The Luna Academy

Chance Encounter

The only thing I got out of the tour and lunch is the food here is not half bad. After the meal was over, everyone swiftly left, leaving a flutter of excitement as people began preparing for tonight. I keep my head down as I leave the mess hall, not wanting to draw attention to myself.

I nearly get back to the dorm building I woke up in when I accidentally knock into something sturdy.

“Excuse you,” the woman’s voice sneers.

“Oh, pardon me. I didn’t seen you there,” I apologize, rubbing my nose before straightening out my skirt.

“Truly? Is this the excuse you have to offer?”

“I’m sorry?” I bite out, the words sharper than I intend.

I take a second to look at the person in front of me and barely recognize it’s the same person who sat across from me, thanks to her red-haired curls now freely displayed instead of under her jacket’s hood.

“Many people know who I am and wouldn’t dare try such an abrupt approach. Tsk, what is it that you have to say that necessitated such action?”

“I was lost in thought when I bumped into you, and for that I apologize,” I reply tightly. “I see now you must hold great importance, as your attitude leaves much to be desired. Now, Miss, if you’ll excuse me, I have to prepare for tonight.”

I push past her, but she darts ahead, blocking my path.

“This is highly unacceptable. What is your name, Miss?” the woman asks, standing with her hands on her hips, making her small stature seem slightly bigger and exposing a substantial number of bracelets on each wrist.

“Do you think I owe you an answer?”

She smirks, dropping her stance and shifting to a more serious one.

“I am Viola, the descendant of the immortal witch. I expect your answer,” she declares, her voice edged with authority, leaving no room for refusal.

My jaw clenches from either anger or annoyance, perhaps both, from her sense of entitlement. I just learned there is such a thing as an immortal witch from a statue and Elder Yona’s history. Either way, it doesn’t give her the right to demand answers from me as if having the same blood as a person who lived many years ago gives her some sort of importance.

Viola clears her throat as my silence grows longer. Instead of walking away and telling her to f**k off, I decide that someone with this much arrogance isn’t one I want to piss off if I want my life here to go unnoticed. I unclench my fist and let out a breath before I speak.

“Alyssa,” I answer. “I’ll be going now. Excuse me.”

“Wait,” Viola shouts.

I want to keep walking back to my room, but something inside me compels me to stop. I turn back to face Viola and notice her whole demeanor has changed.

“Who are you?” Viola questions, c*****g her head to the right as her eyes study me.

My heart quickens from her questions as panic begins to rise in me. I kept my head down so I wouldn’t get noticed, only to bump into a person who apparently doesn’t like to be unnoticed. If she truly is who she claims to be, I must be cautious in my response. The last thing I need is for her to go around asking people about me. I think back to what I told the gentleman earlier and add on to it.

“I’m a native from a remote northern village. Our numbers have dwindled, as many chose to settle in the border territories,” I reveal, hoping it will satisfy her curiosity.

“Then… you truly haven’t the faintest idea who I am?” Viola presses.

I nod, my eyes wide and slightly irritated by the woman’s rudeness. My thoughts start to spiral, trying to make sense of why she’s so crass, that is, until I notice the wide, almost unnatural smile spreading across her face, which sends a chill creeping up my spine.

Viola appears utterly lost in her own world now, pacing back and forth as she mutters words I can’t quite decipher from where I stand. The only sounds that accompany her ramblings are the soft clinks of her jewelry, chiming with each emphatic gesture she makes toward herself. I take it as my chance to quietly slip away, but right as I’m about to turn, her hands clamp down on my arms, spinning me back around to face her.

“It’s settled, then, Alyssa. From this day forth, will be the truest of friends,” Viola declares with stars in her eyes.

A laugh escapes my lips from the mere idea.

“Your kidding,” I blurt out flabbergasted.

“No. In fact, I have never been more certain of anything in all my life,” Viola assures as she squeezes my wrist tighter.

“Why?”

“Because you’re perfect. You haven’t the faintest idea who I am, nor what I’m capable of. And that… that means I have a chance to begin again, with someone unburdened by my past,” she announces with a grin.

Viola releases me from her grip and spins around in place as if she’s received the best gift in the world.

“What makes you think I’ll play along with this fantasy of yours? I have far more pressing matters to tend to, namely, myself,” I remark, stunned by her actions.

“Fantastic, I’ll help.”

“You’re positively absurd.”

I laugh Viola off and continue walking back to my dorm. It only takes me a few steps to notice she’s following behind me. At the exact moment I intend to scold her, a swarm of people come running toward us. I prepare to run from whatever must be chasing the horde, but instead of screams of horror, the area vibrates in cheers and excitement.

“Unless you’re fond of chaos, I’d suggest leaving now. Things are about to get wildly inconvenient,” Viola sighs before putting on a smile as she turns to face the incoming people.

I rush inside and close the door behind me, pressing my back against it as if I can keep the noise, the people, the entire world out. Through the small window, I catch a glimpse of the crowd as it swallows her whole. My body flinches away from the sight, but my eyes can’t help lingering on the blur of movement surrounding Viola. She must be someone important to draw all this attention. But if that’s true, what could she possibly want with me?

My hands tremble as I lift them into the light, searching for any sign, whether it’s a shimmer or a spark of what should already come naturally by now. But there is nothing, only pale, useless fingers. I focus harder until a sharp ache blooms behind my eyes, while my vision blurs with frustrated tears. A strangled breath escapes before I drop my arms, the weight of failure pressing down on my shoulders.

The ceremony is only hours away, and I still can’t summon a flicker of magic. The thought sinks its claws deep. What if the elders see through me? What’s going to happen when I stand there tonight, exposed and powerless, in front of everyone?

I move to the window again, intending to check on Viola, but the creak of the front door makes my heart stutter. Panic surges through me. I bolt up the stairs two at a time, slam my door, and slide down its surface until I hit the floor. My back sinks into the wood, forehead pressed against my knees as sobs wrack through me.

Eventually, the tears run dry, leaving only the dull ache of exhaustion and the golden hush of sunset spilling across the room. Then, something inside me hardens. The fear doesn’t vanish. Instead, it twists into something sharper. Adrenaline floods my veins, slicing through the haze of despair like a blade through silk.

Forget preparing for tonight’s demonstration. The ceremony itself will be my cover. When everyone’s eyes turn toward the stage, I’ll slip away unnoticed.