Julia was printing her final assignment for the first year, when she noticed Lindsey standing behind her, holding a stack of books. Perhaps she wanted to photocopy them.

Upon seeing Lindsey, she stapled the papers fast, and left the room.

She heard footsteps behind her. Julia didn’t want to talk to her.

“Hey you, wait!” said Lindsey

Julia stopped in her tracks and turned around.

Lindsey had her usual grey bob and was wearing a white top with a black sweater and brown shorts.

“How come Cole didn’t contact me?” said Lindsey

“I don’t know. You ask him.”

Lindsey looked back and forth between Julia’s wrists. It made her uncomfortable. Then, Lindsey drew her wand, and after seeing this, Julia did this too.

“Turn you into your true self! The truth awakens the hidden curse within the wilderness!” said Lindsey

The magic sparks sped up to Julia.

“Transient shield…”

Before Julia could finish the spell, the world around her changed. The buildings got erased one by one. Her assignment disappeared too. Julia clutched onto her wand and told herself she mustn’t be a coward.

The land turned to lush grass that was reminiscent of the meadow. Plants sprouted and turned to trees within seconds. The first tree had vines that wrapped around books. The second grew a ladder made of vines which led up to the clouds. The third tree was a short tree which grew several wooden instruments, like a violin, a harp and a guitar. The wind was so strong that it began to shake the trees with brute force.

Julia casted a spell, “Transient shield to protect the trees.”

A glasshouse kind of like a greenhouse encased the three trees. Julia knew they were no ordinary trees, so she must do something.

The sunshine peeked out from the clouds and the glasshouse disappeared.

The wind was mostly gone. So, Julia summoned her broom.

“Thank you miss witch,” said the third tree

Soothing music played as the instruments played by themselves.

“Thank you,” said the second tree

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

The music got louder and the second tree made the ladder untie itself and turned into circlets around Julia. The vines sprouted and gave life to strawberry blossoms and fruits.

Only the acoustic guitar was playing now. A small bird sat down and pecked on the strawberry. The first tree’s vines came forward, and dropped a heavy book onto Julia’s hands. The bird flew away.

“Thank you for your kindness,” they said in unison

Julia opened the book and found a tree charm in it. Julia took the bracelet out of her pocket and attached to the bracelet and then wore it.

“Goodbye,” said Julia

She stepped out of the circle. All of the instruments played together.

“Don’t leave without a snack,” said the second tree

Julia plucked a strawberry and said, “With the wondrous world’s help, I create.”

The magic sparks flew and turned the strawberry into strawberry shortcake.

Julia took a bite and it was the perfect ratio of tart and sweet with light whipped cream.

“Thank you, I hope to see you again,” said Julia

The trees bowed and were upright again.

Julia wandered for about an hour. Being unable to take it anymore, she sat under a tree and tried every spell she knew. Nothing worked.

As she laid down, and tossed around, her charm bracelet was jingling. She wondered if the damn bracelet could do anything at all.

It was dawn, and Julia woke up. She had aches all over, especially around her shoulders. It was difficult to turn her head.

She got up after several attempts, and then found that the path was filled with flowers.

So, Julia followed the delicate blossoms. They were of three different colors, peach, red, and orange.

It would be peaceful, if she wasn't trapped in it.

Soon, she came across a series of floating bubbles. She shuddered as one of the bubbles touched her skin. However, nothing happened.

The core tree had no one tied to it. Julia gasped, and hoped that Cole was around somewhere. What if it had swallowed Cole?

"Cole..?" muttered Julia

She heard footsteps behind her and was afraid to look back.

"What are you doing here? Did you come to fetch me?" said a voice

The voice sounded so familiar. So, she turned around.

[https://imgur.com/E51DPm4.png]

He looked fresh and the same as before, only he was donned in new clothes and a hat. He held a bunch of flowers.

"What happened, Cole? I thought you were out of here already," said Julia

Cole shrugged his shoulders and came closer.

"I have a lot of explaining to do. But first, let's get out of here," said Cole

Julia said nothing and stood in one spot. Something felt off.

He dropped the flowers on the ground.

"Your hand, please."

Julia gave him her hand even though she didn't know what would happen next. His hand was the same temperature and was much larger than hers.

"Don't let go," he said

Cole closed his eyes. A cold wind came and blew Cole's hat away.

"Take me far away, to where she belongs. Set me free, and let me breathe," said Cole

A sweet fragrance engulfed the air. A cluster of dead blossoms circled them, until she felt like she was being carried away by the wind. She felt like she was floating. She couldn't see much, other than Cole and the flowers. She closed her eyes.

The scent was gone, and she heard birds chirping.

"Open your eyes, and you may let go," said Cole

She saw the building of their university.

"Julia! Why?" said Silvio

"What?" said Julia

She turned around and saw Silvio. His fierce green eyes weren't prominent when all of his facial muscles were tense. Julia wanted to explain. However, Silvio had not yet made their relationship official. So, it was a mess.

"Lindsey trapped me in the DTCA world and so Cole brought me here."

Silvio's breaths were so loud that she could hear them.

"I see." said Silvio

He walked away.

"Wait! I'll explain," said Cole

He ran after him.