Just past 5 o'clock, the day's waning light gilded the streets, casting a soft glow on the figure of Sasha Patel. Fifteen years old and sprouting up like a beanstalk, she seemed to stretch taller with each sun-drenched afternoon. Her overgrown mane of thick, coarse hair reached her waist, swishing against the hand-me-down pants that once belonged to her older brother, Seth. These pants, now a smidgen too short, hinted at her recent and rapid ascent skyward, the hems flirting with her ankles in a comical peek-a-boo.

Her hair, thick and rebellious, cascaded down to her waist, refusing to be tamed or contained, much like Sasha herself. Beyoncé's anthem "Run the World (Girls)" played through her headphones, the beat a sharp contrast to the quiet suburbia around her. The music filled her with a sense of empowerment, her head nodding slightly to the beat as she walked. The floral patterns on her dress swayed with a girlish charm that belied the practicality of wearing hand-me-downs not meant for her. Despite her mother's countless admonitions, the headphones remained a staple of Sasha's daily attire, sealing her in a bubble of melody and youthful defiance as she navigated the streets, her mind wandering to places far beyond the confines of her immediate world. a melody that fueled her stride with confidence. The music was a stark contrast to her attire, a girlish parade of florals that billowed around her beanpole figure, and Seth’s pants, a patchwork of fading colors and frayed threads her unique brand of girlhood. She clutched a book close, as if to anchor herself in the whirlwind of her growth, the beat of the song causing her fingers to tap distractedly against the cover. As she skipped down the street she noticed a large moving truck parked in front of a beautiful colonial-style house. Her mind buzzes with the possibility of a new magical family moving in. As she approached, she couldn’t help but notice the commotion of the movers unloading furniture and boxes from a moving truck up the street. Sasha's steps slowed, her gaze fixed on the driveway where the black SUV made its grand entrance. In the moment the vehicle’s momentum brought it closer, the backseat came into view. There, amidst the leather and the window's glare, a young girl – curls of fiery red bouncing above her brown skin – sat with an air of quiet composure. Before the fanciful notion could fully form in Sasha's mind, a flurry of motion at her feet caught her attention. The small, whiskered creature sitting on little boys lap, underwent a startling transformation. Muscles rippled, fur thickened, and in the space of a heartbeat, a majestic Bengal tiger stood where the rat had been, its coat a sunset of orange and black stripes. Sasha’s eyes, reflecting the tiger’s grandeur, sparkled with unrestrained wonder. "Magical," she whispered, the word barely a breath, yet heavy with certainty. She couldn’t resist calling her best friend Layla to tell her the news, pulling out her phone and dialing her number. Layla, who always had a more skeptical view of the magical world. “Have you seen the new family moving in?” Sasha asked eagerly. “I feel like they might have magical abilities. They have a daughter about our age, she has red hair” Sasha persisted. “That’s not exactly common, is it?”

Before she could respond, Sasha found herself time-warping. Sasha sat in her seat, waiting for Miss Martinez’s class to begin. She heard that Miss Martinez was a powerful witch, but she had never experienced her magic before. As Ms. Martinez, her lecture on D-Day, how magic affected World War II. class, as she spoke the air in the room shifted, and the classroom transformed into a beach scene. The sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the room, leaving the students bewildered, this being able to faintly hear Ms. Martinez’s lesson, she spoke of the events of D-Day and the bravery of the soldiers who fought in the war.

Sasha’s world shifted in an instant, and she was no longer in the safe confines of the classroom. Instead, she found herself on a chaotic and dangerous beach landing. The gritty sand scratched against her boots, and the smell of gunpowder was suffocating. Her eyes widened as she looked down at the unfamiliar uniform and gear she wore, and her fingers wrapped tightly around the grip of her weapon. With every step forward, she fought against the struggle of the wet sand sucking against boots, and the deafening sounds of gunfire and planes overhead only added to the chaos. Sasha fought alongside her comrades, feeling a mix of terror and determination in her heart. The acrid smell of gunpowder mixed with the metallic tang of blood and death lingered in her nostrils, leaving an indelible impression on her senses. The sight of her fallen comrades littering the beach only added to the fear and uncertainty that surrounded her. Despite being unable to communicate with her fellow soldiers, Sasha could feel their overwhelming emotions of fear and determination. She struggled to keep her composure, but the fear threatened to overtake her. Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced her chest, and she realized she had been hit. She collapsed onto the sand, the hot pain making it hard to breathe. Sasha feared for her life and wondered what would happen if she died in the spell. As her consciousness began to slip away, Sasha was surrounded by the sounds of battle and the overwhelming sense of uncertainty. Sasha’s mind had been consumed by the chaos of battle, but suddenly, a voice cut through the noise and brought her back to the present. It was Layla’s voice, loud and clear, yanking Sasha out of her trance. Sasha blinked rapidly, trying to readjust to her surroundings.

