“Do we really have to go to the party? We could just go get something to eat instead,” Jessica suggested hopefully.
“Not a chance,” Claudia denied. “We are going to the party where we are going to drink and dance our asses off.”
“Great!” Starla said, punctuating her excitement with a graceful spin on one foot.
“Great,” Jessica repeated, sounding a lot less thrilled.
The next few hours were a whirlwind of activity. With her new friends’ guidance, Starla dressed in a lacy black bustier top with a pair of tight jeans. While fairies weren’t as concerned about discretion when it came to revealing clothing as humans were, Claudia offered her a black leather jacket in case she needed to cover up more.
“I found it at a thrift store, but it’s too small for me. You can have it if you want,” Claudia offered.
“I love it, thanks!” Starla gushed. Since it was something she wouldn’t have thought to buy herself, she was surprised just how much she really did like it.
Her friends also convinced her to wear a pair of sparkly silver high heels they claimed made her long legs look even longer. The shoes were brand new, and Lana insisted that Starla take them as a welcome gift. They had been a little snug at first, but after she used magic to alter them, they were a perfect fit.
Not to be outdone by the others, Jessica had gifted her a pretty amulet with an unusual green stone. The magical necklace looked very old and valuable, so Starla’s first instinct was to refuse it.
“I can’t take that—”
“It’s a gift. I collect magical jewelry from estate sales, consignment shops, and thrift stores, so I have a ton of things in my collection. You would be amazed by some of the gems I’ve found thrown in amongst the rubbish. I found this at a cute little shop here in Mystic called The Attic. I think it’s the perfect addition to your outfit.”
After thanking her, Starla fastened the amulet around her neck. The metal felt cool against her skin, but it quickly warmed until she barely noticed she had it on. She surveyed her completed outfit in the full mirror in her bathroom and smiled at what she saw. Even with her silver hair, she thought she could properly pass for a human ready to enjoy an evening out.
In exchange for her gifts, she gave each of the females a bottle of fairy wine she’d brought with her. The wine was a special brew she’d made with a mixture of fruit and midnight dew she’d collected from blessed blossoms in the Fairy Realm. The fruity flavor was light and sweet, and the subtle mood enhancer she’d added to it immediately made people feel better after a few sips.
It had been fun getting ready to go out together, and Starla loved the music Jessica turned on to get them in the party mood. The variety of different music genres available in the Human Realm was a wonder to her. Back in the Fairy Realm, music tended to be light and airy, often created with the help of enchanted instruments or nature itself. In the Human Realm, everything was different. From thumping bass to mesmerizing vocals, Starla felt like she was experiencing something magical with each new song she heard.
The simple bonding act of getting ready together helped Starla feel like she was fitting in with her new peers, though she still had a lot to learn about being a college student. She usually used magic to add a few enhancements whenever she wanted to change up her look, but she allowed her new friends to do her makeup. Since her skin was already flawless, they only used an eyeshadow palette to create a smoky look that made Starla’s pale blue eyes seem even brighter, and a touch of blush and bronzer to contour and enhance her high cheekbones and jawline.
While she thought the mascara brush looked like some sort of torture device, she dutifully allowed them to coat her dark lashes with it. The last touch had been to add a layer of slickgloss to her lips, but she’d detested the sticky feeling. With a silent apology to her new friends, she wiped it off, then she used her magic to replicate the look. While that could be considered cheating, it was a sacrifice she was willing to make.
She considered braiding her long silver hair, then decided against it after her friends insisted that she leave it flowing free. As a compromise, she pulled one side up, securing it in place with a pretty star barrette Roxy had given her when she had first arrived in the realm.
Once they were ready to go, they exited the dorm and joined a small cluster of other students waiting right outside the front entrance.
“They arranged for shuttles to take us to the quarry where the party is being held,” Lana told them. “It’s far less convenient than teleporting, but much better than walking.”
Teleporting was strictly prohibited on campus except for within certain areas in order to protect the supernatural community. There were also strong magical wards set on campus to prevent any but the most powerful supernaturals from breaking through highly protected zones. Most first years had never done that type of magic before, so there wasn’t much worry that the new students would expose themselves. Still, there were a few students who were able to teleport, like Starla and Lana, who found the rules restrictive and highly inconvenient.
It was a short shuttle ride to the quarry. The supernatural dorms were all located on the far side of campus, which was closest to the quarry and surrounding mountains. While walking would have been easy, she didn’t mind taking the shuttle. She really loved the speed of human transportation since it reminded her of flying. She even wanted to get her own motorcycle once she learned how to drive.
The welcome party was being thrown by some of the upperclassmen and was considered the unofficial start of the school year. The formal school-sponsored celebration would be the following weekend and was sure to be a lot more tame.
The upperclassmen took pride in hosting this annual event, using their connections and magical abilities to set up an unforgettable night. It was a tradition that everyone looked forward to, especially the new students who saw it as a rite of passage and their first real opportunity to bond with the supernatural community at the school.
The quarry had been chosen for its secluded location and natural beauty. Magical wards were put in place to keep the festivities private and safe from prying eyes, ensuring that students could let loose without worrying about attracting unwanted attention.
While the other students began to disappear through the shimmering barrier, Jessica put a hand on Starla’s arm and smiled. “Ready for your first college party?”
Her lips curved into a wide grin. “Ready for anything.”
“Remember you said that,” Jessica warned with a laugh right before they stepped through the magical barrier.
Chapter Two
As soon asthey passed through the magical barrier, it was like stepping into a completely different world. The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter, music, and a dazzling display of supernatural talents and magical lights.
While it seemed like every supernatural had ventured out to the quarry, Starla knew that many of the upperclassmen still hadn’t made it back to campus yet. Since they didn’t have to undergo testing like the first-year students, many of them didn’t bother showing up at school until right before actual classes began.
