I watched as our teacher shot a worried glance out the window. “The weather looks like it’s going to get worse before it gets better.” She paused a moment before continuing, “Given the circumstances, I’ll cut this detention period short.” Hearing this, we all began enthusiastically shoving our books into our bags. “Hold your horses. It might not be safe to leave just yet. I’ll go and make some phone calls to check if the roads are clear. All of you wait here until I return.”
She left, and we sat in silence. The sound of her heels clicking down the corridor echoed around the room.
“What if the roads aren’t clear? Will we have to stay here until morning?” Anna asked.
“Someone better hope we don’t,” Belinda replied, and my hackles rose.
“Is that a threat?”
“You’re the reason we were given detention,” she spat back.
“I don’t recall Darya pushing you to the floor with magic,” Peter interjected, and she rolled her eyes.
“Oh, my God, are you in love with her? You keep trying to defend her; it’s so pathetic.”
“You’re the pathetic one,” I told her, sensing Peter’s embarrassment at what she said. “I don’t want to know you exist, but you keep desperately trying to get my attention for some reason.”
Belinda looked about ready to explode, but before she could respond, Mrs Kanumba returned, seeming flustered. “There’s flooding on the north road leading to the school, as well as some damage from a fallen tree. The Guard is waiting until the storm clears to repair the damage, but until then, we’ll have to remain here.”
There were several groans. One of them was my own.
“We can’t stay here,” Belinda whined. “It’s freezing cold.” As if to emphasise her complaint, the wind roared outside, practically rocking the building.
“You’re right. We’ll go and stay in the teacher’s lounge,” Mrs Kanumba replied. “It’s much more comfortable there. Gather your things and follow me.”
“Still not mad at me?” I asked Nic as we left the classroom.
He smiled and shook his head. “This is an adventure, if nothing else.”
“You always look on the bright side, don’t you?”
He shrugged. “I try.”
“Darya!”
I turned to see Rebecca hurrying down the corridor towards me. “I just got off the phone with Dad. The road is flooded, and he can’t get up here. Mum and Rita are busy following up on a lead in their investigation, so they can’t come to teleport us.”
“Okay, well, we’re all going to sit in the teachers’ lounge until the storm dies down,” I replied.
“Good idea, I’ll come with you,” Rebecca said before greeting the others. “Nic, Peter, Sophia. How awful that we’re all stuck here.”
“Tell me about it,” Sophia said. “Thunder has freaked me out since I was a kid.”
“Oh, I hate it, too,” Rebecca agreed. “There’s something foreboding about it.”
“I find it cosy,” I said, and they all looked at me like I was crazy. Well, all except for Peter, who seemed to find me amusing. “What? It’s cosy when you’re at home; all tucked up in bed. Maybe not so much when you’re stuck at school.”
We reached the teacher’s lounge, a room I’d never been in before. I’d only caught brief glimpses through the door when I was passing by. Right now, it was empty of staff. Everyone had gone home as soon as they could to avoid the storm. There were armchairs and comfy sofas, a few desks, and a kitchen and dining area. Belinda and Anna claimed the largest, comfiest-looking sofa in the corner, while Mrs Kanumba went into the kitchen to put the kettle on.
“I’m going to do some work over here,” Rebecca said, giving my arm a soft squeeze as she went and set up her laptop at one of the desks.
I glanced at Nic, then at Sophia, and finally at Peter. What were we going to do to pass the time?
“Is that a chessboard?” Sophia said, eyes lighting up. “Anyone care for a game?”
I shook my head since I’d never learned how to play chess. Sophia looked at Peter hopefully. He sighed. “You beat me every time.”
She grinned. “That’s why it’s so much fun.”
“For you, sure.”
“I can play with you,” Nic offered. “I play chess with my mother all the time.”
Sophia rubbed her hands together. “Lucky me. A new opponent.”
Nic shot her a hesitant look. “Should I be worried?”
She waggled her brows at him. “Of course not.”
They sat down on either side of the board, and I glanced at Peter.
Looks like it’s just you and me.
He lifted his gaze at the ceiling, then lowered it to mine. What do you want to do?
Why did that question make me feel so … hot? I pushed all the lewd images that entered my mind away and replied, We could watch a movie on my phone?
“What are you two doing?” someone asked, and we both turned to find Sophia and Nic looking at us.