She noticed the other students getting equal treatment. The girl with the ripped jeans had coral hair, looking even cooler. Guys were thrilled with their looks while she waited.
Finally, it was time for him to show off his results. Her heart pounded, but she knew she needed this. Her nerves ate her insides as he turned the chair, ready to show his work off in the mirror. Her stomach clenched as she wondered where she could run to if it was as bad as all the times her mom tried to change her look—but where would she run to, Canada? Maybe she could change her name, forget about witches and vampires, and start a life far away from all this stress.
Her eyes were squeezed shut.
“Oh. My. God. You look amazing!” The voice of the newly pink-haired girl shouted out at her, and her left eye flicked open while the right one stayed clamped shut like a mad pirate.
It wasn’t her in the mirror—and then she realized it was. Her hair curled down in soft waves, no longer hidden in the buns and ponytails that she always put it in. It was shoulder length, and the light struck the top of her head.
“Are those highlights?” She reached up, gently stroking her hair, looking up amazed.
“Yas, honey, your inner power was screaming for some shine!” Lukas popped up in happiness. Naya could tell that his passion was making the journey into a new life easier for nervous students. She blinked again, noticing for the first time that Lukas was wearing tall heels, heels that made her feel insecure because she was a sneakers girl and every time she tried to wear heels herself it ended horribly—once even ending in a cast for three months. This was someone who had no fear of showing their true self and thus was perfect for bringing out her essence.
“This hair…it looks like something out of a magazine. I don’t know what to say.” With teary eyes, she gave him a hug. “I love it. Thank you.”
“Ohh honey.” Lukas gave her a big hug back and gently stroked her hair out of her eyes. “You are the cover, baby.”
They shared a smile, the first moments of her new life positive in this strange new academy. His care and passion was medicine that boosted her up. Naya cleaned the tears from her eyes, wanting to look good for Lukas’s book. She was thrilled to be part of it. It might be a shallow moment, but she was enjoying feeling comfortable in the way she looked, her thoughts calm in the moment. Lukas grabbed a camera and snapped a picture of her smile and new hair, a simple picture with no pose or duck face to capture the moment.
“Perfection.”
Lukas had such a sweet, wholesome smile, and she knew that the changes would help her find herself and become who she was meant to be.
“Thank you for letting me be part of history, honey,” he said, and gave her a kiss on the forehead before making a dramatic exit, like a choreographed dance with his assistants.
“Part…of history?” She was befuddled as she watched Lukas leave, and she hoped that he was just being extra dramatic, just like his personality over the last hour. Maybe it was the way he said bye, or maybe he meant that being in his book was a part of history. Yes. That must have been it.
Most of the students were standing around, looking at each other’s makeovers and seeing each other in a new light when one of the academy’s employees came into the dining hall with a wooden cart. It had several plain bags in it. The students all gathered around the cart, expecting a new surprise. The bags were simple black, but they each had a gold string tying them up. They were pretty but looked empty, so Naya could only wonder what was inside.
“Glad to see you all looking sharp, students,” said Mrs. Belour, clapping her hands as she walked back into the room. “Please take these bags as your welcome gift. They contain important information about your stay, and each knows who to go to.”
“Who to go to?” Naya asked herself a little too loudly as she watched the principal wave at the bags like she was conducting a symphony. Instantly, they floated and flew around the dining room, a dancing parade to soundless music. It was strange but beautiful, and Naya could only stare as the bags went in circles, up and down, high and low. A few students tried to jump and catch them, but they darted away mischievously at the last instant. One guy grabbed a chair, dragging it across the floor and stood on it, but even with a jump and an outstretched hand, the only thing he achieved was tumbling hard to the floor. It was as though the bags were teasing the students.
One bag came gently close to Naya, and she reached her hand out, but it darted up to the ceiling. Her eyes went wide as the bags inflated like they were being filled with something.
“Inside, you will find your schedule for the semesters, books to take notes, and the rules to live in harmony. Please don’t lose them. They will help you with your stay. You will also find a map to the facilities, and finally, the key to your room. You’ll notice that the keys have your names printed on them. They belong to you and will only listen to you.”
At Mrs. Belour’s words, the bags drifted over students, pairing themselves. Without ears, they understood her.
“I don’t expect just good behavior. I expect greatness from each and every one of you. Read the instructions and tell your keys to show you your room. Good luck everyone, and once more, welcome to Arumrose Academy.”
The new students clapped when she lifted her finger and twirled it. At that second, the bags stopped having life and fell to the ground. The bags flopped down hard on the heads, feet and arms of the owners, and they weren’t light. Lucky for Naya, her bag dropped on the ground in front of her, giving her the chance to bend down and see what was inside without getting a thump on the head.
Everything was as Mrs. Belour said, along with a letter sealed with the Academy logo. Her hand brushed against the wax seal and she wanted to read it right away. Why didn’t Mrs. Belour mention it earlier? Would she be the only student with one? There were too many students around, and even while feeling confident with her new look, she didn’t want to draw any attention if she was the only student with such a letter.
She took her key, her name printed on it along with her room number: Naya Colt 405.
