Chapter 1: A Witches Promise

I clutched my stuffed plushie of what my grandmother swears is a griffin, squirming against the hold of Haliey's hand. Meeting Haileys very unhappy gaze, I smiled sheepishly. "Tell me it one more time" Hailey commanded, tightening her grip on my wrist. Releasing a sigh, I swiped my hand in a U shaped motion. Hailey released a small giggle as her straw dolls suddenly began to levitate in front of her, a purple glow illuminating them in the sky.  "Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful princess.." I began, moving my right hand slightly, suddenly the straw doll with a dress and long golden straw hair came to life. It spun in the air causing Hailey to be enthralled by it, a fascinated smile gracing her lips. I smiled at her fascination before continuing. "...Now this princess isn't interested in her royal duties. For her passions lie with the stars.." moving my right hand again, clusters of beautiful shining orbs appeared across the room. Hailey gasped at the star mirage I had put on display as I proceeded. "...Hoping that one day she too could be with them. But alas the princess knew she could not make it to the stars without one big jump. So she stood at the tip of her balcony, and she jumped..." with another wave of my hand the princess leapt into the air twirling with great velocity, which left Hailey in suspense. But to Haileys disappointment the princess came twirling back down to the ground, making a respectable landing. "...'I was so close' the princess would say, as she tried to think of a way to make herself fly higher into the sky. Suddenly the princess came up with an idea, she collected all of her belongings from her room. Stacking them neatly into a staircase, before she climbed to the very top jumping once more..." waving my hand once more the princess stacked up some toy blocks into a neat staircase before climbing to the very top and leaping into the sky. We both watched in anticipation as the doll went twirling once again into the atmosphere. Hailey clutched onto my arm in anticipation, her breath hitching as the doll came inching closer to the stars.

The princess came so close before the sound of the bedroom door clicking caught my attention. Hailey groaned as the door creaked open, the princess stopping mid-air. "Girls. It's much too late for storytime. Wouldn't you agree Clarissa?" I smiled at my fathers acknowledgement of me. Hailey groaned in protest, scrambling from my canopy bed and over to fathers side. "But Daddy! We just got to the good part!" Hailey yelped, grabbing hold of fathers peacoat and tugging it gently. Father looked in my direction, giving me the 'i'll take it from here' look. Giggling, I gave father control over the straw doll. Watching the story unfold. "...Suddenly the princess got too far into space, and died from lack of oxygen. She should have listened to her father when he said time for bed. Story over" Father finished, his arm thrusting downward, the doll going limp in response and falling down to the floor. Hailiey's eyes widened, her mouth agape as father met her gaze. Suddenly he regretted his decision as Hailey began Tearing up before eventually she began crying.

He released a groan as he picked up Hailey, cuddling her close. "5 year olds am I right?" Father spoke as he stroked Hailey's hair, trying to calm her down. I responded with an awkward smile and a shrug, "Sorry dad, she said she wouldn't sleep until I told her the story one more time" I spoke, father gave me an apologetic look as he rocked Hailey gently. "She's just trying to keep you awake so you won't have any energy to leave for highschool tomorrow. Speaking of which, 'Sia you should get a good night's rest" Father smiled, hearing Haileys slight snoring indicating she was now asleep. Sighing deeply I gripped my griffin plushie. "I know... im just... nervous" speaking softly trying to avoid waking Hailey I slumped into my bed. Father sighed, approaching me with soft footsteps. "I have no doubt in my mind that you will soon be a wonderful witch 'Sia, just like Grandma, just like me, and just like your mother"  He spoke as he placed a reassuring hand upon my shoulder. Inhaling deeply, I gave him a smile preventing my true nerves from surfacing.

Despite fathers attempts at comfort, deep down I knew how bad of a magician I am. From a young age I have always progressed slower than my peers. While kids in my coven at the age of 6 were already able to handle the concept of simple levitation spells, I had barely comprehended plant magic. One of the first spells they teach 3 year olds. Now at the age of 16 I had barely come to learn simple manipulation and light spells. Father may have gotten me into this school through his status as coven leader, but I had no doubt in my mind he was scared for me to lose it all due to my lack of power. I was scared to lose it all. But, it was still worth a try. I want to come home as someone my coven can be proud of. Someone my Family can be proud of. So I was willing to give it everything that I have, for I am Clarissa Barnes. Daughter of Garret and Olivia Barnes, and soon to be coven leader of the Night coven. My life depends on my progress. It's my witch's promise.

