Moonlit Academy

Seven

Stella Lockheed

Willow's expression shifted from concern to skepticism. "Are you sure? Maybe you just had a bad dream."

"No, I saw him! He was standing right there by the window," I insisted, my voice trembling. "I don't know how he got in or what he wanted, but he was there."

Willow glanced around the room, her eyes darting from corner to corner. "I don't see anyone, Stella. Are you sure you aren't imagining things?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I know what I saw, Willow. It wasn't just a dream or my imagination. He was real, and he was watching me."

Willow's skepticism softened, and she came over to sit beside me on the bed. "Okay, then let's figure this out together. Describe what he looked like."

"He was tall, with dark hair and piercing eyes," I recalled, trying to bring a clear image of the shadowy figure back to my mind. "I couldn't see his face clearly, but there was something unsettling about him."

"Did he say anything?" Willow asked, her brows furrowing with concern.

"No, he didn't say a word. He just stood there, staring at me," I replied, shuddering at the memory.

Willow reached for my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "We'll make sure you're safe, Stella. Maybe it was just someone passing by outside, and the lighting played tricks on your eyes."

I wanted to believe her explanation, but deep down, I knew this was different.

"Alright, let me just..." Willow's words trailed as she went to her drawer.

I sat there as Willow reached for her wand and chanted something under her breath. Suddenly, iridescent lights poured into the dorm, illuminating the space with a soft, magical glow. I stared in awe, unsure of what was happening.

"What is this?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Willow smiled. "It's a protection charm," she explained. "It's not super powerful or anything, but it should be enough to keep nasty things out."

Gratitude washed over me as I realized she was trying to make me feel safe. Yet, a twinge of envy tugged at my heart. I wished I could wield magic like she did, to have the power to protect myself. But I was just an ordinary girl with no magical abilities.

Willow closed the window and got back into bed, telling me to try and get some sleep. "I won't turn the lights off," she said, sensing my fear. "You're not alone, Stella."

I nodded, still trembling from the encounter with the shadowed figure. "Thank you, Willow," I whispered.

She smiled warmly. "Anytime, my friend."

Friend, the word reverberated inside my skull, I wanted to let it sink in, but I had more pressing matters at hand. As I lay in bed, trying to calm my racing thoughts, I listened to the soft hum of the protection charm. Willow was right; it might not be the strongest magic, but it brought me comfort nonetheless.

Closing my eyes, I focused on Willow's words, pushing away the memories of the mysterious man. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, and allowed the gentle glow of the protection charm to soothe my anxieties.

Though the memory of the shadowed figure still lingered, in time, sleep finally found me.

~ o 0 o ~

I grumbled and pulled the blanket over my head as the sunlight streamed into the room. "Go away, Willow," I muttered, my voice muffled by the fabric. "Mornings are the worst."

But Willow, with her eternal enthusiasm, wasn't deterred by my grumpiness. She yanked the blanket off me, exposing me to the annoyingly bright morning light. "Come on, Stella! Rise and shine! It's a brand new day full of possibilities!"

I groaned, rubbing my eyes with annoyance. "Yeah, possibilities for things to go wrong," I muttered under my breath.

Ignoring my remark, Willow continued, "You won't believe the dream I had last night! I was soaring through the clouds on a rainbow unicorn, and we were singing songs about friendship!"

I rolled my eyes. Of course, it had to be a dream about friendship. That was so Willow. She was always going on about connecting with people and making friends, but I just didn't see the appeal. Friends only brought trouble and drama, and I wanted none of it.

Are you sure about that, Stella?

While Willow chattered on about her dream, I finally dragged myself out of bed and went through my morning routine, still trying to shake off the lingering unease from last night's encounter with the mysterious figure. As I got dressed in my uniform, I couldn't help but think about how weird it all was. Maybe Willow was right, and it was just a dream. Besides, she didn't look to be bothered by it anymore, as she hadn't mentioned it again when I woke up. I pushed the unsettling thoughts away, not wanting to dwell on them any longer.

When I emerged from the bathroom, dressed and ready for the day, I found Willow standing there with her usual over-the-top accessories. Her red and pink backpack screamed for attention, and she was adorned with colorful bracelets, necklaces, and rings that made her look like a walking advertisement for a kids' toy store. Honestly, she looked like a Bratz doll come to life.

"Have you checked your schedule?" Willow asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

I realized then that I hadn't bothered to check it. "No, I haven't," I replied, my voice still laced with irritation.

Without warning, Willow snatched my schedule from my hands, and I instinctively pulled away from her invasion of my personal space. But she was unfazed, holding a finger to my face to shush me while she read through my classes.

As she skimmed through the list, I glared at her, but she seemed too engrossed in the schedule to notice. Finally, she returned my schedule to me with a frown. "Too bad we don't have the same classes today," she remarked, sounding genuinely disappointed.

I couldn't care less about having the same classes as Willow. In fact, I preferred it that way. It meant less time spent with her incessant cheerfulness and boundless energy. But I didn't bother to voice my thoughts. Instead, I just shrugged and said, "Whatever."

