"Oowww!!!" Kate whined, struggling in Lobelia's arms. "Lemme go! I said I was sorry!" She struggled some more. Once everyone had gotten over the shock of Clay yelling at us, Lobelia had grabbed Kate and was hoisting her up off the ground. "Put her down, Lobelia!" Mira said, pleadingly. "She said she was sorry, and besides it's not like you can stay angry at her forever." Lobelia looked at Mira and then back at Kate. She sighed and released her. Kate immediately ran over to Mira and hid behind her back, clutching the book to her chest. Meanwhile, Amethyst, Clay and I were watching from the sidelines. None of us seemed to really want to interrupt them. Lobelia ran her hand through her long hair and shook her head. "Fine, I'll forgive you. Not that it matters, you'll probably just light my skirt on fire again next week." She added, gesturing to her burnt skirt for emphasis. Kate began shaking her head but then stopped and shrugged. "Sorry. I'm still not use to my new cauldron." Lobelia sighed and shook her head again. "I don't know why I keep helping you potions." Lobelia turned to us. "Hey, new girls! What's your names?"

"I'm Amethyst. This is Aira." Amethyst answered, nodding her head to me. I raised my hand in greeting. "Well, I'm Lobelia, that's Mira, and that's Kate." She pointed to Mira and Kate as she said their names. "I already told them our names, Lobelia." Mira said, petting Kate. "Oh. Well, now they know our names again." Kate giggled at Lobelia's response. Lobelia glared at her and then looked back at us and continued. "As you might be able to tell we're witches. Or apprentice witches. We go to "Ms. Maggie's School for Witches." It's a boarding school for witches in this region. Actually it's the only school for witches in this region." "You guys go to a school for witches?! I say, amazed. That's awesome!" Amethyst nodded in agreement smiling wide. "So you learn how to do magic, and make potions, and fly on brooms and stuff? I add, excitingly bouncing on my feet." "Yep." Lobelia said, amused at my reaction. Cool! Amethyst squealed, shaking my arm in excitement. I was about five seconds away from fan girl screaming when I stop in my tracks and look at Clay.

He was staring at me, surprised. I frown and partially hide behind Amethyst. What are you looking at. I ask, not really wanting to know the answer. "Hm?" He blinked and shook his head. "Oh nothing. I just didn't know you could look so. . . Excited." He said, smiling a little. I purse my lips and quickly turn away. "So. . ." Amethyst tried to break the silence. Are their a lot of other girls at the school? She asked Lobelia. Lobelia was to busy gaping at Clay to reply, so Mira replied for her. "Yes. A lot of girls go there. Some boys too. Not a lot though. They seem to be more interested in Guard academy then Magic school." "That's a shame." Amethyst commented. Mira nodded in agreement. I was getting uncomfortable with Clay staring at me, so I decide to speak up. "So, how do you get into a school for witches?"

"Oh, well it's pretty easy." Mira said, looking at me. "Everyone is born with some level of magic. Most people are born with low-level magic, which means they usually aren't able to do it. However, sometimes, but not often, if a low-leveled person trains for long enough and hard enough, there'll be able to use magic. Then their are medium-level magic users. These are people born with medium-level magic. For example, me, Lobelia, Kate, and pretty much all the witches that attend Magic school. People with medium-level magic have an easier time learning magic. Then last of all, their is high-level magic. People born with high-level magic is very rare. Not a lot of people are able to do high-level magic. People however that are born with high-level magic are able to cast the most complicated and powerful spells, the same with potions. Not a lot of high-level magic people are born anymore though."

I nod my head slowly, trying to process all this new information. "Ok, I uh. . ." "Ok, I think I understand a few of those words." I say. Amethyst giggled. Mira cracked a smile. I shrug innocently. "What? Ok, I'm pretty sure I understand. Like, 98 percent of that, I understood." Amethyst laughed hard, doubling over. "Awww, poor Aira!" She said jokingly. I was about to say something back but then decide against. Instead, since she was so focused on laughing I began lightly pushing her over. She didn't notice until it was too late. It all happened in slow motion. She got a startled expression and waved her arms frantically trying to regain balance. She promptly failed and fell gracefully on her butt. "Ow!" She exclaimed rubbing her bottom. "Oops." I suppress a smile. "Aria!" Amethyst whined. She kicked my feet out from under me and I fell on my butt as well. "Ow!" I complain, rubbing my back. There was a burst of laughter above us. We looked up and saw that Lobelia, Kate, Mira, and Clay had began laughing hysterically. Amethyst and I look at each other and smiled. Finally, Kate took a breath and said, "I like you guys! Your funny!"

