A Gift Only For You

I sighed heavily for what felt like the tenth time that day. Somehow, I'd been sent on yet another mission—this time, to ask Ms. Sinclair if we could use her classroom for the festival. Why did it have to be me? The others had all conveniently claimed they were "busy," which, let's be honest, was probably a blatant lie. They were most likely lounging around, scheming up booth ideas and leaving the dirty work to me. Typical.

Letting out another sigh, I reached Ms. Sinclair's classroom and hesitated at the door. Taking a deep breath, I pushed it open and peeked inside. "Ms. Sinclair?" I called, my voice echoing slightly in the quiet room.

Evelyn looked up from her desk, where she was meticulously working through a stack of paperwork. Her auburn hair caught the light, glowing faintly like embers. "Sera? Come in," she said with a small, welcoming smile.

I stepped inside, shutting the door softly behind me as I approached her desk. Her classroom always had this calming atmosphere—clean, orderly, and somehow warmer than the rest of the academy.

"What brings you here?" she asked, setting her pen down and leaning back slightly in her chair. "You're looking better. Have you been well?"

I nodded, trying to muster a polite smile. "I'm fine now. That whole thing… it was just a really bad headache. But, um, I wanted to ask you for a favor."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in her light blue eyes. "A favor?" she repeated, resting her chin lightly on her hand.

"The upcoming festival," I began hesitantly. "My group and I were wondering if we could use your classroom. It's the perfect size for what we're planning."

Please say yes, I silently begged. The alternative was asking Ms. Roselle, and the mere thought of her icy, piercing stare sent shivers down my spine.

To my immense relief, Evelyn smiled. "Sure. Why not?" she said easily, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Really?" My eyes widened in disbelief. I had braced myself for at least a little resistance.

She nodded. "Of course. This isn't the first time my classroom's been used for a festival. Just make sure you clean up afterward."

"Of course!" I said quickly, relief flooding me. "Thank you so much!"

"Not a problem," she replied, a faint smile lingering. "Oh, that reminds me—I have something for you."

"Hmm?" I tilted my head, watching as she opened a small drawer in her desk and pulled out a golden necklace. The centerpiece of it was a fiery gem, glowing softly like a captured ember. The chain itself gleamed faintly, intricate engravings etched into the metal.

"What is this?" I asked, captivated by its beauty.

"It's a fire magic amplifying necklace," Evelyn explained, holding it out to me. "It gives the wearer a slight boost in their control and power over fire magic. I thought it might come in handy for you."

My jaw nearly dropped. "You're giving this… to me?" I asked, barely daring to believe it.

She chuckled softly. "You've got potential, Sera. But I've noticed you're still getting a handle on your magic. This should help give you a little extra confidence—and a bit of flair, too." Her tone was light, but her words carried a quiet encouragement that made my chest tighten with an unfamiliar warmth.

I hesitated for a moment before carefully taking the necklace from her outstretched hand. The gem felt warm against my palm, like it held a tiny, steady flame within it. "Thank you," I said, my voice quieter than usual. "I'll take good care of it."

Evelyn's smile widened just slightly, her expression a mix of amusement and fondness. "I know you will," she said. "And if you ever need help with your magic—or anything else—you know where to find me."

I nodded, clutching the necklace tightly, the fiery gem radiating a comforting warmth against my palm. For the first time in a long while, a spark of confidence flickered inside me, fragile yet reassuring.

"Want me to help you put it on?" Evelyn asked, her voice soft but with a subtle, inviting lilt. "Let's see if it suits you."

My breath caught for a second, and then I nodded. "Sure," I said, my voice quieter than I'd intended.

Evelyn stepped closer, the distance between us shrinking until I could feel the gentle warmth emanating from her. There was a quiet elegance in the way she moved, every step deliberate yet unassuming, as if she carried an unshakable confidence that didn't need to be flaunted.

"Here, lift your hair for me," she murmured.

I swallowed and obediently gathered my hair, letting the cool air brush the back of my neck. Her fingers brushed lightly against my skin as she took the necklace from my hand, her touch feather-light but sending an unexpected jolt through me. I bit the inside of my cheek, suddenly hyper-aware of how close she was.

"This necklace is enchanted," Evelyn said softly, her voice like a gentle hum near my ear. "Not just to amplify magic, but to respond to its wearer. It might even feel like it's alive sometimes. You'll need to form a bond with it."

"A bond?" I asked, my voice faint, more distracted by her presence than her words.

She chuckled softly, a low, melodic sound that sent warmth straight to my cheeks. "It's not as complicated as it sounds," she said, fastening the clasp of the necklace. "Just wear it often, and it'll adapt to you—like a loyal partner."

