Finally, It was Friday.
A sense of anticipation coursed through my veins like an electric current as I ruminated on what it entailed for me. Magic classes.
Today marked the beginning of my journey, officially, into the world of magic-a world I had longed to explore ever since my encounter with the vision of the community’s first queen.
For two days, I had immersed myself in the ancient magic books, devouring their contents with an insatiable hunger for knowledge. With each page I turned, I had delved deeper into the mysteries of magic, learning the intricacies of summoning and controlling magical creatures, as well as the secrets of casting spells both simple and complex.
Though I had practiced in secret, hidden away from prying eyes, my determination never wavered. And now, as I sat at the breakfast table with my family, my newfound skills lay dormant, waiting to be unleashed.
“Well, how are you feeling, Maya? Seeing that today would be your first time learning magic?”
I shrugged my shoulders at Peter’s question. “Fine really. It’s just like any other day.”
Diana snorted at my reply. Obviously, she knew I was lying-to an extent.
“Don’t mind her, Dad. I’m sure she is nervous.”
She reached for the jar of water as she spoke, cussing the next second when her hand inadvertently knocked the jar off the table, sending it tumbling towards the floor.
Without a moment’s hesitation, my instincts kicked in, my mind racing as I called upon the magic coursing through my veins.
With a flick of my wrist, I casted a spell, unaware of my environment at that moment, or the shock on the faces of Peter and Diana.
The air crackled with energy as the jar and its contents froze mid-fall, suspended in mid-air. But to my astonishment, it wasn’t just the cup that hung suspended-it was the entire table, along with the food and utensils resting upon it.
Thick silence permeated the room, as shock reverberated around its occupants.
Peter’s mouth which had been chewing the vegetables that Laura had deposited in his plate a few minutes ago, hung open in stupefaction. However, he shut it after a fly flew past his mouth.
Laura stood as a statue by the kitchen door, a tray in her hands, containing the latter part of breakfast. She was lost for words too, if the slightly open mouth was any indication.
Diana sat frozen in shock, her mouth hanging open in disbelief, while Peter’s next second whisper of “Oh my God” hung in the air like an echo.
The weight of their reactions bore down on me, filling me with a sense of pride and embarrassment. An odd mixture.
“Maya, did you… how did you do that?” Diana whispered, her voice filled with wonder, the first person to break the silence in the room. The table and its contents were still hanging in the air.
I nodded, my heart pounding with exhilaration as I marveled at the sight before me. For the third time, I had harnessed the power of magic in the presence of others, proving to myself that my abilities were real.
As Laura, Peter and Diana gathered around the suspended table, I couldn’t help but smile, knowing that my journey into the world of magic had only just begun. And with each passing moment, I felt more alive than ever before, ready to embrace the wonders-and challenges-that lay ahead. I felt wholly me.
Nevertheless, there was a problem.
We needed to finish our breakfast, and the food was laying idle on the suspended table.
I raised my hand to bring the table down, but Peter’s pleading eyes met mine.
“Maya, please,” He implored softly, his voice tinged with concern. “Let it down slowly.”
“That’s right, Maya. A deep breath, in and out. See yourself as a master controller of your abilities. See yourself letting down the table slowly…” Laura added, gesturing the amount of slowness with her hands.
It was then that I noticed that she had kept the tray on a short stool, next to the kitchen.
Diana said nothing. Rather, she perused my work, my magic, as if trying to absorb its wonder. I knew that she was still trying to accept the fact that I had done this, without a teacher.
My heart raced by the way, with nervous anticipation as I concentrated, trying to follow Peter and Laura’s lesson.
I willed the table to descend with gentle grace. At first, it seemed to be working, the table seemed to be descending with utmost slowness. I smiled then at my quickness to absorb magic lessons. The smile slipped off my lips a few seconds later, slipped off the lips of my family, when I lost control of my magic.
With a sudden lurch, the table plummeted to the floor with a resounding thud, sending food scattering and water spilling in all directions.
Oh my god. What went wrong? What did I miss?
“I’m…so sorry,” I stammered, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment as I surveyed the chaos I had caused.
But before I could dwell on my failure, Laura’s laughter cut through the tension like a ray of sunshine.
“Well, that’s one way to make a magic debut,” She chuckled, her easygoing demeanor helping to ease the awkwardness of the situation.
Peter and Diana joined in, their laughter mingling with Laura’s as they waved off my apology.
“Don’t worry about it, Maya,” Peter reassured me, a warm smile playing on his lips. “We all have our off days.”
Despite their reassurances, despite laughing with them thereafter, I couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment in myself. I had wanted to impress them, to show them that I was capable of mastering magic, but instead, I had only managed to make a mess.
I sighed, about to go to the storage cupboard and get the broom, when Laura spoke again.
“Don’t bother about it. I will take care of the clean up. You both should head to school. Time is already against you.”
With a murmured thanks, I gathered my things and prepared to make a hasty exit, the shame of my failed magic experiment still clouding over me.
But before I could leave, Laura’s voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Maya, don’t be discouraged,” She said gently, her eyes meeting mine with unwavering sincerity. “We all have to start somewhere. Balancing lessons will be a breeze very soon, I promise.”