Auctioned off to a School for Magic

Chapter Seven: On to us

The advanced track for upperclassmen was so much smaller than the advanced track for underclassmen because a lot of students don’t stay advanced as they get older. Our upperclassmen advanced track was just one big class for each grade instead of several medium sized classes for each grade. We were still taught by several different officers and went to different classrooms but it was still just the same class of students. I loved having every class with my friends but that also meant having every class with Alice. I thought after last night Alice would have considered us friends but today in class she treated us the same as always, as if we were her rivals.

“Attention students.” We heard over the loudspeaker. “It has come to our attention that a few students thought it would be a good idea to tamper with the detection system.” My heart sank because I thought we had gotten away with it, we all did but apparently our plan wasn’t full proof. “We are opening an investigation on the matter. The level this student or students had to be at to tamper with the system this much would have to be an upperclassmen so we’re starting our investigation with seniors and the advanced tracks. Consequences could result in expulsion.” They’d never expel a student who’s that skilled, there was no way.

We were all staring at Alice from behind and I noticed Grace trying to comfort her by putting her hand on her back but Alice pushed it away. I couldn’t imagine how she felt especially since her own father is a head officer here. 

After class I caught up to Alice in the halls, she wasn’t even with Grace. “I'm sorry ab-”

“Ruth, I don’t need your pity, I’m going to handle this myself. I thought I replaced the systems history with a fabricated one so they wouldn’t see a period of time of it being disabled but I didn’t do it right. It’s not like anyone else could have done it better.” She was referring to Jezebeth. “Don’t worry I’m not going to sell you guys out, just leave me alone.”

I frowned. “But I’m not worried about us going down with you, I’m worried about you. You don’t have to try to fix this alone and I’m sure you don’t want to.”

Alice scoffed. “Leave me alone Ruth, just because you’re a psychic doesn’t mean you have some great insight on me.” Actually that’s exactly what it meant. I don’t read people’s thoughts because that’s an invasion of privacy. I can control that but I can’t control reading people, that’s something I do naturally. Alice wasn’t a bad person, she had a big ego but she’s good at her core.

I watched her walk off and I saw Jezebeth walk up beside me. “What is she going to do?”

I shrugged. “I’m not really sure.” I turned to her. “I’m exhausted and it’s only still morning.” I whined and laid my head on Jezebeth’s shoulder.

“Did anything happen with you and Zander last night?” She asked.

I raised my head. “Oh yeah. He wants to go on a date so I accepted cause I guess I don’t mind. Don’t worry though I’m not going to let anything get in the way of our goal.” I said proudly. “I guess I want to at least give him a chance, that way we can both be sure that it won’t work out or maybe it would.” I wanted to keep an open mind because if I believe it won't work out before even going on the date then it won't.

Jezebeth nodded. “Just be sure okay?” She smiled sadly. “When is the date…?”

“We’re not sure, he wants to do this illusion spell in his room while his roommate is gone. The spell would make it seem like we’re some place but girls aren’t even allowed on the boys floor.” Last night we were able to sneak Zander into our room but that was late so there were less officers in the hall. We can't go on our date too late because I don’t want to inconvenience his roommate. 

We went to the library to study for a while. “Jezebeth, Ruth, Zander, Grace and Julie report to the student services office.” In other words… we were busted. 

We got up and left the library to head to the office and met with Julie on the way. When we walked into the office we got sent to the back room where everyone else already was. “Take a seat.” Officer Sal said and we did. I noticed Alice was there too and she wasn’t making eye contact with anyone. “You can guess why you’re here. Alice came here to confess but we knew she didn’t do it alone so we used a truth spell.” It shocked me that they’d use a truth spell on their own student. “Usually we wouldn't but we got permission from her father because this is a serious matter. You were all involved in compromising our system and security to sneak out last night correct?”

We all nodded in agreement because there was no point in lying. “We just wanted to have some fun, we’re teenagers being locked up at school all the time and that couldn’t be healthy for any of us.” I argued.

“We understand and I already alerted the head officers. Natalie suggested we change the limitations on leaving but you still need to be punished for what you did.” Officer Natalie actually cared about the students here. “You’ll have detention for a week since it’s all your first offenses. You’re talented students don’t let anything get in the way of it.” He warned. “You're dismissed.”

We got off a lot easier than I thought but we are some of the best students in our grade so that had to have something to do with it. We left and Zander walked to my side. “Ruth, since they’ll be allowing us to leave we should have our date in a nearby village or city.” He suggested.

 “That sounds nice.” I said then watched him leave.

Julie gasped. “You guys are going on a date?” She was making it a much bigger deal than it was. 

“Yeah, we are but it’s not a big deal.” I chuckled and felt Jezebeth lock her arm in mine. “Julie you specialize in potions and elixirs right?”

Julie nodded. “Yeah why?”

“Well.” I whispered as we walked down the halls and no one was around us. “Are there any that can make you resistant to truth spells?” 

Julie raised her eyebrows. “Well yeah but why would you want that? They can only use those spells on you if they have parents permission.” 

“Just teach me please? Just in case.” I asked.

Julie nodded. “Okay Ruth, I can send you the ingredients and any information you’ll need. It’s an advanced spell though, even for us.”

A lot of the officers here have good energy but some of them are just as corrupt at the last head officers who lead the order. I don’t think they’d care about parent permission and me and Jezebeth have to be prepared for anything.