Ready for lesson 2

The next day, the parrot woke me up. "You have a lesson at 10pm tonight." It screeched.

"Arghhh!" I screeched back, waking up in shock. Then I remembered I was in Noir and things were too weird to be normal.

I examined the parrot extensively after eating my bowl of cereal. It was ceramic and covered in what looked real feathers. I was really examining it for secret cameras of which I found none.

"Are you lying?" I poked it crossly. Perhaps Victoria really was a teacher, just like Galvin had said. But I still had my doubts.

I was determined to get to the bottom of the horrible lessons, which made absolutely no sense. I intended to go to the principle and 1) confirm whether I actually had these lessons or not 2) whether I had to go 3) whether Victoria was an actual teacher and 4) report the bullying.

The map of the school had no principle's office. It had "rose garden", "church", "pond", "lawn balls" and every other location. I figured I just had to go the front office.

"Hi," I said pleasantly. The receptionist wasn't moving. "I'm Annie, I met you yesterday." She still didn't move so I continued. "I've been a little confused by the lessons I've been having. I don't think I enrolled in the right class."

"Annie Pollock is it?" The receptionist moved to her lap top and typed up my name. "No," she said firmly. "You are enrolled in the right class."

My heart sank, but I was determined. "Is Victoria the teacher?"

"Yes," she immediately replied. "And you can not take up your semester's classes until you finish the introductory classes."

"Why am I the only girl to be accepted this year?" I asked directly.

"You're not," the receptionist said sharply.

"But you said that yesterday –"

"What I meant was that you are the only girl to be accepted in the particular program you have applied for. Not everyone goes through introductory classes but you have to."

I sighed in relief. The receptionist must have noticed that because she almost smiled and added "New students will be flooding in 2 weeks."

"Thanks," and I meant it. I dragged myself back to my rooms and sat there glumly.

"Hi-" A shadow fell at the door. My face flooded red. Again. Galvin grinned. "You must be bored out of your mind."

"I am," I replied, wondering why he was there.

"I'm here to keep you company, " he said easily. He looked at me more directly. "Why did you come to Noir?"

"I wanted to study mythology and folk tales," I answered truthfully.

"Why?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I've always liked mysteries and stories. I used to daydream at high school…" I stopped, not wanting to sound like a complete weirdo.

"That's cool," he said encouragingly.

"Why did you come to Noir?" I asked, only because he had interrogated me enough.

A shadow flicked through his handsome face. "I was sent here," he said shortly.

"Oh," I figured it was too much to probe for more. We sat in awkward silence.

"Damn this glamour!" Galvin suddenly burst out angrily.

"Huh?" I was thoroughly shocked.

"Sorry," he smiled at me pleasantly, "I'm just irritated at this spell I'm under."

"Spell?" my eyes were wide. My ears were sure they heard the correct word.

"Spell that the headmistress has put me under," Galvin explained, as if nothing had been out of the ordinary. "She's a very strict woman." I didn't know what to say. Was she his mother? Uh…He suddenly looked at me intensely.

"But the spell you put me under…"he grinned wickedly, moving closer – whatever he was going to say was thankfully interrupted by a loud, rude knock on the door. I didn't think I could suddenly handle the flirtatious manner Galvin put on. It felt weird.

The door flew open and an icy drought pushed through. I shivered. Enough said. The figure outlined by the clear light of the day was tall and stick thin. Red brown hair glowed. Red eyes glowed.

"Sophie," Galvin said pleasantly as if the sunlight had streamed in.

She flickered her long lashes. Her eyes were suddenly really pretty. "Galvin, you forgot we had a picnic planned today."

"I'm sorry Sophie," Galvin replied, not in the slight disturbed.

"Will you come then?" she pleaded. "The sandwiches are getting cold," she added. Her eyes flickered to me and they were cold.

"Maybe not today-"

The door slammed closed before he even had a chance to finish. "Um-" I said weakly, "Maybe you should of gone-"

"No," Galvin said darkly. "She's the daughter of the head mistress."

"And-?" He didn't answer.

Great, another couple of lessons with Victoria. The sky had darkened and the stars twinkled. Yep, it was 10pm once again. I got the teaching rooms and immediately noticed something was wrong. For once there were shouting voices.

"The only reason why you are even alive is because of her!" The female voice roared.

"That doesn't mean we have a bond," the male voice replied calmly.

"I won't believe this ridiculous turn of events."

