Auctioned off to a School for Magic

Chapter Three: Lake Under A Full Moon

Four years later

I stared at Zander awkwardly and looked around so I wouldn’t have to look directly at him. “Sorry I’m just not interested in you in that way.” I was surprised by his confession of love to me and I don’t feel the same way but f**k I didn’t want to hurt him. He’s one of my best friends and he’s helped my magic come such a long way. I’m still not as good at Jezebeth and Julie but I am be above average now when I was below average before. 

He stood there in front of me under the light of a full moon. We were on an optional field trip with the officers to a lake. This was said to be a lake that has given a lot of people psychic abilities under a full moon. My mother got her abilities after soaking in a lake under the full moon but not this one and it wasn't intentional. She soaked in a lake in the human realm. If you ask me I don’t think it has to be a specific lake. “Oh… but I thought you were getting closer. Even when we were kids I thought…” Thinking can be pretty dangerous.

“Don’t worry about it Zander, this isn’t the first time someone misread my kindness. I don’t really like anyone so don’t take it personally.” How could I focus on crushes when me and Jezebeth are still trying to bust out of this place?

A lot has changed in the order since we first came here four years ago. They’re not as corrupt and they let a lot of kids go back with their families. Unfortunately not a lot of families wanted their kids back. They didn’t give me back to my father because they paid money for my attendance. Honestly it’s more than that, my father isn’t willing to give the money back. He sold me to the order and he wasn’t planning on taking returns but it’s not like they wanted to return me. They love having one more human psychic since they only had two.

I could have been released to Red and she could have been my guardian provided she give them what they paid for me. She was willing and even I was two years ago but I didn’t want to leave Jezebeth. The order refused to release Jezebeth into Red’s custody because Red wasn’t her family. Jezebeth’s father was told she could be released to him but he denied. She hasn’t even spoken with him in five years. So the plan to become stronger than the officers and break out are still in place. 

I think the real reason the Order won’t release Jezebeth into Red’s custody because she’s one of the strongest students here and they want her to become an officer. 

Summers were perfect, during those times we were able to leave and we spent time in the castle with Red. The order didn't have a problem releasing Jezebeth to Red for summer vacation so at least they had a little heart. Some summers we had to skip out on because I had to get ahead with my studies.

I got into the advanced classes this year and so did Zander so now all four of us were together. Jezebeth and Julie have pretty much always been on the advanced track. Julie only for the last two years completely. 

“Did I just completely ruin our friendship…?” Zander asked bashfully. 

I shook my head. “We’re good.” I didn't think this had to change too much.

He looked relieved. “And what if I keep liking you? Would that ruin our friendship?”

I chuckled nervously and punched him in his shoulder playfully. “Do whatever you want, just know I’m not plagued with feelings for anyone and I won’t be any time soon.” I stuck my tongue out at him which made him chuckle.

“Ruth why are you always distracted and away from the class activities?” The officer leading the field trip said when she found us behind a tree. “Come on we know you already have psychic abilities but Zander doesn’t and you still need to participate.”

“Wait why am I the one always getting blamed when he’s the one who wanted to ask me something.” I pouted.

Zander laughed. “Come on Ruth.” I followed him and the officer back to the group.

 Everyone started to soak in the lake. “I’m good…” I mumbled. They really thought this would give the students psychic abilities. I think the moon goddess who grants psychic abilities chooses who she deems worthy. It can’t just be anyone.

“Looks like Ruth is jealous she won’t be the only one around here with psychic abilities.” Alice laughed.

I rolled my eyes and looked at Jezebeth who was going back and forth splashing Julie. She swam over to me took her long purple hair out of the two pigtails she had in place. She looked beautiful with her hair down but she looked just as good with it up too. “Hold these…” She held out the ponytail holders. When I went to grab them she pulled me in and at that point we were both laughing and splashing each other then Julie joined in.

“Girls.” The officer said. “Girls! I didn’t bring you here for fun. You’re fifteen now, upper classmen and I expect you to act like it.” We stopped but kept laughing anyways and I could just feel Alice’s glare on us. Ever since we traded roommates Alice held a grudge against us but now she’s come up with more reasons than that to hate us. She ended up being best friends with Grace so it’s not like we stuck her with some weird kid she didn’t like.

We spam away from the class. “What were you and Zander doing behind those trees?” Julie asked me and giggled.

Jezebeth's entire mood changed from hearing Julie ask that question. “Why did they have to be doing anything? Th-they could have just been talking.” I don't think Jezebeth has ever liked Zander very much but I didn't understand why.

I shrugged. “I guess just talking, he said he’s liked me since we were kids and wanted to know if I felt the same way.” I whispered.

Julie gasped. “So are you guys dating now?” The officers tried hard to make sure upperclassmen didn’t date within the order but it was almost impossible to stop. A lot of teens here are dating and doing other stuff.

I shook my head. “I had to tell him I don’t like him.”

“You’ve never really liked anyone huh? This is what the third guy you’ve turned down in a year?” Julie said.

I sighed. “Yeah but we’re still really young, I don’t see why it matters. Aren’t all of our first priorities magic?” I looked at Jezebeth. “What do you think?”

Jezebeth blushed. “I don’t want to have this conversation…”

“Because she knows how silly it is.” Julie claimed. "We’re teenagers Ruth, fifteen all three of us. I’ve liked or at least had crushes on tons of guys here. Jezebeth probably has too.“ 

I looked at Jezebeth with a raised eyebrow. “Are you confirming this?” I asked her but she just held her breath and pulled herself under the water. 

“See she’s so embarrassed about it which shows I’m right.” Julie shrugged.

The officer told us we we're done so I pulled Jezebeth up and we got out of the water. The officer dried us all off with a water spell. She pulled all the water off of us and placed it back into the lake. “Students. The semester has just started but I think you should be thinking about your final projects.” Final projects were what all upperclassmen had. At the end of each school year as an upperclassmen we showed off what we learned through a final project. When we graduate these are what the officers look at to see who they’d be inviting to be an officer.

“Let’s all do something together.” I suggested.

Julie shook her head. “I’m going to have to decline. It’s better if you do them alone because if you don’t they can’t tell who did what and who deserves to be officer.” Julie’s mom was an officer so this was something she wanted really badly.

“I don’t care about being an officer, I’ll do it with you Ruth.” Jezebeth answered.

I smiled. “Great maybe Zander will do with us.” For me it wasn’t about standing out so I could be an officer. It was about intimation, I wanted to show what we could all do together because when we break out it’s gonna be a team effort.

Jezebeth frowned. “I think it should just be us two. I know how you think Rue and it’s not like Zander is gonna be breaking out with us so it should just be an us thing.”

I was listening to her but she wasn’t the only voice that had my attention. “Do you guys hear that?” I kept hearing whispers but I wasn’t sure what the origin was.

They looked at me confused, neither of them could hear the whispers but I knew they were there... calling me.