Chapter two

Ashgrove High, the oldest school in town, exudes a haunting and foreboding energy that lingers long after one has left its premises. No amount of paint can mask the strange aura that emanates from its exteriors, leaving a lasting impression on all who dare to step foot within its walls.

For some, the school's eerie atmosphere is an undeniable sign of paranormal activity, and they have even formed a club dedicated to uncovering its secrets. Others, however, have come to embrace the spooky appearance of the building and revel in its mysterious past, finding solace in the thrill of the unknown.

Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, there is no denying the powerful emotions that Ashgrove High evokes in all who encounter it

Before the summer break, the students were filled with eager anticipation to escape the dull routine of school and embrace the freedom of a long-awaited vacation. They couldn't wait to break free from the confines of the classroom and enjoy the sunshine, laughter, and adventures that awaited them.

However, the mood has shifted dramatically since their return. The school grounds are buzzing with joy and excitement as the students reunite with old friends, swap stories of their summer escapades, and relish the chance to make new memories together.

The sheer delight and elation on their faces is palpable, as they revel in the simple pleasures of sharing laughter, swapping tales, and enjoying each other's company once again. For some, the joy of being back is a welcome respite from the monotonous routine of their summer break, while others are simply overjoyed to be reunited with their beloved schoolmates after an extended absence.

But as with all good things, this happiness is fleeting. Despite their initial enthusiasm, the students will soon find themselves succumbing to the pressures and demands of academic life once more. In just a few short weeks, their excitement and happiness will give way to the crushing weight of stress and dread, as they grapple with the challenges and demands of a new school year.

As the school bus pulled up to the end of the parking lot and began to offload its passengers, Miranda emerged as the final student to disembark. Despite having been drenched in the moody waters just moments before, her clothes and hair appeared as though they had never been wet at all.

 As she stepped off the bus, she could feel the anger boiling inside her as she spotted the car that had caused her trouble. She stalked towards the vehicle, each step filled with pent-up frustration and fury. Just as she was about to unleash her wrath, a voice called out to her, cutting through her thoughts like a knife. It was a voice she knew well, one that could calm her stormy emotions with just a word.

“Mimi!”

As she glanced away from the car, her eyes locked on a strikingly beautiful red-haired girl, waving at her. The girl's outfit was so unique and fashionable that Miranda couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy. The thrift stores in Ashgrove could never sell anything so stylish.

The girl's boots looked so expensive that Miranda couldn't help but wonder if she was crazy for wearing them on the moody ground.

Miranda approached the girl with a smile. 'Hey, Taylor,' she greeted, but as Taylor hugged her, Miranda's discomfort was apparent. 'I've missed you so much,' Taylor said.

'Missed you too,' Miranda replied, wondering how to change the subject. 'So, how was Japan?' she asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from the hug.

'It was beautiful,' Taylor answered. 'The air there is better than anywhere else. I wish your uncle had let you come with me. It would have been so much fun.' Taylor's wistful tone made Miranda feel a twinge of guilt.

'I know,' Miranda added.

As the girls strolled towards the school building, Taylor suddenly remembered something. "Oh my gosh, did you hear about the new principal?" she asked her friend.

"New principal?" Mimi asked, her eyes widening with curiosity.

"Yes, someone posted about him on the group chat for us sophomore seniors," Taylor explained.

Mimi shook her head. "I didn't know there was a group chat for us."

"How would you know Mimi, when you always avoid socializing? I was just added to the group chat because one of the admins knew my number."

Mimi rolled her eyes, "Okay, okay, Are you going to fill me in about the principal or what?"

Taylor grinned mischievously, "Nope, you'll just have to find out for yourself when you join the group chat." 

“But seriously,” she continued said, “this is our sophomore year as seniors. This is going to be the last year any of us can truly let loose, have wild adventures, meet new people, and maybe even fall in love.”

Miranda looked wondering where this talk is about.

"What I am trying to say is that I want this academic year to be different for you. I feel like you keep to yourself a lot that sometimes it feels like I barely know you, even though we’ve been friends for two years.”

"Anyways, Let's make memories together this year. Be daring, be bold, and let's just enjoy life to the fullest together.”

Miranda’s heart ached. The fear of being exposed as a witch was always lingering in her mind, that she unintentionally built a wall against anyone that comes close. The first day she met Taylor, the first person to show an interest in her, was bittersweet.

