I didn't do it.
The words echoed uselessly in my head as headmistress Lorraine's sharp gaze pinned me in place.
She held up the worn black magic spell book like it was evidence of murder,the dark leather cover catching the light in crowded hallway of dragon academy.
My locker hung open behind her, it's content spilled it for everyone to see,whispers rippled through the crowd of students like smoke dying from fire.
"Hey,everyone!" Bianca's voice cut through the murmurs,sugary sweet and dripping with fake concern.
She flipped her perfect blonde hair over one shoulder,her green eyes gleaming with triumph.
"Looks like astrid's been practicing black magic. Who would've guessed? ".
Her minion,Chole snickered right on cue, loud enough for the whole corridor to hear. " Like mother like daughter, right? ".
Heat surged through my viens.
Teresa,my best friend,lunged forward with a growl that would've made any dragon pround.
"Say that again, you little-".
I grabbed her arm just in time, yanking her back before she could pounce on chole and Bianca.
My fingers dug into her sleeve,heart hammering.
" Teresa, don't,"I whispered fiercely. "it's not worth it".
Had mistress Lorraine cleared her throat, her expression stern but not entirely unkind.
She was tall and imposing in her Emerald robes, the silver pins on her color marking her authority.
"Astrid, you know practicing black magic is a serious offense.
It goes against every Dragon Academy stands for-light, balance and scarred bonds with our dragons".
She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied me.
"But... I will let you go this time. Consider this a warning.
Clean out your locker and return to class. We'll speak more if anything else turns up".
Relief should have flooded me, but it didn't.
All I felt was the burning shame of a hundred eyes on me,the weight of accusations I couldn't shake.
I wasn't my mother. I wasn't but no one believed that.