An Unusual School of Wonder

As the carriage dropped us off at the bus stop I looked around seeing only a couple passengers were getting on the bus.

But what couldn’t hide was a malodorous of rusted coal with Ogar poop, though there was a hint of chocolate cookies.

Either way Most of them don’t even look like they still go to school, there was a man leaning on the pole sleeping with a blanket over him, a young lady with two cats in her hand brushing both kittens while muttering something too them.

Luckily there was a boy who looked our age but also looked intimidating, as well he wore a black leather jacket with some type of symbol of a demon— no a gargoyle on the back. More clear on his hefty stone wings that popped out of him. He had a Greek tan that seemed almost on the verge of burnt cripes, with pure black greased hair slipped back. Only one strain of white streak sticking out, as he kept his head down but when I looked closer he had fearsome indigo orbs.

The glances from hovered over us as deadly sins do with prey and as their eyes surrounded us it had me think of being a fish swarmed with sharks.

They probably think the same thing as us.

When the carriage man slash centaur gave us the last of our bags we began to walk as a new kid walking up to the wrong crowd just to fit in. To the bus stop we made it to without any heads or blood being spilled itself, yet unease went to each particle of my wing. Thus came from the other Gargoyles that sat on top of the rigidity bus stop that wobbled from each flap from their wings, as it gave us a barrier from them shooting our skulls.

Zander told me to sit down while he and Daisy stood, him in the air and Daisy on the ground while she had her wand in position as they both stood up in front of me.

I guess Artemis wasn't joking about the bodyguard thing. Though I couldn't complain and just sat down continuing to read the book I was about to finish, but before I could finish my last paragraph a bus crashed down from the sky.

Both Zander and Daisy pushed their hands in my face covering me from the dust and bits of dirt that washed through us. Curiosity came to me and I peeked my head through their arms to see the tattered bus move back for it parked position to move forward and bump into a streetlamp, surprising Daisy and me.

“Hey Zander are you sure this is the right bus,” Daisy asked pinching onto her bracelets to remove them from her writs to wrap them around her wand as a habit. “It’s not really the best-looking one.” She whispered quietly to me tugging onto her crystal bracelets already wrapping them too to her wand.

She was right. It was not the best type of bus as well the black wings looked all worn out. There are spots where the bus may be missing some important pieces and the brown and gray fur...well more of old dirt fur was all over the place, but I always say to never judge a book by its cover.

Then as we grabbed our bags stepped with caution up to the doors opened leading us to see a Gargoyle riding the bus. He opened the door and a good long look placing his sunglasses down to the ridge of his nose to see us properly. With that, he chewed his gum at the same time having one of those skewers in his mouth, interesting multitasking. About a middle-age probably works out cause he did look buff. Seemed more a gang member than a bus driver, wearing simple black ripped jeans and a black shirt and the same leather jacket the other boy was wearing at the bus stop.

Maybe they were related or this could actually be our stop.

“Well, well, well, is that Zander Griffin I see.” He chuckled in a hard country accent,it was a little hard to understand at first, but it was comprehensible. Zander smirked at the driver while he got off with one step wider than the other. Once he did they both gave a solemn hug the gargoyle patted him on his wings many times, while Zander towered over the gargoyle by a foot.

“Hi, Crag how are yeah.” Zander said looking down at him.

“I’m fine my boy, I am so happy to see yeah, but what yeah doing in the middle of Buffer-ton.” The Gargoyle adjusted his shades to the rim of his nose in a grin.

“I’m actually here with my friends. " Zander said gesturing to us.

I waved while Daisy just stared at him oddly.

“You know how I talked about that— fairy. " Zander bent down in a whisper, so only him and the Gargoyle could hear what he was saying.

But I could hear everything, well not everything but most.

“Oh is this her,” He gleaned with a genial smile ready to give her a hug, as he did.

I notice in the nudge of his neck the same Gargoyle boy putting his duffle bag on the side of the bus near us then speed back into the bus suspiciously.

"Howdy, I am so honored to meet yeah, Zander overhear has told me so much about y’all story.” He said another grin with his relentless cold eyes, getting a closer look at his freckles that almost look as bones scattered his face, he stumbled to Daisy and gave her a massive hug herself.

Never met a gargoyle, but I have read about Gargoyles and the stories I’ve heard that they're all grumpy and tired, but he did not look like that at all.

He seemed more kindhearted man, we all heard a beep coming from his watch making us all turned to the noise he’d unhedged Daisy telling us to get on the bus fast before we were late for the shield.

What ever that meant.

A thrust of oil splattered in the pipes that extended from the wings and with that he pushed us on the bus telling to pick a seat in the front. As we took our seats Craig punched a key into a cardboard box on top of the dashboard, slamming the box he started the bus by having a sporty grumble come out of it. He excelled down on the go petal like a spot’s car making us all almost flinch from the amount of gas he put on one go.

