Spell Bound : An High School Romance

like her old school. The tall glass windows gleamed in the sunlight, and the red brick façade gave the school a classic yet modern feel. In

e schools in the city, and she was here on a scholarship. Don't mess this up, Brenda,

watched the students in their stylish uniforms-designer shoes, perfectly pressed shirts, and every hairstyle imm

raw more attention. She kept her head down, pretending to search for something in her bag while trying to avoid eye contact wi

he hadn't eaten breakfast that morning, thanks to her nerves, so food sounded li

ong tables, some in animated conversation, others glued to their phones. Brenda scanned the room

over chairs, and an array of shiny gadgets spread across the table. They looked exactly like the kind of group that ran the school, the type of students you'd s

to channel every ounce of confidence she had. As she r

ken?" she asked, poin

th perfectly gelled hair and a designer jacket raised an eyebrow. T

se. "Oh, sweetie, we're not... sitting. Thi

ey meant. She wasn't asking to sit at their table; she was asking

l interaction at VINKO and I've

" she stammered, backin

ead to avoid further embarrassment. Her heart pounded in her chest as she slipped into a chair at a far-off table, clutching h

dwich and apple slices would provide some comfort. Just as sh

uite the in

her with a wide grin. She had dark curly hair pulled into a mess

aiting for an invitation. "And don't worry, everyone makes a fool of thems

e. "Yeah, I guess I just got mine out of the way early," sh

of a granola bar and a bag of chips. "Nice to

da asked, feeling the heat

s intimidating once you figure out where everything is. And hey, the cool kids? They're overrated. Tr

ling a bit more at ease. "

tten rules-the social groups, the best hangout spots, and which teach

y walked through the labyrinth of hallways as Maya pointed out the important landmar

hey approached a row of lockers. "That's the boys' locker room,

nks for the heads-up

boys running out of the locker room, their voices echoing down the hall. One of them, tall and b

"He's kind of a big deal around here. Captain of the football team

e owned the place. He didn't even glance at anyone, his expression cool and indif

intense," Br

with a smirk. "He's got a bit of a reputat

ge as much as possible. She had enough on her plate wit

nda the music room, Brenda's phone buzzed in her pocket. She glan

o far. Met a friend, got lost, embarrassed mysel

with flyers for various clubs and activities. One in particular caught her ey

terest and grinned.

enda admitted. "I'm thinking about joining here, but I'

clubs is one of the best ways to survive around here. Gives you somethin

er find her place faster. It had always been a safe space for he

d, feeling a spark of excite

rting to empty as students headed to their next classe

The day had started off rough, but with Maya's help, she was beginning

eteria blunder. Okay, so I made a fool of myself once, she mused, but it's

g, after all, and she was determined to make the

s students chatted in small groups. Some sat on desks, others leaned back in their chairs, and a few had already claimed the back row seats,

nted was to end up next to someone like the cafeteria group who had laughed at her earlier. Just as she wa

strolled over to Brenda, her eyes sparkling with

of relief wash over her. "Almost

g to two seats by the window. Brenda followed her,

spered, "This class is usually fun, but it depends on how

akespeare? I actual

ne of those people, huh? Quoting

g. "I'm more of a 'Hamlet' fan. The wh

s around here," Maya said with a wink, clearly referring to someone i

he end of his nose, strolled into the classroom. He looked like he belonged in an old English novel, with his tweed j

soul inherentl

w people exchanged curious glances. Brenda found herself leaning

he was assessing each student's potential to answer his question. "Alrig

le

ical question on the first day of class. Brenda looked

r, and he smiled slightly. "Ah,

the weight of the entire cla

, folding his arms. "Tell us, is the

rn with the capacity for good, but the world shapes us, sometimes pushing us toward selfishness or cruelty. But I al

gly. "Interesting. You're suggesting that while we have an innate goodne

eeling more conf

bow, whispering, "Wow, deep

students offering their own takes on the question, she felt like she was starting to sett

, chatting about the lesson. "You know, you're going to be

just like these kinds of discussions. E

g her eyes playfully. "But hey, at least now I

a notification for an upcoming debate team meeting later that week. Perfect, she thought. She had b

any clubs?" Brenda asked

hat's more for the fun of taking pictures of pe

ooks into her locker. "I did it at my old sc

ikes to argue? I love it. Y

ff rocky, but things were starting to fall into place. With Maya by her side, a potential spot on the debate team,

neth, surrounded by his usual crowd of admirers. His presence dominated the space, and for a brief moment,

shing it off. Focus, Br

ng that her time at VINKO High was

-

voiding the "cool kids" table and sitting with Maya. The two laughed over the events of the day,

ching on a bag of chips. "And with your 'deep thoughts' in English class,

just trying to survive the year without

feteria, so you've got that out of the way," Ma

things were looking up. And with each passing hour, VINKO High felt

erself: she would embrace every challenge, every misstep, and every opportunity this sc

new chapter in her life wa