"You can do whatever you want. But the fact still remains. I'm not coming!"

"Fine you don't have to come! But you forget one important aspect of your contract."

"I haven't forgotten. Annie's a witch isn't she?"

What? I was listening behind the door and was thoroughly confused. They probably weren't talking about me. I heard a snarl and then the door was flung open.

"Hi Victoria," I squeaked. She looked positively fuming. She ignored me and stormed off.

"Lesson 2," Galvin leaned in the doorway with a smile on his face. "Lies. I know them all off by heart. Let me teach you."

"Why did you call me a witch?" I demanded.

"Who?" He said lightly but I was sure he was lying.

"You said Annie's a witch," I pointed out. His smooth handsome face was beginning to crack and I saw all the flaws in it.

Annie is the school principle," the boy said easily, "She is a witch." He gave a laugh. I didn't follow. "You have to be careful. She is arriving in the next week. Didn't I tell you?"

This guy has buckets of charm. I thought to myself. It's so easy to be swayed by his words. Why am I getting a feeling that he's not telling me the truth?

"Why did Victoria storm off?" I asked. Why am I so curious?

A flicker of annoyance graced his face. "She's a bitch," he replied and shrugged his shoulders. I was not satisfied with his answers. It was like all the strangeness of the school and the last couple of days were building up. I couldn't stop this curiosity and madness swelling up in me. I had had enough. Docile perfect shy Annie was no more.

"What bond was Victoria talking about?" I demanded.

He looked at me sharply and confusion clouded his face for a while. He looked disturbed. "That is none of your business," he finally said.

A handsome guy saying that to me in a passive aggressive way should have stopped me, but my mouth moved of it's own accord. "What's this contract you have to fill?" By now, Galvin looked rather sick. "Why do you look so queasy?" I busted out.

I stared at my own reflection in Galvin's brown eyes and was shocked to see the gleam in my own eyes.

"Annie," suddenly Galvin was speaking softly and murmuring to me. "It's okay. Calm down."

"I'm sorry," I gasped. The world tipped in a hundred colors and tears filled my eyes.

"Hey, why are you crying?" Galvin tried prying my fingers off my face. I wanted to be alone. It was like suddenly the world has shifted into a strange kaleidoscope pattern. I was completely consumed.

"I'd like to go back to my room," I answered stiffly. Then I remembered Victoria. "Do I still have my lesson?"

"She'll contact you," Galvin shrugged.

I went back to my room. Nothing Galvin did could calm the storm within. The phone rang.

"Why haven't you called?" My brother said crossly over the phone. My brother is one of those older siblings who act like your parent. His voice made me feel like I had returned back to the normal world.

"I totally forgot," I answered truthfully. "It's been really busy." I hadn't been busy at all but I was busy with accustoming to Noir.

"Anyway having a fabulous time at the school you ran off to?" Peter wasn't trying to be mean. He was joking, but I felt the sting.

"I've been having a fantastic time," I muttered mechanically. Peter wasn't one I confided in. I wasn't particularly close to my brother.

Perhaps he noticed my tone. "So…" he must have felt it was his brotherly task to check up on me. "What have you been learning?"

"Introductory classes, Noir is a different world." I didn't want to elaborate. He didn't push.

"Mum and dad," here Peter's tone was careful, "they wanted to let you know should you at any point come to your senses, you are welcome at home."

So that was why he had called. "I know," I snarled, suddenly angry. "But I'm staying here."

"Okay, okay-" I imagined Peter raising his hands up in that annoying habit he has.

"I've got to do some preparation for class," I made up the excuse. "Bye," I hung up without waiting for his reply.

I really did like it here at Noir. It was different. It was a new place, a magical place, with interesting people. There was no way I was heading home. The empty wall stared back at me. This was getting ridiculous. It was time to stop wasting time and do what I had always wanted to do.

"Victoria," I said grimly into the stupid parrot, which also doubled as a phone, "You missed our lesson. Please come and give it to me now." Victoria must have been surprised. If she was, she didn't show it. If she played the game, then I was ready to play it too. I was immediately shocked when she laughed coyly. Then her voice turned deep.

"Annie Pollock, you have no idea what you're up against. I'm glad you called. It means you are ready for lesson 2 and I shall explain everything. Meet me at the north tower."

She hung up.

A/N: okay...this story is evolving into something a bit different than what I had originally intended. Oh well, let the story speak for itself! Thanks to LittleBloom for the continued support. ~