Prestige Academy 1: Book Of Spells Read online

  "Can't you see where you're going?"

  Waving Chrissy off, I muttered, "That's okay. No need to yell. It was an accident."

  "Are you hurt?" the boy asked. His buttons weren't correctly fastened, and his slight belly made it seem as though they had just popped out.

  "I feel okay. I'll survive."

  He looked pained, his eyes were full and round. "I didn't mean to hurt you," he said, wiping his forehead and holding out his hand. "My name is Leo Roman."

  "Don't shake his hand." Chrissy grabbed my arm, preventing me from touching him…which I didn't intend to do, but it was a nice save on her part.

  He ogled me from my head to my feet, his smile spreading the further along his eyes travelled. “Do you want to come to my closet and see my comic book collection?”

  Chrissy took it upon herself to answer for me. “Ewww!”

  She tugged on me to leave, and I let her drag me away by the elbow. Still, I turned around to the pudgy boy and called out, "It was nice to meet you, Leo."

  "Don't talk to him," she warned in a hushed tone, "Whatever he has…is airborne."

  Three

  Hunter

  My fingers motioned through twists and pulls until I tighten the perfect knot for my tie. Although we have a limited selection of colours, I settle on the navy blue tie today. It's precisely centred on my crisp white dress shirt. For the finishing touch, I put on my matching blue blazer. Most students prefer wearing a cardigan or sweater vest as oppose to the blazer. And when they do, they will only wear it in the months it’s required. November through to the end of March. Not me. It's important to set oneself from the crowd. In an Academy where a uniform is mandatory, these subtle changes make an enormous difference. Making a good impression from the first day can carry me far into the school year. My shirt is tucked, and my belt is buckled. I fastened the two gold buttons of my blazer, which matched the 3 buttons on the end of each sleeve.

  I popped a stick of gum in my mouth and I opened up a box on my dresser, taking out an old, well-kept family watch I received on my last birthday. It wasn't flashy in the least, but if anyone knew watches, they'd know it was worth a small fortune. I dusted the orange crumbs from the dresser and slung my book satchel over one shoulder. My bed was neatly made, and I observed the unmade bed across the room. It was the first day of school, and I was already leaving to do homework before the warning bell rang.

  I strolled out my room into a hallway bristling with teens and Den Mothers trying to get everyone in order. Through the commotion, I locked my door. I was surrounded by younger students, heads bopping up and down around me. These little ignoramuses don't even know I'm here to pick them off one by one. Everyone wants something in life, and I discovered that it was only natural for me to find out what that was, and exploit it. If Freshman Year was a blast, there's no doubt Sophomore Year will be an explosion.

  I jetted out of the Dorm and carved my way through the large campus. To reach my destination quicker, I sliced through the front lawn of the Academy. Right on cue, I heard the irritating former mascot screaming from the open doors.

  "Ayayayayayayaya!"

  Last year, I was so close to getting that parrot shipped away, if not for budding politician Chrissy Stan-Crosser. Although she was nowhere near me, I couldn't resist. "Shut that bird up!"

  "You shut up!" Chrissy yelled back, but I was already gone, cutting through the flowers, bushes and fountains alike and popping out onto the bending pathway.

  The clock tower read 12 o'clock, but I knew it was lying to me. That clock only told the truth twice a day, once a day if you were nitpicking. I quickened my pace as I saw my final destination located near the back of the grounds.

  The library was a magnificent structure for a place that only housed old books. None of the other students used the quiet spot, so it was the perfect place to hold my morning meetings. And because my family donated everything in the building, I treated it like it was my second residence. I hopped up the steps to the second level and turned the corner to see my loyal subjects waiting for me. Ronald Wells, Robert Hump, Richard Carter and Michael Johnson.

  Someone's missing.

  The guys sat down around me as I removed a pencil from the inside of my blazer pouch and pulled out a small notebook from my back pocket. I sat on a large table with my foot resting on a chair, mentally going over some last-minute details. The guys were seated, eagerly waiting for me to begin the meeting, but I was not yet ready. My gum was losing its flavour.

