The house sat quietly alongside a tree-lined street, its dark brick walls veined with ivy and soft golden lights floating just beneath the eaves.
Inside, the scent of herbs lingered in the air. Bookshelves crowded with ancient tomes and glowing crystals lined the walls, while a polished kitchen gleamed with modern appliances.
In one of the rooms, a girl lay on the bed, her eyes looking up at the ceiling.
"Astra! Come downstairs," a woman's voice was heard.
"Coming, Mom!" Astra shouted, snapping out of her thoughts. She quickly stood up and opened the door.
Creak! The hinges groaned.
She dashed out, and her long silver hair danced along with the wind, looking ever so graceful.
"Mom, you're back!" Astra ran down the stairs and exclaimed.
"Astra, stop running in the house!" A middle-aged woman with long black hair scolded from below.
"Where did you go? You suddenly disappeared yesterday evening. You're just coming back now?" Astra said, sitting down on a chair and folding her arms.
"I went to the coven," the mom said.
"For what?" Astra asked, her voice tinged with interest.
"You know I can't tell you that." The mom replied. She looked at Astra. "How many times are you going to ask me even though you know you won't get a reply?"
"Hmph! You don't need to tell me anyway." Astra turned her head, feigning an unhappy expression.
"Hmm… I have good news. I received word that you are also required to attend the academy."
Astra froze, her eyes widening as the words sank in. The shock hit so hard, it stole her voice.
"But…" She snapped out of her shock and was about to question the decision when her mom quickly cut in.
"I know what you're going to say," she said. "Although, after all the tests we've conducted, we haven't found any trace of supernatural lineage in you..."
…shown any 'specialness', you can still see this town, which is impossible for any human.
Besides, your birthday is tomorrow. Although you'll be a little younger than the other kids in your class, it would only be by months," the mom said with a smile.
"Do I have to go?" Astra said, lowering her head. "It would be weird being the only human there. What if I get bullied?"
"Don't pull that on me." The mom gave her a light knock on the forehead.
"Ow - hey!" Astra rubbed her forehead and glared at her mom like a wounded cat.
"I'm serious. What if I get injured, or bullied?"
"You have to. I heard the order came from the top," she said with a serious tone.
"Besides, Ashley and her mom would be back from New Orleans this evening. She also turned 16 a month ago and would be attending the academy with you. With her around, I'm sure she won't allow anyone to bully you."
"Ashley is arriving today?" Astra said, excitement in her voice.
"Yes. Now, do you want Ashley to attend the academy without you?" Her mom said with a sly smile and raised eyebrow.
"I guess you're right." Astra couldn't find words to object.
"Of course I am," Mom said with a teasing smile. "So, what do you feel like having for breakfast today? I picked up some sweet potatoes on the way."
Astra's eyes brightened when she heard. "Mom… are you making your special potato porridge from the recipe book?"
"You got it. I also bought the other ingredients needed."
Astra's eyes brightened and then narrowed a little. "You're doing the 'comfort food' thing again... because you know I'm freaking out inside. Aren't you?"
"Ohh… so you don't want it?" Her mom teased and sounded playful. "I can only make mine if you don't. Have you forgotten how creamy, hot and delicious it'll be… golden potatoes, soft spice and that buttery finish?" She said with a tempting voice and slowly licked her lips.
"Are you sure you want to miss out on that? You know how rare the ingredients are."
Gulp
Astra swallowed a little. "Of course I don't." She said, her voice small.
"Good. Now go pack your clothes into your bag. I'll be right back." The mom kissed her on the forehead and went straight to the kitchen.
Astra looked at her departing mother, her thoughts drifting back to what she had said.
A moment later, she slowly shook her head and went back upstairs to her room.
Astra looked at her room, and her eyes were a little melancholy.
"Hmm… Ashley would be back this evening. It's been more than a year since she went out of the city. What should I get her?" Astra thought as she sat on the bed.
"Hmm..." Her eyes drifted to the shelf where a pink book was on it.
"I got it!" She exclaimed and quickly walked over to the table and picked the book up.
Her picture was in the middle of the book cover together with another girl, their hands wrapped around each other's shoulders.
"I'm sure she'll love this," she said with a smile and jumped on the bed.
She slowly opened the book page by page, looking at each picture and recalling the happy moments. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't feel the passage of time.
"Astra! Breakfast is ready! Are you done packing your bags?" The voice of her mom was heard.
"What!" Astra snapped out of her thoughts, realizing she had—
"I'm on it!" Astra yelled and threw the book on the bed.
She threw open her bags and began packing, each folded shirt a reminder that she wouldn't be coming back home for a long time.
After doing all that, she opened the door and went straight downstairs.
While she wasn't looking, the pages of the book slowly closed as if it had a mind of its own.
"Sorry I forgot." Astra walked down the stairs with an apologetic expression.
"Hurry and sit. The food is getting cold," the mom urged.
"Okay, okay..." Astra sat.
A medium-sized green pot sat in the center of the table, its transparent lid still in place. The moment Mom lifted the cover, a burst of fragrant steam escaped into the air.
Astra's mouth watered a little.
Astra took a spoon, scooped some into her plate, and started devouring it like a hungry wolf.
"Well, there goes all the elegance I raised you with," her mom muttered, shaking her head with exaggerated disappointment.
She pretended that she hadn't heard and continued gulping it.
"Hmm... Delicious as always." Astra wiped her mouth, resting her back on the chair.
"Mom, this isn't all, is it? We still have some leftovers for Ashley and her mom, right?"
"Astra Greyston, do you really think I'm that kind of person?" Her mom looked at her, a little hurt.
"Mom…!" Astra wouldn't be fooled by that.
"Of course I did."
"Oof… I was scared I ate all of it," she said with relief.
Astra was about to take another scoop when a low hum rolled through the quiet morning.
She paused mid-scoop, tilting her head.
Her mom wiped her hands on a towel and moved toward the window.
"Ashley and her mom," she said with a knowing smile. "Speak of the devil."
"They're here?" Astra stood up and sprinted to the window.
There, she could see a black car pulling over at the house next door. A middle-aged woman and a girl stepped out.
"They're here!" Astra exclaimed and ran out of the house.
"Astra, slow down!" Her mom shouted, speed-walking, chasing after Astra.
Astra ran out of the house. "Ashley…!" Astra yelled with waving hands.
Ashley turned at the sound of her name, her bronze skin catching the morning light, long black hair cascading down to her waist.
"Astra!" She shouted and ran toward Astra.
The two girls hugged like never before.
"Hello, Ashley," Astra's mom said, approaching the two girls.
"Hello, Aunty Mowenna," Ashley replied politely.
"I'll leave you and Astra alone. You should go in, there's hot porridge waiting for you inside," Mowenna said with a smile.
"Thanks, Aunty Mowenna."
Mowenna nodded. "I'll go talk to your mom," she said and walked toward the car.
"Let's go, I have a gift for you inside," Astra said, dragging her by the hand and running to the house.
"Maelis, I didn't expect you to arrive so soon," Mowenna said with a wide smile, spreading her arms open.
"Someone was a little too excited to get on the road." The two hugged for a second or two and held each other's hands.
"I heard Astra is also to attend the academy," Maelis said with a serious tone.
"Yes, word came from above during the coven meeting." Her tone turned serious, which was a big contrast from the way she talked with Astra on the topic.
"How did you find out? Word really travels fast."
"Are you kidding me? There's no one in the city that doesn't know Astra. I'm sure they've all heard," Maelis said with a shrug.
"The only human in a city full of supernaturals? She's practically a legend already."