They were both new to the school and Taylor offered to be her school buddy till they fully adapt to the school. But the anxiety weighed heavy on her, and Miranda found herself constantly trying to keep her distance from Taylor. She was afraid of getting too close, of revealing too much. Yet despite her efforts, Taylor persisted. Taylor sensed there was something more to Miranda than met the eye, and she was determined to find out what it was.

As the days turned into weeks, Miranda's heart slowly began to thaw. She realized that Taylor wasn't like the other girls in school - she was kind, genuine, patient and truly cared about her. For the first time in a long time, Miranda felt like she had found a true friend.

I wish I could tell you what I am but I fear things would turn out differently.

Taylor was engrossed in her phone, swiping through the countless photos she had accumulated during her trip to Japan. She let out an exasperated sigh, frustrated with the amount of clutter on her device.

Meanwhile, Miranda's sharp eyes caught sight of something unusual happening at the far end of the school building. As she peered closer, she noticed Zikki's pals from earlier pulling a lone student away from the rest of the crowd. It was clear that they intended to do something malicious.

As the girls neared the entrance door, Miranda's heart raced with a mix of determination and anger. She couldn't let Chris and his pals get away with this time. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and focused all her energy on the image of the black mustang Chris owned.

A surge of raw emotion flooded through her, and she could feel her hands trembling as she whispered words that would unleash her power. The air crackled with energy as she chanted, and suddenly, time seemed to stand still.

In that moment, Miranda felt unstoppable. She could see the car in her mind's eye, and she could feel the force of her willpower bending it to her command. And then, with a sudden burst of power, all the windows of the car began to crack and splinter.

The sound was deafening as the glass shattered into a million pieces, raining down onto the ground below. Miranda opened her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. Her target wouldn't staining be going anywhere for a while.

The piercing sound of shattering glass and the blaring siren from the car sent shockwaves through the students gathered outside. Fear and excitement mingled in the air as they scrambled to catch a glimpse of the chaos that unfolded before them.

"The Ghost of Ashgrove High strikes again!" one student exclaimed, charging towards the scene with a camera in hand to capture every moment of the chaos it. A signal was given to the group of boys huddled in the far end corner, panic etched onto their faces as they exchanged worried glances. They bolted towards the car, shoving anyone in their path.

Miranda watched from a distance, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she observed the chaos. She couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement as Chris, threw his hands up in frustration, his expression a mixture of annoyance and helplessness.

"What just happened?" Taylor exclaimed, her voice trembling with shock and disbelief.

"I guess the ghost of the school didn't like where he parked," Miranda responded nonchalantly, but there was a hint of mischievousness in her tone that made Taylor feel uneasy.

“How about we head inside?” Miranda guides her friend into the building.

The school has four information boards placed strategically throughout the building, with one near the entrance, one further down the hallway, and two on the first floor. This placement was intended to prevent overcrowding near the entrance and ensure a smooth flow of students. However, despite these efforts, many students still prefer the information board near the entrance to check for the class the school had put them in.

Rather than fighting their way through the sea of students gathered around the info-board, they opted to climb the stairs and search for one of the two information boards located in the hall. As they approached one of the boards, they noticed a group of students gathered around it.

After waiting patiently for their turn, Taylor scanned the list for her name, only to find that their class, Class 5, had been divided into four separate classes: A, B, C, and D. This was an effort to reduce the number of students in each class, making it easier for teachers to manage and for students to learn effectively.

As Taylor searched the Class A list for her name, she couldn't find it, which left her feeling a bit disappointed. However, her spirits were lifted when she eventually found her name on the Class B list.

"Class B? Okay, let's look for yours," she said optimistically, hoping to find her friend's name. As she scanned the list, her heart sank. "It's not in Class B," she said, disappointment clear in her voice.

"What's not in Class B?" her friend asked, confused.

"Your name," she said, "I didn't see it in Class B."

"Are you sure?" her friend asked, trying to stay positive.

"I have seen it now," she said, her fingers tracing the letters of her friend's name. "You are in Class D."

"Class D?" her friend repeated, feeling a mix of confusion and apprehension. She walked up to the board to confirm for herself.

"It's like the ghost of Ashgrove High is upon us as well," Taylor said, feeling frustrated and angry. "It has succeeded in separating us for the first time since we started attending this school. Who will I copy my homework from? Who am I going to depend on during tests or even exams?" She felt a wave of loneliness wash over her, as she realized that her friend was now going to be in a different class.

As Taylor pondered over her frustrating questions, Miranda's heart raced with a mix of excitement and concern. She couldn't help but notice two familiar names on the list of students in class D - Zikki Anderson and his ex-girlfriend, Faith Abel.