A giddy wave of excitement overtook me as I entered the room—well, rooms really. I darted to the far side and threw back the large curtains. I was delighted to find a door that opened onto a patio. With a laugh I pulled it open and raced outside. Our patio faced the barrier of trees at the back of the property. I sank into one of the massive chairs and propped my feet up on a little table. This was like a vacation at a country resort. My eyes searched for a glimpse of the city through the thick trees but no matter how much I stared; I couldn’t see anything.
Unable to sit still for long, I went back into my room, leaving the patio doors open to the sunshine and cool morning air. Along one wall were two doors. One had a plaque that read “Willa,” and the other “Sophie.” It was time to see the room that would be my home for the next nine months.
My bedroom wasn’t as exciting as the patio, but it was still impressive. My duffel bag already sat in the corner. I pulled it up onto the bed and began unpacking it. Living in a fancy hotel sounded fun, but I wanted my bedroom to feel more like home. I placed the few street clothes I’d brought with me in the cherry wardrobe across from the bed. There I found five school uniforms in my size. I inspected them, It looked like my daily attire would consist of a red skirt, white button-down shirt, and black tie. I wrinkled my nose at the thought of wearing a skirt every day.
The last things I unpacked were the photos I brought with me. Our family Christmas photo I sat on my desk. The other photo was a candid shot our mom had snapped of Simon and I. We were sitting on one of the stone walls at the house eating watermelon. I had my head thrown back laughing about something Simon had said. I couldn’t even remember what it was now. It was my favorite photo of the two of us. I put it in its new home on my nightstand and was suddenly overcome with homesickness. Simon would’ve loved it here.
Around 11:30 I ventured back out of my bedroom. There was still no sign of my new roommate. I debated waiting for a few more minutes before going downstairs for lunch but decided against it. She would be here soon, and I didn’t want to miss walking to lunch with the rest of the girls.
Gracie was waiting when I made it down to the first floor.
“Is your room amazing?” she asked me as she grabbed my arm and we followed everyone back out of the dorm and down the cobblestone street. “Everyone always told me Animage Academy was as elite as it gets, but I never dreamed it would be like this. The academy for Elementals is nice, but this is just wonderful. I’m so excited to see what the rest of the school is like.”
“I know what you mean,” I managed to interject, “This is like a resort instead of school. Have you met your roommate yet?”
“Yes! Apparently, there’s an uneven number of us girls so my roommate is a second-year witch named Joelle. She seems nice so far. A bit quiet.” I giggled. Everyone was quiet next to Gracie.
The cafeteria had long rustic tables with matching benches that ran in rows across a big open room. Gracie and I bypassed the tables and filed in the line to the kitchen. It didn’t take us long to grab our food and head back toward the tables.
“Well if it isn’t the Pearson Princess.” The words sent a chill down my spine as I left the kitchen and stood face-to-face with Kylee Rogers.
“Hello Kylee. Nice to see you.” Except it wasn’t. I put on my best fake smile. It was clear Kylee hadn’t changed much in the two years since I’d seen her last.
“Everyone, this is Sophie Pearson,” Kylee told the two girls flanking her. “Her father is the dragon,” I cringed. “Where’s Simon, Sophie? You two are never very far apart.”
“He didn’t get in,” I mumbled. Kylee practically beamed.
“Didn’t get in? Oh, your father must have been positively devastated. When you write be sure to tell Simon how sorry I am.” I suddenly developed the urge to shove the tray of food I was holding in her face.
“What are those things coming out of your back?” The girl over Kylee’s left shoulder asked. She was another Faerie and was staring at Gracie. The other two girls laughed. I stepped in front of Gracie.
“Leave her alone.” No one was going to mess with my friend.
“Testy, testy. Come on Arielle, let’s go get some food.” The three girls flounced off. I spun on my heel and marched to one of the small booths hidden against the wall. Gracie slid in across from me.
“Who was that?”
“Kylee. She’s another witch. We used to go to primary school together until her family moved across the country a couple of years ago. She used to tease Simon and I relentlessly. It never bothered Simon. He’s pretty unflappable. Me, on the other hand.” I crushed my straw paper in my hand and threw it down on the table for emphasis. “Sorry you got dragged into it.”
Gracie shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I get it all the time from the other faeries. We can be a pretty judgmental lot. Faeries like everything to stay the same. Wings are a pretty rare animage feature. I guess since we have wings already.”
I took a few bites of my fried rice before I spoke again. My temper was still flaring. How could someone like Kylee be an animage when Simon wasn’t?
“What group of faeries are you from?” I asked when I could speak