Well actually Daisy fell when it happened, but I helped her up, all three of us properly sat down with our bags still in our hands. I searched for an overhead compartment to place my suitcase in, but none were their only windows. To improvise I just placed it under my feet still surprised on how fast the bus flew in this condition.

Daisy and Zander screamed in terror on how fast we were going, gushes of wind went through of our hair it seemed like we were going higher and higher for a long time.

I for some reason didn't and liked the adrenaline that went through my wings and loved the wind through my hair.

Eventually the bus became steady and all you could hear were the flapping of wings, as we at last went to an steady pace I looked around the bus seeing that it looked just like the outside, dim and dirty.

You would think that they would at least clean the buses after every route.

My eyes wonder seeing different types of creature our age and some who look too old to be in school, teachers perhaps.

In front of us was a warlock, you could tell because he had a broomstick and a cauldron he had on the side of himself, he read “The Mystery of Potions By Anges Light Heart” one of the most top witches in Utopia.

If I'm correct she is actually one of the founders of Utopia High, meaning he himself could go there also.

Studying for potions if I’m correct.

His head went straight up freeing my gaze upon him, his green cat like eyes stared only to bring his dilated eyes up and down making me more uncomfortable.

A couple seats down on a bench was a pixie feeding a Venus fly trap, she giggled trying to play with him. Key word trying for he always bit her, yet she kept whispering affirmations in the fly traps…ears? Then the fly trap jumped on her trying to chew her hair, she waved her finger as a no and continue to play with him.

I flinched myself as the fly trap did that, but she stayed still, taking him off her and fixing her ash blonde hair.

The bus seemed to have the same creatures from the bus stop before though they had a full glow to them, no longer dull and old. They all were younger and less nun like, the gut that was sleeping with a blanket was actually a griffin actually a Roman one too. He slept feet apart, head back, mouth, noisy snorts open his Afro hair covering his face and his wings covering himself.

There were so many more a centaur with stalls for each one, three little elves, vampires, witches, even a pool in the back for the mermaids.

You could agree that it wasn’t the best looking but if It could hold all of us then it has to have some type of magic in it.

I took a big deep breath out not noticing that I was holding it, looking back at Daisy I saw how her silky black hair was all over the place. Likewise, I took my hand out combing it with my hands indicating to her about her hair she looked at me with shock a Scooby-Doo face. She quickly grabbed my hand away from her hair and put it down in my lap rumbling in her hand purse then pulling out a hot pink comb to match her purse.

Thus, I caught a glimpse of Zander on the other side of her with a poker face as usual, but he wasn’t reading a book or listening to music this time he had an apathetic stare at me.

I gave him a questionable look asking him if anything was wrong, but then I remember that he gave me a look of “remember”. Then I thought about it remembering that he was my guard, so it made more sense. I guess I’ll have to get used to have someone always glued to my skin.

Well there is always stuck to you the sun and moon, watching you every day. Behind I saw the most beautiful sunrise better than the ones in Ciepa the glass clouds on the base with the sun peeping over them with a fiery red glow with rays of yellow. There were rich, and you could see they were the brightest of all. Keeping my eye on the sun I watch as the different colors slowly started fading away turning them into the morning golden hour.

“Lavender, when we get there be careful and don’t do anything stupid, ok.” Daisy said, interrupting the silence as she pat my head as a dog.

I shook my head, confirming that I heard.

“No. No. No. Don’t you dare just nod your head? I want you to say it.” She yelled turning her body near me. “I want you to say, I promise I WILL NOT do something crazy EVEN if I am peer pressure.” She clapped her hands together in each word making the only sound on the quiet bus.

I took my graze off Daisy to everyone else on the bus embarrass on how she yelled like that.

In the corner of my eye the warlock look up from his book himself and the pixie shushed her fly trap. I took my gaze back to Daisy who has now haves her hand on her hip with the other looking like it’s going to snap at me.

“I promise I will not do something crazy even if I’m peered pressure. " I said staring straight at her, hot face came to me embarrassed on what I had to say. She was straightening her posture in approval flipping her hair over turning to her original position, with her leg crooked over the other going back to her drawings. I looked at her as she did it not even bothering to say anything I gave a glare still upset I had to say that.

I’m not that type of girl to be rebellious(unlike her), following the rules is my thing, plus if anyone would do something crazy enough to get in trouble it would be her. I sighed shacking my head getting ready to depart knowing that we should be there soon, but I felt someone a strong urge to look up.

When I did, my chocolate eyes connected back to a pair of indigo eyes, the same gargoyle I saw at the bus stop. I turned my head to the side to see him closer than before, squinting my eyes to see the creature better. He smirked as he did show his fangs, in surprised I jumped my eyes were wide open making him slowly go back to his frown.

