(Day 5 Onesday)

  LaTao takes a knee at the edge of the pool. “Okay, ladies. Enough repetition. Let’s put it all together.” She then lies, belly down, on the floor with her chest just over the rim of the pool. “I want you to get your face this close to the water,” she explains with her nose teasing the ripples beneath. “You’ll know you’ve properly spoken the incantation when the water moves from your face.”

  One more time, she slowly enunciates each syllable of the ancient tongue for her two peers to hear. Upon completion, the wobbling surface of the water, once inches from her nose, dips low before her as if a glass bowl is being pushed down into it. “Once that happens, jump on in!” With a splash, she drops into the water and swims about, enjoying the view from below without holding her breath.

  Okay. Now it’s on them.

  LaTao swims deep down to the bottom of the pool. The cool water feels perfect against her skin. The weightless feeling is more enjoyable when breathing comfortably. “This is amazing!” she says. Her words echo in the invisible fishbowl around her head. She takes a seat on the swimming pool’s floor. Looking up, she can see clearly through the pristine water.

  “Ethur is struggling. I’ll give her a few tries to get it on her own. Don’t want her to think I’m a micromanager. The last thing I need is for her to dislike me. Of all the coven, she’s the nicest to me and I need to keep it that w– Oh! Uh oh!”

  Suddenly, a big, shiny bubble appears around Kami’ka’s face. Her eyes widen. Her loud shout of “WHAT!” is heard by everyone but LaTao… not that she needs to be a lip-reader to interpret. Kami’ka’s head vibrates with joy, so much so that the tips of her blue braids fall into the water.

  LaTao pumps her fist. “Yes! That was fast, Kami’ka!” When the two lock eyes, LaTao waves, motioning for her to come close. Her other hand taps the floor beside her as if to say, ‘Have a seat.’ Kami’ka’s face fades away when she backs up from the pool and out of view.

  “Awe… I was hoping…” LaTao sighs, assuming Kami’ka must have turned her attention back to Ethur. “I was hoping she’d join me. “Maybe if–”

  PUH–THOOM!!!

  Kami’ka splashes into the pool, booty first, in a classic ‘cannonball.’ Her cheerful giggles are barely heard by LaTao, but the joy is felt just the same. With matching smiles, she swims down and takes a seat on the floor beside LaTao. Side by side, the duo enjoys the view from below. Patiently, the triumphant two watch on as their friend struggles.

  LaTao scoots and leans close enough for their two air bubbles to connect. “What’s a pretty girl like you doin’ in a place like this?”

  “Grrrrl. You silly.” Kami’ka replies, shaking her head.

  LaTao chuckles, relieved her silly joke was well recieved. “This is fun, right?”

  “Oh this is aMAZEing!” Kami’ka says, showing all of her teeth. Her smile is infectious. Her eyes are kind and sweet. The flawless tone on her puffy brown cheeks and long, batting eyelashes clearly convey how important appearances are to her. That being said, nothing speaks of her confidence more than her choice to wear makeup to a pool. Her braids are all falling to the right side, showing the recently faded left side of her head.

  This fun and accepting view of Kami’ka is more than enough to spark optimism in LaTao’s mind. I could get used to being around her all giddy like this. Content, she returns her attention to her other student. Ethur is still having it tough, but I’ll give her some time. For a moment, she stares straight up and feels lost in the rhythmless ripples and waves of the water’s surface. She looks to her right to see Kami’Ka staring up with equal awe, lost in the patternless, simmering ripples above.

  LaTao looks to her right just in time to see a pair of thin, pale legs stepping into the distant side of the pool. That’s Meeka! She got the spell right! Good on her! The two lock eyes in the distance and wave at each other. That’s my girl!

  Ethur’s bubble appears in LaTao’s peripheral vision. With glee, her final student tumbles headfirst into the pool. LaTao leans back and takes a deep breath, then sighs. She relaxes, proud that step one has gone exactly as planned. One by one, the other girls make their way down to the bottom of the deep end. The seven swim and play with mostly dry hair, enjoying this moment of fun. LaTao reminds them that as they play, they’ll tire faster because they are using up energy swimming and burning ethis with the spell simultaneously.

  Ninifer’s fluctuating bubble is the first to shrink. She quickly rises to the top and exits the pool. Her long legs barely carry her to the nearest chair before she collapses. “Whew! That was amazing,” she admits to no one.

