Star Struck: Page 1

TC here, just wanna mention that I have a paypal, https://paypal.me/tcall101. Do what you will with that information.

It was that evening when we all said our final goodbyes. It was bittersweet, knowing we possibly might never meet again, but we were all eager to begin our own stories.

We all formed a circle around Forester while he casted the intricate spell. I took a look, for possibly the last time ever, at my peers. My gaze was met by misty eyes from everyone else. Even Emma, sassy as she was, looked slightly sad. I think if we had waited a moment longer. She might have actually cried a little. And I can't say I would have been much better.

The purple light of the spell enveloped us, filling my vision. When it cleared, it was just Lexi and I standing in the street in front of my house. Just like that, my apprenticeship had come to an end.

I released the breath I didn't realize I was holding. The ground was solid under my feet. The air was thick and humid with the heat of an early summer's evening. I slipped my silver apprentice ring off my finger and into my pocket.

Behind me, Lexi was staring at my house. It was an old gothic style mansion, surrounded on all sides with gloomy forest. My parents had bought it when they were about my age, though at the time it was basically falling apart. My father always talked about how strong the house's connection to magic was, and after 6 months away, I felt it.

The house itself felt powerful. I had never before noticed the feeling of might that radiated from my home, or the eldritch malice that seemed to permeate the surrounding forest. How much had I missed simply because my senses were blind to magic?

"Damn Lucas, you live here?"

"Yep."

I wrapped her hand in mine, entwining our fingers. I could feel the tension in her arm. Our eyes met, and I saw the look of apprehension.

"You sure about this, Lex?"

She set her jaw, nodding at me.

"Let's do this."

We marched forwards, up to my front door.

"Here goes nothing."

I grabbed the knocker, tapping three times. There was a faint whirring sound as the door smoothly slid open. I stepped inside and Lexi, still holding my hand, followed me.

She turned to look back at the door and watched it close.

"You have an automatic door in your home?"

I grinned at her. It was nice to see someone so amazed at the things that I considered mundane.

"Oh, yeah. I guess that's pretty cool."

She spun around, eyes wide as she sucked in the lavish interior. I questioned for a moment where anyone was, until I heard a sound for the back yard. Yard, of course, being slightly inaccurate. It was really a just the clearing behind the house where the shadowy forest shrunk back from the house.

"Here, come on, let's meet my family."

Lexi in tow, I power walked to the back door. Outside, there was maybe thirty people. Fanciful magical lettering sky.

Welcome home, Victoria.

Déjà-vu. I pushed back the memory of my 18th birthday. That was the past. Things had changed. I had changed.

Naturally, it had to be Damian who spotted me first.

His eyes lit up like a hunter spotting his prey. He must have Blinked behind me, because the next thing I knew he had me in a head lock.

"Where ya been baby brother? I missed you."

I slipped out of his half hearted head lock, shoving away from me. I resisted to urge to magically slap him.

"Piss off, Damian."

"Oh come on, is that anyway to talk to your..."

His sentence trailed off as he spotted Lexi.

"Oh wow, aren't you a pretty little thing."

She shrunk back as his attention focused on her.

"I'm, un, dating Lucas."

He laughed.

"Seriously, my dweeb of a brother with someone like you? Sure you don't wanna try out the upgraded model?"

I felt her grab my forearm. It wasn't possessive, like she was claiming me, but rather like you might grab onto something in a storm.

"I'm pretty sure I have tried the upgraded model."

I looked at her, slightly shocked. My girlfriend had just put a bigger dent into his ego than I could have ever hoped.

A range of emotions flashed across his stupid face, before he settled on anger. His eyes flicked between Lexi and I, probably trying to think of a comeback. Fortunately he was saved by the timely arrival of my sister. Vic came from behind him, patting him on the shoulder.

"Damian, go get a drink. You're embarrassing yourself"

He marched away grumbling. Victoria extended a hand to Lexi, which she took. I noticed the shiny gold ring on her right ring finger. Tormani's apprentice ring.

"Sorry about Damian, he's yet to gain a second brain cell."

"Oh, it's no problem, and wow, you must be Victoria. I've heard so much about you."

Vicky raised an eyebrow at me.

"Does Lucas talk about me that much?"

"Well, no, but your dad does, in his books."

"Ah, yeah, that checks out."

A brief pang of resentment flashed through me. I knew for a fact my father had only once mentioned me by name in one of his books. I pushed the rush of negativity down. I had my own story, I didn't need to be part of his.

"So, I don't imagine Helen could make it?"

Victoria rolled her eyes at my obvious question.

"Like she ever shows up to things like this. She'd have to spend more than 3 seconds not working."

"Hey, cut her some slack, she just wants out of Dad's shadow. I can't say I blame her."

"Still, you'd think she'd take at least a few days off to see us."

"It would be nice to see her."

She nodded affirmatively. Someone, an aunt of ours, called Vicky over, so she apologetically left us to go chat. I grabbed Lexi's hand.

"Follow me."

I led her across the grass. I got nods from the occasional cousin, but by and large I was over looked. Good to see some things never change.

I reached my destination, the gaggle of older adults discussing something in hushed whispers.

I loudly cleared my throat.

They all turned around for a moment, but all but one turned back to their conversation. My father, Magnus Valentine.

"Lucas! When did you get home?"

"Uh, just a few minutes ago. I figured I might as well stop by, since Vicky is here too."

"Well, I'm glad you did."

His eyes turned to Lexi.

"And who might this be?"

Lexi looked at me, panicked. I nodded towards my dad as if to say "answer him".

"I'm, uh, Lexi sir. Me and Lucas are, like, dating, sir."

"Well, that's good to hear. He could certainly do worse. But please, call me Magnus."

Lexi blushed hard, her entire face turning cherry red.

"Thank you, sir, uh. I mean Magnus."

"Oh, don't thank me."

"Well, Dad, it's been nice to catch up. Imma give Lexi the rest of the tour."

He nodded, turning around to continue his previous conversation. Hand in hand, I lead Lexi back into the house.

"Wow."

She looked at me, flustered.

"What?"

"You were totally fangirl-ing over my dad."

"Ugh I know. He probably thinks I'm a weirdo."

"Oh please, he's dealt with fans way more obnoxious than that."

"It's just weird, because to you he's just your dad, but to me, he's like a superhero. Hells, he's got like six Feywild awards."

"Seven, but yeah, I know. But believe me, the novelty wears off."

"If you say so."

She looked around, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Hey, isn't everyone outside?"

"Uh yeah, they should be. Why?"

She grinned at me.

"Well, why don't we start this tour with your bedroom?"