In a matter of seconds I got to the window and looked to the hilly driveway. I just got there in time to see a vibrant yellow school bus disappearing behind the next green hill.

"Merde!" I cursed loud and jumped on my feet. Befuddled I stopped a moment at the hinge. It was definitely too late for the bus now. It took me just a few seconds until I made my decision.

"Text me as soon as you arrive at school!"

I bid goodbye to my little brother, while I grabbed the car keys that hung next to all the other keys by the door frame.

"And don't tell mom and dad." I said winking to Robin. Then I was behind the door.

With the backpack on my shoulders I headed for dad's car. I stood behind the house at the extra garage. Protected from any storms by a plastic tarpaulin waited 'the nippy little red car', how dad had named it.

The nippy little red car.

Well, that was a fancy convertible dad got from his father. His father wasn't a wizard, just a car mechanic, but a funny man who was good with us kids. Unfortunately he died way too soon because of a heart attack. Since that dad kept 'the old rust bucket' alive, he just couldn't say goodbye to it. Mum couldn't understand holding on material things and often tried to convince him to sell it. Probably because the car offered not enough space for the family and in the end was a wasted space.

Rust bucket – that was one of the friendlier names for it, because if dad would sell the car, it would for sure end on a junk yard.

Dad loved his father and the car reminded him of him, why he kept the gem very well hidden. But exactly this hideaway made it even easier and they would, if nothing went wrong, not realize the car's missing.

My heart pounded in anticipation as I closed the shed's door and opened the gate from the inside. Shivering I sat on the driver's seat and placed the bag next to me on the passenger's. I started the motor and prayed to god, that mum wasn't in the garden anymore and would hear the suspicious rev. Purring, the metal vehicle came to live. The pulling out of the garage was the trickiest part, as soon as I passed the narrow walls I sighed with relief. An unrestrained feeling of happiness took over me and I laughed out loud. I winded the car window down and let the airflow tousle my hair. I haven't felt that free in a very long time. Energy in form of adrenaline rushed through my veins. But it wasn't comparable to the sizzling pulsation of magic and that made me sad. Just for a split second indeed, but it was too late. The mood was subdued for the remaining drive.

I reached the school's parking area without any problems and steered the car through rows of cars. Unsurprisingly, most students arrived on time on the first day of school, therefore an empty parking space was hard to find. The numbers on the digital clock came closer to half past eight and I got increasingly nervous.

Being late on the first day was never a good impression. Relieved I spotted an empty one a few meters distance next to a green VW. I stepped on the gas and headed for it. In the last moment I saw a head behind the VW's tall roof and jammed on the barks. Squeaking, the vehicle deadlocked, just in time to not pulp the boy, who dismounted from his motorbike. My heart beat panicky in my rip cage and I gasped for breath.

"Merde!" it escaped me when I saw the guy's with rage distorted face. He strode to my car, his helmet under his arm.

Fearful, I bit my lower lip and looked through the window. Rumpled blond curls stood-away from his head and dark eyes glared at me, when he teared the door open.

But wow, these eyes were jaw-dropping. Vivid grey, like liquid quicksilver – I've never seen eyes like this before.

"Are you nuts?" he hissed and curls fell into his eyes.

"Je suis désolée." I muttered intimidated. "No harm done."

"No harm done? You nearly run over me!"

This boy was a drama-queen, for sure.

"I can't do more than saying I'm sorry." I answered annoyed and tried to close the door again, but he hold it with iron grip.

"Let go." I said upset and tried to back out ( if you could call it backing out – after all, my car stood halfway in a parking lot it had to share with a half-rusted motorbike), to look for a new lot before the school bell rang, but how could it be otherwise, the motor died.

That seemed to satisfy this mad fellow.

"Whoever let you pass the driver's license test must have lost his marbles."

"Oh, don't worry." I said, my voice filled with blistering sarcasm.

"That can be explained easily. No one was able to not let me pass the test because I never got my license."

Why, I mean, I'm a witch – I finished this sentence silent in my head.

But now this was not really true anymore.

At one go, followed by a loud bang, I closed the door and the boy stumbled confused away.

"You are insane." He shouted and lifted his hand for a very rude gesture.

I engaged the first gear and drove away.

Hello there!

Compared to the last chapter this one is really short, but the end worked out so well. But the chapter next week will be as long as the first.

The boy is nearly as dramatic as Ajoly. But it was early in the morning when everyone is a little short-tempered.

I hope you like this chapter, and until next Friday.

Best regards, Anira

French Phrases Chapter 2

Merde! = Damn! ; Verdammt!

Je suis désolée. = I'm sorry. ; Tut mir leid.