Willow's frown quickly turned into a smile, and she clapped her hands together. "Well, it's a shame, but we'll still see each other during breaks, right? Lunchtime is the best time to catch up!"

I resisted the urge to groan. Lunchtime was when I usually found a quiet spot away from everyone else, not the time to "catch up" with someone. But Willow was persistent in her pursuit of friendship, and I knew she wouldn't give up that easily.

"Yeah, sure, whatever," I mumbled, trying to hide my annoyance.

Willow beamed, seemingly oblivious to my lack of enthusiasm. "Great! It's a date then! See you at lunch!"

As Willow skipped off, humming a cheerful tune, I couldn't help but wonder if I'd ever understand her and her obsession with making connections. For now, I'd just have to endure her bubbly nature and pretend to be interested in her never-ending stories about friendship. But deep down, I knew that no matter how hard she tried, she'd never break through my walls. I was content with being a grumpy, distant teenager with no desire for connections or friendship. That was just who I was, and I had no intention of changing.

~ o 0 o ~

"I am hopelessly lost," I grumbled under my breath, my irritation growing as I aimlessly wandered through the labyrinthine hallways of Moonlit Academy. The school grounds were vast and bustling with students, each displaying unique abilities that made them stand out in a sea of supernatural beings. It was overwhelming. And totally effing annoying.

I tried to navigate my way, clutching my schedule in hand, but the buildings seemed to shift and change places, mocking my attempts to find the right classroom. It was as if the school itself was conspiring against me.

Avoiding eye contact with the other pupils, I desperately wished I could blend in and be invisible. Their stares felt like probing needles, pricking at my nerves and making me wish I could disappear. Every now and then, I caught whispers about the new girl, and I hated the attention.

In the back of my mind, I feared that Lenard might suddenly materialize out of thin air and attack me with his sharp claws. Or that Adrian, the brooding vampire, would walk right through me as if I were a ghostly apparition. Ugh. Stop thinking about them, will you, Stella?

I let out a dragging exhale. The hallways were chaotic, with students rushing past me like water in a fast-flowing river. I stumbled and bumped into others, feeling like a clumsy intruder in this realm of supernatural grace.

Regret gnawed at me. Why had I let my parents send me to this hellhole? I felt like an imposter, a tiny dot among those with incredible abilities.

The whispers and curious glances from the supernatural students only intensified my discomfort. I could almost hear them questioning why I was even here, what right did I have to be in their realm. I knew it was just my anxiety talking as there was no way for them to know what I really was. If they did, I was sure I'd be eaten alive in no time.

Frustration building, I continued my desperate search for the classroom. That's when I noticed a map of the school hanging on the wall. Maybe it could guide me, I thought hopefully. Crossing the hallway to the bulletin board, I squinted at the confusing map, but it might as well have been written in hieroglyphs. Nothing made sense, and I let out an exasperated sigh. Useless effing map.

Turning around hastily, eager to escape the judging gazes, I bumped into something solid, and a sharp pain shot through me. "Ouch!" I exclaimed, falling on my butt, my belongings scattering around me. Laughter echoed in the corridor, but I paid the onlookers no mind, my annoyance reaching its peak.

As I glared up, ready to unleash my irritation on whoever was responsible for my mishap, my anger faltered. Before me stood a tall man with skin as dark as chocolate, his youthful features highlighted by a captivating smile. His teeth gleamed white against his rich complexion, and his eyes... oh, his eyes! They seemed to dance with an ever-changing play of colors, shifting from blue to green and something in between. It was mesmerizing, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else around me.

My voice caught in my throat as I stared at him, my grumpy demeanor momentarily forgotten. He had an air of tranquility and kindness that was unexpected and intriguing. It was hard to ignore the warmth emanating from his presence, and my heart rate slowed, almost as if his calmness was contagious. "Caspian..." I mumbled.

His bright smile intensified, its brilliance akin to sunlight striking the waters, the reflection mesmerizing to behold. "You remembered my name," he said. "Sorry for the collision. Here, let me help you up."

Embarrassment flushed my cheeks, and I awkwardly tried to pick up my scattered belongings. Stubborn as always, I refused his hand and insisted, "I can stand up myself." I quickly tried to tidy myself up, but I still felt flustered.

"Are you alright?" he asked in a voice so beautiful I could have sworn that he was a siren wanting to lure me into the depths of the ocean.

Nope. Not happening. Snatching my things from Caspian's hands, I huffed at him, "Next time, look where you are going!"

I turned to walk away, intending to find my own way to class, but the nagging feeling of being lost gnawed at me. As I moved a couple of feet away from him, Caspian's voice called out, "You're going the wrong way, Stella. Potions class is across the school grounds."

I stopped in my tracks, realizing my mistake, and frustration mingled with embarrassment. Really? Just my luck.

Amusement danced in Caspian's voice as he announced, "I can accompany you there."

Trying to gather myself, I turned around and asked, "How did you know I was looking for that?" My curiosity got the better of me as I tried to understand his motives.

Caspian smiled, raising a piece of paper in his hand. My schedule! He then said, "Well, we're classmates, it seems," nodding towards the shared timetable. "Come on, Stella. We're going to be late."