"H-Help…"
"What's going on?"
"I don't know. I think Miranda is a gangster and Agnes doesn't like me."
"Who? Who?"
"Miranda is the tan Asian girl with tattoos and Agnes is black American."
"Ok. That's all?"
"That's all? Queenie, I'm stuck with strangers and I don't think we're gonna hit it off well." Vanessa exaggerated in a slightly louder tone, clearly stressed.
"Alright. Lemme check them out."
Queenie closed her eyes and Vanessa recalled that her cousin could read minds.
She opened her eyes and said "Don't worry, Agnes didn't have her glasses on so she was just squinting at you. Her mind is filled with thoughts about looking for glasses. And the other girl…She thinks we're weird."
"Really? Why?"
"Because we've been in the restroom for a long time." Queenie stated matter-of-fact.
Queenie told Vanessa that Agnes and Miranda bore no ill will in their minds and that she shouldn't worry. Just as Queenie pulled open the door, the blonde girl was standing right there which made Vanessa freak out and push her hands forward. The door suddenly slammed the blonde in the face and swung wide open.
Queenie looked at Vanessa in shock and said, "You really do have active powers."
Vanessa commented "Well, I thought I did…" then she paused seeing the girl on the floor.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry! Are you ok?" Vanessa rushes to the girl's side and tried to reach a hand out only for it to get slapped by the blonde who said, "Don't touch me…"
Miranda walked over and said "F*cking rude much? She was only tryin' to help yo stupid ass."
The blonde girl just glared at her while Angel rushed to her side.
A soft, silvery voice said "Elizabeth, can you stand?"
Elizabeth smiled and confirmed that she was alright. Angel said "We know you didn't mean to push her down. Right, Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth nodded but never glanced in Vanessa's direction even once. Her ice-blue eyes seemed to soften while looking at Angel.
Queenie broke the strange silence by saying "Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier, I am Vanessa's cousin, Queenie. Vanessa is very nervous when meeting new people and she's new."
Miranda interjected "New? Cuz' this is my first time here too."
Queenie explained that Vanessa was new to the world of witchcraft as well which caused Miranda to raise a brow in wonder.
Queenie clapped her hands and said "Alright, this is actually my second year here so if you guys have any questions, feel free to come to me."
Vanessa grabbed Queenie's arm and asked where she could get breakfast.
Elizabeth retorted "But, aren't you in the house of Pisces?" noticing Queen's golden pin that had a carving of a star supported by two fishes.
Queenie smiled while replying in a tone that mocked Elizabeth's British accent "I don't know where you come from but we share the same dining hall dear~."
Vanessa, still sore with Elizabeth's attitude softly said "Ooh, burned~."
Miranda held a thumb up, agreeing with Vanessa's comment.
Queenie carried on as if nothing happened but tried to delve into the recesses of Elizabeth's mind. Queenie was only able to see the tip of the iceberg before getting forcibly pushed out. The little thing she did manage to see seemed to suffice. Afterwards, she asked if anyone would want to join them. Before Elizabeth could say anything, Angel replied "We'd love to join you."
Agnes finally found her glasses and agreed as well as Miranda. When they got to the dining room, Queenie said she had to go. Vanessa wondered why her cousin had to leave unexpectedly. Vanessa was surprised when an owl landed near Queenie with a rolled-up piece of parchment in its claws. Queenie removed the parchment from the owl and read it. She replied that someone summoned her so she had to leave. She grabbed her cousin by the arm and whispered "Vanessa, Angel is a very nice~ girl so you should stay close to her."
"Ok…What brought this on?"
"You will find out." She said with a knowing smile then exclaimed out loud but looked at Vanessa "Today's a free day so take the time to relax, tomorrow's going to be a big day!" and quickly left the room.
"When she says, 'you will find out', something big is definitely is going to happen..." thought Vanessa.
Everyone lined up to get their meals but soon after, Elizabeth dragged Angel to another table, leaving Vanessa alone with Agnes and Miranda.
"U-Um. Miranda?"
"Hmm?"
"Thanks, for sticking up for me back there. You know, with Elizabeth…"
"It's nothing, if it was me, I would've roasted her."
Miranda looked at Agnes and told her to watch herself since 'Blondie' was clingy with her bunkmate. Agnes seemed to be self-assured that Elizabeth wouldn't start things with her. Now that Agnes had her glasses on, Vanessa noticed that she seemed really different. Agnes was wearing thickly-rimmed white glasses and seemed to be like a student president or something along those lines.
Miranda spoke up "After breakfast, we should go look around."
Agnes and Vanessa both agreed in unison.
Meanwhile, Queenie was looking around for the office of the Pisces House Deputy. The messenger owl was flying right behind her. His expression shifted into one of knowing irritation and eventually overtook her to lead the way. He turned his head around even while his body faced forward and his brows seemed to furrow even more in anger.
Queenie replied, "This is my first time, you know."
The owl turned his head around and let out a loud "Hoo!" as if to scoff at her. The owl flew a little faster. Queenie ran in order to keep up with him. He finally slowed down when he approached a door that opened on its own and flew inside, eventually landing on his perch.
A middle-aged woman was sitting at her desk with her hands clasped together. She smiled warmly at Queenie and said, "Thank you for responding quickly to the summons Ms. Nguyen."
"Of course. You wanted to see me for something?"
"Um… Well, you see. My friend has her niece coming over and she needs someone to watch over her. She was asking whether I knew any camp members who could take the job. By job, I mean you'll be paid for baby-sitting her niece of course. $20 an hour, would you like to do it?"
"Well, I'd like to but will this affect my camp activities?"
"You don't need to worry. I will give you my recommendation for the magic university of your choice."
Queenie softly smiled "Alright, then. I'll take it."