Layla’s words brought a small smile to Sasha’s lips, even though she was still shaken. “Hello earth to Sasha, what universe are you in?” Layla teased, but Sasha could hear the concern beneath the humor.

In the harrowing brink of unconsciousness, it was Layla's voice that cut through the tumultuous noise, clear and tinged with humor yet underscored with concern. "Hello, earth to Sasha, where'd you drift off to?" Layla's voice crackled through the phone, the familiar strains of "Run the World (Girls)" humming in the background of her AirPods, snapping Sasha back to the present.

Opening her eyes to the safety of her room, Sasha let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Layla's worried tone washed over her, "Hey, are you okay?" The concern was palpable even through the digital connection

Layla’s voice snapped Sasha out of her time warp. Layla repeated “Hello earth to Sasha, what universe are you in?” Layla jokes, but there was an underlying tone of seriousness.

Layla could see that Sasha was still reeling from the experience. “Hey, are you okay?” Layla asked.

Sasha took a deep breath and tried to calm down. “Yeah, I think so. That was intense.”

“What happened? What did Miss Martinez do?” Layla asked, concerned.

“She transported us to the beaches of Normandy on D-Day,” Sasha explained. “I was inside the body of a soldier. I could feel the sand under my boots, the smell of gunpowder in the air. It was so real.’’ Sasha took a deep breath and started to explain, “It wasn’t a reality warp, Layla. I met Ms. Martinez and she’s not just any teacher. She’s a witch, a very powerful one. She cast a spell on the whole class, and we were transported to the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.”

Layla’s eyes widened in surprise, “What? How is that even possible?”

“I don’t know, Layla, but it was real. I felt everything as if I was inside the body of a soldier. The smell of gunpowder, the taste of salt on my lips, the sound of planes flying overhead. I even felt the pain of being shot and lying on the beach, ready to die.”

Layla’s expression changed from surprise to concern, “Oh my God, Sasha, are you okay? That sounds traumatizing.”

Sasha nodded, “I’m okay now, but I can’t believe Miss Martinez has that kind of power. She can curate experiences based on each student’s power. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.”

Layla’s tone was now serious, “We have to be careful, Sasha. My mom mentioned her being a powerful witch but that kinda of unheard of. Magic like that is used solely for the council member.”

Sasha nodded in agreement, “You’re right, Layla. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of something bigger.”

Sasha’s mind was still reeling from the strange time-warp experience earlier in the day as she greeted a customer with a polite smile. “Hi there, welcome to the Malt shop!” she said, trying to shake off the surreal feeling that still lingered. The customer was a middle-aged woman with short brown hair and bright green eyes. She looked around the shop, admiring the decor before turning back to Sasha.

“Your shop is adorable,” the woman said. “I’m just passing through town and I couldn’t resist stopping in for a treat. What do you recommend?”

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Sasha’s face lit up with enthusiasm. “Oh, well, we have so many great options. Our specialty is the Malt shake, but our ice cream sandwiches are also pretty popular. And if you’re feeling adventurous, we have a flavor of the week that’s always changing.”

The woman smiled, clearly impressed with Sasha’s knowledge of the menu. “You know, I’ll take your recommendation. I’ll have a Malt shake, please.” “Great choice,” Sasha said as she began preparing the shake. While helping a customer with her order, Sasha heard the familiar sound of the old bell that signaled the arrival of a new customer. As she looked up, her eyes met the sight of Cassie and her siblings walking through the door. Cassie’s wavy red hair fell perfectly around her face, accentuating her almond-shaped hazel eyes. Her younger brother and sister, who stood next to her, had a similar complexion with a sprinkle of freckles on their cheeks. Sasha couldn’t help but notice their unique sense of style, Cassie wore a deep blue shirt with a white collar and a navy skirt, while her brother had on a green and yellow baseball shirt, and her sister wore a pink dress with a floral pattern. Sasha’s curiosity piqued as she wondered if they might have magical abilities. She smiled warmly at them and said, “Welcome to Malt Shop.”

