Page 34 of Mistaken Magic

Exceptthis was real.MyentireLiteratureclass had just talked about the fae application of history to a poem.Ifthis was some kind of gag, someone had put in way too much effort.Allsigns pointed to real.Yeah, and maybe it was kinda boring so far, but at least the view was nice, right?Besides,Ihad a feelingI'dget to see some magic eventually.

Tryingto get my head back in the game,Ipicked up my tablet and hurried out of class.Atleast math was closer to whereIwas now.Ijust had to figure out how to get there.First,Ineeded the stairs, and the stream of people made it clear where those were.Headingup,IrealizedIwas probably going to be late, but they usually forgave that on the first day, didn't they?Isimply had to figure out whereIwas on the second floor, then find the wingIwanted, and start counting again.

Iprobably looked like some nerdy tourist with my tablet held up in front of me like a homing beacon.Staggeringthrough the press of bodies,Ifinally figured out whereIwas.Icould see windows over there, which meant that was theAwing, so ifIturned around, it would put me heading back in the directionIneeded, because my hall should be right...

Liftingmy eyes,Isaw him again.Torianleaned against the wall by the corner, his arm wrapped aroundAspen, of all people.Ofcourse they were together.Granted, of all the amazingly pretty people in this school, she definitely had on the sexiest version of this uniformI'dseen yet, complete with a body-hugging mini-skirt and the most adorable heeled boots.Twomore "models" stood beside them, both guys.Beautiful,delicious-looking guys.Itwas like a designer ad filled with perfect people.Thethree boys were fit, the girl was lithe, and none of them had a spare ounce of fat anywhere, as if they'd been airbrushed.

Evenbetter, they looked like a rainbow of skin colors, but their features weren't quite right.TheBlackguy had almostAsianeyes, as an example.Itwas like their creator had picked pieces of all the nationalities in the world and thrown them together in new and exciting ways.WaysIliked very, very much.Icould almost feel my cheeks getting warmer asItried not to gawk.

Whichwas howIended up walking straight into the shoulder of some guy heading the other way.Bouncingoff him,Istaggered, clutching at my tablet soIdidn't break the thing.Myheel slipped on the slick floor, andIturned, completely disoriented, only to have a hand grab my arm.

Ilooked up to findTorian'sgrip steadying me andAspenwith an arm out like she'd been ready to do the same.Great, nowIlooked like a complete moron.Notreally the best first impressionI'dever made in my life.

"Sorry,"Isaid, hugging my tablet to my chest. "GuessIshould've looked whereIwas going."

TheBlackguy chuckled. "Newgirl, huh?Guessyou don't know the rules around here yet.You'resupposed to bow to the king."

"Benice,Wilder,"Toriansaid.

Theolive-skinned guy with them - maybeHispanic? - jerked his head at the apparent leader of their little clique. "Seriously,Tor?She'sobviously a burner."

Thatwas whenAspenspoke up, shoving her finger into the guy's face. "Shutit,Hawke.Torsays to be nice, then you're real fuckin' nice.Besides, she's my suitemate."

"Right,"Imuttered before trying again. "Andan embarrassing moment is only getting worse."

"You'refine,"Aspenpromised, tossing a warning look atWilderandHawke. "Isn'tshe?"

"Clearly,"Wilderagreed.

Withoutmoving his arm fromAspen'sneck,Torianpulled her closer to his side, then whispered something in her ear.Shesmiled, turning her head just enough to see him, then pulled away.Thecouple traded an intense look, butAspen'ssmile was only getting bigger.Iwanted to walk past and head to class, but with the way they were standing,I'dhave to push through someone, andIhad a feeling my luck was already at its limit.

"Um, if it isn't any problem, canIslip between you guys?"Iasked the darker-skinned boys.

Hawkelifted a brow as if that question was somehow obscene. "Ina hurry?"

"Firstday, soI’mtrying to figure out where everything is,"Iadmitted. "Inall honesty,I'mso lost and confused, andI'mpretty sureI'mmaking this worse somehow."Myeyes shifted to theBlackguy. "Unlessyou just scowl at people all the time?Ihear it gives wrinkles."

Asif that was some magic trick,Wilderhuffed out a laugh. "Ok,Aspen, you're right.Interesting."

"DoIwant to know what that means?"Iasked.

Hawkesimply grunted, the sound making it clear he wasn't impressed. "Tor?Class?"

"Yeah,"Torianagreed.

LeaningtowardAspen'sear again, he whispered something else.Icouldn't hear, but evidently, the other two guys could.Theyall nodded, the boys breaking off, andAspenheld up her fist to bump againstTorian's.Hegrinned at her, tapped it with his own, then fell into the last scraps of high school traffic.Aspen, however, leaned back against the wall like she had all the time in the world.Nevermind that the halls were starting to empty out, which usually meant seconds until we were late.

"Torsays you're going to math?RoomB210?"

Inodded. "Yeah."

Shereached into her bag and pulled out a cluster of tubes.No, more of thosePixyStixshe'd been eating the other day. "Cool.Let'sgo."

Iwas not keeping up with her at all. "Excuseme?"

Shewinked. "I'min there too, hun."

"Oh.Thenmaybe you can show me whereIbelong."

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