  Finally, I tapped the end of my pencil to the pad and raised my head. "Where's Leo?"

  Before I could get a response, I heard the door swing open from below.

  "I guess that's him," Richard said with a rueful shake of his head.

  There was no doubt in my mind it was him. He was late, but I knew he had a good excuse. I waited a bit until the huffing and puffing became louder as Leo made his way up the two flights of stairs. As he took his final step, he let the pliers fall from his hand. He was sweaty and exhausted, but he was here, and the meeting commenced.

  My smile couldn’t be contained. "Did you cut all the camera cords on the grounds?"

  Leo took a couple of long breaths before he answered, "They're all cut."

  With a pointed pencil, I added, "Except the camera on the gates, right?"

  His breath caught in his lungs, which caused me to worry.

  "Remember, I said specifically not to cut the camera on the gates—"

  "Why do we want the cameras down again?" Robert asked.

  My attention shifted to my freckle-faced school mate. "We want to make sure the faculty can't track our movements on campus, so we cut the cameras inside the dorm building. But the gates are a different story. The cameras on the gate keep track of the teachers, which is why they need to be operational. Teachers coming in and out, that's something we want to keep an eye on. Who knows when it will be beneficial to us?" They all nodded in understanding as I stood up to start the meeting. "This gathering will be brief. You all should already have your assignments as we begin our first day of school." I pointed to Michael. "How's the washroom access coming along?"

  "We're all set. Freshmen are officially on notice; it will be $10 to use the toilets."

  "And they're all staffed?"

  He sat back in his chair, confidently. "It's covered."

  "I knew I could rely on you, Mike." Next, I focused on Richard. "And how's the Sophomore Math Test sale coming along?"

  "Presale has started. I figured it wouldn't hurt to have people paying before we even have a test."

  "I like your initiative." I turned to all of them. "Ricky is on the right track, everyone. Capital is important, and we’re going to need every bit of it to get this business up and running. I'm working on us getting tools to continue our dorm room maintenance service. It seems like Mr. Wilson moved his equipment from its usual spot. He may be on to the fact I was using his tools without his permission. I’ll sort it all out." I paced the room. “Last year was a phenomenal success. Yes, we had our limitations on account of being freshmen, but that never dampened our resolve. But today…today is the beginning of a new adventure. One where the bar has been raised only because we have a naïve group of kids underneath us." I clapped my hands and rubbed them together. “We're sophomores now, let's make sure we start acting like it!"

  The guys pumped their fists in the air with a shout.

  "You're all dismissed."

  I waited until the crew staggered out of the library because they weren't the official crew. The real crew was still here, Leo and me. The other guys were just recent additions to the team. A test to see how far we can expand our business and increase our monetary intake. It was only the first day, but no matter how big our racket may get, the core had to remain stable.

  "You did it again, Hunter," Leo said, moving from his chair to the couch. "You could’ve talked those guys off a cliff."

  I chuckled. "Let's hope it never comes to that."

  Leo was s
horter than me with dark hair and puppy dog eyes. He was perfectly chubby and always in a good mood, which made his behaviour today odd.

  He slumped back into the couch and sighed deeply.

  He seemed drained and wasn't as attentive (even for him) in the meeting. His shirt was untucked, collar eschewed, and his laces were untied, though that was his usual appearance. Still, something was off. Leo’s in trouble.

  "I saw you were up early this morning to get a head start on cutting the cameras. Why were you late for the meeting?"

  “Fate.” His head was back, and he had a faraway look in his eyes. "I just met the woman of my dreams."

  Right, trouble. I straightened his collar. “Yeah?”

  "It was magic. I'm in love." I spit out my gum in the trash bin as he made some room on the couch so I could sit beside him. "I did just like you were telling me to last night. You said if I ever see an opportunity, don't wait around. You said I should just…"

  "Grab the bull by the horns." I'd just finish watching a Chicago Bulls game, and a bull metaphor popped up in conversation. However, I was equating a basketball game to life, not love.

