Lauren continued to work inside the watchtower. She sorted out a couple of papers neatly, when a knock startled her from behind. She snapped around and found Isabelle standing by the door.

“Ah, hello again.”

“Hi, I brought snacks.” Isabelle walked in and closed the door behind her.

Lauren’s stomach lurched once those words rang through her ears. “That’s great. I was getting hungry anyway.”

She reached into her backpack and pulled out a bag containing treats. The two pushed some chairs and boxes away to make room on the floor. They rested on the floorboards and helped themselves to a quick meal.

“Man, you sure have a lot of time on your hands.” Lauren brought up. “No offense, but you don’t have to come hang out if you don’t want to or are busy.”

“I don’t have a lot to do today, to be honest. Besides, I got plenty of time, and I enjoy hanging out with you.”

“Oh, thanks, you don’t—”

“However, that wasn’t the only thing I came here for.”

“Huh?”

“I found out about what you did in the past,” Isabelle replied.

“But I thought—”

“Glenda told me the whole story, everything you’ve done.”

“Oh, so you know the truth.” Lauren lowered her head. “Guess you want nothing to do with me anymore. Is that what you came here for? To tell me that?”

“Not exactly.”

“What?”

Isabelle cleared her throat. “Don’t get me wrong, what you’ve done was horrible. I won’t sugarcoat it. But what I want to know is why?”

“Well, there’s no need to hide it anymore, even if you might not believe me,” Lauren explained ‌how she tried to avenge her parents with the help of Troy, but he tricked and used her into doing his bidding, not to mention his parents causing of the death of her parents. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to make up for my past deeds. At this point, I don't think anyone could forgive me. I don’t want anyone to be mad at me anymore!”

“Calm down; I’m not mad at you!”

“You’re not? How can you not be?”

“Look.” Isabelle scooted over beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I may not know the full context of your situation, but I know you’re trying hard to regain everyone’s trust.”

“I...” Mist formed around Lauren’s eyes.

Isabelle held her hands up. “No, please don’t cry. I didn’t mean to bring back painful memories.”

“No, it’s ok,” Laura replied, wiping her eyes.

“If there’s anything I can do, I want to help‌.”

“Thank you.”

The two smiled at one another as they embraced. Ringing startled the two and interrupted their moment. Laura had to pull away and get up to inspect her telescope. She could barely make out the figure from the edges of the scope. The figure had dark brown hair, her purple hat hiding her face as she rode on a flying broom.

“Uh oh.”

“Lauren, what’s the matter?”

“Someone’s coming.”

“What? Who?”

“I don’t know, hang on.”

Lauren leaned over to grab her communication device and contact someone. The hologram emerged from the top as Zelda appeared in front of them.

“Ah, Lauren, hello. What seems to be the problem?”

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“We have an intruder on the school premises.”

“What do they look like?”

“I think she’s a witch, judging from the broom and purple hat...”

“Oh, that must be Brandi!” Zelda exclaimed, clasping her hands together.

“You know her?” Isabelle piped up from the back.

“Why yes, there’s no need for you to worry.”

“Are you sure?” Lauren asked, crossing her arms.

“Positive,” Zelda said with a wink. “Now let her in, pronto.”

“Ok, if you say so...”

After signing off from the communicator, Lauren sighed and went to activate the gate entrance, much to Isabelle’s confusion.

.-.-.-.

Brandi rested her sides on the broom as she flew around the school. Examining the premises, no barrier or force field surrounded the school grounds.

How odd—did this generation of schools get a downgrade? “Hello there,” she called out from above.

“I’ve arrived. Where’s the entrance?”

The tall gates opened as if right on cue, and Lauren stepped out. “Hey there, welcome to—”

“Alright, it’s about time someone showed up and let me in.” The girl flew down to Lauren’s level, then jumped off her broom. “So, what’s up with the lack of barriers?”

“Oh, we don’t have them operating in this school.”

“Really? My old school had a protective barrier.” The witch said, setting her broom on the ground. “Did the school get destroyed again?”

“Wait, you mean the occurrence has happened before?”

“Yeah, on a regular basis, no less.”

Isabelle and Glenda didn’t take long to join them outside the school grounds.

Whoa, so this is the visitor, huh? Isabelle thought as she leaned over to inspect the girls’ purple dress, purple and yellow socks, and dark-colored shoes. She looks kind of like Bridget, in a way.

“Hey, now that I think about it, I’ve never seen you guys before. Are you new?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m not,” Lauren replied. Even though I’m currently suspended.

“Is that so?” the witch inquired, creasing her brows. “Well, could you tell me what happened to the previous school?”

A pit formed around Lauren’s stomach as she struggled to come up with an answer.

“Cut her some slack,” Isabelle said, getting in between the two. “She doesn’t know the context of the situation.”

“Huh? But, I—”

“Hello there, Brandi.” Glenda greeted her with a curtsy. Welcome back. It's been a long time since we've seen each other.”

“Why hello,” Brandi replied, tipping her hat. “It’s nice to see a familiar face around these parts.”

“So, what brings you here?”

“I came to visit old friends, check up on my sister, and relive old memories with the school.”

“Isabelle, Lauren, this is Brandi. She was one of the best students from our last semesters. In fact, as of now, she’s the only solo one to graduate solo.”

“That’s right,” Brandi added, puffing her chest, and placing her hands on her hips.

“The Principal would love to meet you again. I’m sure she’d appreciate it if you stopped by for a visit.”

“Well, that’d be nice.”

.-.-.-.

The quartet met with Zelda in the Principal’s office. The groups exchanged pleasant exchanges about how things have been for the past couple of years.

“I still can’t believe you changed locations.” Brandi pointed out.

“Yes, but our customs are the same as ever.” Zelda chirped inside her jar.

“I see you haven’t changed a bit either.”

“So, what brings you here?”

“If it’s no trouble, I’d like to see Bridget. How is she doing?”

“Making steady progress, her magic’s impressive, and she’s a quick learner. I’ll contact Bridget. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to see you again.”

Isabelle and Lauren sat on a bench near the principal's office, listening in on the conversation while waiting for Bridget to show up.

“Hey,” Isabelle spoke up. “Why do you think this lady wants to meet with Bridget?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe their acquaintances?”

Eventually, the door opened, and Bridget entered the room.

“Hello Principal, I received your call. You wanted to see me?”

“Why yes, we have a visitor that wanted to talk to you.”

“Bridget, long time no see,” Brandi said.

Bridget’s face hardened as soon as their eyes met. “Brandi?”

“I heard you were doing well at school. Got to say, I’m quite impressed. But have you been able to surpass me?”

“Hey, how’d you get Bridget over here so quickly?” Glenda leaned over and whispered.

“You could say I had a hunch.” Zelda giggled and winked.

“So, you guys do know each other,” Isabelle confirmed.

Brandi’s ears perked up. “Ah, so is she a friend of yours?” She nudged Bridget. “Go on and tell her.”

Bridget groaned, but complied. She turned to her friends and explained it to them. “Girls, this is Brandi, and she is my sister.”

Isabelle and Lauren gasped. “No way, you’re related?” That explains a lot.

“And to one of the acclaimed best students, no less?” Isabelle added.

“According to the teachers and principal, anyway,” Bridget said; she rolled her eyes. “She’s not all that—”

“Hey, Glenda? Zelda?” Brandi interrupted. “Is it alright if we get going real soon?” She wrapped her arm around her younger sister’s shoulders and winked at her. “Bridget and I have some catching up to do.”

“Ah, of course.” Zelda nodded in approval. “Go right ahead.”