He probably noticed my jump.

Felling bad I mouth out “pardon” as an apology only to get the smirk back.

“Hold on to your hat’s y’all.” Craig said with not even another second later the bus started to go down.

I scream for a second surprised on the speed it was going than before.

Daisy held on to my shoulder for support while I held on to the seat for support as well the bus turned making the two of us going that direction, Daisy looked like she was going to barf after that, so I patted her back in support.

“Ok y’all were her—Utopia.” Craig cheered in his country accent having a woah at the end.

I looked at the window admiring the view at first could see a big castle which was probably the school with towers like giants and bridges like dams. I wish I could go closer cause what I could see it has amazing detail itself, down at the bottom of it were stairs like hills, and at the bottom of the stairs was a village.

The houses were more modern than you think, they were of all painted differently some were yellow some were red, the design of each house was different, but you could tell what it was, candy was all over one of them with chocolate soldiers in the front guarding. With enormous peppermints and gumdrops on top. Then there was what looked like a gardening shop that had vines and plants of all sort, once right next to it had fog coming out with if you looked close enough cats were roaming around as well. On the front it had a broom, with spider webs and actual death eating spiders roaming the building.

I was amazed by just the building, but what really amazes me is that there are so many people walking in and out of those buildings. Not having a bother at all, maybe I should stop reading classic books because I think I just saw a skeleton and a witch talking to each other.

Luckily we were able to land safe. When we got off the bus, the sun shining down at us, Daisy and I got all of our bags since we let Zander take to his old friend Crag. As we were taking out the bags I was trying to take out Daisy's bag, but it was too heavy for me even to fly. I tried using my wings to help, but they were useless taking another pull I heard laughter coming up to me.

“You know Princess you're going to break a wing if you keep pulling like that.” The stranger from the bus came up to me taking the bag with no sweat, handing me the bag staring at me with lust waiting for my response.

“Uh, Thank you.” Was all I said looking down at my heels, giving an awkward silence in between until he started speaking

“So Princess, I guess you're new here since I haven’t seen you around yet.” He said adjusting his bag on his shoulder while putting one hand in his pocket.

“Y-Yeah I am new, and again apologize from before I was just startled.” I down cast on already knowing I made a bad impression on of the first creatures I meet, he stepped closer to me, making us a couple inches apart. Still not being able to see his face from the good he was wearing stepped closer trying to see him more clearly.

“It’s ok Princess. You don’t have to be nervous, I’m Hades and you.” He said in a melodic accent taking his hood off to shake his hand, he smiled showing small dimples form at the ends of his cheeks with his fangs popping out with. He had his black hair with streaks of white flopping as with every word he spoke.Not noticeable for some or at least for me, he hard a 2 cracks like a cement bolt on the right side of his face no longer than the other almost touching his eyebrows.

“I’m Lavender, nice to meet you Hades. " I said shacking his hand, he gripped onto my handed firmer flipping my hand around kissing the knuckles of my hand. He looked up after smirking even more, then some creature pulled me from his grip to there's. I stumbled back in shock turning my head up, I see Zander there his head up higher than usual giving a disgusted look to Hades.

“Flower our ride is here come on.” He forcefully snapped, giving one last glare at Hades, pulling me away from him.

I turned, mouthing another remorse (again) to him and waving to him bye.

The carriage ride was silent, Zander was reading a book while Daisy was sewing a piece for the new jacket she was making I was looking out the window since I already finished my other book. I wanted to ask Zander if he knew Hades, but I already knew the answer.

Most likely if a creature pulls you away from someone without any explanation it usually means they know them, or worse they could be bad news. Which I don’t need since I already promised Daisy that I was going to stay out of trouble, but the worse thing is that he goes to our school, meaning I’m going to have to see him at least once this year. Heck he could be in one of my classes as well. Zander is definitely not going to like that either and to double it up Zander will have the same classes as me too, cause you know “bodyguard” yeah note the sarcasm.

As we rode you could see the bridge of the entrance on the outside there was a river that went under the bridge which what looks like goes on forever. The Centaur gave put up in the sky an Amethyst crystal indicating to the man in the tower of the bridge to let it down, he did to reveal an enchanted forest. The horse continued to walking on the path to the school, as they did Lavender put her head on the edge of the window admiring the view all around.

She observed the long bark trees standing up high with birds and other woodland creatures. How the bunnies ran around freely playing attempting to catch the butterflies yet failed, still laughing at the bunnies, I motioned my hand for them to fly. Seconds later they gradually started floating off the ground surprised themselves they flew away chasing the butterflies. Taking my head out the window more I took in the new air it was cleaner minty having a wonderful aroma of cherry’s, no pine, or maybe pumpernickel?