  "So, I did just that. I ran straight into the girl of my dreams."

  Literally? "Just to make it clear. In the analogy I gave you, the girl would be the bull, not you, or the entire expression falls apart."

  "Oh." His brows furrowed as if I confused him further. "It was an accident all the same. But it was meant to be. It's a story we’ll one day tell our children."

  He's too far gone. Well, it was bound to happen. We can't all stay a child. Typically, I wouldn't want this newfound infatuation getting in the way of our business prospects, but I can allow this to take hold for now. It's something all young men have to go through in life. I remember my first love. A lesson well learned. Leo may be a bit of a late bloomer, but as they say, there's no time like the present.

  I put an arm around his shoulders. "This couldn't have happened to a better person. You, out of everyone here, deserve to be happy." I lowered my hand. I know everyone at school, and I don't remember Leo crushing on anyone in particular. "So who’s the lucky girl?"

  "Hunter, Leo," Robert shouted from downstairs, "Mrs. Benton is coming!"

  Mrs. Benton, the librarian, only stopped by periodically to make her rounds and nothing more. It's better if she doesn't know we use the library for our hangout spot. No need to draw unnecessary attention. "Leo, get rid of the pliers and let's go."

  Four

  Ayanna

  We walked to the Academy’s next destination, and Chrissy clung onto me as if we were two lovers in a park. I think she was still troubled by my ‘Leo attack,’ as she labelled it in her constant retelling of the story. She didn’t want me to get injured again. Not on her watch! It's funny Chrissy designated herself as my protector when she's slighter than me. Yet, oddly enough, I do feel safe under her guidance.

  We entered through double doors into a room filled with fluorescent lighting. Basketball hoops, volleyball nets and more covered the floor. Not to mention all the gymnastic equipment.

  "This is the gym."

  Before Chrissy could fully get out the last word, I ran and did a cartwheel into a flip. I landed with my hands in the air facing her. Tah-Da! I don't know what came over me. The gym was so inviting, I've never seen one so big…maybe on T.V.

  Chrissy put down her clipboard and clapped her hands as she skipped over to me. When she neared, she picked up her speed and effortlessly did a front flip into a backflip.

  "Twin-sies!" she said, grabbing my hand in the air.

  I laughed at the thought of us being anything close to twins.

  "Great form!"

  "Thanks,” I said and clapped for her performance as she curtsied.

  The blue mats were already spread out on the floor as I followed her over to one, and we sat down. "Were you on the gymnastics team at your former school?"

  I shook my head as I combed my hair with my fingers. I don't know what possessed me to flip without making sure my curly hair was secured. "We didn't have gymnastics in high school. The equipment was too expensive. But for a couple of years when I was younger, my community centre had free lessons. My parents signed me up, and I did it for 3 years. I dreamed I'd go to the Olympics." Truthfully, I was never really that good, but that’s what made it a dream.

  "Why'd you stop?"

  "It was all politics. Funding was eliminated in my neighbourhood, and the program was scrapped that very year."

  She fidgeted her fingers as she wiggled her body on the mat. It was the first time I saw her nervous. "I'll have you know that even though I was young, I was firmly against my father's stance on cutting community funding in disenfranchised areas."

  Her father was the one responsible for crushing my childhood dreams? Awkward.

  "All the equipment here was sponsored by the Mills family. Our families do that from time to time. It's a way of showing the Academy appreciation. And a way of reserving a spot for the next generation. You know how it goes." She winked.

  I didn’t know how it goes. But thanks for informing me.

  We sat on the mat in silence for a while. I stretched out my legs and wiggled my toes. Everything I've seen so far was so much bigger than the school I left behind. And we weren't nearly finished the tour.

  "Close your eyes."

  I did as she instructed. With my eyes closed, I listened to her hushed voice.