“How does this thing work?” She looked down at it, wondering how it could show her to her room, when she heard a guy yell at his key. “Take me to my room!” he shouted, and he looked insane as he yelled at the inanimate object. All the other kids started to laugh at how ridiculous he looked. To their surprise, the key floated in the air, and the laughter died down instantly. The key darted up and swirled like it was in a tornado then suddenly stopped, pointing out of the hall.
He jumped up to grab it, but the key flew towards where it pointed, and he had to chase after it. Everyone was astounded and started to ask their keys where to go. Soon, the dining hall was full of loud teenagers and flying keys, and some of the keys seemed to ignore their owners’ requests, as if they had their own soul. Was this just magic, or were the keys alive? Could it be a mix of both?
Naya stood in the middle of the commotion, holding the key gently to her lips. “Take me to my room,” she said with a soft whisper. Her key lifted up a few inches above her, not forming a tornado as if it appreciated her soft touch and zoomed towards her room. She left the main hall and found herself in a glass tunnel bridge high above the academy. She walked through the open corridor with the most magnificent view she had ever seen.
With every step, the Academy became prettier. The passage was encased in glass, with windows on all sides and even the roof, which let in the sunlight. She almost felt she could feel the wind through the glass, it was so clear. The wooden floor was the perfect match for the view of nature around, surrounded by high trees. Birds floated through the pine trees and a river snaked away from the campus into the forest. The amazement in her eyes distracted her from the key. She reached forward, touching the glass as if she could feel the outside world.
The glass disappeared, as if it was only an illusion, and she tripped outwards, panicking as she tried to grab anything that might be real and not vanish under her grip. She managed to get her hand aga
inst the window sill, her hands kicking out into the air, too terrified even to scream.
Her arm trembled under the weight of her body, and her heart pounded like a drum in her chest as her fingers weakened.
“I got you! Don’t let go of my hand!” a deep voice boomed out as a thick, hairy hand grabbed her arm at the wrist.
“I won’t! Please help me!”
He lifted her like she was weightless.
She caught her breath in the glass hallway, her heart beating as she looked up at the dark-haired guy who saved her, lifting her like she was a doll. Tall, with dark brown hair, tan skin and cute little dimples that enhanced the dreamy smile he looked down at her with, while his intense, caramel eyes stared at her.
“Are you okay?” He waved his hand at her face, snapping her out of the fantasy.
“Yeah…yes… Thank you! You saved my life…” She burst the words out, his face distracting her.
“It’s no big deal. I’m glad you’re okay.” He placed his hand on her shoulder, friendly. “I was following my key, and I saw you fall. Guess our rooms are in the same area. By the way, my name’s Trevor. Trevor Goldmeier.”
“Hi, Trevor.”
Was that really what she said to the guy who just saved her life? Naya looked left and right, needing help again. “My name is Naya Colt, and I’m…”
“Yeah, I know. Half witch and half vampire. You’re quite a celebrity around her.”
That snapped her back to reality. Her eyes widened. She could feel her plan of staying hidden and unnoticed in danger. What did he mean by “a celebrity”?
“I’m a werewolf, but so far I like you, Naya, which means you’re more witch than vampire. That works for me.”
She laughed nervously, hoping to break the ice. Her only knowledge of the paranormal world was that werewolves and vampires hated each other—but she was glad that this guy seemed to be into her. Maybe.
“See you around, Naya…and stay away from those windows!”
“I sure will, boss!” He gave her a strange look and her cheeks brightened.
Sure will, boss? What the heck was I thinking?
As she watched him leave, she knew she’d regret that lame phrase when she was trying to sleep.
Naya looked out at the Academy, then new panic grabbed her. “My key!” The one thing that could tell her where to go had disappeared.
“Where’s my key? Please, if you’re magic, come back, key!” She yelled it out desperately, then she felt a presence behind her. She turned and saw the key, floating and dancing, listening to her begging to come back. When she tried to grab it, it darted forward, as if it was upset with her.
She walked down a hallway and listened to waves of laughter, new people meeting their roommates and making fast friends with each other. How would hers go? Would she make a great new friend or would she be ignored and teased like she had been her entire life? Her key wouldn’t slow, and anxiety built with every step. Who would be behind her door?
401… Would it be a kind roommate?
402… Would this new girl hate her like everyone in the past?
403… What if she was another Beatrice?
404… Just someone nice, so she could talk to them about the cutie that just rescued her…
405… The key stopped.
“Hi!” yelled the pink-haired girl—nice, with that spark of crazy that Naya needed in her life. “I’m so glad we’re roommates! My name is Amelia Danworth!” She was hanging a poster on her side of the room. “But you can call me Amy.”
“Hi, I’m Naya Colt.” She bit her lip with worry. “I don’t have a nickname, people call me Naya. That’s it.”
“Well, Naya that’s it, I’m great at making nicknames. Come in! We have too much to fix in this room so it looks edgy cool and not edgy creepy like this building.”
Naya laughed, pulling her bag inside. Her parents packed it for her, and in the rush of leaving she didn’t even know what was in it. As if she needed any more surprises. In the bag were all new clothes—far different than her usual hoodies and jeans. Her parents went through the process, and they knew what was going to happen, so they got her a whole new wardrobe.
