Ariella’s awakening

Teachers and roommates

*Ariella*

I step through the towering oak doors, my heart pounding in my chest. . The grand entrance hall before me feels like stepping into another world… a world where the air itself is imbued with an energy I can't quite explain.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the opulence of the hall, with its soaring ceilings and ancient statues, when a woman approaches. Her appearance is striking, with an aura of power that seems almost palpable, making me wonder if She is more than she seems.

"Ariella Vale, welcome," she says, her voice carrying a weight that demands attention. “I am Seraphina Blake, teacher, mentor and witch extraordinaire."

I blink, confusion setting in. "I'm sorry, witch? Did you call yourself a witch?"

Seraphina smiles, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Oh, I very much did, dear. You have been chosen to come here because you possess a rare gift. This is a sanctuary for those touched by the magical realm, a place where beings of all kinds come to master their abilities."

My heart skips a beat. Magic? Beings of all kinds? I shake my head, “Sorry but I think there has been a mistake, I am just human.”

“We do not make mistakes, Ariella.” She says, winking at me.

The reality of my situation begins to dawn on me, a mix of fear and exhilaration coursing through my veins. I have always known I was different, but to think it might be magic...

"Come, let me show you to your room," Seraphina says, turning on her heel. I follow, my mind racing with questions. As we ascend the staircase, the portraits on the walls seem to watch us, and I can't shake off the feeling that they're more than just paintings.

We stop in front of a door on the third floor. "You will be sharing your room with Thalia Maplebloom. She's a very sweet girl and she will be happy to,tell,you everything you need to know. I believe you two will get along well."

Before I can respond, the door swings open to reveal a sunlit room, larger than any I have ever called mine. The decor is a blend of old-world charm and modern comfort, with two beds separated by a nightstand.

And there standing by the window is a young woman. She turns, a smile blooming on her face, and in that moment, I feel a sense of kinship. But it is also clear to me instantly that she is not human, her eyes are almost luminescent green, and so is her hair, her features are elfin.

"Hi, I'm Thalia," she says, her voice warm and welcoming. "I guess we're roommates."

"I'm Ariella," I reply, my earlier apprehension melting away. "And yes apparently we are."

As Seraphina leaves us with a reminder of dinner at seven, I realize that this is the beginning of something extraordinary. A place where I might finally belong, and where I might actually have friends.

“It’s a nice room,” I say, walking over to the bed that is clearly not in use.

“The school has great facilities,” Thalia say. “It’s actually gonna be nice to have someone to share it with.”

I place my bag gently on the soft, quilted bedspread, taking in the room's intricate details and the sunlight that dances across the floor. It feels surreal, being here, in a place that whispers of magic and mystery in every corner.

Thalia watches me for a moment, her head slightly tilted, curiosity shimmering in her vibrant, green eyes. "So, Ariella," she begins, her voice laced with a mix of excitement and genuine interest. "What are you?"

I pause, my hands stilling on the zipper of my bag. "What do you mean?" I ask, puzzled by her question. It's not one I was expecting, not here, not now.

She smiles, a gentle, understanding smile,. “I mean what race you are, of course. I'm a Dryad," she explains, her eyes glinting with a hint of pride and a touch of something magical, something otherworldly.

I blink, trying to process this new piece of information. Dryad. The word echoes in my mind, conjuring images of ancient forests and tales from books. "A Dryad," I repeat softly, more to myself than to her.

I mean I do know they exist, but the magical beings tend to keep to themselves mostly, and definitely never showed themselves in the area where I grew up, so to me they are kinda like billionaires and movie stars… something I never encountered in real life.

"Yes," Thalia nods, her smile widening. "And you? What are you, Ariella?"

I hesitate, a sense of unease knotting in my stomach. "As far as I know, I'm human," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. The room suddenly feels too big, too grand, and I feel utterly out of place.

Thalia's expression softens, and she takes a step closer, her presence reassuring. "That's okay," she says gently. "I mean I doubt that you actually are human, but I am sure we can figure this out. I assume you do not know your parents then, orphan?”

“Yeah,” I nod. “I grew up in a group home. To be honest I fear the school might have made a mistake.”

“The school never makes mistakes,” Thalia says with a wink. “Hmm so we just need to figure out what you are. I mean you could be a werewolf who did not have your first change, or a witch.”

Thalia's enthusiasm seems to ignite a spark of excitement within me, despite my initial reservations. "A witch?" I echo, the idea both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. "But I have never cast a spell or anything like that and I do not have warts on my nose."

"Oh, but there's so much more to being a witch than just casting spells, or having warts on the nose" Thalia exclaims, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Maybe you're a late bloomer. Or, what if you're something even rarer? There are countless possibilities."

"Like what?" I can't help but smile, drawn into her playful speculation.

"Well, you could be a siren, with a voice that can enchant anyone who hears it. Have you ever sung someone into doing something for you, maybe without realizing?" she teases, her voice lilting.

I laugh, shaking my head. "Not that I'm aware of. Though that would be a handy skill to have."

"True," Thalia agrees with a nod. "Or maybe you are a nymph, like me, with an affinity for a certain element. Fire, water, earth, or air. Ever felt a particular connection to any of those?"

I ponder for a moment, the idea intriguing. "I have always loved the water. Swimming feels... different, I think, for me. But I have not been allowed to very often."

"Interesting," Thalia muses, her gaze thoughtful. "A water nymph, perhaps? Or maybe even a mermaid. Though I suppose you would have noticed a tail by now," she adds with a chuckle.

"Probably," I agree, laughing along. The absurdity of the conversation somehow makes it easier to entertain the idea that I might not be entirely human.

"Or," Thalia continues, a new idea sparking in her eyes, "you could be a fairy. Fairies are known to have a natural charm and can be quite persuasive without even trying. Ever convinced someone to give you the last slice of cake?"

I think back, a grin spreading across my face. "More times than I can count."

"There you go! A fairy with unmatched cake-acquiring abilities," Thalia declares, her laughter mingling with mine.

The conversation, light and filled with fantastical possibilities, eases the knot of anxiety in my stomach. For the first time since arriving at this unfamiliar, magical place, I feel a sense of belonging. Maybe, just maybe, I'm not so out of place here after all. And I have a feeling Thalia and I can become good friends.

As I turn back to my unpacking, I can't help but feel a little less alone in this vast, magical world. With Thalia as my friend, maybe, just maybe, I'll find my place among the extraordinary.