Reckless Magic

I opened my mouth to speak, but nosound came out. He leaned closer to me and I inhaled his intoxicating aroma,something earthy, something herb-like, but something sweet as well. He placedthe palm of his hand against my cheek and electricity surged from his touch. Thefeeling was heady and overwhelming.

I wanted to struggle, to get awayfrom him, but I couldn’t move. Someone was invading my mind, my soul, or both.The intensity of the pulsing confused me. I trembled under the force of it.

Suddenly a deep and commandingvoice spoke, “Eden, wake up.” I lifted my head to see Principal Saint standingat the edge of the meadow, dressed all in black and with a terrible, forebodingexpression on his face.

Andthen I awoke, reaching out in the darkness for a hand that remained holdingmine only in my dreams.

Chapter Eight

With thoughts of my bizarre dreamfrom the previous night swirling in my head, I stepped out of Aunt Syl’s carunsteadily. Not only was my body psychologically shocked from the sense ofrealness of my dream, but I was also physically exhausted. My head felt verycloudy from the dull sense of electricity pumping slowly through my veins. Weakand tired, I forced myself forward.

Slowly, I walked up the hilltowards the Administration Building. Students passed me as they hurried toclass, but my feet felt clumsy, the electricity made me wobbly. At the top ofthe hill, I took a left on the brick path towards the English Building, and tomy surprise, Principal Saint stood on the path, blocking the way.

“Eden, may I speak with you for amoment?” His entire presence exuded a dignitary-like respect, and I was surepeople did not tell him “no” very often. Despite the request, he stepped infront of me, giving me no other option. At that moment, all I wanted to do wasget to class and sit down. I entertained the thought of walking right past him,pretending I didn’t hear. “Please, it will only take a second,” he asked again,noticing my hesitation.

“Have I done something wrong?” Iasked out of habit.

“Not that I am aware…. have you?”he flashed me a smile. He made a joke, but I was too exhausted to respond. Hecontinued, “I am only concerned that Kingsley might be a bit overwhelming foryou at first. Are you feeling all right? Has anything strange happened that wouldgive you cause for concern?” His voice was slightly strained, and I saw realapprehension in his eyes. Suddenly hebecame something to be concerned about. This was getting kind of creepy.

“I’m fine, thank you,” I kept itshort and to the point. The last thing I wanted to do was confide in the Principalof the school from hell.

“Of course you are,” he took aquick look around us before finishing with, “If you ever need anything, or ifyou ever have questions about anything, please feel free to find me immediately.”Before I had a chance to respond, he walked away back toward his office.

That was strange. I wondered for asecond if he knew about the weird things going on with me; but then I shook itoff. How could he? I never told anyone, not even Aunt Syl. The only thing thatcould really have alerted him was the mysterious exploding plant, but I was noteven sure if he saw what happened, although it was extremely out of theordinary. I had to admit that.

I continued toward class, realizingnow that I was the only student left standing outside. I tried to pick up mypace, but after my brief encounter with Principal Saint, I was more unstablethan ever. The pulsing electricity was steadily growing stronger, and my bloodfelt like there was a current of energy rushing through it.

By the time I entered the Englishand Arts Building I could barely stand up. I needed to empty myself completelybefore I continued to class. I looked around quickly. Although no studentsoccupied the lobby, I was afraid to cause a scene. My fingers crackled with thesound of electricity and my skin sizzled from the climbing temperatureinside.

As quickly as I could, I duckedinto the theater doors, across the hall from the marble staircase. I took amoment to let my eyes adjust to the darkness and started frantically lookingaround for a place to dispose of my building energy. A sudden burst ofelectricity surging through my heart made me double over in surprise. I triedto stand up, but only half succeeded. As fast as I could I hurried down theaisle, looking for anything that could be quietly destroyed.

On the stage I recognized the formof an almost hidden tin trash-can. I heard the last bell ring, informing methat I was late for class, so I took the stairs on the side of the stage two ata time and headed straight for the can. Looking around once more to make surethere were no onlookers, I pointed my hands toward the bottom of the can,hoping for a quick second, there was nothing disgusting in it, and released theenergy.

The trashcan exploded. Its contentsscattered across the stage, along with shredded pieces of tin. I felt muchbetter and although I was sure the explosion was loud, I was confident itcouldn’t have been heard upstairs. I brushed what pieces of debris remained onme and ran for the exit, out the double doors of the theater, and toward themarble staircase.

I didn’t make it far however,before I noticed Kiran and Talbott entering the building. They talked quietly,but heatedly, until they looked up and noticed me leaving the dark theater.They instantly stopped talking and gave each other a quick glance.

“What were you doing in there?”Kiran asked suspiciously.

“Nothing…. I got lost,” I gave asheepish grin and slowed down to a fast walk, hoping to make it to the stairsbefore them. I felt much better after discarding the electricity and felt anentirely new kind of energy, a natural kind.

“I don’t believe you,” Kiran saidbluntly, eyes squinting accusatorily.

“Kiran, let’s just get to class,”Talbott interrupted.

“Good idea,” I agreed over myshoulder, passing them while they still stood in the lobby. I made it to thestairs, sprinting the remaining distance to class. By the time I reached thedoor to English I was completely out of breath.

“Oh, Ms. Matthews, late again, Isee,” Mr. Lambert acknowledged my entrance with disdain and irritation. “AtKingsley we try to make promptness part of our daily routine. I hope this willnot be a regular occurrence.” He gave me a snide smirk, but allowed me to takemy seat in the back without further commentary. Lilly looked back and rolledher eyes.

A few minutes later, Kiran andTalbott arrived to class. They were both a little red in the face and clearlyhad continued their argument after I left them. Mr. Lambert offered a genuinesmile and said nothing about their tardiness as they took their seats. Now Iwas the one that was irritated.

English seemed to drag on under Mr.Lambert’s lecture; I struggled to pay attention. He droned on and on aboutShakespeare, but my only thoughts lingered on the evidence I left in thetheater. At the time I dreaded the consequences of being late for class overthe consequences of what would happen to me if the school figured out whotrashed the theater…. literally. I groaned inwardly, as I realized I shouldhave cleaned up my mess and destroyed all evidence first and worried aboutclass second.

“Pssst,” Kiran whispered in mydirection. When I refused to look at him, he tried again, “Pssssst.” I pulledmy hair over my shoulders and blocked my view of him.

“Eden,” he tried a little louder,causing several students around us to turn and glare. “Eden.”

“What?” I whispered back as sharplyas I could, peeking out from behind my wall of hair.

“Why were you late this morning?”he smirked, proud that he was able to get my attention.

“Why were you?” I avoided hisquestion. The theater incident was just one of the many reasons I was ru

“I’m allowed to be late. Didn’t yousleep well last night?” his grin widened into a proud smile and his perfect,straight and white teeth glistened at me.