“Come on, Livy! You’re so slow!”

“I just don't want to run super fast in the halls. I might break something!”

“Ugh! Fine! I’ll slow down.”

Isaac stops running and waits for me to catch up to him. I thank him, and we both walk to the kitchen, where we find Caroline.

"Oh, hey Caroline. What are you doing here?”

“I got today off as well, so I'm starting lunch early. It’ll be done by 12:30.”

“Oh really? Mind if I help?”

“Not at all! Actually, I’d appreciate the help.”

I walk over and stand next to Caroline while Isaac runs to the table and takes a seat. Caroline starts to explain to me what she’s making and what she needs help with. After awhile of getting the ingredients prepared, we finally start working on the dish. 

Hours pass, and we finally finish the meal. By the time we’re setting the table up, everyone has come downstairs, including Mom. I stay silent when she walks down the stairs. The slight creaking coming from each step makes me frustrated. I don’t want to see her face after what she did. I know it was only a small slap, but if she does it once, she’ll do it again, or at least that's what I’m telling myself. Why am I saying this? I have no clue; all I know is that's how I’m feeling. Maybe this is why people always say teens are a pain: because we get thoughts that are either rude, drama-related, or ideas that we can’t truly back up? I’m probably just overthinking this.

Lunch was quiet. Usually I’m the conversation starter, but I refused to talk. I just really don't feel like talking to my mom right now, and I'm worried if I say anything, she's going to start asking questions or adding on to what I was saying, and then I'd have to add on to her words. I scrape off the last bit of food on my plate and place it in the sink.

“I’m going to the library; be back in a bit.”

“Livy, wait… I’m sorry.”

I ignore my mom. Like I said, I really don’t want to talk to her right now. I slip on some of my really worn-out sneakers and head out the door. Not saying a word or looking at anyone after I left the table. I feel bad not staying to help Caroline with the dishes, but I'm sure she won’t mind too much. I just really, really don't want to face my mom right now.

The library looks the same as it did yesterday—small but cozy. I open the door as the bell attached to it rings. I say hello to Mr. Connor with a smile.

“Ah! Livy! It’s great to see you! You’re just in time!”

“In time for what?”

“I just got some new books donated to me!”

“Wait, for real?”

Mr. Connor pulls out a small stack of books from behind the counter and sets them down. I walk over to the left of the counter so I can read the spines of the books.

“3 books? That’s quite a lot in one day.”

“Here, I’ll let you check them out before they go on the shelves.”

“How much for the three?”

“For you? 3 copper Alpas.” 

“Only 3? Then here.”

I set the money on the counter.

“Can’t wait to read these! I probably shouldn’t stay here now that I have these new books to read.”

“Oh! By the way, how was the book I gave you for your birthday?”

“Oh um. It's a long story that I really don’t want to share.”

“I would ask why, but I’m sure you have a good reason as to why; if anything seems wrong, please tell me. I am the one who gave you that book after all, and I’d feel bad if something happened to you because of some gift I gave you.”

“I promise it’s nothing you should worry about.”

I feel bad for lying to Mr. Connor, but I don't want him to worry. I know he would worry if I told him, but how will I explain my mom’s actions to another adult? She might lose the orphanage or, worse, me. And I really don’t feel like becoming an orphan myself. That sounds mean, doesn’t it? Oh well. I got three new books, and that's something to celebrate about, right? 

I skip down the rocky roads, humming a happy tune when I bump into someone. A few loose rocks slide under my feet, causing me to fall backwards onto the ground.

“Oh my! I’m so sorry about that! Are you okay? That was quite the fall.”

I look up to see a very well-dressed lady. Her out screamed rich as it was a long slik dress in a perfect light violet color with a white stringed bodice. Her hair was a sandy blond, as was definitely curled. She carried a leather purse and a white-laced parcel.

“I'm so sorry, ma'am!”

My words slightly stammer, feeling a little threatened by how wealthy this lady looked.

"Oh, its quite alright. You're the one who fell here, so let's worry about you right now.”

The lady leads me with her hand and helps me back to my feet. When I grab her hand, I immediately feel a frightening amount of power coursing through her.

“Can you use magic?”

“How did you know?”

I stay silent, not knowing how to answer the question in a way she’d be able to understand. She waits patiently for me to answer her question. Since I dont want to be fined or publicly shamed because this lady so happens to be noble, I try my best to answer. 

"Well, when you grabbed my hand, I kind of just felt this weird force of some sort. Thats the best way I can explain it.”

“I see. Well, to answer your, yes. I can use magic.”

“So you’re a witch!?”

"Indeed, I am. You seem quite interested in that fact. Do you happen to admire witches?”

“I do! I actually plan on taking the entrance exam that's happening in a little less than two months.”

“Do you mean the entrance exam for Willow’s Magic Acedemy?

“I do! They are the only magic school in the country that allows both nobles and peasants to study there.”

“I assume you're not from nobility then.”

“I’m not. Actually, I help my mom run this town’s only orphanage.”

“What a wonderful thing to do! What do you help with?”

“I help clean the orphanage and watch over the younger kids when my mom has to go out for a bit, but I mostly help others cook or cook the meals myself.”

“Such a helpful girl! What a wonderful young girl you are! Do you mind if I ask what affinity of magic you can use?”

"Actually, I’m not sure if I can even actually use magic.”

“You don’t know?”

“I don’t. Oh! I’m so sorry! A lady such as yourself must be busy! I’ll stop bothering you now.”

“I do have matters to attend to, but me having a small chat won’t interrupt it in anyway, so don’t worry. Even so, I’ll take your offer and see myself out. It was nice talking to you; maybe we’ll see each other again.”

‘That would be nice. I would love to chat with you more on magic!”

“Then lets do that. Next time we meet, please don’t be a stranger, okay?”

“Alright. It was nice meeting you! See you later?”

“Hopefully.”

The lady gives me a warm smile and walks past me. She seemed really nice for such a wealthy woman. Maybe not all rich people are snobs! 

“Oh shoot! I need to get back to the orphanage or else everyone will start to worry.”

I dust myself off and make a run for it. I have to get there soon! Sadly, my clumsiness said that I should suffer more. I slip on a pile of gravel as I run and fall face first into the rocky roads.

“Ow…”