The family took their ice cream and sat in a corner booth. Sasha being noisy, started to do some clearing, as cover to get closer to the family. As she approached, she saw two kids sitting, the youngest child’s legs dangling from the booth as they eagerly devoured their ice cream. She could see the younger girl having a conversation with the bird right outside the window. She had to get a closer look. That’s when she saw Cassie walk into the bathroom. Here is my chance, she thought. Sasha noticed, They bonded over their favorite ice cream flavors, and Sasha couldn’t resist taking the opportunity to get closer to the family by clearing tables nearby. . “Are you talking to the birds?” Sasha asked curiously, intrigued by the possibility of Zoe’s magical abilities. Zoe quickly laughed, “No, that would be silly,” but Sasha noticed her looking down at her hands, clearly nervous. Suddenly, Christian chimed in, “Yes, she talks to animals. Tell Sasha.” Zoe interrupted him, and the two siblings began to argue back and forth. Sasha just stood there, watching them in confusion. Suddenly, Cassandra appeared, looking worried. “We should go,” she said, “Kids and their imaginations, right?” Sasha waved goodbye as they hurried out of the ice cream shop. She couldn’t help but wonder what was really going on with Zoe’s magical abilities and what Cassandra was trying to protect.

As Sasha walked out of the Malt shop, she couldn’t help but think about the teenage girl and her two younger siblings she had seen earlier that day. She wondered if they were magical, like her. Sasha’s striking beauty, a result of her half West Indies and half Pakistani heritage, was evident in her loose waves of hair and her unique brown/hazel eyes that held hints of green.

“Hey, Sash!” Scott, her 18-year-old brother, called out as he pulled up in front of the shop in their older model Dodge Durango. Sasha slid into the passenger seat, and immediately, the sound of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” filled the car. Scott had always had a soft spot for ‘90s music, and he enthusiastically sang along to the lyrics.

As they drove through their neighborhood, the siblings noticed how their modest, slightly worn house paled in comparison to the larger, more luxurious homes on the block. But despite its appearance, their home was filled with love and laughter.

“So, you’re heading back to school soon, huh?” Scott teased, his voice barely audible over the music. “Are you going to miss sharing a room with Sara?”

Sasha rolled her eyes playfully. “Not a chance! I love her, but sharing a room with a 13-year-old is not my idea of a good time. I can’t wait to get back to school.”

Scott chuckled. “Well, at least you’ll have some peace and quiet there. Just don’t forget to call us every now and then, okay?”

Their family of seven squeezed into the three-bedroom house, and while they may not have had a lot of material wealth, they made up for it with the love and support they had for one another. Despite being a little under middle class, they managed to create a happy home environment.

“I won’t, I promise,” Sasha said with a smile. “Besides, who else am I going to tell about all my magical adventures?”

The siblings shared a laugh as they pulled into the driveway, the warmth of their bond evident in their playful banter. As Sasha stepped out of the car and into the loving embrace of her family, she couldn’t help but feel excited for the adventures that awaited her at Arcanum Academy.

As they drove through their neighborhood, the siblings noticed how their modest house stood out among the more elegant homes on the block. Theirs was the smallest one, and it was clear that it hadn’t undergone any remodeling, unlike the other houses on the street.

Their middle-class family of seven made the most of the space in their three-bedroom home, and while they may not have had the luxury of the larger, renovated houses nearby, they filled their home with love and laughter.

“So, you’re heading back to school soon, huh?” Scott teased, his voice barely audible over the music. “Are you going to miss sharing a room with Sara?”

Sasha rolled her eyes playfully. “Not a chance! I love her, but sharing a room with a 13-year-old is not my idea of a good time. I can’t wait to get back to school.”

Scott chuckled. “Well, at least you’ll have some peace and quiet there. Just don’t forget to call us every now and then, okay?”

Despite not living in the largest or most updated house, their family managed to create a happy and supportive home environment. The warmth and love within their walls more than made up for any material shortcomings.

“I won’t, I promise,” Sasha said with a smile. “Besides, who else am I going to tell about all my magical adventures?”

