The sleek pink G-guard glided out of the compound, its tinted windows reflecting the fading afternoon sun. As they crossed the invisible threshold, Charm felt a subtle shift in the air – the veil of magic that had allowed her to see into the supernatural world suddenly dissolved, leaving her once again as blind to the otherworldly realm as a bat in sunglasses.

Kel sat quietly in the backseat. The ghost's form shimmered faintly, visible only to Presence. Charm, being what her family affectionately called a "normie," was oblivious to Kel's presence without the aid of magical enhancement.

Presence occupied the front passenger seat, her dark curly hair tied back in a messy bun that looked less like a hairstyle and more like her hair had decided to stage a rebellion against gravity. She absently fiddled with the strap of her bookbag as she spoke. "You know you shouldn't have dropped us off," she chided gently. "I could have gotten an Uber."

Charm's lips quirked into a mischievous smile as she navigated the bustling city streets. "Oh, I know," she replied, her eyes sparkling with barely contained excitement. "I need to pick up some stuff at Phase 1. Are you coming with?"

Presence groaned dramatically, slumping back in her seat. "Dude, I have a paper tomorrow. I need to go study. I can't handle your never-ending shopping spree today." The weight of academic responsibility seemed to physically press down on her shoulders.

Charm rolled her eyes playfully, stealing a glance at her friend. "I would have gotten you a blouse or something," she teased, her voice lilting with mock disappointment.

"Maybe next time," Presence laughed, the tension in her posture easing slightly at their familiar banter.

As they approached a red light, Charm's eyes instinctively flicked to the rearview mirror. For a split second, she almost expected to see Kel's translucent form lounging in the backseat. But of course, without the vision spell, there was nothing but empty leather upholstery reflected back at her.

A small frown creased Charm's brow as she remembered their spectral companion. "Are you okay back there, Kel?" she asked, her voice tinged with genuine concern.

Presence straightened in her seat, as she relayed Kel's response: "Kel says he is fine, just enjoying the ride. He also mentioned something about the energy feeling different outside the compound – apparently, the city has its own unique supernatural vibe."

Charm nodded, processing this information. "Yes, our home surprises magic that isn't ours." Though she couldn't perceive Kel directly, she felt a sense of comfort knowing he was still with them and not maybe teleporting away. She liked Kel, even if she just met him briefly.

The traffic light turned green, and as Charm accelerated, she couldn't help but marvel at the hidden world that existed just beyond her perception – a world of ghosts, magic, and mystery that her sister navigated with such ease.

Charm's eyes sparkled with mischief as she glanced sideways at her sister. "So, Presence," she began, her voice lilting teasingly, "remember that cute barista at ComeCoffees? The one with the dreads and the tattoo sleeve?"

Presence shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her eyes darting quickly to the backseat where she knew Kel sat, invisible to her sister. "Oh, um, yeah," she mumbled, trying to sound nonchalant. "What about him?"

"I saw him totally checking you out last time we were there," Charm continued, oblivious to her sister's discomfort. "He even drew a little heart on your cup!"

Presence felt her cheeks warming, but not for the reason Charm assumed. "That was just the logo," she protested weakly, stealing another glance at the backseat. "Besides, you know I'm not interested in guys like that."

"Oh, come on," Charm laughed. "He was cute! Even you have to admit that."

Presence shrugged, desperately trying to change the subject. "I guess. I didn't really notice," she lied, her thoughts drifting to Kel and the confusing feelings she'd been developing lately.

Charm raised an eyebrow, sensing there was something her sister wasn't telling her. "Alright, spill. What's going on with you? You're acting weird."

"Nothing!" Presence insisted, perhaps a bit too quickly. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. "I just... I don't want to talk about boys right now, okay?"

Charm's expression softened. "Okay, fair enough. Speaking of people you don't want to talk about," she segued smoothly, "how's KK doing? Haven't heard you mention him in a while."

Presence's relief at the change of subject was short-lived as she remembered her current predicament with her best friend. "He's... not talking to me right now," she admitted with a sigh.

"What? What did you do?" Charm asked, concern evident in her voice.

"What else?" Presence replied bitterly. "Family stuff."

Charm glanced at the rear mirror again, a habit she couldn't seem to shake. "Maybe it's for the best," she said softly.

Presence was quiet for a moment, her thoughts torn between her estranged best friend and the growing feelings she harbored for their spectral companion. "Do you think I should tell him about Kel?" she asked suddenly, her voice uncertain.

Charm considered this, her brow furrowing in thought. "I don't know how he'll take it," she admitted. "He's your best friend, though. You know him best."

The question hung in the air between them, heavy with implications. Presence stared out the window, lost in thought, acutely aware of Kel's ghostly presence behind her. She wondered how he felt about all of this, about her, and whether she'd ever find the courage to express her growing feelings. It was like trying to write a love letter in invisible ink while riding a rollercoaster - thrilling, terrifying, and likely to end up illegible.

The complexity of her emotions – her crush on Kel, her conflict with KK, and the secrets she kept – weighed on her like a backpack full of bricks and unfinished homework. Simple sisterly banter felt like navigating a minefield while juggling flaming torches and reciting the alphabet backwards.

As Charm maneuvered the Benz through the imposing school gates, they were met with a series of security checks so meticulous, they made airport security look like a game of pat-a-cake. Biometric scanners hummed, and uniformed guards scrutinized their credentials with the intensity of English teachers analyzing Shakespeare.

Once cleared, Charm guided the car along a winding path that snaked through the campus. The scenery was a mesmerizing blend of trees, bushes and buildings. Ancient oaks stood alongside modern buildings that defied conventional architecture. Students practiced basketball, leaping so high you'd think gravity was more of a suggestion than a law. Nearby, others kicked around a football, their fancy footwork putting professional dancers to shame.

They passed the infamous "Chinua Achebe Fountain," its waters dancing in patterns that seemed to be writing poetry in liquid form. Finally, the car stopped in front of Presence's dorm, a Victorian-style building, its facade adorned with vines that swayed in the slight breeze.

Charm put the car in park and turned to her sister with a mischievous wink. "Be good, you two," she said, her tone playful but carrying a hint of sisterly concern.

Presence rolled her eyes so hard she probably saw the back of her skull, but couldn't suppress a smile. "You too," she replied, gathering her things and stepping out of the car. She watched as Charm drove off, the sleek vehicle soon disappearing around a bend like a pink mirage.

As Presence turned towards her dorm, Kel quickly said "I like how weird your family is,".

Presence shook her head and smiled, but before she could deliver a witty retort about pot-kettle situations and spectral peanut galleries, a voice called out from behind them.

"Presence Okafor!"

They turned to see Anthony approaching, flanked by two other boys. His chiseled features were accentuated by the late afternoon sun, and his confident stride drew the eyes of several passing students.

"I've been waiting for you," Anthony continued, his voice smooth and assured. "Lovely weekend?"

Presence felt her heart begin to race, threatening to beat right out of her chest and run away screaming. It was the kind of moment where you wish life came with a pause button, or at least a 'skip awkward encounter' option. KK wasn't here to rescue her, Kel couldn't be seen by anyone but her (talk about a useless superpower in this situation), and she was left to navigate this minefield alone.

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