Welcome back to Writing Wednesday! These blog posts are a sneak peek at my current work-in-progress. These are usually the unedited first draft, so any errors will be cleaned up before the book is published and details could change. But it gives you a taste of the story and hopefully, you’ll be excited to read the whole novel when it’s available!

In this week’s scene, Brie is moving her belongings back into the dorms at Santa Cruz Witch Academy for her senior year. She’s dreading seeing her roommate who bullied her last year. Read on to find out what happens.

Preparing to Face a Bully

I had so many things to worry about during my senior year at Santa Cruz Witch Academy. Re-taking the broom flight class and overcoming my fear of heights. Passing a packed schedule so I could graduate. Completing my art portfolio and applying to colleges. Not to mention my previous run-ins with the local magical creatures including mermaids, vampires, and murderous Fae.

But the thing that scared me the most? Sharing a room again with Samantha Blackburn, the self-proclaimed queen of the rich bitches.

Despite having both my moms for backup as we approached the Unicorn Building, one of the girls’ dormitories, I hesitated outside on the cement bridge that led to the front door. I’d only seen Samantha and her followers a few times over the summer but the encounters had been almost as traumatic as being kidnapped and threatened with murder by the faeriekin. It wasn’t just that Samantha disliked me for being less rich or popular than her. She caught me breaking into her stuff, and even though I didn’t steal anything—I’d only copied her notes and textbooks for a few classes—she’d never forgiven me.

Mama Rosa shifted her load of boxes to free up a hand and tucked a piece of my red hair behind my ear. “Hey, it’s okay, Brie,” she said warmly. “You’re at expert at this school now, right? This year should be so easy for you.”

I glanced at her bright, reassuring smile, then turned to Mama Ashleigh with a desperate look. The two of them couldn’t seem more different. Mama Rosa was short and dark-haired, with the telltale signs of a human approaching middle age like extra pounds around her waist and lines around her eyes, although she still acted like an overeager child. She dressed like a typical Earth witch with a long skirt and embroidered blouse. Mama Ashleigh was tall and fair, with white-gold hair and the ageless, otherworldly grace of a half-Fae. But she dressed in a tailored suit that looked like she belonged in a corporate job.

I didn’t really look like either of them. Yeah, I was human and short, but my skin was sunburnt despite all the sunscreen I’d worn over the summer—the curse of being a pale redhead. Despite trying to build up muscles during swimming and surfing, I was mostly just skinny. My casual clothes were all beach-going fare, like today’s loose, blue-striped linen pants and a tank top with a faded surfboard logo.

My moms didn’t know half the trouble I’d gotten in, since I’d been very careful to hide my most dangerous adventures, but they were both educators. They had to know that the last year of high school was never easy.

Mama Ashleigh’s smile was softer and more sympathetic. “I think what she means is, you had a few rough patches along the way, but you seem to have found your stride. If you stay calm and work hard, I know you can graduate. We’re so proud of you.”

I bit back a groan. Neither of them really understood me. I used to feel so close to my parents, but now that I had spent time on my own, I realized that there were a lot of things that they didn’t know about the world. Or what I really needed.

But now was not the time to make a big scene in the middle of campus. I took a deep breath to fortify myself and pushed through the door.