"Well, happy to be of service." Amethyst said, standing up. "Glad to see that us falling on our butts made people laugh." I add, standing up as well. Kate giggled some more at this. Clay, Lobelia, and Mira eventually stopped laughing. "Well, I think we should be on our way, ladies." Clay said when he stopped. "There are still a few places you should see before the day ends." Amethyst opened her mouth to answer, but was interrupted by a growl. We all look at Kate who was blushing. Her stomach growled again. "I'm hungry." She said sheepishly. Lobelia groaned. "Seriously Kate? Ugh, we need to get back to school! Ms. Maggie's already on edge with all the weird disturbances in the air, she's doesn't need us running off during class."

"Kate, can't you wait until we get back to the dorms?" Mira asked. Kate shrugged and looked down. "Oh, well if you want she can get something to eat with us." Amethyst offered. "I can?" Kate looked up, eyes widening. Amethyst nodded and nudged me with her elbow. "Uh, yeah sure. I don't have any complaints." I say. Kate looked at Lobelia and Mira pleadingly. Lobelia and Mira looked at each other and sighed. "Go ahead. Just be back at the school by sundown. You'll have to do extra studies tomorrow since you're gonna miss today's lessons." Lobelia grumbled. "Thank you, thank you, thank you Lobelia!" Kate said, hugging her around the waist. Mira smiled at Lobelia, amused. Lobelia glared at Mira, but didn't push Kate away. "Aw." I thought, looking at them. "How cute. Even though Lobelia acts like Kate annoys her, she really does care about her." When Kate released Lobelia from her hug, she handed her the book she had been holding. "This is my spell book. Can you put it in my room please?" She asked. "Yeah yeah, whatever." Lobelia said, taking the book. "Be safe, Kate." Mira said, patting Kate's hair. "And don't eat too much. Also, don't choose to eat anything really expensive since these girls are paying, ok?" "Ok!" Kate ran over to us, smiling. She grabbed Amethyst's hand in her left hand, and mine in her right. "Take care of Kate ok?" Mira asked. Amethyst and I nodded. Mira smiled but then glanced at Clay. Clay turned his head away from her, mouth set in a thin line. Mira pursed her lips and then leaned towards his ear. She whispered something that didn't make any sense to me.

"Tyh truch aleys revhls eslf."

He pressed his lips even tighter together. I had absolutely no idea what she had just said. If she even said anything. For all I know, she could've just said "The duck wears green socks" or something like that. Mira backed away from him and then said to Lobelia, "Come on, I want to finish my potion of growth before we have to do our essay." Mira and Lobelia said their goodbyes and left, but not before Mira glanced at Clay one last time. "Come on!" Kate said, tugging Amethyst and I down the path. "I wanna eat at the tavern!" "Uuuhh." I looked at Amethyst. She shrugged. "I guess she knows where the taverns is." She said. I nod and let myself be dragged along by the little girl. As we walked, I looked over at Clay. He walked a little behind us, head down. He glanced up and when he saw me, winked and smiled. Anger boiled inside of me. I turned away sharply, mumbling insults. Kate led us too the tavern. It wasn't anything impressive on the outside, but once we walked inside, I immediately knew it was a tavern. It looked exactly like the tavern from game of thrones or something. The floor was dirt, but it was so hard and well worn it might as well have been wood planks. Wooden tables, benches, and chairs were placed throughout the entire place, people eating and drinking at them.The bar was wood too, a kind looking man stood behind it, drying a glass with a rag. The entire place was filled with chatter, some loud, some quiet, but all friendly. "Wow." Amethyst said in a hushed voice, looking around. I was elated. The entire place was just so cool! I smiled as I looked around, but felt a strong tug on my arm. I stumbled forward as Kate dragged us over to a round table. She finally released us and climbed into one of the chairs.