The carriage stopped in front of the castle Zander immediately stood up from his reading’s and went to the door jumping of it the carriage he held the door out to me and Daisy. As we walked out of the carriage I notice 3 figures walk up to us with warming smiles on their faces or at least 2 of them. The kind Centaur have us our bags saying goodbye, the blacks of his heels fading in the distance, as they came closer the clouds started to hover over the sun

A wave of cold wind flourished around us icing a cold aroma, noticing 3 figures came more in view, in the middle was a petite older woman. The sun beamed right on her as she was an angel falling from heaven, the woman had her dark brown hair in a bun and in it was what looked like a wand, she was also wearing a cloak with a wand on the right side of her, like a patch. The one on her left had the same cloak more dusty and rough but with a paw on it, he stood tall right next to the lady and from the looks of it he was as tall as Zander. The wolf has blonde hair with pitch chestnut eyes himself which surprised me because most werewolves are naturally dark more dark and broody not to stereotype at all.

Then there was the one on her right which was easily a vampire just by his eyes, Blood-red. Meaning he had just ate but if you look closely you can see they were steadily turning back.

On his cloak was the symbol of vampires, the Ankh.

His face was pale of no emotion, his silver hair slick back like Reginald as he stared out in the distance, with no care.

"Hello new students. Welcome to Utopia High, I am Headmistress Light Heart, on my left is Professor Randolph, and to my right is Professor Zaros. We are so pleased to have you here Ms. GoodWillow, Mr, Griffin, and Ms. Jewels.” She said warm-hearted, after she said my name the vampire snapped his head to her tapping onto her shoulder, he whispered something in Headmistress Light Heart ear. She gave him a questionable face having me look at Zander for an answer seeing him gaze upon something, looking in the direction of Professor Zaros.

“Thank you for waiting, may I ask which one of you is Ms. Jewels.” She said making a gust full of nerves come to me.

“I-I am,” I stuttered raising my hand having all their heads turn to me.

“Not to be Rude Headmistress but did she do something.” Zander asked stepped in noticing on how nervous I was.

“Oh god no Mr. Griffin, Professor Zaro was just wondering, so please don’t worry and come along we must go, so you can get to your dorms.” She motioned us to follow, as she did both Professor Randolph and Zaro stayed behind us muttering words I could not comprehend.

“We are so pleased when Alpha Artemis accepted our offer on having you all here this year. Now we do have some rules,” She said handing us a piece of paper with the rules.

Utopia Rules

#1 No use of ANY magic nor VIOLENCE on peers

#2 No sneaking out after curfew

#3 Small animals ONLY(no larger than a cat)

#4 No attacking humans

#5 No Biting

#6 No experimenting on peers(Only if allowed with an instructor.)

#7 No flying upon 200ft

#8 No Broomstick flying above 100 ft

“Know as you can see any rules broken there will be consequences but be warned that each teacher has their own way of consequences so be prepared.” She stated turning back to ensuring that we heard, I brought my head up when I heard a small gasp released from Daisy's lips, seeing behind was the Cinderella staircase I’ve been dreading.

“Well here are the stairs shall we,” She gestured us to climb up the steps seeing the steps I couldn’t believe it, there were endless amounts of staircases. We all looked at the Headmistress in disbelief, that she wanted us to walk all the steps, Daisy had her mouth open whispering cuss words in French.

"Oh your faces, I would never make any of my students walk these dreadful steps. I am so sorry it’s a tradition.” She said, whipping off her tears of laughter, Professor Randolph and Zaro chuckled as well. The Headmistress gripped her wand, pointing it to the staircase, motioning us to move on it.

Mobil Gradibus

“This is what you call style.” Daisy said sitting on the pavement of the stairs, I laughed looking at the view we had from the forest it was mostly trees, but it had something magical too. It that made me admire its magical glow, when we were going up the Headmistress talked about the school history. How that when she was little used to live in this castle and how she dreamed of having students in the hallways it all came when she was studying, doing literature to be exact.

She read the last line, and it said “There's no point of having something big if you can’t share it with all”, So when she read that line thought of having a school of her own were any creature can learn how to control their magic, or even learn how to the best of the best.

As she was talking I leaned on the stairs I notice the bunnies from before coming in our direction they looked like they needed help, so I brought a gush of wind bringing the 2 into my arms while the other went into Daisy. I smiled wondering how they got so high up, then remembering that they were following the butterflies.

“My goodness, how did you poor bunnies get up here.” She flicked her wand making a basket for the bunnies to sit in, we both placed the bunnies carefully holding their heads while putting them down on the cloud pillow.

“No worries, I will have Professor Randolph and Zaros take these bunnies to the vet insuring that they are not hurt, correct.” Professor Randolph gave a salute while Professor Zaro just nodded. When I gave a smile to both of them but Professor Zaros kept looking at my direction then gave me a stare unbreakable, until Daisy snapped her fingers at me getting me out of the trans.