  Deska rises moments later, but refuses to verbally admit to enjoying LaTao’s idea. When she looks back into the water, she sees April smiling and Meeka laughing. There’s no way to deny it… Breathing underwater is an awesome skill to have. One by one, each of her friends joins those on the surface. They catch their breath and relish in the moment… drained of ethis and tired from swimming, leaving Meeka alone under the water with her best friend.

  Meeka hugs LaTao and looks up at her celebrating coven. “You did good, Bestie!”

  LaTao nods, facing away from the others. Her joyful smile is replaced with a serious look of determination. “Don’t worry. I’ll win them over.”

  ***

  (Day 6 Twosday)

  Ms Lyttle paces back and forth in front of an oddly silent class. The often proud and the boisterous are mimicking the more timid students. Multiple gods are being silently pleaded to, beckoned by desperate teens. Phrases like “I’ll do anything” are whispered by dry throats as sweaty palms clasp and fidget. Legs are shaking, pencils are whirling, fingers are fidgeting… but slowly, the wandering eyes eventually gather onto two targets.

  Ugh… How am I supposed to act like I’m NOT a ‘know-it-all’ if they all stare at ME when they don’t know the answer?! LaTao squirms, sinking into her seat. Please call on Kiara. I’m sure she knows the answer, too. Shit! Where is the teacher?

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  LaTao briefly raises her gaze before quickly sinking back into her mental cave. That was close! The next moment I look around, I just KNOW I’ll look right at the teacher’s eyes and get called on. Ugh…. Am I really the only one that’s interested in this stuff? How can they NOT want to know about all the previous Wizards of The Nine: What made them tick, what made them special, how they contributed to the world of magic we now know and love…? It’s like they just want to know how to pass tests.

  She sighs, garnering more attention than she notices. To them, this is probably a means to an end… ‘legacy students’ gettin’ free rides on their family’s name. Some are only here because it’s expected of them. Their parents saw them accidentally float or freeze something and now they expect their kid to be some sort of magical genius. Other than Kiara and Meeka, none of these kids are serious… not really. I wonder if– aggression.

  “LaTao.”

  And there it is….

  With rolling amber eyes, LaTao sits upright and pretends be confused. She looks everywhere before finally finding Ms Lyttle. “Oh! Hey! Sorry…” she says with a shy smile. “What was the question?”

  Ms Lyttle takes a long deep breath. “I asked the class if they knew the name of ‘The Roaming Red Wizard.’”

  “Oh…” LaTao looks out the window, then up at the ceiling. “Um… I don’t know… uh….” She bites her bottom lip and avoids eye contact. “I’m just gonna guess… Ruebious? I don’t know,” LaTao lies.

  “Good ‘guess.’ The correct answer is, in fact, Roaming Red Ruebious with his white wolf, Willow.” The teacher’s voice shows more than a hint of disappointment. “I’m surprised you kids haven’t read stories about him.”

  Of COURSE I know all about him and his fluffy familiar. You have to be powerful to become a Wizard, but he’s the first one I know of that is known for being kind. Many Wizards make a name for themselves by having a special attack that is their signature move. They gain renown by defeating some famous beast, killing some infamous fiend, or stopping some calamity. Even my favorite, Dominus, is known for being the greatest BattleMage, going into wars and leaving smoke, dust, and blood in his wake, she thinks with a mischievous smile.

  Ruebious, however, was all about protecting wildlife. Her smirk is gone, replaced by a warm, loving smile. He saved forests and creatures in danger of being wiped out. No animal would ever attack him, be it snakes, bears, or even dragons. It’s like they knew they were safe around him. Her smile fades… and then there’s Willow… that beautiful girl of his. I know she was a good girl! Ouch! LaTao turns around, wondering why Meeka’s roughly nudging her from behind.

  Meeka whispers, “I don’t know what face you been making… but you should probably stop.”

  LaTao’s eyes slowly widen. Within seconds, her cheeks glow so brightly that one may think a spell was cast on them. “Oh no.” Please don’t tell me I was making ‘the face.’

  Meeka starts to grin. “Wait… you were thinking about the dog, weren’t you?”

  LaTao turns her whole chair around and buries her face in Meeka’s desk. “Uuuuuuuugh.” She can feel the eyes all around her, but she doesn’t want to see.