I took a seat next to her and Amethyst took a seat on Kate's other side. Clay sat in the last chair at the table opposite of Kate, which meant he was sitting somewhat next to me. I tried my best to avoid making eye contact with him, so I looked at Kate instead. So, uh, what's there to eat here? I ask, wanting food as well. "Oh, a lot of good food!" She said, kicking her feet under the table. "All the food is tasty!" She stopped kicking her feet and looked thoughtful for a second and the added in a whisper. "Just don't get the tuna surprise." She shuddered after saying it. Amethyst chuckled. No I'm serious. Lobelia swore that a rat tail was in her tuna surprise once. Amethyst stopped chuckling and looked disgusted. Ew! She said, wrinkling her nose. "I double that ew. Duly noted. Do not get the tuna surprise." I say, shuddering as well. "Hello there!" A friendly voice said. We turned and saw the man who was drying the cup behind the bar earlier. "Hi Mr. John!" Kate greeted, smiling. "Hello Kate!" Mr. John patted her head. "It's nice to see you! And who are your lovely new friends?" "I'm Amethyst. This is my friend Aira." Amethyst said, gesturing to me. I waved my hand. "Don't mind me." Clay comment, talking for the first time since we got here.

"I'm just sitting here. Not remotely important."

Mr. John laughed. "Hello Clay! You leave these to girls alone, you hear?"

Clay scoffed.

"Oh please! You make it sound as if I mean to eat them. And besides, I'm not interested in Amethyst. Not my type."

"Hey!"

"Sorry Amethyst, I didn't mean to offend you."

I roll my eyes and cross my arms. Amethyst looked deeply offended at not being Clay's type, though lord knows why. Mr. John raised an eyebrow at his response. "So Amethyst is safe from you, but what Aira here? Is she safe from your advances?" Clay tilted his head, considering the question and then looked at me. I looked back, annoyance obvious on my face. "No. . ." He mused, taking in my face. "I don't think I'll give this one up. She'll be a challenge, but I'm sure it'll be fun." He reached out his hand as if to touch me. "If you value your life, you'd better not touch me." I growl, glaring at him. He drew back his hand but still looked at me. Mr. John chuckled. "Aira, I think your just the girl to put him in his place. Now enough with this, what would you like to eat?" Mini meat pies please! Kate requested, swinging her legs again. Roasted turkey leg and cider. Clay said. Amethyst thought for a moment and then answered: I'll have some cheese and cider please. Mr. John nodded and the turned to me. "What would you like, dear?" "Hm. . . Well since Amethyst got some cheese. . ." I thought. "I'll have a loaf of bread and some apple cider please." I say. "A loaf? Not a roll or slice?" He asked. I shake my head. "A loaf please." I repeat. He nods and then left. "A loaf?" Clay said, turning to me. "Are you really hungry or something?" I'm not eating an entire loaf by myself. I grumble. Your not? Amethyst asked, looking surprised. "Amethyst!" I cry. "Did you seriously think I was going to eat an entire loaf by myself?!" "It seems like something you'd do." She admitted, shrugging innocently. "Amethyst, I'm going share the loaf with you! That way we can eat bread and cheese." I explained, trying not to face palm. "Oh, ok then." Amethyst said, nodding. Why is eating an entire loaf seem like something Aira can do? Kate asked, looking at Amethyst. "Ha! Please, Aira can eat three loaves of bread if she wanted. One time when we baked cookies, we made twenty-two. I went to the bathroom and when I came back I discover that Aira ate seven of the cookies in the four minutes I was gone!" "Amethyst!" I groan and slam my head onto the table. "Did she really?" Clay said, amused. I turned my head and glare at him.

"That's not the only time she's done something like that." Amethyst continued. "Another time, we were eating some pasta and"-"Here you guys go." Just then, Mr. John had come with our food, sparing me from anymore embarrassing stories. He gave us our food and drinks then left. Kate had three small golden pies on a wooden plate. She picked one up and happily took a bite out of it. "Desh esh good!" She exclaimed, mouth full. I smiled at Kate, but felt Clay looking at me. His words from earlier echoed through my head. "I don't think I'll give this one up." That's what he said. I have to ask myself though. . .

Just how many girls had he given up?