Page 25 of Mistaken Magic

Andwaited.

Eventually,Liamarrived.No, he wasn't late, but every second felt like an eternity.Iwas picking at the split ends of my hair when the sound of knuckles rapping against my open doormade me look up.Whenmy eyes landed onLiam,Ismiled.Hemerely glanced over to where my things were still packed from the last timeIsaw him.

"I'mgetting the strangest impression you still want to do this," he teased.

"IpromisedI'dthink about it,"Iassured him, "andIdid.Alot.Allsigns point to yes."

"Rain..." he tried.

"Liam,"Ibroke in, "ifIdon't do this,I'mgoing to the state home.IfIfail at this or decideIhate it, thenI'mgoing to the state home.Theworst-case scenario here is thatItry something which could work out.Ifit doesn't,I'mnot really losing anything."

"Yeah."Hemoved to grab my suitcase. "Iwant you to remember that, ok?WhenIget you settled in and start laying out the rules, just keep in mind thatIgave you a chance to back out."

"Promise,"Isaid, hooking the strap of my nylon bag over my shoulder. "Leadthe way,UncleLiam."

Hegrunted at that, but carried my suitcase downstairs to where the entire family was waiting.Mostof the kids looked like they'd rather be anywhere else.Ididn't blame them.Itwasn't like we knew each other.Stephanieoffered me a smile, whichIreturned.Mr.Sparkswarned me to behave myself.ThenMrs.Sparkshad to give me a big, mushy hug, acting like she'd been the sweetest mother ever.

Isomehow made it through all of that without my fake smile slipping.Outside,Liamhad me put my things in the backseat of his car, thenImoved to the passenger door.JustasIreached for the handle, a crow landed on the roof.Thething couldn't be more than a foot away.

"Jack," it croaked.

"Gonnamiss you,Jack,"Itold him even asIopened the car door. "Nomore bread, bud.I'mgoing to college and won't be back."

"Jack!" it chirruped even louder.

"Goon."Imade a subtle shooing gesture, not wanting to scare him, yet knowing he had to move.

Hecawed normally, then flapped away, his wings almost hitting my head when the large bird took off.Igroaned, then dropped into the passenger seat.WhileIwas buckling my seatbelt,Liamstared at me.

"Youknow that isn't really normal, right?" he asked.

"Formost birds, sure,"Iagreed. "Crowsare very social, though.Ifone's imprinted on humans, they'll be friendly with almost any human.Iwatched a documentary about it.That'showSeaWorldgot one that talks."

"Uhhuh."Andwith that, he backed out of the drive, andIwas officially out of that hellhole.

Onthe way over,IdecidedIreally likedLiam.Notjust tolerated or was willing to take his offer.Ilikedthis guy.Hewasn't ashamed to sing when a song he liked played on the radio.Hecould hold an actual conversation between those good songs.Then, he told me we'd have to get me a few supplies from the main office before he could take me up to my dorm.Basically, the man acted like he actually cared.

Thedrive from theSparks' toSilverOakstook almost half an hour, but it blew past this time.Yetwhen we pulled into the drive, the gate was closed.Liamhad a little transmitter stuck to the corner of the window that made it open, the silver tree in the middle of the fancy metal gate splitting so half went one way and half went the other.Whenit stopped moving, he eased his car forward.

Igawked, turning in my seat to see the property around us.Friday,I'dbeen entranced with the trees.Today,Ilooked pastthem, at the land beyond.Itwas all perfectly manicured, with trees, shrubs, and flowers set up like some fancyEuropeanplace.Everythingwas asleep for the winter, though.Snowclung under the lines of bushes, the grass was yellow, and most of the leaves were gone, and yet it looked so well-maintained.

Wherelast time we'd stopped in front of the main entrance, this timeLiamdrove around to the side.Tuckedbehind another line of bushes - which were taller thanIwas - a parking lot was hidden.Allthe cars had the same transmitter in the window, and most of them had a black sticker with a silver tree in the middle: teachers' cars.

"Dostudents get to bring their cars?"Iasked.

"Yes, but they're only allowed off-property on the weekends," he explained. "There'sanother lot on the other side for them.Theyalso get a transmitter, and it records every time they go in and out the gates.Meanswe know when someone sneaks off campus."

"Evenfor the actual college students?Notjust theAdvancedPlacementones?"

"Eventhem,"Liamsaid. "Becauseof the structure atSilverOaks, some things are more restrictive than the average university.Wehave specific benefits to make up for it, though.That'swhy our student body is small, but dedicated."

"Cool."

Becausewhat else wasIsupposed to say?Ididn't have a car, so it didn't really matter, but if the students could leave, then the place would be pretty barren today, wouldn't it?ItwasSunday, so no reason to stick around campus.Italso meant fewer people to see me moving in, which was kinda nice.

Oncehe was parked, we both got out.Liamgrabbed my suitcase,Igot my nylon bag again, thenIfollowed him to a side entrance.Thehalls were empty, soLiamled me the back way to the office.Themoment we stepped inside, a woman looked upwith a smile.Clearly, there was always someone in here.Italso seemed we were expected.

Withoutneeding to be asked, the lady passed across a stack of papers for him. "Herenrollment forms, her class schedule, and a welcome packet," she said.

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