"But I don't want to go to Alice Academy, mom! I'm not special!" Patricia screamed. She was a normal 17 year old, she thought, and nothing more.
"Patty, dear, you are special. You have a gift," her mother explained.
"Yeah, I'm just an artist… that's all!"
"Honey… it's much more than that… Besides, you're in the car already, too late to get out now. And you're already in school uniform," her mother pointed out. Patricia sunk deeper into her seat. Her mom had a point. She sighed and looked out the window. A large, castle like building was up ahead. That must be it… Patricia thought. She took a gulp as the car slowed down to a stop and her mother got out of the car and opened her door. She stepped outside and walked towards the gates.
"You're very early, hon, but I'm sure there will be others here," her mom said. "I have to go now, have a nice day, sweetie!" And with that, she was in the car and gone, leaving Patricia alone. With hesitation, she slowly took her first step into her new school.
Patricia looked around. Her mom was right, there were others there. All of them were wearing the same, blue uniform. The one difference was the fact that girls had to wear skirts while boys wore pants. One boy with long wavy hair and blue eyes walked up to her.
"Why hello, mon cher, are you new to this school? My name is Francis Bonnefoy," the boy said to her. His voice sounded like it had a French accent.
"M-my name is Patricia Nerin…" she answered shyly.
"Are you nervous, mon âme? Don't be…" Francis said, grabbing Patricia's hands. He and Patricia met eyes. Suddenly, an odd drifting feeling swept over Patricia. "There's nothing to be worried about…" Patricia felt as though she was almost completely into a trance when someone broke the hold of Francis.
"You frog! Stop using your bloody alice to charm everyone into liking you!" a voice said in a heavy British accent. Patricia looked up and saw a boy with shaggy blonde hair. He pushed Francis away. Then he turned around and bowed.
"Please excuse that monkey's behavior. I am Arthur Kirkland. Pleased to meet you…"
"Patricia. Patricia Nerin."
"Patricia… pretty name. Would you like to join me and some friends of mine?"
"Thank you… and sure," Patricia replied. Arthur held out his hand, signaling Patricia to grab it. She did and Arthur led her to a table under a tree. While they were walking, a question came into Patricia's mind.
"Arthur… I probably sound stupid asking this but… what's an alice?" She asked. Arthur didn't laugh, which Patricia thought he would. He just smiled.
"An alice is a special gift, sort of like a power, that is granted to a person. Very few people have one. Francis' is the ability to charm people to do want he wants them to do. Mine is the ability to perform spells and magic. Do you know what yours is?" Arthur responded, looking at Patricia. She shook her head. "Then I guess we'll have to find that out…"