  "We hold a lot of celebrations on the estate. One such celebration is held every year on the Harvest Moon." She spoke with a haunting voice. "Legend has it, when the moon looks its biggest and takes on a dark orange hue, you can hear the voices of spirits who long ago died in the fire, screaming to be released from these walls." Her voice was soft and grew louder. "Release me…release me...release me."

  Chills prickled throughout my body, causing goosebumps up and down my arms. My eyes flashed open to make sure we were still alone in the vast room. "That's creepy. Why would the Academy choose a period so bleak in its history to host a celebration?"

  She shrugged with little care. "Irony?"

  After roaming around in the gym, we headed to what I knew would be my favourite part of the school. We stood in the cafeteria as the flavourful aroma of different spices mixed together engulfed the room. At that moment, I could eat everything on the menu, sight unseen. The walls were painted white, and the tables were white as well. Out of all the places in the Academy so far, this one looked as if it didn't belong. It was obviously newly renovated. Which begged the question, why didn't any other place get a makeover? Much of the building looked frozen in a distant past…what a weird, stagnant place for the affluent to send their children.

  "As you can see, this is the school cafeteria. At lunchtime, you’ll come back here to pick up your Welcome Package. It’ll contain your school access card for meals. The cafeteria will offer a variety of lunch choices while breakfast and dinner are served in the Dorms. Just make sure you swipe your access card after every meal purchased. Normally, the Headmaster would go through the Welcome Package with you. Unfortunately, he isn’t in today.” Tapping the clipboard, she said, "We have menus available for all religious types and diets: kosher, Zero Carbs and the like. Not to sound too preachy, but I cannot stress the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. Not only will you keep your weight in check," she paused in such a way, I took it as a slight dig at my weight, "you will also be sparing the lives of animals."

  I looked her dead in the eye. "You're wearing leather shoes."

  She met my gaze with the same passion. "In life, everything's not so black and white. We all must make sacrifices in regards to fashion…even cows."

  I legit stood in awe. Chrissy amazed me. For someone so politically correct, she was utterly oblivious.

  Simultaneously, our heads turned at the sound of approaching footsteps. A taller teen with dark blonde hair and brown eyes stopped in front of us with a curious eye. His shoulders were massive, and his chest stuck out more than mine. It m
ust take him half the day to eat enough calories to maintain his XL stature. Although his body looked hard, I’d bet he gave the best cuddly bear hugs.

  "Why are you giving the dishwasher a tour?"

  For the record, I was not wearing bright yellow gloves.

  Chrissy looked like she just bit into something sour. "She's not a dishwasher. She's a new student. Why would you say such a thing? Because she's American-Canadian?"

  I knew I confused her earlier.

  He appeared puzzled, I think it was the American-Canadian comment that threw him. "No, it's not that.” He shook his head. “I know our lovely neighbours to the south are not all dishwashers. It's because she's not wearing a uniform, we're in the cafeteria, and I thought all the tours for first-year students happened last week."

  "I did give the niners tours last week to get them ready for the first day of school."

  Finally, I decided to join the conversation. "It took longer for me to wrap things up at home. I just arrived today."

  Rubbing his chin, he pondered, "You don't look like a freshman."

  "She's a sophomore like us." Chrissy twitched her nose at him, and it took him a second to figure out her unique brand of nose language.

  He soon cracked the code. "How rude of me." With a hand on his massive chest, he said, "Whitmore."

  "Ayanna."

  My tour guide shot me a harsh look.

  "Parkinson," I corrected. The last name matters more than first names around here.

  Whitmore folded his arms together, his biceps bulging in his buttoned-up plain white shirt. "Parkinson? Parkinson. I'm not familiar with your family."

  "Neither am I, with yours."

  "Oh yes, you’re familiar, you just don't realize.” With a chuckle, his body loosened up, and for the first time, I glimpsed his dimples. That was enough to soften his intimidating stature. It made him look like a big old teddy bear. "You can't have a party without involving my family."