My mom’s magic…did she see this coming?
Her mind lit up and she ran her hands over things she only saw in fashion magazines. As she took out the last of the four dresses she counted, more than she ever had before, she felt something hard and wooden. Unravelling the dress led to a new surprise—a picture of the three of them taken on her birthday trip to the beach, in a white wooden frame. It was a sunny day, the sea right behind them, everything perfect. Their smiles would brighten up her days, and she placed the frame on the nightstand next to her bed.
“That dress is lovely! Perfect for a first date, or even a prom,” said Amy, pulling the dress that wrapped the picture and placing it over herself in the full-length mirror. “You need to lend it to me sometime soon!”
Naya turned around to see Amy enjoying the look of the dress, already asking to borrow it before she even tried it on. It was cute, but the melancholic memories came to her mind from looking at the picture. It was time to leave it behind and move forward. The time for crying was over, and although trusting people was difficult, she was getting a good feeling about Amy.
Besides…she needed to talk to someone about Trevor. It was the juiciest piece of news she had ever had. She took back the dress. “Maybe I could use it with Trevor?”
“Trevor? The cute tall werewolf?” Naya nodded her head back at her. “Tell me everything. Don’t hold back.”
They spent hours talking about the mysterious cute guy who came out of nowhere and saved her life. As the night passed, they talked about Amy’s past relationships, Naya’s bullies, and the series they loved: books, movies, songs. It was like a real sleepover, the first for Naya, and it was fantastic. They shared secrets, dreams, and fears.
Was that what having a good friend was like? Everything they did together made her feel more in place. She didn’t forget about her worries, but this new friendship was growing on her fast.
They woke up the next morning tired but happy. It had been so much fun they only had two hours of sleep, but they were ready and full of energy to start a new day.
Besides, today was the introductory class. No matter what species you belonged to, you shared the first day together. There were rumors floating around from kids who had older siblings in the academy. The girl who sat next to Amy on the plane was Katie, and her brother was in his last year of the Academy. Katie had a private mage-blood test at 12 and had known for her entire teenage life where she was headed, and Naya felt a surge of jealousy that she had been trusted with the knowledge. For her, the Academy was not some huge secret, but somewhere that she knew she would be going to since she came from a paranormal family. Even Amy had known at 14! They lived in these worlds where they knew all about the existence of magic, of shifters and witches and wizards.
Their parents raised them as people with powers and taught them control.
Naya felt awful that her childhood now felt like a lie. If only her parents had trusted her enough to bring her into the world of magic. All the things she could have known, the people she could have met, and the problems she could have avoided. She felt a shudder, imagining if she had been told of all the beautiful and wondrous things...
And then the tests kept coming back negative.
Her entire life, they had been testing her, and her blood came back normal, or grounder as was the Academy slang. She felt her heart rip out at the thought of thinking she belonged in the magical world, then being trapped in an average grounder life. Would she have felt like she wasn’t enough?
They were protecting her. The love they gave her was more than any magic, but still, she was upset that they didn’t bring her into their world. She wanted to know her parents. How could she ever know who she was if she didn’t know what she was to become?
Naya and Amy walked to the huge classroom together, watching new, e
xcited students. Just like her, they were all full of energy and eager to learn more about what the rest of their life was going to be. She felt like she could see the students that hadn’t been born into paranormal families: they had this extra look of wonder and confusion like they were in a dream. She was thinking about this when Amy tricked Naya into sitting in a row of seats first, so that she was next to a big guy, but she didn’t even look at him, feeling a bit shy and also focusing in on what was happening. As more students came into the class, Amy gave her a nudge with her elbow.
“Don’t you see who is next to you?” She hissed it under her breath, and she turned to see just as the guy turned over to her.
“Hey! It’s nice to see you under non-life-threatening circumstances, Naya.”
She felt her cheeks heat up and a small, nervous laugh escaped her mouth. He smiled at her blush, showing his dimples, and his teeth flashed in a breathtaking smile.
“Hi! My name’s Amy…not that anyone seems to care,” said Amy, rolling her eyes. “Want to hang after class? Naya and I were thinking about exploring. It would be cool to have extra company.”
“Sure! Sounds fun! Count me in,” he said, giving Naya a wink.
Silence.
Naya, say something.
More silence. It was starting to get awkward. She couldn’t stop smiling, and every second it changed more from a cute smile to a creepy one.
“Good morning, students,” Mrs. Belour said as she approached the middle of the podium.
“Oh, thank God,” Naya whispered to herself under her breath.
Amy wrote on her notebook: We need to work on your flirting skills.
Naya shrugged her shoulders in an “I don’t know,” and positioned herself forward to block the notebook from Trevor.
“Welcome to the start of your future. Today I will be explaining the history of our beloved Academy and as you’ll see on your desks…” There was a flash in front of each student and a chorus of gasps as pages appeared. “You’ll find there are many classes for you to attend, a map of our institution, and some extracurricular activities you may like to join.”
The Mage-Blood Test: A YA Paranormal Romance (Arumrose Academy Book 1) Page 8
