I don’t know if she’s dead or alive and I want to say I don’t care but I do. 

Classes were still going on, they had just pulled me out of mine to talk. I went to the potions lab’s door where our class was and peaked in. I saw Ruth and Zander laughing and mixing potions together. Ruth was my lab partner but I guess she needed help while I was gone. Everyone tells me I’m the best in my grade at magic but it seems like Zander could help Ruth learn better than I can.

I walked in and to them. Zander moved out of my seat to go back to his next to Julie and I sat down. “Jeze, you’re back.” Ruth smiled and honestly her smiles makes me die a little inside every time I see it. She has a kindness I’ve never seen before.

Julie leaned close to us. “Were you really called in by the head officers? What did they say?”

I could tell Alice overheard us since she was only sitting at the table in front of us with Grace. As I assumed she would she turned around. “I see the head officers all the time.” Ruth scoffed but didn't say anything, I think Alice got under her skin the most. 

“Yeah because your father is Officer Winer.” Julie pointed out. “You’ve never gotten called to their office like Jezebeth.” It wasn’t something I wanted to brag about or have anyone else brag about for me. Alice didn't bother me, if she wanted to pretend like she was better than us, get our validation or admiration that wasn’t my problem.

Alice adjusted herself with a blank expression and just turned back around. Grace turned around to us. “Don’t worry about her, she means well. Are you guys going into the nearby village tomorrow night? They’re having a festival.”

Ruth gasped. “That sounds fun.” She nudged me. “Right Jeze?” It did sound fun to go to a festival with Ruth but we weren’t allowed to go into villages or cities alone. 

“Is an officer escorting us?” I asked at a low volume. ”If not then I’ll pass.”

Alice turned around again. “Jeez Jezebeth you’re so clueless, the officers don’t have to know. I’m going to be using magic so they’ll never know.” Alice was an impressive mage, everyone in the advanced track was but I don’t think she’d be able to pull it off. The order were strict and made sure we couldn't sneakout. “Are you coming Ruth?”

Ruth refused to look at me. “Yeah, we shouldn't have to be prisoners here. Count me in.” 

“We’ll go too.” Zander said, referring to him and Julie. Now I was bothered but I don’t want to let that make me act out of character. So what if Zander is going? Ruth already turned him down so it’s not like by the end of the night I’m going to have lost my best friend or anything.

The bell rang and we all left. “The officers want to check in with all of us who went to the lake in a few days.” Ruth said. “Do you think you have psychic powers after the moon bath?” She joked.

I chuckled. “No, no I don’t but someone could.”

“Like Alice? I guess I’m going to have to be jealous like she said.” She laughed. “You know I still hear those voices at night.”

“The whispers…?” I asked.

Ruth nodded. “Just don’t say anything, I told Julie it was all in my head. I don’t want it to be a thing.” I was worried about her but I won’t tell anyone if she doesn’t want me to. “I have to go return this spell book, I’ll see you in the room okay?”

I nodded and watched her leave. I walked around the corner but stopped when I saw Zander and Julie sitting on the bench. I walked to them when I realized they were talking about Ruth. ”Hey…”

Zander smiled when he saw me. “Jezebeth, perfect timing.” I didn’t like the sound of that. “You’re Ruth’s best friend, you got to help me out but you can’t say anything.”

I frowned. “Okay.”

“Tomorrow night, I’m going to try to ask Ruth out again but just on a date. I just want her to give me a chance. I’m going to try to spend as much time with her as possible at the festival. Could you just kind of talk me up until then?” He asked with his hands together pleading. “Are you coming to the festival?”

“Actually… I am coming.” I changed my mind because I had to do whatever I could to stop the girl I liked from ending up being swept away by someone else.