"What have you done, Kacey?" she asks, concern flooding over her face.

"I did this spell and..."

"What!" She interrupts, "Do you even know what you're doing?"

"Not exactly, and I think that's why it went wrong."

"You think?"

"I know."

Miss Shale places her head in her hands and shakes it, looking up she gives me a comforting look.

"Do you have me this lesson?" she asks.

"Yes."

"See me afterwards." she commands.

What have I just done?

Thoughts whirl around my head as I attempt to concentrate. Miss Shale nudges me every time she saunters past, which is helping keep me awake.

I have a test placed in front of me. It's the glossary one I was learning...

Q1. What are worships?

I quickly scribble the answer.

An expression of praise for God or adoration. There are three types of worship: liturgical, informal, and individual.

I notice a girl on my left peering over my shoulder. I slam my hand over my answer, as anger swells up inside of me. I can't stand it when people try and copy!

Q2. What is an Eucharist?

Ah! That one is easy!

The Christian service, ceremony, or sacrament commemorating the Last Supper.

Okay, onto the final question.

Q3. What is Ecumenical?

Simple!

Representing a number of different Christian Churches.

The bell goes, and I remain in my seat.
The class practically sprint out like a herd of wild horses, jostling each other through the door. I laugh, amused at their stupidity.

"Here."

Miss Shale stands in front of me, holding a packet in my face.

"What the heck is that?" I ask, confused as to why I'm being offered a bag.

"Incense burner and Dragon's Blood incense sticks." she states, seeming proud of herself.

"Why have you got that at school?" I question.

"I like burning it in my classroom, I find it helps me relax." she says, in a soothing tone.

"Okay...thanks Miss." I say, slowly edging my way to the door.

"Don't get cursed now!" she shouts after me, as I start to carefully shut the door.

When I arrive home, I immediately set up my incense.

I've seen how you do it before. I slot in the stick and light it with a soft flame. As it flickers, I puff it out, and a stream of smoke swirls into the air. I feel like I'm a mystical beast!

I wonder why she gave me this specific one...

I grasp my laptop and log on, as the internet springs up. I search into ecosia.com 'what does Dragon's Blood incense do?'

Then, what I see right in my face concerns me terribly.

This incense is usually used for protection.

Is that why she gave me it?

She thinks I need protection.

But, protection from what?