First Magic by Raven Steele (ebook reader screen txt) 📖

I was studying math in the kitchen while Jake watched TV in the living room, when his cell phone rang. By the tone of his voice, it sounded like he was talking to someone from work so I tuned him out.

Math and even some of my other classes had grown increasingly difficult since the corn maze incident. Both May and I had kept our eyes open for anyone acting strange, especially Mike. I’d convinced May and even myself a little that it had been him who had tried to scare me, but he remained his obnoxious normal self, throwing out insults whenever we crossed paths. He didn’t act like he had done anything as sadistic as killing a rabbit.

Christian, however, was acting strange. I would catch him lurking behind corners and staring at me from a distance. He didn’t try talking to me, and I didn’t try talking to him. I would’ve been fine with this arrangement if it hadn’t been for all his stalker-like movements. I thought I was exaggerating them until both May and Tracey commented on his actions in the lunchroom. I tried not to notice until, finally, I didn’t. As long as I wasn’t looking for him or thinking about him, I was fine. It was as if I’d never liked him to begin with—almost.

I returned to solving a complex math problem, when I heard Jake say, “Sure, she’s right here. One sec.”

I looked up, confused.

Jake covered the telephone’s receiver and whispered, “It’s Sophie. She wants to talk to you.”

I had planned on talking to her tomorrow, but she must’ve read my mind somehow. I took the phone from Jake. “Hi, Aunt Sophie. How are you?”

“I’m good, Llona. How are you doing?”

I mostly told the truth. “Great. This has been one of my best years. I really like it here.”

“That’s nice.”

“How’s Lucent Academy?” I asked.

“We’ve added more classes I think you would really enjoy. Maybe you could join us when you graduate?”

I groaned internally. Not this conversation again. Sophie had been trying to get me to go to her clannish school since I was a freshman. The idea of being in a school with others like me sounded about as fun as walking on hot coals. “Probably not. I want to go to college out here somewhere.”

“Oh really? And what do you want to major in?”

“I haven’t gotten that far, but I was thinking maybe education, a PE teacher maybe.”

She paused. “I’m not sure that would be appropriate, Llona.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because you would be teaching kids to be competitive.”

“So?”

“You’re teaching kids to be better than others. We are all equal, Llona. Light does not divide.”

“You think we’re all equal? When is the last time you lived in the real world, Aunt Sophie? The only way we are all equal is we are all human. Other than that we are very different. Some of us are lazy, others hard working. Some of us are good at sports, while others of us are really smart. Some are loud, some quiet, some fast, some slow. We are all different in amazing ways, and I want to help kids discover their unique abilities.”

“That’s very noble of you, but that’s not your job.”

“Then what is?”

She sighed long and deep. “I didn’t call to argue.”

“Then why did you call?”

“I want to come visit you for Thanksgiving. Jake said I had to ask you.”

It was my turn to pause. This is not what I had expected. Sophie had only come to visit me once since my mother’s death, and that had been when my father died.

“Why?”

“I think we have a lot to talk about. I’m sure you’ve experienced some strange things since you’ve moved further into your teenage years. I want to help you better understand what’s going on.”

I wanted to eagerly agree, but I was still mad. “Do you really think that’s necessary?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Fine.”

“Wonderful. I’ll be there in a few weeks. I’ll see you soon.” She hung up, leaving me staring into the receiver.

“What did she say?” Jake asked.

“She’s coming for Thanksgiving.”

Jake sat up. “You said yes?”

I shrugged.

“Just great. Just what I need.”

Jake was still mumbling under his breath even after I left the room. Apparently, he felt the same way about her as I did. It wasn’t that she was deliberately mean or anything, she just had this super ability to make you feel like you couldn’t do anything right. She had Light in her, too, so you’d think she’d make you feel all warm and fuzzy like my mother had, but not her. She used Light to tell the truth exactly how she saw it. She had no desire to try and understand how Light could comfort others. Light was truth and should only be used for that, she’d always said. This is where she and my mother always disagreed.