The next day, Lovlyn was at Adina’s house when Mrs. McGillin came knocking, but she didn’t tell her friend what was happening, only watched mysteriously to see how she took the surprise. She was sitting just out of sight for the entire conversation, but nobody noticed; she simply sat quietly in her own amusement and watched it all play out.

When her science teacher knocked on her door, Adina was more than slightly concerned. Had something happened to Lovlyn? Was she in trouble for something? Did her dad get thrown in jail again?

Mrs. McGillin shook her head in amusement. “No, to all of the above,” the woman said kindly. “I’m actually here to offer you something. I promise it’s not more homework or an extra credit opportunity, so please calm down and stop threatening to shut the door in my face. I believe you’ll actually want to hear my offer before you send me away.”

Adina frowned; Mrs. McGillin had already ruled out most of the probable reasons for her visit, so what could possibly be left? Her frown grew deeper when Mrs. McGillin held out an envelope.

“What, am I finally getting kicked out of school?” She asked cynically. “That doesn’t seem like much of an offer.”

Mrs. McGillin actually laughed. “No, dear. It’s an acceptance letter to Aurum. I’m certain that you of all people don’t need me to tell you what that is.”

No, she didn’t. Both of Adina’s older siblings had attended Aurum in past years and now had successful jobs in the magical service industry. But that didn’t mean she wanted to go. “I honestly don’t care, except if Lovlyn is going. I refuse to engage in a long-distance friendship where I can’t support her nearly at all. Did you already see her?”

“What makes you think she received one?”

Adina snorted. “Lovlyn has the possibility to have the strongest magic in three generations. I’m strong, but my magic is paltry compared to hers. If they were willing to accept me, there’s no way they’d overlook her.”

Lovlyn started at this revelation, but gave no sign that she’d moved. Strongest? Her? Adina was overestimating her again, and underestimating herself, but Lovlyn held her silence and continued to watch.

“Fine. Yes. Lovlyn received an invitation, but you’ll have to ask her whether or not she’s planning to accept.” Mrs. McGillin sounded tired. “You know the drill. Same time, place, and rules, if you’re planning to accept, and don’t forget to at least open the letter so that I don’t get accused of not doing my job.”

“Yeah, yeah. If Lovlyn agrees, you’ll see me right on time. Now if you’ll excuse me, I don’t plan to let my cookies burn, so you’ll have to see yourself out.” Turning around, Adina nearly tripped over the seated form of her best friend. “Oh, Lovlyn! How long have you been there?”

Lovlyn shrugged. “Pretty much the whole time.”

“Then you heard all that? God, I can’t believe I asked her those questions. What’d you decide?”

“I decided to go… not that I had much of a choice.”

Adina winced. “Come on, let’s go save my cookies. I still remember what happened last time we got too distracted while baking.” She shivered. “That was a nightmare and a torture I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy, though I might consider subjecting your mother to it next time she tries to control you. Have you spoken to your dad yet?”

“Nah, I haven’t had the chance yet, but I need to. Want to come with me?”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Adina nodded eagerly. “Your dad is awesome, I would love to visit him with you. And if this batch of cookies turns out okay, I’ll bring them with us.”

Two hours later, the girls approached a small cottage in the woods not too far from town. “Dad!” Lovlyn called, and Adina yelled, “Mr. Talin, are you here?”

“What is it, girls?” They both startled as he stepped out from behind them. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”

“Dad!” Lovlyn threw herself into his arms in the strongest hug she could manage.

Behind her, Adina chucked and held up her letter. “The notices came,” she said. “Lovlyn of course has to go, she doesn’t have much choice, and I’ll follow her.” Lovlyn blushed as her best friend grinned. “I don’t know what our crazy little fighter would do without me, after all, and someone has to keep her out of trouble.”

Mr. Talin laughed as he picked Lovlyn up and started carrying her toward his cottage. “Well I know it won’t be you keeping her out of trouble,” he said, teasing. “After all, you seem to get into it even more than she does!”

Laughing, the three of them made their way inside his home. Lovlyn kept most of her personal stuff there with him because her mother was far more likely to look through it, so she took the opportunity to pack some of her books and weapons that she’d been storing in her room there, leaving Adina in charge of choosing which clothes to bring since she had a far better eye for what matched and what didn’t.

As they dragged the suitcases down the stairs, Lovlyn paused outside the open door to her father’s office space. She had never gone inside, but not because it was off limits; her father continued to display every single trophy or award she had ever won, and she didn’t want to see them. Didn’t want to acknowledge that her father had turned an entire wall - and the shelves mounted there - into a shrine to her past glory. Didn’t want to have to ask him why.

“You okay?” Lovlyn startled at the sound of Adina’s voice from right beside her ear.

“Yeah, fine.” She turned away from the door with effort and continued down the stairs, ignoring her friend’s concerned expression. “Just… thought I saw something moving and wanted to see if a squirrel had broken in.”

Adina nodded, accepting the lie for what it was, and followed her. “Here,” she said. “Let me grab the other end of that. With all the books you packed, it’ll be easier to lift it together.”

Lovlyn knew what her friend was really saying - ‘Here, let me help you get the weight off your leg,’ - but also knew her friend understood Lovlyn’s pride well enough not to actually spell it out. Lovlyn wasn’t so prideful that she wouldn’t accept, however, especially when her friend had taken the effort to say it gently instead of bluntly as usual. No doubt Adina knew what was in the office and knew that Lovlyn was feeling particularly sensitive over the subject of her injuries.

Sighing, Lovlyn nodded. Adina smiled. “Come on, Lyna,” the girl said with false cheer, “a new school can’t be that bad. After all, everyone there will be new, and many will have something that makes them different. You won’t stand out nearly as much there as you do here, and if they try to pick on you, I’ll just have to beat them up for you!”

That got a laugh out of Lovlyn. “You’ll have to beat them up? All I have to do is challenge the strongest of them to a duel. He’ll underestimate me and I can kick his butt. Then they’ll all leave me alone. And if they don’t, I can keep kicking their butts until they finally do. You should just sit back and enjoy the show, Adi.”

Adina smiled wider at the use of her nickname. It was the first sign that Lovlyn was returning to usual. “Yeah.” Her voice turned somber. “You know at least one of them will ask you to dance for them, right?”

Lovlyn sighed again. “Yeah.” She leaned in closer to stage whisper, “Here’s my plan. I’ll tell them I need a dancing partner, but instead of dancing, I’m going to do the closest thing I have left to my old fighting style. Basically, I’ll be ‘dancing’ as I hit him in the nuts, nose, and stomach. They won’t ask again.”

Adina stares at me wide-eyed for a moment before bursting into laughter. “You’ve really thought this through, huh? Looks like I have nothing to worry about.”

Just then, Mr. Talin came walking into the room. Confused at the sight of them collapsed on the floor chortling, he decided to ask them what was so funny. Soon, he was laughing right along with them.