The gem settled against my collarbone, its gentle glow catching the light. Evelyn's fingers lingered for a moment longer than necessary, adjusting the chain with meticulous care. I couldn't bring myself to move, the air between us charged with something I couldn't quite name.

"There," she said finally, stepping back just enough for me to turn and meet her gaze. Her light blue eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and mischief. "It suits you. Almost like it was made for you."

I touched the gem with my fingertips, feeling its warmth pulse faintly, almost as if it were alive, just like she said. "Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's… beautiful."

Evelyn tilted her head, a small, knowing smile curving her lips. "So are you, Sera," she said, her tone casual but carrying an undeniable weight that made my heart stutter.

My face flushed instantly, and I glanced away, trying to compose myself. "I—I should get back to my group," I stammered, though the words felt clumsy. "They're probably waiting for me."

"Of course," she replied, her smile softening but never fading. "But remember, this is your festival too. Don't forget to enjoy it."

I nodded, still unable to meet her gaze, and turned to leave. As I reached the door, her voice stopped me again.

"And Sera?"

I glanced back, my heart still racing. "Yeah?"

Her smile took on that signature teasing edge. "If you ever need help with more than magic, you know where to find me."

I managed a weak nod, my cheeks still burning. The necklace seemed to hum faintly against my skin, as though it was echoing the lingering warmth of Evelyn's touch.

Outside the classroom, I exhaled a shaky breath, leaning against the cool wall for support. My thoughts were a tangled mess of emotions—gratitude, confusion, and that annoying flutter in my chest that refused to settle. Evelyn Sinclair, a genius in magic theory, might also be a master of making my heart race.

I shook my head, trying to refocus. There was still the rest of the festival to plan, and the others would be waiting for an update. Just as I straightened and started to walk away, another familiar figure appeared in my path, her dark silhouette standing out sharply against the corridor's soft light.

"Sera Vandren," the unmistakable voice of Vivienne Roselle called out, smooth and commanding. Her tone alone was enough to make my spine stiffen instinctively.

I turned, eyes widening slightly. "M-Ms. Roselle?"

Her jet-black hair framed her face perfectly, her crimson accessory glinting like freshly spilt wine under the corridor lights. Though she wasn't particularly tall, her mere presence seemed to tower over me, her sharp, almost predatory gaze pinning me in place.

"Why are you loitering outside of Ms. Sinclair's classroom?" she asked, raising a perfectly arched brow. Her voice was calm, but there was an underlying edge that made me feel like a child caught sneaking out past curfew.

"I—I was just asking for a favor," I stammered, clutching the strap of my bag like it might anchor me to reality. "For the festival, you know. Our group needs a classroom, and Ms. Sinclair said we could use hers."

Vivienne stepped closer, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. Every step felt deliberate, calculated, as though she were sizing me up. When she stopped, she tilted her head, her piercing red eyes studying me with unnerving precision.

"Hmph," she said after a long pause, her lips curving into the faintest of smirks. "Of course, she'd agree. Always the accommodating one, isn't she?"

There was something about the way she said it that made me feel like I was missing some underlying context. "Uh… yes, I suppose so," I replied awkwardly, unsure if I was walking into some kind of verbal trap.

Her gaze flicked down briefly, and I followed it, realizing she was staring at the necklace Evelyn had just given me. "That's new," she commented, her voice almost too casual. "A gift from Ms. Sinclair, I presume?"

I nodded hesitantly, my fingers brushing against the fiery gem at my collarbone. "She said it would help with my fire magic."

Vivienne's smirk deepened, though her expression remained unreadable. "How very like her," she murmured, almost to herself. Then her eyes snapped back to mine, and I felt the full force of her attention again. "Tell me, Sera… do you truly understand the power you wield?"

Her question caught me off guard, and I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "I… I'm still learning," I admitted, my voice faltering slightly under her intense scrutiny. "But I'm trying."

Her gaze softened, just a fraction, though the weight of her presence didn't lift. "Good," she said, her tone almost approving. "Magic isn't a game, and those who treat it lightly often find themselves consumed by it."

I swallowed hard, nodding. "I'll keep that in mind."

Vivienne stepped back slightly, her smirk fading into something more neutral. "See that you do. I'll be keeping an eye on your progress, Sera Vandren."

With that, she turned gracefully, her cape-like coat trailing behind her as she walked away. I stood there for a moment, trying to process the encounter and wondering if I'd just passed some kind of secret test.

As her footsteps faded, I let out a shaky breath. First Evelyn, now Vivienne. This festival planning was starting to feel like a gauntlet, and the festival hadn't even started yet.

"Maybe I should've just stayed in bed," I muttered to myself before finally making my way back to my group, my head still spinning.