That is what it was. This thing inside her. It was her powers, her magic. She did not quite know how she knew, but she was sure of it. Winter stopped walking. She glanced at the bracelet around her wrist and scowled, annoyed.
The young looking female teacher, Ms. Terran, approached Winter from where she stood, observing. "Come with me," she said in her soft yet authoritative voice. Winter hesitated a moment, but something in the teacher's voice compelled her to follow. They walked through the maze of hallways until Ms. Terran stopped at a door, pulling a bronze key from her pocket to unlock it. She entered the room and Winter trailed after her. Ms. Terran closed the door, locking it. "I was told to brief you on the changes," Ms. Terran looked at Winter sympathetically. "What changes?" Winter's ice blue eyes narrowed. "I'm sure you've noticed the presence of magic inside of you by now," Ms. Terran folded her hands neatly in her lap. "I'm not sure what you mean, Ms. Terran." Winter leaned back in her seat nonchalantly. "Just Nelly is fine," Ms. Terran's face lightened, "No need to feign ignorance Winter. Everyone knows what happens when you go in the detention dungeon." Winter sat up, leaning in. Nelly Terran sighed, "As you may know, Golden Academy High is a very prestigious, exclusive school. Most people think it is exclusive because of high tuition rates. However, that is not the case." Winter stared. "This school is restricted from outsiders because it is meant for students with special abilities." Winter kept the surprise from her face, "I haven't seen any evidence of that." Nelly Terran continued, "It was kept hidden from you before. Everyone was under strict orders to hide their powers in your company." Winter scoffed, "You're telling me this is a school of magic?" Suddenly, her mother's note came to mind. "Did she know?" Winter thought. Nelly nodded, relaxing in her chair "Everyone who attends Golden Academy High has magic to a certain degree. Some are stronger than others. They are kept in different classes based on strength of ability." Winter tapped her finger on the table, "Why was this kept from me?" Nelly looked around before lowering her head, "I cannot answer." When she looked up again, there was something in her eyes that told Winter she was an ally. Winter relented, "What kind of changes am I to expect?" Nelly's posture shifted slightly, "Your magic has just awakened and we are still unsure of its strength. Until we have a better idea of where you truly stand, you will remain in the same class. Though the course load you are privy to will be modified accordingly." Winter stood, "And the students?" Nelly nodded, "They were all notified that the ban on powers in your presence was removed." Winter rolled her neck, "Understood. May I go now?" "Yes, Winter Knight. You may leave."
She walked out, thinking about everything that was unveiled. "I knew there was something weird going on." Unconsciously, her legs took her back to the black encrypted door. Winter stared, gawking at the door in front of her. It was a door just like all the rest. Winter opened it. Inside was another empty classroom. "The door disappeared?" Winter opened and closed the door, the same empty classroom. She blinked to make sure her eyes were not deceiving her. "Magic. This is a school of powers and abilities." She looked at her hands, curling and uncurling her fingers into a fist, "What are mine?"
Winter meandered uninterrupted. She paused and stared. Winter stayed outside the classroom, taken aback by what she saw inside. Objects levitating, plants growing in seconds, water floating in midair. Winter observed students changing shapes, things appearing from nowhere, as well as little mysterious creatures flitting about. She took a breath, "Okay. This is a new world I've entered. A world that is foreign and unfamiliar. I just have to learn the rules it follows and get used to them. I can do this."
Winter opened the door to her classroom and everything seemed to be at a standstill. All eyes were, again, on her. She walked to her seat and sat down, keeping her head up. The classroom was deadly silent. Her friends came up to her and a low murmur filled the classroom. Mandy and Layla hugged her tightly. "We're so glad you're okay," Mandy sobbed into her hair. Winter smiled in relief, "How long have I been gone?" Mandy sniffled, "About three weeks." Layla squeezed her tight, "What happened to you after you got called to the conference room?" Winter smirked and lifted up her wrist, displaying the bracelet to them, "Let's just say: mission accomplished." Their eyes widened in understanding. "You did not," Mandy said breathlessly. "I did," Winter shrugged. Layla grabbed Winter's wrist and turned the bracelet over in her hands. Winter smirked mischievously, "Isn't it pretty?" Layla bit her lip, concentrating, "I've seen this before. Not in these colors but I think Sam Tudor wears one of the same." "Jax has one too," Mandy added. Winter considered the significance of the bracelet before turning her thoughts over to the magic, "Why didn't you guys tell me?" Mandy looked down. Layla squeezed her hand, "We were under orders to hide it from you." Winter shifted, "Why?" Mandy shrugged, wiping her tears "It was the first time we've ever had to do this." Winter quirked her head,"Well I am the only new student this school has had in eleven years." She changed the subject, "What powers do you guys have?" Layla smiled, "Well well well. Look who's asking questions." Mandy nudged Layla. Winter rolled her eyes at their teasing. Mandy grabbed her small bag and pulled out a six foot lamp, turning to Winter, "I can make anything come out of this bag, no matter the size. If I wish it, an elephant can appear. That and powers of trickery. Whatever I do with my makeup is reality to others." Winter studied the bag, "So when we were in the bathroom those cloaks came from-" "My glorious magic," Mandy beamed. Winter chuckled before she turned her attention to Layla, awaiting her response. "Sometimes I can see the future in my dreams. I can also disable certain powers if they come within a certain range of me for a time." Winter twisted the bracelet on her wrist, "Kind of like a shield?" Layla clicked her tongue and Mandy chimed in, "Yes. Like a shield." Layla put her hand on Winter's bracelet, inspecting it again, "What powers do you have Winter?" She looked at them and a crooked smiled grew on her face, "I don't know."