As Diana and I walked hand in hand to school, chattering like monkeys, a sense of elation bubbled up inside , replacing the feeling of sha that had subsided a little after Laura’s words of encouragent.
The Queen had fulfilled her side of the bargain, as she had promised us. She had moved the children’s classes back to the general school, and she hadn’t disturbed since then. And even though the weight of her last words had never left , I couldn’t help but feel relief and gratitude, walking to school like this, hand in hand with Diana. It was pure bliss.
As we walked, Diana regaled with tales of spells and enchantnts, her enthusiasm quite infectious. I knew that it was because I had just shown her, though ssy, that I was good enough to be filled in with magic spells.
We exchanged knowledge eagerly—I told her about the book I had stolen from the library, and what I had learnt from them—each revelation sparking a lively conversation that danced between us like fireflies in the night.
"I can’t believe you stole from the library. I have to admit though that the wealth of information is beautiful. I wonder why I haven’t seen the book before, either with my teachers, or Mother. It seems different. Can I have it?"
Now to the reason why I didn’t want to tell Diana this before. The girl was too curious, for her own good. No way could I tell her about the visions or the flower. No way could I give her the book either. I wasn’t sure she would understand the language it was written in.
If I handed the book over to her, and she didn’t understand it, I will be in trouble then. How do I explain I could understand the book, and she could not?
"I already returned it."
I finally settled on a lie.
Diana seed to buy it, because she shrugged her shoulders, and changed the topic.
"So, Maya," She began, her voice tinged with excitent, "did you know that you can use magic to create illusions? It’s like painting with light and shadow, but with a twist."
I listened intently, hanging on her every word as she explained the intricacies of illusion magic. With each new spell she described, my imagination soared, envisioning the endless possibilities that lay before .
"That sounds amazing," I exclaid, unable to contain my excitent. "I can’t wait to try it out for myself!"
Diana grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, lucky for you, I happen to know a few spells that might co in handy," She teased, her tone playful. "When we get back from school today, I will teach you."
***
After I accompanied Diana to her class, and wished her a good day, I took the grassy path that would lead to the students’ block.
The first thing I noticed was the chatter-filled air as students eagerly discussed an upcoming event. My eyes ran to posters that had been hung on the wall.
A beauty contest? What was this?
I didn’t know that witches concerned themselves with this. Shouldn’t it be a magic contest?
I sighed, increasing my walking pace. My first class would be starting the next five minutes. As much as the teachers gave no trouble, I didn’t want to co off as so egocentric brat.
However, the class was no different.
Noisy conversations filled the air about the contest that seed to be coming up soon. Without stopping to inquire what it was all about, I walked straight to my seat, and dumped myself in it.
"Hey, Dora," Levina greeted with a smile, her voice filled with excitent. "Guess what? I put your na down for the beauty contest!"
A minute silence followed her announcent.
"What did you say?" I asked, after finding my voice, aware that a few of my classmates were now staring at us.
"I put your na in the beauty hat!"
She scread, as if she hadn’t just turned my day upside down. Why did she think I would even be interested in that?
She must have seen the discontentnt in my face, because she dragged her seat close to mine, and sat down, confusion buttering her face.
"You don’t want it?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "I don’t see the necessity. I’m not actually interested. I don’t think I qualify for it too. Aren’t I a new student?" I queried, dampening my main reason why I was discontented with her decision. I didn’t want Levina sad.
If I told her that she was insensitive to have put my na there, considering the not so good attention I have gotten the past few days, she might spend the day as a forlorn hero. I didn’t want that. I couldn’t tell her either that I wasn’t vote-able, that she had made the wrongest choice.
"Dora, it doesn’t matter. Don’t worry, I think you will win."
I piqued my eyebrow, amazed at her faith in . Misguided, but still strong. Where would the votes co in from? Which student would vote for the freak?
Ever since that fateful incidence at the store, I’ve been looked at as one. It got worse after the eting with the Queen.
Although Peter had assured that the Queen hadn’t spread the news of our audacity, I couldn’t help but think that it had still spread. Worse, not the truth. But so corrupted notion. I wonder what it was. Even Raul wasn’t looking at again, wasn’t taking cognizance of again.
But do I care?
Not at all.
They could all go to hell.
"Dora, trust . You are going to win this."
I shook my head, not sharing her belief. "Why didn’t you put your na? You are very beautiful too."
Levina pouted her lips, and inclined into her seat more deeply. "I just thought you had a better chance..."
I held back a scoff.
"I know the past few days has been rough, but trust as your campaign manager..."
"Hold up a minute...campaign manager? What for? Is it a serious deal? Are there prizes to be won?" Incredulity rang true in my voice, and I knew it.
Levina’s eyes widened as if she couldn’t believe that I hadn’t heard of the perks of winning the contest. She grabbed a flyer from the hand of a listening classmate the next second, and pald it on my desk.
"Check it out, girl. Tell later if it’s worth it..."
I crinkled my nose, as I peered down at the flyer.
Winner gets:
-Private training sessions with the Queen.
-A Car.
-A vacation to any place outside the community.
-Unlimited access to the library.
You gotta be kidding .
"All these for a plain beauty contest?"
Laughter broke out from all around . It was then I noticed that more of my classmates had gathered around . For what? I cannot tell. But the laughter was friendly. A new thing.
"Not all. Facial Beauty is a plus. But there are magic tests, and other grading factors, including academics." A girl answered.
I didn’t know her na, but I knew that I was interested in the contest now.
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