  “Were you thinking about the big widdle puppy!” Meeka says with a voice one would use when talking to a tiny, cute creature. “Was her thinking about petting the pretty girl?” she asks to the tune of teen laughter.

  LaTao pulls the collar of her shirt over half of her face. “Just kill me now.”

  Mercifully, Ms Lyttle rallies the minds of the other students and continues her history lecture. Fortunately for our friend, Kiara kindly gives in and answers the next few difficult questions. LaTao keeps her mouth shut, but occasionally, her mind wanders, and her bottom lip pouts on behalf of a dog that died hundreds of years ago.

  ***

  Nobody is more relieved than LaTao to hear the armonica melody play. It’s followed by the sweet sound of the door unlocking. Our little hero can’t get out of the classroom fast enough. She turns and darts down the hall like a celebrity dodging paparazzi.

  Deska jogs up to LaTao’s side and immediately stumbles, taking five long, awkward steps to hit the floor. She slides, dropping her little satchel of school supplies, and soars across the marble tiles. LaTao can almost imagine a full cape on the poor girl, the way that she’s stretched out on her belly. Before long, they find themselves surrounded by the rest of the coven. Kami’ka and Ethur immediately start laughing.

  LaTao turns to help her up, but before she does, Ninifer steps over her freckled friend, causing the other two to laugh even harder. Kami’ka points and says, “Daaaaaamn, girl! You just gonna let her literally walk all over you like that?!”

  “It’s my fault,” Deska replies, finally accepting LaTao’s hand. “I should’ve watched where I was going.”

  “Yes, you should have,” April adds. “You better not have scuffed my shoe.”

  “Girls, girls,” Meeka says, gathering their attention. “We can pick on Deska some other time. I’m in the mood to practice some magic. Any ideas on what we can do?”

  Kami’ka points to LaTao. “No worries. Princess Puppy Love here always has fun ideas, right?”

  LaTao smiles and droops her shaking head. Deska smiles, glad the attention has moved from her. Ethur giggles, patting the dust from Deska’s black and red school uniform. April rolls her eyes with a hint of a snarl to her upper lip. She looks down the hall, tossing her head to the side just enough to get her bouncy curls away from her left eye. The section of her hair by her right ear is cornrowed into a few braids. At the bottom of the braids are glossy pearls between beads of gold. They match her necklace perfectly, leading to a two-inch ball of distressed solid gold. The link attached to the ornamental ball, as well as the two above, is distressed with speckles of silver patterned as if it were rust… expensive ‘rust.’

  LaTao looks at the faux ball and chain and thinks, I didn’t know that April’s a Divineist. I would say that she’d get along with Sage… but he’d probably just tell her that The Divine would rather she give that money to the poor and needy. Crazy how religious people wear the instrument of their savior’s death as jewelry.

  April’s tight-lipped smile does well to hide her emberassment. “Compose yourself, Deska,” she commands with derision. “You’re making us look so… common.”

  Deska quickly rubs the dirt off of her knees and chest. “Oh! I’m sorry!” She bites her lip and shrinks behind LaTao, hoping not to stand out. She slouches a bit to seem shorter than LaTao… which doesn’t take much since she’s not even an inch taller.

  Meeka’s arm raises to ride LaTao’s shoulder. As the two begin walking toward the nearest exit, she says, “So, Bestie. Any ideas in mind? I want to have a little fun… but I also want to practice.”

  Ethur raises her hand. Realizing that she didn’t need to raise her hand, Ethur smiles an awkward smile. She grabs the raised hand with her other hand and then pulls it down. “Um… We can always play ‘No-Nine’ at the dorm.”

  Shit… there is no way I can let THAT happen! I would destroy all of them. I can only hold back but so much. There are a lot of things I can fake… but I honestly can’t imagine going at ‘half speed’ at that game. What can I do to–

  “Nope.” Meeka gestures to everyone. “There are seven of us. No-Nine is either one on one or two on two… unless you’re saying you want to take on two of us on your own.”

  … which I could totally do. Don’t smirk. Don’t grin. That’s right… just look down and act like you’re thinking. “Hmmmm.” Yeah. That was believable.

  Ethur chuckles and suggests, “We can go outside and play catch!”

  Though everyone else looks at her, questioning her sanity, LaTao’s eyes widen. Oh, I can work with that!

  LaTao hops forward and turns around. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea!”

  Meeka cocks her head to the side like a confused puppy.

  Who are you most worried about right now?