Chapter 0007

I had been so desperate to sleep that I pulled out the magical histories textbook. Instead of helping my insomnia, its stories of goblins and other creatures and even the word nightmares came from a demonic fae spirit made sleep impossible.

Is that what had happened to me? Except, it wasn't a bad dream, just really steaming hot. And I am dating Lance, not some illusion.

I don't belong here. The sooner everyone realizes what I know, the better.

Dragging myself out of bed, I take a quick shower, then dry off. My hair is damp and I gather it into a ponytail to save time since I can't find a hairdryer anywhere. One more thing to add to the list of purchases I need if I can get a reprieve from here to go shopping.

The unopened uniforms sit on top of the dresser and I sigh. Cracking the seal on them feels like this is me accepting my fate. But I already know in a place like this, it is expected that I dress like everyone else. I don't want to draw negative attention to myself. I had hoped that this morning would have brought the Headmistress rapping on my door to say they'd made a mistake. But no such luck.

After I dress in the itchy red and black checkered skirt, I toss on my flats. The idea of eating breakfast makes me nauseous.

I exit my room and pause in the hallway, because I've no idea where classes are in this place. There wasn't time to show me around. The Academy is a three-story mansion that resembles a Victorian-Goth style architecture.

Well, I'll look around until I find someone to show me the way or find it myself.

My sneakers squeak across the title as I stroll down the hallway, the book of magical history tucked under my arm. I scratch at the collar of my shirt which feels like it's choking me and soaked in so much starch it's stiff like it could stand up on its own.

I round the corner and find Gwen standing with her two groupies.

Wonderful.

"Hi," I say cheerier than I feel. Don't even ask which way the class is because I already know they either won't tell me or will point me in the wrong direction.

She rolls her eyes. "As long as you're here, you might as well accept our customs."

A glance between her and her friends and me shows we are all wearing the same stupid uniform. "How so?"

"Initiation."

I lift my chin. All freshman year, upperclassmen picked on me and the other "fish" until school was over for that year. I've no wish to repeat that, but I don't plan on staying here long either. "Sorry, I wasn't going to join any sororities or anything. I'm just here until they figure out they were wrong so I can go back to my old school."

Her smile doesn't reach her turquoise eyes. "That's what I think too. You're much too plain to be anything other than an ordinary human."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get to class."

A whoosh danced across my skin and I couldn't move forward. Has she set up a barrier? I push against the invisible force.

"I wasn't done." She cleared her throat. "As long as you are here, you'll obey the house rules. Which means, everyone has to do our school's initiation. It's a tradition."

"Fine." I didn't care about this place only in how soon I could leave it. But with her using her witchy powers to keep me from leaving, I have no choice.

She claps her hands, letting out a gleeful laugh.

Shit. What have I just agreed to?

* * *

I leave Gwen and the other two girls as the forcefield keeping me from moving vanishes. Rather than waste time for them to figure out some prank on me like turning my blond hair green, I briskly walk to the front doors. A thought to keep going strikes me. Just walk until I reach the bus stop, then head home.

My shoulders slump because I know that they'll find me and bring me back. Best option is to convince them as soon as possible that they made a mistake.