Chapter 30: Study
Winter, her mind still on "Stories Untold", unconsciously scanned the cafeteria. Like usual, irritated hazel eyes met hers. Winter furrowed her eyebrows when she saw a boy, the same height as her, next to Brenna. She watched him as he watched Brenna. His eyes were downturned and bleak beige. His hair was dirty blonde. He seemed to lack presence, standing, yet still looking slumped. "Guys," Winter pointed discreetly, "Who is that? I've never seen him before." Mandy munched on her bread, "Him? That's just Brenna's minion." Layla continued, "He's actually in our class. You've just never seen him before because he has the power of invisibility and uses it regularly." Mandy added, "Brenna uses him to get dirt on people." Winter took another spoonful. Leo used his powers akin to how the minion used his. She recalled how her magic blocked Leo from hearing her thoughts and contemplated whether she could use it to similarly disrupt other powers. Winter leaned back, "What's his name?" Layla took a sip of water, "Michael J. Thomas." Mandy picked at her food, "We call him M.J. He's very quiet and shy. He's good at following Brenna's orders even though most of the time she treats him like he doesn't exist. Brenna always reduces his worth despite their connection. She's more interested in Sam." "Connection?" Layla nodded, "I guess you didn't know about it, but at this school we have soulmate pairs." Winter said nothing and motioned for her to proceed. Mandy went on, "Soulmate pairs are two people that are made for each other. It's when your magic finds a match for you and bonds you to that person forever. When you are born, your magic finds you your pair. The choice is already made. Like fate. As time passes, you find them or they find you. Your magic leads you together." Winter twisted her ring, "Who's paired?" Mandy sat up, giddy, "Me and Layla." Layla nodded and Winter grinned at them. Layla tapped her chin, "Brenna and M.J." Winter glanced over at the two who were watching her intently with malice and laughed a little, "If they're paired, why is she so interested in Sam?" Layla sighed, "She thinks that M.J. is a loser and finds Sam Tudor to be more 'her taste.'" Winter braided her hair, "Isn't Sam already paired with someone? Why do girls still swoon without having any chance?" Mandy and Layla looked at each other. Mandy looked down, "He was paired with someone, before. A girl who passed away." The volume in the cafeteria got louder as Sam Tudor emerged, grabbing his food and sitting down at the highest point in the room, an elevated table made just for him. Layla mumbled, "Weird. He never eats in here." Mandy changed the subject, "Jax and Lucas." Winter paused, "Jax and Lucas are paired?" Layla squinted, "They weren't always." Mandy interrupted, "But they are now."
Winter scratched the back of her head. She did not have enough information to draw a conclusion. Winter was going to press more when Leo came up to them, "Hello your highness." Winter sighed, "What is it?" He mock bowed, "Requesting the honor of your presence." She rolled her eyes and stood, "I'll be right back." She followed Leo out of the cafeteria. He faced her, "An Elemental." Winter crossed her arms and he continued, "Didn't you want me to find out what kind of magic user you are?" She gestured for him to go on. "Well I did my research, and I deemed that you are an Elemental. You have reign over all the elements: water, fire, air, and earth." Winter narrowed her eyes, "What's your source?" He shrugged, "You are." He added, "I'm in your head." She smirked, using her magic to block him out. Leo's eyes widened, his shock apparent. He said nothing as she studied him with alert eyes, "You are dismissed." He grinned at her, "No, I don't have a soulmate pair." He read the question in her eyes, "I heard you think it before you shut me out. Now you're probably trying to guess what happened to them." He smirked when she did not deny it, "Nothing happened. My magic never assigned me to someone. Never found anyone compatible, which I guess I should be grateful for." Winter tilted her head. He opened his arms, "Because I get my pick of the litter." Winter scoffed, reaching up to pat his head, "That's a nice way of looking at it." He squinted and she could tell that he was frustrated to have to guess what she was thinking. Winter touched her bracelet, "Nice, but unrealistic, because everyone else already has a match. You're the only one who doesn't." His eyes wandered to her bracelet before moving to her eyes, "I'm not the only one. From my understanding, you don't have one either." Winter tossed her braid, ignoring him, "Go find me information on a book called 'Stories Untold.'" He bowed, "As you wish." She turned to go into the cafeteria, feeling his eyes following her.
Winter walked back to her friends and Layla said, "So it's true. You and Leo are actually close." Winter sat down, "I wouldn't say 'close.' I would just say acquainted." Layla eyed her, "Mhm." Mandy elbowed Winter's ribs, "How's detective work coming?" She tossed her head back, "It's going." Jax approached them with Lucas in tow, "I've been looking for you guys everywhere." Winter smirked and Jax said, "What?" She shrugged and jumped over to Lucas, tugging his arm. He bent down to her height and she whispered, "You never finished telling me what it means if your magic tugs you in a direction." He whispered back, "It means your magic is trying to lead you to your pair." Winter's heart dropped as she pulled back and looked at him. She couldn't tell why, but his expression softened when their eyes met. Tersely, Mandy said, "Winter, magenta!" Winter sharply took in a breath. She bent down, closing her eyes and rubbed them vigorously. She took a deep, calming breath and stood again. Winter glanced at Mandy and Layla as they signaled that her eyes were back to normal. Lucas stared at her gently and smiled. Jax studied her, confused, "Did her eyes just?" Lucas put his hand over Jax's mouth and shook his head, "Not here. Let's go somewhere else."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone