Different

Chapter 1

Ashley woke up in a state of dread. The lumpy, hard bed digging into their back, and the rock-like pillow made it worse. After a leisurely Sunday, they had to go back to the hell-hole that everyone else called school. They groaned, memories of that horrid building rushing back to them.

Slowly, Ashley slipped out from their covers and moved to their scratched mirror. They winced at the image of their dark, scar-coated skin and long, messy, black hair. They quickly glanced at their watch, dangling dangerously off the edge of their table. 7:50, it read. Ashley groaned again, before getting ready.

Ever since school uniforms were banned at the start of 2024, Ashley's wardrobe had grown a little. Despite the many vibrant outfit options, they chose a dull, black hoodie, worn out jeans, and their favourite red trainers.

After brushing their teeth and hair, Ashley decided to walk to the living room. The room was empty, like usual. They analysed it as if this was their first time being there. Their second-hand, light turquoise backpack on the chipped dining table, the cracked tv, the weathered sofas, and the entry to the kitchen where the door used to be. Ashley chuckled. This house has only been inhabited for a month. Their analysis allowed them to catch a glimpse of darkening clouds swirling in the sky through a blurred window. They checked the time again. 7:55. They sighed, grabbed their bag, and left.

It was a good thing that Ashley left early, because the rain only started to viciously strike the ground as they got inside.

'8. It has to be 8,' They thought. A quick look at their wrist confirmed it.

They had extra time, but they walked to their first class. Maths. As they approached the deserted door, a pair of hands covered their eyes.

"Guess who," An enthusiastic voice said.

"Olivia. Hey."

"Aww. How'd you know?" The pair smiled.

Olivia slowly removed her hands, and Ashley longed for the sensation to come back. Those soft, smooth hands, warming up their eyes, usually cold from tears. People usually teased the two, saying they were dating. Why can't it just be friendship?

"Hey Ash, you with me?"

Ashley hadn't even realised they'd lost focus, and they definitely didn't want to talk about it.

"Yeah. You know me: I always get lost in thought. Anyways, what's up?"

Just as the brunette opened her mouth, the bell screeched.

"I'll tell you at break."

Ashley zoned out halfway through the lesson. The same thing happened during the next lesson. Science. It's not like it was boring, it's just something that happens to them often. To pass the excruciatingly long minutes, they looked at their class, studying each person. Everything was fairly normal; Dana and Natasha pretending to do the work, Richard, Nathan and Rashad making jokes, Oni and Priya sharing rumours, and Olivia ignoring everyone.

The only thing different was Danny. His eyes constantly darted around the room, and his breathing picked up whenever someone stared back. Nobody could blame the blue-eyed blonde, though. His birthday is today, and today is April 1st. There's no reason to not tear him apart, like the malicious beasts they are, with their ruthless pranks. A sympathetic wince crossed Ashley's face as the boy furiously played with his curls.

Once the halls were empty, Olivia got straight to the point.

"I want your help with pranking Danny. And it has to be the biggest prank of Henford Academy."

"Oh, Okay? I don't see how I could help-"

"I know you do magic," She said flatly. Ashley froze. How did she know? Nobody knows. Nobody can know.

"H-how do you know? Nobody should know!! Is it that obvious?!" They were so panicked that they didn't notice their raised volume. Luckily, the hallways were still deserted.

"Ashley, calm down. I only know because I've seen the symbols you draw. Nobody else knows. Sorcerer, angel, demon, super, alien, even a God," Olivia gently cupped Ashley's face, "I don't care what you are, or what you do. I just care about you."

A blush slowly crept onto Ashley's face as they stared into those beautiful blue eyes.

"Okay. What do you need me to do?"

Danny darted around the passing students as he ran to his last class. Maths and Science had gone well, reading was uncomfortable, and geography was suspiciously quiet. It was now the last lesson, but no successful prank had occurred. So, it is understandable that every glance made him speed up. He had one objective that he continuously repeated it like a mantra. Get to class. Get to class. Get to cla-

"Hey, Danny."

The anxious boy jumped at the sudden sound, and whipped around to see Olivia, a warm but mischievous smile plastered across her face.

"Olivia, what's up?"

She looked around before speaking. "I need to talk to you. Now." Her tone was suddenly serious.

"Okay. What's wrong?" A concerned Danny asked.

But before he could react, a fist from behind collided with his head, and his world faded to black.

"I don't feel good about this. Are you sure this isn't too cruel?" Ashley asked, staring at Danny's unconscious body.

"Of course not. It might give him a fright, but it'll be fine. Now, put your hood up."

As Danny woke up, the persistent throbbing in the back of his head made itself known. It took him a second to remember what happened, but when he did, he leapt to his feet. The room he was in looked like a cleaning closet, but the lack of light didn't help identify it. Gradually, a sensation of being watched washed over him, so he turned around and saw a ghostly figure.

"Where am I? What do you want?!" Terror was prominent in his voice.

"You're Soul and Spirit are perfect to summon It. The ritual starts now."

Before he could react, the shadow muttered a spell.

"Aopz ivf'z zvbs pz wbyl, klmpupalsf jslhu, opz zwpypa zopulz h ispukpun nyllu, aopz zovbsku'a dvyr, uva zbttvupun kvul, iba av thrl hu pssbzpvu vm, pa zohss il mbu!"

A summoning circle, made of hell-fire, instantly formed across the floor.

"Stop! Please!" Danny yelled.

Objects encased in blue flames started hovering. The panicked boy pounded on the door, constantly screaming for help.

"Three words," The figure exclaimed, "You've been pranked!"

The fire slowly extinguished itself, and the closet door swung open to reveal a laughing Olivia.

"I can't believe- we actually got you! I can't- wait to see the- camera footage!" She gasped.

"C-camera?"

The Sorcerer slipped passed the shocked boy, a camera in their hand. They went to stand beside Olivia, and held the camera infront of them.

"I'm Olivia, call the one next to me Panther!" She said to the camera, "And this has been the biggest prank of Henford Academy!"

The camera was soon shut off, and the bell conveniently rang.

"End of the day! I'll post this on my page. Panther, let's go."

As the pair strolled away, leaving behind a confused and traumatized Danny, 'Panther' asked:

"Why Panther? Why's that the nickname you chose?"

"Your hood, Ash. It's got cat ears."

So as the friends marched out of the building, Ashley pondered the effects of their heinous prank, and their new name.