Chapter VII

All of a sudden, a teenage girl came running into the room excitedly.

The girl: “I heard Ms. Ophelia is back!!!” her face beaming with happiness.

She glanced around the room. As soon as she saw Ophelia she ran straight into her arms and hugged her tightly.

Ophelia: “Malina! Always a delight to see you.” She said with a warm smile back.

Malina quickly noticed Valerie. She stared at her curiously and perhaps a bit too close.

Valerie hid behind her mom.

Ophelia: “There’s no need to be shy, dear. She’s just one of my students. She won’t be anything like that old geezer.”

Malina: “Hiiiii!” She says while waving her hand happily.

She then turns to look at Ophelia.

Malina: “Miss, you never told me you had a daughter. What’s her name?”

Ophelia: “Go on sweetie, tell her your name.”

Valerie: “V-valerie.” She says with a low tone almost like a whisper.

Malina: “Hmm? Valerie? What a pretty name!!”

Anyone could tell Malina was a bright a bubbly girl. Even though Valerie can’t look her in the eyes for more than 3 seconds she could still made out what Malina looks like.

She had honey-tan skin with dark brown eyes. One look in her eyes could make a normal guy drowns. Her wavy jet black her glistened in the bright sunlight shining through the windows.

Her voice was gentle but loud enough to showcase her personality perfectly.

If she could be described by one word, that word would be “The sun”.

Malina once again bends down to look at Valerie.

Malina: “What a cutieeee!! Come! Let me show you around!” She says excitedly.

Ophelia: “Don’t you have class?”

Malina: “Nope! Some kid blew up the classroom so we don’t have any more classes today.” Not a hint of concern in her voice.

Hearing this Ophelia gave Valerie a smile and bends down to talk to her.

Ophelia: “You should go with her. I might be too busy to be the one to show you around.” She says with a soothing voice.

Valerie nodded reluctantly, while thinking that both of them are way too normal about the “classroom blew up” thing.

Ophelia turns to Malina.

Ophelia: “Don’t go anywhere too far, okay? Even though the academy is very guarded, there’re still some prohibited zone. And keep a close eye on her.”

Malina: “Yes Ma’am” She gave her a salute.

Malina picks up Valerie’s hand and gave her a smile.

Malina: “Off we go!!”

They walked around the whole academy. Everything is so new for Valerie.

The academy scenery was huge and beautiful. A garden filled with different kinds of flowers, trees and plants so pretty you feel like you’re in heaven.

They talked a little while they walked and Valerie slowly warms up to Malina. It was no surprise considering Malina’s personality. She’s the type of person to get along with everyone.

Malina: “I’m turning 16 next month. I’ve been in this academy for almost 6 years so of course, I have many many friends!”

Valerie: “Is it fun?”

Malina: “of course! Though I don’t really remember some of my friends’ name, they’re still fun to be around!”

Valerie: “No, I meant, is it fun studying here?”

Malina: “Yeah definitely! The professors here really know how to bring out a student’s ability. I think my magic has improved a lot since coming here and I get to dance as much as I want!”

Valerie: “You can dance?”

Malina: “Uh huh! And I loved it too! Want me to show you?”

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Valerie nodded. Malina then grabs Valerie’s hand and head straight to the academy’s stadium. They soon arrived.

Malina: “Thank god no one’s here”

Malina gestured Valerie to take a seat. She then went up to the stage and performed the greatest dance Valerie’s ever seen.

Her fingers bend like flower petals. With every step she makes her knees bend graciously while the twinkle of the music fills the room. The dance was hypnotizing. Throughout the whole dance it was like there’s a big lotus underneath her and she has to move very gently and graciously so as to not ruin the flowers. The light shined on her and in that moment, she truly looked like an angel.

The dance ended and she turns to look at Valerie.

Valerie was in awe. She clapped her hands as hard as she can to show how stunned she was.

Malina smiled: “So, how was it?”

As soon as Valerie was about to open her mouth a strange voice of a guy came from behind her.

The guy: “How beautiful.” With a sleepy voice.

Both Malina and Valerie immediately turns to look at the source of the voice.

A guy with ruffled hair brown hair and tired green eyes emerged from one of the seats. Like he just woke up from a deep sleep.

The guy: “Yo.”

Embarrassment shrouded Malina’s entire face. She was as red as her face can get.

Malina: “WHY THE HECK ARE YOU HERE???” she yelled with anger.

The guy: “The principle was looking for the kid who blew up a classroom, so I needed somewhere to hide.”

Malina jumped down from the stage.

Malina: “You should’ve told me you were hiding here. I could’ve avoided this lifetime of embarrassment.” She was incredibly mad.

The guy: “Well I was sleeping so I didn’t have any ways to warn you I was here. I only woke up when I heard the loud ass music.” He replied back slightly pissed.

The guy: “Beside you should be the one to apologize for disturbing my nap, why am I the only one taking the blame?”

They started fighting while completely ignoring Valerie’s existence.

Then Malina suddenly remembered that Valerie is there too so she started ignoring the guy.

Malina: “Oh my gosh I am so sorry. Soooo, did you enjoy the dance?” She turns to look at Valerie with a nervous smile.

Valerie: “It was beautiful.” She smiled back.

Seeing that they’re both ignoring him the guy interrupted.

The guy: “Aren’t you the kid with Ms.Ophelia?”

Malina: “I’m glad you liked it. It’s actually a dance technique I learned from my grandmother.” She replied to Valerie and completely ignored the guy.

Malina and Valerie then left the stadium leaving the guy there, alone.

Seeing as it’s starting to get dark, they made their way back to Ophelia’s office. They also talked on their way back.

Malina: “I’m actually from a race called ‘Apsara’ and the dance was a tradition for us. I still haven’t perfected it yet so the dance I’ve shown you was a little lacking, wasn’t it?”

Valerie: “Not at all.”

Malina was really happy hearing that. They soon meet up with Ophelia.

Ophelia: “Did you both have fun?” she smiled at both of them

Valerie nodded and Malina gave her a thumbs up.

Ophelia: “I’m glad. It’s getting late now so we have to go, Val.”

Valerie waved goodbye to Malina and she waved back. That was the most fun she’s ever had in a long time.

*While in the car*

Ophelia: “Sooo, what do you think of her?”

Valerie: “She’s fun. I really like her.”

Ophelia: “I thought you two might get along, and I was right! A mother knows best.” She said proudly.

Valerie gave her a reluctant smile.