Sara McKinnon watched the trees and white lines on the road passing her by as she looked at her mother who seemed fidgeter than usual but she knew her nerves were on edge but Sara decided she needed to talk to her mom. "Mom, where are we going?" Sara asked her. "Somewhere." She said. "Can you at least tell me, I mean, is there a reason why you told me to pack?" Sara asked. "Sara, there's something I need to tell you and you won't like it at first but in time, you'll come to terms with it." Her mom said, lighting up a cigarette "What?" Sara questioned, worried that she was going to find something to panic about. "Every generation in my side of the family, there's this tale that every skipped generation, there's this curse and it's a young woman, particularly your age, as a witch. It skipped my generation but your grandmother, well she's a witch and so are you." Her mother said as Sara looked at her in pure shock. "WHAT?" Sara said loudly. "Now honey, don't panic. There's this school for young men and women like you. That's where we're going." Her mother said as Sara tried to process what her mother just said as she looked down as the tears came. "Mom, no. I don't want to go!" Sara said as her mother looked at her. "Sara, I have no choice. I mean, I know something is bound to happen sooner or later and I can't have you living at home if something changes." Her mom said as Sara just looked out the window. "You're sending me away?" Sara asked. "Baby, I have no choice. This school is full of young men and women just like you. I talked to the vice chancellor of this school and they can help you." Her mom said. "So, that's it? You're just going to send me away, abandon and leave me all alone with no one that I know?" Sara asked. "Sara, this is an amazing school that's exceptional in helping you." Her mother said as they pulled up to the school as Sara's body just went into shock. "You've got to be kidding me mom, this isn't a school! It's a prison!" Sara said, looking out the passenger side window at the solid white building with mahogany doors and steps leading up to the entry way. "Baby, I'm doing this for your own good. I mean, what if you put a curse on someone or something?" Her mother asked as Sara stared at her blankly. "You've got to be kidding me mom! I'm not even sure if I am a witch. I wanna go home!" Sara begged as her mom turned off the car and got out, walking around to Sara, who just wanted to disappear as her mom opened the door but Sara just sat there shaking her head. "Sara, come on. You have orientation in thirty minutes and I'm going to be late for my date." Her mother said as Sara shot her a look of pure misery. "A date? You're going to abandon me and go on a date! You're trying to get rid of me for your new boyfriend!" Sara screamed as she got out of the car. "Sara, calm down! No, I'm not abandoning you and as for your accusation, it's just a friendly date." Her mom said. "Sure it is mother. Why don't you tell your "friend" that you just abandoned your daughter or better yet, tell him that your childless." Sara scoffed as she dug the heel of her shoe into the grass while folding her arms to avoid the winter chill seeping through her jacket. "Baby, in time, you'll see that this will be good for you and I promise to text, call, email and send you letters and packages." Her mother said as she started setting her stuff out on the sidewalk. "You know what? This was your plan all along. Dad died and you just want the house to yourself because you want to start over because you can't stand being alone." Sara said as her mother looked at her as people were parking all around them. "Sara, it's been hard since your father died and I know you aren't passed the denial and grief process but this school offers therapy and they'll help you through it." Her mother said as Sara just looked away. "That's all you're going to say about this? Dad dies and now, it all makes sense. You're a horrible mother and dad was right, you are a bitch." Sara said as she started grabbing her belongings as she walked over to the other side.. "Excuse me young lady?" Her mother questioned. "You heard me! Why don't you just leave because I can't stand looking at your face right now." Sara said as she turned around, her mother just stared until she knew Sara needed some time for herself as she got in her car and left as she walked off in a hurry, she bumped into the lady who was blowing a whistle as it rang through her ears. "I'm so sorry!" The girl said as she bends down to pick up all the papers that fell on the ground as Sara set her stuff down to help her. "No, I'm sorry. It's just been a hellacious drive with my mom and we aren't seeing eye to eye right now." Sara said as the girl smiled as Sara gave the papers back to her. "I understand that. It's been crazy here to with all the new students arriving." She said. "Well, my name's Sara McKinnon." Sara said, extending her hand. "I'm Bette Truman, nice to meet you Sara." Bette said, shaking her hand. "I hope you're not hurt because my suitcase hit your shin." Sara said. "Oh, that's not compared to what happened my first day here. I was so nervous and excited, that I practically ran across the road and tripped, hitting my head on a pile of rocks over there." Bette said as Sara felt her pain. "Ouch! I hope they didn't give you a peppermint and send you on your way?" Sara questioned as Bette just looked at her. "Why would they do that?" Bette asked curiously. "That's what the nurse at my old school always did even if you had a concussion, she'd hand you a peppermint and send you home with your parents." Sara said as Bette chuckled. "Well here, they take that pretty serious. Our vice chancellor and her husband are both worry warts and were like their kids." Bette said. "Speaking of vice chancellor, who is she?" Sara asked, looking at the schedule she received, knowing her mother obviously chose her courses for her. "Her name is Stephanie and she's really nice, except when you make her mad then she's not so nice." Bette said as Sara took in the place as sighed. "Do you think my mother made the right choice bringing me here?" Sara asked Bette. "No, I'm glad she did. I made a new friend and I can't wait for you to see what Bella Donna Academy has to offer you." Bette said. "When you said Bella Donna, all I can think about is Stevie Nicks and her actual name is Stephanie. Wait a minute... Is she our vice chancellor?" Sara asked her. "Maybe, I have no idea. This school was just built and started up this month. It was abandoned a long time ago but someone bought it and now, it accepts everyone of our kind." Bette said. "Our kind? I didn't even know I was a witch until ten minutes ago." Sara said. "It's not a bad thing, you know, being a witch or a wizard. It just helps you more in life, you can create something more magical and the spirit you have deep inside you thrives more." Bette said. "It's still new to me and I'm still getting used to the whole idea of being a witch. God, this is not how I planned my senior year of high school. Being stuck at a witches academy with no one that I know to talk to and now, I'm a witch because my mother's side of the family is under some curse of some sort." Sara said. "Sara, I know that you're confused but I'll be your friend and mentor. I know you belong here and no one else will understand why you are the way you are. In time, everything will work out and it's crazy but exciting all in the same way." Bette said as the bell rung as we all filed single lines into the building.