Loved By Witches

Chapter 5: Shattered.

The air in the hallway felt heavy and Sophia stood frozen, she just couldn't move an inch anymore when she already caught the attention from the couple.

Hart is supposed to be my Soul Lover. She thought bitterly. She could swear that the soul tether she felt was real. I felt it, it's not a mistake. But there he was, with another girl, the very girl who had made Sophia’s first day a living hell.

Hart and Star pulled apart. Hart’s face flushed and he was embarrassed. But Star, however, looked as though she had just won a trophy.

"Sophia?" Hart stammered. He tried to button up his shirt with trembling hands. "What are you doing here?"

Before Sophia could even draw breath to speak, Star stepped closer. "Hey, little dirty rat," she spat. "What exactly led you to this side of the dormitory? Poor people like you should be in their lumpy beds by now, shouldn't they?"

Sophia’s throat felt dry. She looked at Hart and wished for him to defend her at least. But he just looked at the floor.

"Oh, wait. Are you shocked? Did you actually think a guy like Hart would look at some dirt like you?" Star laughed out loud.

Sophia swallowed deep at the mockery. She still couldn't move and her eyes became watery. How could I have run into the hands of this bully again? She blamed herself.

Star continued. "And just so we’re clear, I am dating the most handsome boy in this school. Everyone knows we’re together and that he belongs to me."

"I... I wasn't—" Sophia stuttered and swallowed deep as words died right in her throat.

Hart cleared his throat and tried to say something but Star walked right up to Sophia, her expensive perfume was suffocating. She leaned a few inches away. "What happened, Sophia? Did something cut your tongue?"

Star didn't wait for an answer. She reached back and grabbed Hart’s hand firmly and they walked away. "Let's go, Babe. The air is getting stale over here."

Immediately that left, Sophia ran to her room. She slammed the door shut and leaned her back against it, she was panting and gasping for air.

"Whoa! Ghost attack?" It was her roommate. She didn't expect anyone to back into the room yet.

Sophia jumped and was frightened, she hadn't recovered from the shock she had a few minutes ago. Not again?

Sitting on the edge of the opposite bed was a girl with bright eyes and short brown curly hair. It was her second roommate, the one she hadn't officially met yet.

"I’m Anabella," the girl said with a grin, stood up from her bed and walked towards Sophia.

“I'm Sophia." She managed to say her name.

Anabella moved even closer and leaned for a hug. "I heard I was getting a roommate, but I didn't know she was going to be this pretty. Seriously, with that hair? Don't worry, you’re in the Princess Zone now and you’re safe here."

Sophia stood like a tree. Then Anabella paused and asked with concern. "But seriously, did you see a ghost? You look like you’re about to faint."

Sophia slid down the door until she was sitting on the floor. "I just... I saw people in the corner of the hallway. They were kissing."

Anabella’s eyebrows shot up, then she laughed. "Let me guess. Hart and Star?"

Sophia looked up, surprised at such a right guess. "How did you know?"

"That's not new." Anabella rolled her eyes. "They’re the cutest couple in school. No one even bothers looking at Hart because Star has basically marked her territory. He’s the richest, most handsome guy here and of course she’s not letting go."

"Are they official?" Sophia asked with a soft voice.

"Official? They've been dating since sophomore year and everyone knows it. If you’re looking for a crush, honey, pick someone less claimed."

Sophia didn't respond. The "soul tether" she had felt now seemed like a cruel joke played by her own magic.

“I am glad my roommates are all beautiful." Anabella teased.

She stood up silently and walked to her corner of the room, beginning to pull her remaining clothes from her suitcase and shoving them into her locker.

“Have you met with Nelly yet? She's also our roommate." She added.

Sophia barely gave a response, so she nodded. She was focused on arranging a few things before she could get some rest.

Anabella watched but felt she could engage more conversations. "Hey, did you hear about the guy who fell?" She started again, clearly wanting to gossip. "I heard he fell from the staircase and broke his arms and —”

"I’m really tired, Anabella," Sophia interrupted. "It's been a very long day and I just want to settle in and sleep."

Anabella took the hint, though she sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine." She went to her corner and quietly laid on her bed till she fell asleep.

Sophia turned on her bed looking for sleep, but the image of Star in Hart's arms was still on her mind like a film reel. She eventually fell asleep

By the time Nelly was back in the room, everyone was asleep so she silently walked and went straight to bed.

The day was over and the room became dark. Hours passed and everywhere was quiet until a loud sound woke her.

She sat up with her heart racing. The numbers in the clock radiate a little light in the dark room. She looked up on it to check what time it was, 12:25am?

Sophia glanced at Anabella’s bed, she was snoring softly, and Nelly was also deep asleep.

She looked out through the window, the moon was almost covered by thick clouds, but she could see a shadow moving outside.

Then the sound came again, this time, it was terrifying. Sophia got up from her bed, her bare feet felt cold on the floor. She approached the window, her hand trembling as she reached for the latch.

Her eyes widened, she gasped. What in the heavens!