Gaia’s final exams were coming up and she felt nauseated whenever she was reminded of the fact. That was why, as she studied in the enchanted library at lunch and her friend Ava offered her a piece from her favourite snack, a wispy pink tendril of magic shot from her finger. It danced through the air above the desk before fizzling into a small chrysanthemum firework. Her way of saying an unhappy no.
Ava retreated her snack, shrugged and went back to observing the students around them. Gaia wondered if she ever really studied. Her friend wasn’t expelled yet, so she figured that she either had to be sneaking off into the night to practise her spells, or that she was just a naturally gifted sorcerer.
Focus, Gaia.
Gaia returned her attention to the book floating in front of her, flipping the pages with a flick of her eyes as she rested her hand back down on the armrest of her wheelchair.
“How did the functional behavioural assessment go?” Ava leaned over the desk, peering above the book that Gaia instinctively moved to block her distraction out. In truth, she had been trying to not worry about the subject of disability support at school but knew from her experience with her positive behaviour support in Adelaide – a city from the human dimension – that it was the help she needed.
Ava leaned further forward, burning holes into her soul with her gaze. Gaia rolled her eyes but let the book float down enough to look at her. It looked like this was one of the days where Ava couldn’t study and meant to make it a problem for everyone around her too.
Gaia easily lifted her finger and let the magic flow out of her. Glimmering ribbons of magic glowed and danced in the air, quickly writing out a message for Ava to read. The assessment had gone well, and with any luck, she would finally be able to get the specialist disability accommodation that she needed. She was surprised and overwhelmed with joy that they had agreed, given how hard it was to get the teachers to ensure the school grounds were accessible in her first year.
Ava and she had already formed a plan for if they refused the change that involved a lot of fun fireworks and a mild form of arson.
“That’s great!” Ava’s face burst into a smile. “Shame we can’t use plan B, though.”
Gaia smiled. A puff of green smoke exploded in the air in agreement – she had also secretly hoped to have a reason for some magical mischief.