CHAPTER ONE: Juniper High.

“Anya, wake up!” Michal said as he shook Anya awake.

Anya groaned sleepily. “Ugh….What, Michal?” she said as she rubbed her eyes.

“Nona says there is a letter for you!” Michal replied, a smile spreading across his small, freckled face.

“Tell Nona I’ll be right down,” Anya mumbled as she gently pushed her brother out the door.

As Michal ran down the stairs, Anya closed her door and the curtains Michal had opened. Then got her favorite shirt and jeans out.

After getting dressed, she made her bed and sleepily walked down the stairs.

When Anya reached the kitchen, she found her grandmother beaming.

“Anya, darling, come here.” Nona motioned for Anya to sit.

“What is it, Nona?” Anya asked as she sat down on a chair.

“You’ve received a letter,” Nona smiled. “From Juniper High School.”

Anya tilted her head in curiosity. “What’s Juniper High?” She asked as she took the letter from Nona’s hands.

“It is a school I used to attend when I was your age, and your mother as well,” Nona explained.

“Is it a good school?” Anya said, her curiosity was piqued.

“Oh, it’s a wonderful place to be, Anya. I suppose you could say it was almost magical..” Nona’s voice trailed off as if she were about to tell a story.

“I certainly hope so,” Anya said as she looked at the envelope she held. “May I go up to my room and read the letter?”

“Of course,” Nona grinned. “I’ll call you down for breakfast in a few minutes.”

Anya ran back up the stairs, looking at the wax seal on the envelope. It had what looked like six different symbols resembling Elements of some sort.

When Anya made it to her room, she sat down on her bed and ripped open the letter.

It read:

‘Dear Miss Anya, we are pleased to inform you that you have been invited to attend Juniper High School for the elementals.

You must be ready to leave for campus by next Saturday with the school supplies written on the next page of your letter.

We look forward to seeing you on campus.

Sincerely, Headmistress Maria of Juniper High.’

“Wow…” Anya breathed as she clutched her heart.

She excitedly looked at the list of supplies she would need for school.

It read:

‘-pencils.

-erasers.

-Quill and inkwell.

-Notebook.

-Textbooks of Magic and Mythology.

-Mermaid scales.

-Eye of a Buckler.

-School uniform.

-Glass bottles.

-Stardust.’

“Hm,” Anya pondered. “Strange list of things for High School…”

Nona then called Anya down for breakfast, which was scrambled eggs with French toast and orange juice.

“Nona,” Anya said as she sat down and ate her food. “The letter came with a list of things I would need before school next Saturday.”

“Yes, I know,” Nona said as she poured more juice into Michal’s cup.

“But the list is so strange,” Anya said, looking at her food. “It did have some common things like pencils, a notebook, erasers, a quill, and an inkwell, but there are other things on here that I’ve never even heard of, like a textbook of magic and mythology, an eye of a Buckler? Stardust?” Anya looked back at her grandmother with a confused expression.

“Like I said earlier, Anya,” Nona replied. “It’s a magical school.”

Anya sighed and sat back in her seat. “Well, where will we even find these things before Saturday?” She asked.

“You worry too much, dear,” Nona laughed softly. “Don't fret, there’s a very special place where we can get them. Now finish your breakfast.”

CHAPTER TWO: Textbooks And Trufflenox.

“Why can I not go to school with Anya, Nona?” Michal whined as he struggled with his coat.

“Well, you’re just a bit too young,” Nona replied as she helped Michal zip his coat.

“I am not!” Michal held up his arms to flex his muscles.

Nona laughed heartily. “Don’t worry, dear, you’ll be big enough before you know it.”

“Nona,” Anya said as she came inside. “I’ve started the car.”

“Good, Anya,” she gently patted Anya’s shoulder. “Take your brother, and I will get my purse and meet you outside.”

Anya was confused when they pulled into the drugstore parking area. “Why are we pulling into Mr. Wickam’s drugstore Nona?” She asked.

“You will see,” Nona said as she stopped the engine.

Anya helped her brother out of the car, and all three walked into the drugstore.

Once they got inside, Nona smiled as she approached the counter.

“Hello, Mr. Wickam,” said Nona, “we have some on headed to High School?” Her voice lowered to a whisper.

“Ah, yes.” Mr. Wickam grinned, his smile putting dimples on his cheeks. “Follow me.”

Mr. Wickam led them to a back room with dark oak shelves filled with medicines, glass bottles, and paper packets.

He led them to an even smaller room within that room behind a curtain, and on the floor was a trap door.

“Here we are Mrs. Sprucewood.” Mr. Wickam gestured to the trap door.

“Much obliged, Mr. Wickam.” Nona nodded and smiled.

“Of course Ma’am.” Mr. Wickam smiled and left.

“Alright, children,” Said Nona, opening the door.