The siblings shared a laugh as they pulled into the driveway, the warmth of their bond evident in their playful banter. As Sasha stepped out of the car and into the loving embrace of her family, she couldn’t help but feel excited for the adventures that awaited her at Arcanum Academy.

The girls gathered in the spacious central room, situated between four doors that led to each of their private bedrooms. A small kitchenette, outfitted with old and archaic appliances from the ‘70s, occupied one corner of the room. The once-gleaming refrigerator and oven now bore the battle scars of countless meals prepared by generations of students.

The walls of the room were painted a mustard yellow, a shade that had likely been fashionable decades ago, but now seemed somewhat dated. The counter, a dusty brown that had clearly seen better days, stretched across the room, providing a place for students to prepare snacks or work on their magical potions.

Despite its less-than-perfect state, the room held a certain charm, filled with the laughter and camaraderie of young witches as they studied and practiced their craft. The well-worn furniture and faded carpet told stories of friendships forged and challenges overcome, lending the space a warmth and comfort that could only come from years of shared experiences.

Sasha, still adjusting the collar of her black school uniform, approached Layla with a teasing grin.

The uniforms, made of comfortable yet somewhat outdated 100% cotton fabric, were black with a pendant on the shoulder of the jacket. Though not the most stylish, they were a symbol of their magical education at Arcanum Academy.

“Ugh, I barely got any sleep last night,” Sasha mumbled, stifling a yawn as she leaned against the ivy-covered wall.

Layla, on the other hand, appeared energetic and refreshed. “I just came back from a four-mile run. It’s such a beautiful morning!”

A four-mile run? That’s it?” Sasha teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Layla playfully rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Oh, come on! You know you’d rather sleep in than even think about a morning run.”

Sasha raised an eyebrow, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. “You’ve always been a morning person, Lay. I don’t know how you do it.” As they continued their lighthearted banter, Sasha glanced down at their uniforms and chuckled. “I don’t know. How are you look so great in that awful uniforms .” Layla said, jokingly, “I’ve always wondered why they’ve never updated these uniforms. I mean, we’re learning cutting-edge magic, but we’re wearing something that looks like it’s from a century ago.” Reply, Sasha I hate straightened up the tie under her woven net sweater.

Layla laughed in agreement. “Right? We’re witches-in-training, not time travelers! But I guess it’s all part of the charm of Arcanum Academy.”

The girls shared a warm smile, embracing the quirks of their school as they enjoyed each other’s company.

The girls chatted and laughed, exchanging stories of their time apart, unaware of the minutes ticking by. Suddenly, Layla glanced at her watch and gasped. “Oh no, we’re going to be late for Spellbound class!”

Sasha’s eyes widened, and she quickly grabbed her bag. “We can’t miss that! Let’s go!”

The two friends hurried towards their class, their laughter echoing down the corridor as they navigated the Great hall. After a year of being here, they finally getting an understanding for the massive, ever-changing, building of Arcanum Academy.

As Sasha sat in her History class, she tried to focus on the lesson, but her mind kept wandering to the exciting news she had to share with Layla. She closed her eyes and concentrated, reaching out with her thoughts to connect with her friend. “Layla, are you there?” she said silently in her mind.

A moment later, Layla’s voice echoed in Sasha’s head. “Hey, Sasha. What’s up?”

Sasha’s excitement bubbled over. “You won’t believe it! Remember that magical family we met the other day? The one with the red-haired girl? Well, she’s in my History class with Miss Martinez!”

Layla grinned. “That’s awesome, Sash. Maybe we can hang out with her sometime.”

As they chatted telepathically, Layla used her telekinesis power to deflect a barrage of fireballs Dylan had thrown her way during their sparring match. She concentrated on the conversation with Sasha, but also kept a close eye on Dylan, waiting for the right moment to strike back.

The telepathic connection between Sasha and Layla was an invaluable tool at school, where they were surrounded by non-magical humans and couldn’t rely on technology to communicate. As the fight with Dylan continued, Layla used her telekinesis to lift him off the ground and slam him into a nearby wall.

Finally, the fight was over, and Layla and Dylan stood panting, facing each other. Layla took a deep breath and focused her thoughts on Sasha once again. “Sorry, Sash, I gotta go. Dylan’s being a sore loser, and I think he’s about to blow up the gym.”

“Okay, be careful!” Sasha replied, her voice echoing in Layla’s mind as she broke the telepathic connection.