Father removed his hand from my shoulder, removing me from my thoughts. A small smile graced his lips as he leaned over, gently he placed a small kiss upon my forehead. Smiling in response I watched as he adjusted Hailey on his shoulder. "Goodnight Clarissa, everything is going to be alright" he whispered, walking to the entrance of my room. "Goodnight dad..." responding, as I cuddled deeper into my blankets. Sleep encapsulates me. "Wake Up!!" my body jerked awake at Haileys screech. Turning to face her I replied with a groan, receiving a small giggle from her. "What time is it Hailey?" I questioned, kicking my feet from the bed and walking past Hailey over to my bureau. I examined my groggy appearance as Hailey chimed "I don't know, but dad said the opening ceremony is in 30 minutes-" I gasped, dramatically turning to face my sister. "Hailey! I have to get ready! Get out!" I screeched  running over to Hailey. She giggled, planting her feet into the ground to try and prevent me from moving her. Groaning in frustration I lifted her up, hoisting her over my shoulder receiving a squirm and a kick to my stomach as a response. Hailey growled at me and protested, while I placed her down in the hallway and closed my door. I had no time to waste, dad was right. I shouldn't have indulged in Hailey.

Whilst walking from my room my reflection caught my eye. I smiled as I approached the loving girl in the mirror. Dad always said I was a carbon copy of mother, but I always thought he was being sarcastic. Now face to face with myself, All I could see was her. From my dark sleek locks, to the freckles that are lightly dusted across the bridge of my nose and along my cheeks. Smiling, two small dimples appeared. They were genes from my father and one of the many traits I got from him.The most compelling trait of them all however, were the striking forest green orbs that some would call my eyes. All of these traits were amplified by the Nuro High uniform. I glanced at myself with a frown as my gaze traveled down to my uniform. Due to the pale color of my skin, the dark blue of the uniform was making all sorts of shadows. I looked as if I were sick. I was about the furthest thing from perfection, but I was happy with myself nonetheless. Smiling at my reflection one last time, I grabbed my suitcase from beside my bureau, and walked over to the entrance of my room. I turned to give my room one final look. I had grown up in this room, and as hesitant as I am to accept it a new chapter of my life was beginning. Just not in this room.

With a sigh I tugged my suitcase down the hall and up to my father who was waiting in the living room for me. He stood upon my arrival, Hailey clutching onto him from beneath his coat. "Is that everything?" He questioned as he approached, taking my suitcase he gave me a small smile. "Yeah that's everything..." I responded, a grim expression making its way to my face. I was anxious to say the least, and I wasn't good at hiding my emotions. Catching me by surprise, Hailey pulled me into a tight embrace. Smiling at her I leaned down so I was eye level with her and hugged her back. This was one of the many things that I was nervous about losing. Leaving my family was the greatest heart wrench of all, and I'm never good at goodbyes. "Alright 'Sia, your stuff is in the car." fathers voice broke the silent goodbye bringing me back to the now. Stepping back I realized that Hailey had begun to cry. With a sigh I reached down and wiped her tears with the sleeve of my uniform. "Don't worry Hailey, I'll be back soon enough" I reassured her, but to no avail she continued to cry. I glanced at my father who was patiently waiting by the front door, then back to Hailey. I ran my hand through her Light brown curls, pushing her hair out of her face. "Listen Hay', we are sisters. No matter the distance, we will always be together" Hailey looked up at me, her light blue eyes glossy from the tears and her cheeks a reddish tint. "No matter what?" she asked through gasps of air. "No matter what" I replied, sealing my statement with a kiss upon her forehead. Father cleared his throat, indicating his impatience. I stood feeling like I was about to cry too, but I held it in and joined him by the door.

Once In the car I gripped onto my seatbelt nervously. I've only seen Nuro High in pictures along our family's memory wall. Only heard of it from my father. From his description Nuro High is a wonderful opportunity for me to get out of my comfort zone. But I'm sure he's just hoping their high class teachings will finally be enough to enhance my magic. I watched my surroundings, the trees a lovely green blur. Only when focusing on one could you truly stop the blurry mess. I was going to miss my hometown, the lavish floral, the green spruce forests my dad would take me and Hailey out into for our morning patrols, I was going to miss it all. Father reached over for the car stereo turning the nozzle, as the speakers blasted a rendition of "Put Your Records On". Immediately I was brought out of my head. Smiling, I began humming to the beat of the song. It was very fitting considering my circumstances. This was going to be the longest car ride of my life.

I have no idea how long I had been asleep for, But my legs ached with pins and needles upon my wake. I turned and looked to my father only to find he had already left the car. Stretching, I messaged the pins and needles from my legs before exiting the car as well. A gasp left my lips as I came face to face with it. There stood what seemed to be 1,000s of acres of castle like architecture. Its marble walls glistened in the sunlight. Everywhere I looked there seemed to be something competing for beauty. Look to my right there would be hedges shaped like mythical creatures and to my left, a fountain the size of a pool with what seemed to be a chiseled statue of a man guarding it. This was just the beginning. The beginning of my theoretical story.

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