Page 13 of Mistaken Magic

JustlikeI'dexpected, there was a fancy curved drive at the front, then a set of stairs that led to one of those typical fountains.Thekind they put in front of museums, with the layers of tiered basins in the middle.Insome ways, it felt like those buildings inWashington,D.C., what with all the stiff, straight lines and powerful architecture.NotthatI'dever been toWashington,D.C., butI'dseen pictures.

ThemomentLiamparked the car,Iclimbed out of the front seat.Hefollowed only a moment later, moving to my side.Aswe crossed the wide drive, he began to tell me about this placeImight be attending.

"SilverOaksInstitutewas founded in 1972," he began. "Thecollege was created to give an elite education to special students from southernIowa.Now, we have students from all across the country and affiliates in places likeIrelandandGreece."Hepaused as we reached the main doors. "Classesare restricted to twenty students per class so everyone can get a little more individual attention.It'smore personal than what you're probably used to from the public schools you've been attending.Plus, tutoring programs are offered for free, along with mentorship programs."

"So,I'mnot expected to just know everything?"Iasked.

Heshook his head and held open the door for me to go first. "Noteven close,Lorraine.Promise.Wesimply need to make sure you're a fit with our special program."

Inside, the lighting was dimmer than outside, but still bright because of all the windows.Thehallways were large, and on the back wall,Icould see nothing but green.Yes, it was winter, but the back wall of this area led to what seemed to be a courtyard, kinda, but this wasn't like any courtyardI'dseen before.

"Isthatinside?"Iasked.

Liamlaughed. "It'sactually a greenhouse of sorts.Theycall it the atrium.There'sa glass roof on the fourth story, which keeps it warm enough for the trees and flowers to grow, but it's almost an acre of natural space that's comfortable all year."Heflashed me a devious smile. "Exceptright at midnight, when the sprinklers go off.Youcan thank me for the tip later."

"Nice,"Ibreathed, deciding he was definitely the cooler of theSparksbrothers.

Hewas already moving, guiding me to whereverIwas supposed to be, but the path took us right beside the windows.Icouldn't help myself.Ilooked up, surprised to see large metal beams at the top, and yes, that was definitely a glass ceiling.Probablyplexiglass or something, but still rather amazing.Theidea of a whole yard that big, suitable for all seasons and weather?Icouldn't explain it, but it made me excited about living here.

Ididn't get to do more than steal a glance, though.Weturned up a hall, andIfound myself gawking at the rest of this massive building.Tomy immediate left, there were halls filled with classrooms.Furtherdown, there seemed to be more, but on my right side was a large glass window.Behindthat was nothing but a long counter and plenty of adults.Itlooked like an office, sowhenLiamopened one of the double glass doors and waved me inside,Iwasn't surprised.

"Liam," a woman said, moving to the spot across the counter from us. "Yourniece,Isuppose?"

"Sheis," he agreed. "Lorraine, this isIvyRhodes, the dean here atSilverOaks.Shewill be giving you the entrance exam."

Thislady did not look nearly old enough to be the dean of a college.Astudent, maybe?Because, ifIhad to guess, she wasn't more than thirty - and probably younger.Shewas also gorgeous.Notjust the normal kind of pretty, like cheerleadersI'dknown.Nope, this woman was the jaw-dropping sort of stunning.Combinedwith her elegant brown suit, she looked more like a model than any sort of dean.

"Pleasureto meet you,"Isaid politely.

"Same," she said with a hint of a smile.

Liamchuckled, reaching up to clasp my shoulder. "IthinkLorraine'sa bit nervous.She'sfostering with my brother, you see."

ThatmadeMs.Rhodes' eyes widen slightly. "Isee.Well,IpromiseI'llbe kind,Liam."Thenshe smiled at me. "Ms.Brooks, is it?"Thewoman made her way around the counter, carrying nothing but a pencil and a folder. "There'sa room up the hall we can use for this."

"Pleasetell me it's not college-level stuff?"Ibegged.

"It'smore psychological," she assured me. "I'vealready set everything up for you."Whenshe gestured for me to leave the office before her,Ms.Rhodeslooked back toLiam. "I'lllet you know when we're done.Youcan meet her in the atrium, if that works?"

"Perfect,"Liamagreed. "Thanks,Ivy."

Forsome reason,Iliked howLiamsounded worried about me.Thenagain,Ididn't like that he wasn't completely confidentIcould pass this.I'dkinda hinted around on the drive here,hoping for some idea of what was on this test, but he said he didn't know.He'dnever taken one, and they changed based on each person.Asif that was any help!

Ms.Rhodesled me to the last door before the atrium.Itwas technically across from the glass-walled office, but the door opened to face the indoor greenhouse.Iwanted to pause and look at the plants again, just because seeing something like that in a school meant this place had to be super fancy, butMs.Rhodesdidn't give me the chance.

Inside, the room was merely a small classroom.Nothingtoo far out of the ordinary.Itwas just better than whatIwas used to.Theteacher's desk was made from real wood and looked like it belonged in someCEO'soffice.Theother desks weren't the cheap pieces of crapIwas used to either.Theystill had the side desk attached to a chair, but the seat was shaped to be comfortable, and the top was larger, made of plexiglass, and there was aUSBplug in the corner.Clearly, this school was tech-friendly.

Thewoman gestured for me to take one of the chairs, the sweep of her arm making it my choice.Ilooked across the empty room, then sat down in the center of the front row.Shemoved to claim her spot behind the desk, taking her time about it.Myguts were in a knot, andIwas more nervous thanI'dbeen before, becauseIreallywanted this.Itwould solve so many of my problems.

"Lorraine, right?" she finally asked, opening up her folder.

"Yes, ma'am,"Isaid.

"Thefirst part of this test is going to be a simple examination of your preferences.Thechoices may not make much difference to you, but please try to be honest, since it will allow us to place you correctly."Shepaused to flip past a few pages. "Ifyou could live anywhere, what would your dream home look like?"

Ok, not at all whatI'dexpected. "Small,"Idecided. "Lotsof windows to let in light, um, but with bright colors."

"Andoutside?" she asked. "Wherewould it be?City, country, beach, mountains, or something else?"

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