We were currently nestled up in a spectacular modern home in Switzerland, courtesy of Witchling Academy. I didn't think it would be possible to go on a vacation this holiday season, but I guess with drastic stress back home, the school worried about our mental health.
With Professor Phoenix and the approval of most of the magic council, we were paid for a vacation that would give a secure break from the mayhem happening at Witchling currently. I was sure a few people were jealous that we were being given special treatment, especially since we were given the opportunity to choose anyone else to come with us.
Jax and I obviously decided for Connor, Kaito, and Finnick to come along, while Mia and Miya requested for Aki, Ako, Kiyo, and Koyo to come with. By default, Starlight, Katsume, and Sebastian were our designated chaperones for the trip, and another team was assigned strictly for security.
Together, we'd gotten the exquisite private plane experience before being able to stay at this three-bedroom oasis in the mountains. I hadn't even gotten the chance to go around and see what was included in this place, but I knew from our arrival that there was a steamy fireplace since Kaito and Finnick were playing cards while sitting on the white carpet and enjoying some beer.
Needless to say, I was sure we all needed a getaway, and it ensured anyone else who decided to threaten us or create lies online would back off now that the whole site had been shut down and was under investigation.
Jax had given me the full details of the situation during the remaining bit of the drive back from the Witchling rental car dealership that was in the main city. We decided that transportation would be important, especially since I didn't want us teleporting everywhere.
We may not have been completely drained of magic like previous occasions where such instances plagued us for a short period of time, but with the anticipation of threats that would come our way with Semester Eight, I wanted to reserve my magic for other things.
Jax had picked up a sports car that could at least fit four of us, while Connor got a motorcycle as our second vehicle, which was totally like him.
I was sure he missed riding his, and though it was winter here, the streets were so clean and safe due to some road mandate that designated certain witches to assess the roads in rotation to proof them from ice, hail, or heavy snowfall. The last bit had something to do with the cement of the road heating swiftly during the snowy blizzards, and by the time the snow reached a certain height from its descent, it evaporated.
I thought that tidbit was rather cool, especially when such heat only applied to snow and carried no effect on the cars that drove on the road.
The benefits of magic.
With the news of the social media shut down, I'd been worried about the backlash it would cause, but I guess Jax has reached his limit of tolerance. Out of all our semesters, this was probably going to be the strictest he had to be, and honestly, I felt like he had to for the sake of the students’ safety.
I wondered if a number of them thought this was some type of game or joke. That the investigations and news outlets were merely hyping up the incident and all the cyberbullying.
It still amazed me that people were out there who were okay with believing narratives without any provided proof while ignoring the truth that was being splattered on reputable sources that could be trusted.
All I could guess was that I was reaching that age where I was finally seeing the true colors of our vivid reality. I was impressed that I hadn't even focused on these realms of the world.
I never worried about the negative news that was reported on the daily, or the impact people's words could have on a whole group of individuals. In a way, it was slightly frightening to see the world in a darker scope, and deep down I sometimes wished I could change the lens so all I saw was a blurred vision.
No matter how much I wished such sight to be narrowed back to how I was when I first entered Witchling Academy, I knew it was impossible. At the end of the day, my growth and experiences had opened my eyes for the better.
There was a difference in living in a world in naiveté versus facing the truth of the world with 20/20 vision. At least one of the sides would help you adapt faster to the swift changes that followed once you were out of the protective hands schools like Witchling had to offer.
The moment we graduated, we wouldn't have that safety net to seek when shit hit the fan. Sure, we may have our workplaces or agencies that we held commitments with, but would they go above and beyond to conduct investigations or prove your innocence? Would they respect your need for a mental break and contribute to the cost towards a destination that could promote healing, or push you onto the sidewalk with no job, legal fees, and a broken reputation?
All of these experiences were only encouraging me to figure out what my next step would be after graduation. I needed a plan A, B, C, and maybe even D, just in case I wasn't blessed with a shit-ton of invites and offers to some of the top employment agencies that would probably give me any job I wholeheartedly desired.
I personally wished time could rush forward so all these anxious worries about the future would fade and we'd arrive at our final destination.
Graduation day...
Shaking my head out of my overflowing thoughts, I grabbed the bikini I'd laid out on the bed and headed to the bathroom.
When we arrived back, Jax told me to change into a bikini and come meet him downstairs in twenty minutes. Why twenty minutes? I had no clue.
I was hoping Connor would have some sort of idea what Jax was plotting, but he'd reached here first and told Jax he was going to work out when he arrived. Regardless if we were on vacation, he had to maintain his muscle mass and overall build with the championships coming up.
We'd all have to get into a workout routine, but this week I was aiming just to reset myself in all avenues - physically, emotionally, mentally. Maybe even spiritually.
I felt like I had to reconnect to myself and get through my tangled emotions while healing the trauma inflicted by that exam.
Changing into a black bikini, I admired my image in the mirror as I ran my hands through my hair with one hand while the other was on my hip.
Looking at myself only confirmed that something had changed. Aside from my slight weight loss due to the lack of eating I'd been doing lately, there was some sort of shift.
The woman who looked back at me carried a solidified attitude to herself. Not one that brought a negative vibe like 'don't approach me' but one that reminded me of Starlight when she had that approachable, loving look she gave to her peers and those she loved, and that look of badassery that told the world that if you messed with her, you would be a victim of an unhappy ending.
So maybe it was a 'Do Not Approach' look.
The cuts on my body were healing, and thanks to the creams I'd been applying after my showers and baths, I was positive there would be no scarring. I did admire my incantations for a bit as I suddenly craved to mark my flesh with something.
Surely, I had to be going through a phase or something. Kind of like how teenagers went through the preppy phase or gothic phase. I hadn't endured either of them, but maybe I was a late bloomer?
Regardless, I had this itch to do something. To pierce my flesh with some sort of mark that would emphasize what my men and I had survived thus far while acknowledging the remaining road we had to cross to reach our ultimate goal.
I lifted my hands to lift my long strands, realizing that even with their slight curl, the length of these silky orange-gold strands had surpassed my waist.