New Novel Chapter 11

By: Asa Montreaux

Chapter 11: Whispers and Wonders

The morning sun filtered through the grand windows of The Andrews School, in Manhattan, New York, casting beams of light across the expansive library. Hugh, Fiona, Eliza, and Mish gathered around a large oak table strewn with spellbooks, notes, and parchment. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and the sweet scent of freshly brewed tea wafting in from the nearby kitchen.

“Did you see the latest post on Instagram?” Eliza exclaimed, scrolling through her phone, her eyes wide with excitement. “It’s all about the new students and their crazy powers!”

Mish leaned over, curious. “What do you mean? Who’s posted what?”

Eliza swiped her screen, revealing a brightly lit picture of a student levitating several books in mid-air, surrounded by a group of wide-eyed peers. The caption read: “Just your average day at The Andrews School! #MagicLife #Telekinesis.”

Fiona chuckled, shaking her head. “They’re not even trying to hide it! Can you imagine how the outside world would react if they saw that?”

“Exactly!” Eliza replied, her finger tapping the screen. “And look at this one.” She flipped to another post, showing a student conjuring shimmering lights that danced around her hands. “Her name’s Jasmine. She’s been rumored to have a knack for light manipulation. Apparently, she can make illusions that look almost real.”

Hugh leaned closer, intrigued. “Do you think she knows what she’s doing? That kind of power sounds risky.”

“Apparently, she does,” Eliza said, a hint of mischief in her voice. “But everyone’s talking about her. I heard she threw a party last weekend, and there were all sorts of magical shenanigans. Someone even posted a video of her lighting up the entire dance floor like a disco ball!”

“Wow, that’s impressive,” Mish said, her interest piqued. “I’d love to learn more about her abilities.”

Just then, a group of students entered the library, their laughter echoing off the walls. Among them was a tall boy with tousled dark hair and a contagious grin, flanked by two girls. One had vibrant red hair and an easygoing demeanor, while the other, with sleek black hair, wore glasses that accentuated her sharp features.

“Look who it is,” the boy called, spotting Hugh and his friends. “The newcomers!”

“Hey, Sam!” Eliza waved. “You’ve got to see this post about Jasmine! It’s blowing up on social media.”

Sam joined their table, leaning over to catch a glimpse of Eliza’s phone. “Jasmine’s got it going on for sure. Did you hear about the time she accidentally turned her roommate’s hair neon green during a spell practice?”

Fiona laughed, shaking her head. “That’s hilarious! I can’t believe she didn’t get in trouble for that.”

“She has a way of charming her way out of trouble,” Sam said with a grin. “And it helps that she’s got a huge following on social media. People love to see her do her magic.”

As they chatted, the two girls, now sitting with them, introduced themselves. “I’m Lena,” the redhead said, her voice cheerful. “I specialize in fire magic, but it’s not always as cool as it sounds. I accidentally set off the fire alarms last week!”

The group erupted in laughter, and Lena joined in, her smile infectious. “I swear, they should give us a warning sign before we practice.”

“And I’m Priya,” the girl with glasses said, her tone more reserved but warm. “I focus on divination and healing spells. Jasmine sometimes consults me for her spells. We make quite the team.”

“Wow, that’s impressive!” Mish said, her eyes wide with interest. “Divination sounds fascinating. What’s your favorite spell?”

Priya shrugged, a shy smile creeping onto her face. “I like to use crystal balls for guidance, but I also enjoy the healing charms. They’re useful, especially when someone gets a bit too ambitious with their magic.”

“Speaking of ambition,” Sam interjected, his expression turning serious, “have you heard about the recent whispers surrounding the school?”

Hugh felt a chill run down his spine. “What whispers?”

“There are rumors about a group of students dabbling in dark magic,” Sam said, lowering his voice. “People are saying they’re trying to harness powers beyond what’s safe. It’s concerning, especially with everything we’ve just learned about facing the shadows.”

“Are they trying to raise the dark forces?” Eliza asked, her eyes widening. “That’s insane!”

“Maybe it’s just gossip,” Priya replied cautiously. “But you know how rumors spread in a place like this. Still, it’s worth keeping an eye out.”

The conversation drifted back to the social media posts, with Lena scrolling through her own feed, showing clips of students practicing spells that flickered with energy. “It’s so easy for everyone to see us,” she said. “I love the excitement, but I’m worried someone might take it too far.”

As they continued to chat, a new post popped up on Eliza’s phone. “Guys, check this out!” she exclaimed, showing a video of a student named Aaron, who was renowned for his ice manipulation. In the video, he formed intricate sculptures that shimmered and glowed, a delicate frost covering everything around him.

“His stuff is amazing,” Sam said, awe evident in his voice. “He can freeze entire landscapes in seconds! But I heard he’s also a bit reclusive.”

“Maybe he’s trying to keep a low profile,” Mish speculated. “With all the attention on the other students, he might not want to get involved in the drama.”

“Who could blame him?” Fiona added. “It can get overwhelming.”

As the discussion unfolded, Hugh listened intently, absorbing the stories of the other students and their magical talents. Each one seemed to carry a unique essence of power, a thread woven into the intricate tapestry of their school life. 

“Hey, do you think we could connect with them? Maybe form a study group?” Hugh suggested, excitement bubbling in him. “If we can learn from each other, we’ll all grow stronger together.”

Eliza nodded enthusiastically. “Great idea! We could even host a magic showcase. It’ll be a fun way to bond and see everyone’s abilities up close.”

Lena grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Count me in! I can set things on fire while you all work on your spells!”

“Just… don’t set the school on fire,” Priya said, laughter bubbling up among them. 

As they made plans, Hugh felt a sense of unity blossoming among them. The whispers of uncertainty and darkness still loomed, but in this moment, surrounded by new friends and shared ambitions, he knew they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Together, they would harness their powers, explore their unique abilities, and strengthen the bonds that would see them through the trials ahead. The magic of friendship was powerful, and Hugh felt it surging within him, ready to be unleashed.