“I’m sorry, but that’s really hard to believe. No plant has ever come and snaked up my arm like that.”
Professor East’s lips quirked. “Again, training is needed to truly capitalize on these gifts. It’s not unusual that you wouldn’t have noticed any dramatic signs of your powers yet.”
“You said you have an affinity for certain kinds of plants. If I did have this ability, how would we know what types of plants I have affinities for?”
“Now that is an astute question. The academy will conduct a series of tests that will determine your affinities. Do sit down, won’t you?”
I took the seat across from his desk once more.
“But… why? Why do some people have affinities? And what are you supposed to do with them?” My mind was whirling as my entire view of the world tilted like I was inside a fun house.
A half smile formed on Professor East’s face. “That is the ultimate question, isn’t it? As to why, who can say? As for what we’re supposed to do with them… Magical botanists go into a variety of career fields. But that will come later. What’s important to know now is that, as a magical botanist, it’s imperative to attend school here to learn how to master your ability so that you can use it safely and ethically.”
I choked. “I’m sorry. You said I’m a magical?—”
“Botanist. Yes, everyone here is. It’s a rare gift indeed and needed now more than ever. Plants and humans are at odds with one another, and that’s not how it’s meant to be.”
My head was spinning. There were such things as magical botanists, and Professor East was claiming that I, Briar Whelan, was one of them? Before I could realize what was happening, Professor East was pressing a thin wafer into my hands.
“Eat this. You’ll feel better.”
I caught flashes of green and white and realized the room was spinning around me. I couldn’t think coherently enough to argue, so I popped the wafer into my mouth. Nearly instantly, my vision began to clear.
“It’s just a bit of ginger, maca, peppermint, and a few other herbs. It’s proprietary and was invented here at the academy. You looked like you were about to faint, and these help you stay more alert.”
The strong aftertaste of peppermint and other herbs I couldn’t place lingered on my tongue, distracting me from the spiraling thoughts I’d been having a few seconds ago. I sat up a little straighter, my dizziness gone. But the confusion and shock remained.
Evergreen Academy was a school for magical botanists. And, apparently, I was one of them.
Chapter Nine
“Many students dual enroll here and at SCC. It helps to keep up our façade in the community. I looked at your schedule and saw that you’re done by noon each day. We offer morning and afternoon classes here, so we can work out an afternoon-only schedule for you. And you’re not currently taking any classes on Fridays at SCC, which is perfect, since that’s our affinity studies day.”
Professor East chattered on as we left his office and made our way down one of the two grand staircases. The windows all around let in rainbows of light that must have sustained the plant life that seemed to cover every free inch of the school’s interior. A few students hurried past us, arms loaded with books and plant materials.
I tried to force my focus back to his words. My class schedule. I had purposely crafted it to end by lunchtime each day so that I could do my homework in the afternoons. That left my three-day weekend available for working at my aunt’s bakery.
“I work at a bakery Friday through Sunday. It’s how I pay my tuition. I could cut back to only working on the weekends, but that wouldn’t leave me much time for homework.”
Professor East nodded. “I guess I forgot to mention that being a research fellow with Evergreen Academy comes with a stipend.”
My eyes widened, and I gulped as everything finally started to sink in. Was I really going to become a student at the Evergreen Academy, a school for… magical botanists? I suddenly felt lightheaded again, and I took a sip from my water bottle, wishing I had another of Professor East’s wafers.
“And I get this stipend just for attending? Is it dependent on my grades?”
“We don’t have traditional grades at Evergreen. So no, this isn’t like a scholarship that’s dependent on your maintaining a certain grade point average. Success here is measured in many ways. A lot of it has to do with your affinity powers and the areas of research you eventually take on. The grade is not the goal. The outcome is.”
I swallowed another big gulp of water, wondering if I was dreaming all of this. I was going to attend a magical school where I would be paid for attending, and where I didn’t have to worry about my grades. I was truly in an upside-down world.
“Hello, Ms. Ortega. Right on time.” Professor East’s voice interrupted my thoughts, and I turned, mouth falling open in surprise.
“Yasmin!” I gasped, shock coursing through my already adrenaline-fueled body.
Yasmin smiled broadly. “Briar! What are you doing here?”She glanced at Professor East. “That’s a dumb question. Obviously, you’re going to start attending the academy.”
Professor East gave a slight smile. “I see you two know each other already. Yasmin here has a very strong affinity for mosses and ferns.”
My eyes widened.