“I’m not so sure about this anymore…” Anya gulped as she stared into the darkness.

“Don’t worry,” Nona said. “There’s a ladder for you to climb down.”

Nona climbed down first, then Michal, and lastly, Anya.

When Anya reached the bottom of the ladder, she looked around and saw a cave, filled with crystals and fireflies, like something out of a fairytale.

There was also what looked to be a track for mining carts.

“Let’s wait for the car to arrive,” Nona said.

At that moment, a single train car was painted bright blue with a crest exactly like the wax seal on Anya’s letter, painted on both sides with decorative patterns, pulled up in front of them.

“Are we riding in that??” Michal asked excitedly as he pointed to the train car.

“Yes, Michal,” Nona smiled down at him. “Come now, let’s get in.”

Nona entered, helping Michal in, and Anya hoisted herself after them.

The car had several velvet sofas in royal purple, end tables, and lamps, and two large windows on either side of it.

The interior was a lighter blue hue, with dark green silk curtains.

“This is beautiful…” Anya sighed as she stroked a sofa arm. “Where are we going anyway?”

“We’re going to a special place to get you school supplies,” Nona said as she fixed the sofa pillows.

“Really?” Anya’s excitement grew. “What’s it like?”

“I’d rather you wait and see, my darling.” Nona grinned.

A half hour later, the train car stopped by an exit to the cave, Anya climbed out first, helping Michal out, and Nona soon followed.

The three walked to the exit, where there was a door.

Nona opened the door, and sunlight flooded into the cave. Beyond the exit, there was a sign that read, THE AVENUE.

Anya touched the sign and looked ahead where there was a quaint little village that was almost nothing but shops, taverns, and one small inn.

“Welcome to the Avenue, children,” Nona gestured to the village with her hand, and both Anya and Michal had no words for how amazed they were.

“This is breathtaking…” Anya blinked to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

“Now, how about we see some supplies at the Textbooks and Trufflenox?” Nona smiled.

Anya found it hard not to laugh. “Trufflenox?” She hid her smile from her grandmother.

“Yes, it’s where we get textbooks and writing supplies, among other things,” Nona replied.

Anya’s jaw dropped as they entered the Textbooks and Trufflenox shop. There were black walnut shelves lined with textbooks in greens, blues, purples, browns, and reds. There were many glass jars, filled with many ingredients and herbs, and whatnot. Anya walked up to a jar labeled, Stardust, and carefully picked it up to look inside, it looked like shimmering golden sand…

“Like the Stardust?” Someone behind Anya said, causing her to jump and drop the glass jar.

“Oh no!” Anya exclaimed as she bent down to pick up the bigger pieces of glass.

“Oh, let me help.” The mysterious person knelt to help Anya. It was a boy with blonde hair and grayish-blue eyes, a kind smile, and he looked to be about fourteen or fifteen years old.

“Hello,” The boy said. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Oh, it’s alright,” Anya replied, remembering to maintain eye contact, but it was difficult because of how intense but soft his eyes were.

“Stardust is beautiful, isn’t it?”

The boy gestured to the mess on the floor.

Anya’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Yeah, I've never seen any before, didn't even know it existed.”

“Oh, where are my manners, I’m Liam Hainsworth,” Liam said as he held his hand out to shake Anya’s.

“Anya Sprucewood,” Anya replied, and shook his hand.

Liam smiled and let go of Anya’s hand, and stood, patting his pants. “Let me ask the shopkeeper if she has a spare broom.” He said, then left.

Anya dusted off her hands and watched the sparkling dust fall.

Nona approached, pulling Michal along behind her. “Anya, we’ve been here not ten minutes, and you’ve already broken something?” She said sternly.

“I just got startled, I’m sorry…” Anya said as she looked at the floor in shame.

Of course, Nona couldn't stay angry at Anya forever, it was only an accident.

She sighed and said, “It’s fine, just be more careful, alright?”

Anya’s expression brightened. “I will.” She replied.

At that moment, Liam came with a broom and handed it to Anya.

“Here you go,” Liam said.

Anya took the broom from Liam and started sweeping as Nona looked him over.

“Anya, do you know this boy?” Nona asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, we just met,” Anya said.

Liam smiled and held his hand out to shake Nonas's. “Liam Hainsworth, ma’am,”

Nona hesitated, then gave a small smile as she shook his hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Liam,” She said. “I assume you’re a student at Juniper, yes?”

Liam nodded. “Yes, it’s my first year.”

“Really?” Nona said, sounding mildly surprised. “Well, Anya is also a first year, at least she’ll know somebody there now,”

Liam nodded and checked the time. “Oh, I have to go, my apologies. I look forward to seeing you at school, Anya.” He smiled at Anya and Nona and walked out of the shop.

Anya was happy she would know somebody at school this year.

“Come, Anya,” Nona said. “Finish sweeping and well finish getting your supplies.”