There was no music except for the men that came behind them in a row with drums and bands tied around their heads. The women with their massive afros were perfectly rounded and picked when they shuffled again. Bowing their heads before stopping, they drew their swords with a few silent slashes in the air, and deadly stares at the crowds.
“WELCOME YASUKE TO DREW COLLINS GROUNDS! Y'all better learn some Japanese and welcome our guests! THIS! IS! THE! TEAM! TO! BEAT!”
I felt my phone vibrate as I looked down at the screen, seeing Cedric texting me from across the way. Looking up, I could see Harvey was leaning into the ear of the man beside him, talking low enough for him to hear. Yet, his twin brother who somewhat blended in was behind the two, was the one buried in his phone texting me.
“Meet H. in the study hall. Don’t bring the cat with you.”
Confused, I looked up at Quan who was distracted by the beautiful women in the kimonos walking by. School after school from Sycamore and Belmont began their march, showing off their chosen athletes before the rest of the parade was just mythics against mythics. Which meant, the sirens would appear.
“We wanna welcome all participating schools to Drew Collins University! This summer’s trials and games are brought to you by the Southern Five Council! Your most prominent witch families in the Southern region of the country since the beginning of time! Mystic Medicare, providing healthcare toour elders and beyond, and United Mythic Bank, taking care of financial aid and providing resources for our students of the Underground!”
I managed to slip away, catching a glimpse of Asha walking down with her sirens all dressed scantily with long colorful locs, bright makeup, and colorful scales decorated on their skin. I grabbed a quick picture before heading back onto the Grounds, and out of the way of the incoming students. I told Quan to meet me back in my room later tonight and as I made my way to study hall, I heard someone call my name.
“Ms. Lafayette, a moment if you will…”
I stopped, hearing the tone before turning around to see our dean, Dr. Joy Vaughn walking up in her skirt and pumps. A short pixie cut freshly curled, makeup bright and eyes sharp as the feline she is, she gently swayed her hips from side to side as she walked up to me with her council backing her from behind.
“How are you, Ms. Lafayette?” She asked with a bright smile.
“I’m fine.” I said, tone soft and southern belle with an extra layer of honey to it. “Yourself?”
“So precious,” she grinned. “I could be doing better, I’m afraid. So it’s been brought to my attention that last year, you had a run in with a professor who is currently being held for possibly being First Family. Were you aware of this?”
My face showed little to no expression when I shook my head. So they finally caught Professor Akeem…after years of hiding his true identity.
“I’m afraid not.”
“Really…” She let out. Her eyes began to look me over with a twitch of her nose. “I’m familiar with your family…Your fatherand his sisters…ran out of Louisiana and Mississippi to freeload in South Carolina…It’s amazing you were able to afford this school. I know how many times you applied and the amount of times you were rejected.”
“Rejected?” I asked, pretending to be shocked as my brows shot up. With my hand on my chest, I shook my head. “My daddy always told me; the school wasn’t ready for me. Never the other way around. I don’t see it as a rejection. I came when you were prepared for me.”
“Hmmm,” she sneered with a smirk. “Police will be talking with you soon–––”
“About what?”
The deep voice came from behind her. Smiling, I turned my attention towards Harvey when he walked up in his slacks, and white button down that hung hang loose from the waist. He looked up from his phone, pushed his glasses up his nose with a scrunch of his nostrils and stared down at Dr. Joy Vaughn who backed up.
“Excuse me?” She let out.
“What are the police questioning her for? Is she being detained? Is there a warrant or are you making baseless threats to scare your student into giving you petty information?”
“My my… You always seem to be around at the right moment and time,” she sang softly. “How are you Mister… Miller, is it?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Surely a dean of the largest school in the Underground isn’t bullying her students into talking to the police when I specifically read it was against the rules to speak out. Are you making an exception for Ms. Lafayette for personal reasons?”
Dr. Joy Vaughn smiled. With a sudden bow, she walked off in the opposite direction without another word. She didn’t likeHarvey, that much was obvious but furthermore, she didn’t like being called out on her shit.
“I could have handled myself, Harvey,” I said softly.
“I know you can, baby. Come on.”
Most buildings were closed or shut down for today’s festivities but as we made our way into the study hall, I couldn’t help but wonder what this was all about. What information did he discover this time? Harvey pushed open the double wooden doors as we stepped into the building that was filled with arched ceilings, stained glass, and shelves that broke up the study tables and layout. Harvey pulled back a chair that sat with a long wooden table and stretched and sat at least 10 seats on one side. Looking around, he sat down in front of me, pulled his chair close and reached inside his shirt.
“Don’t ask me how I got this…just ask me how I like my feet to be kissed,” he teased with a cocky tone. Harvey put a piece of folded up parchment paper on the table that looked more like a dirty napkin from 40 years ago. Slyly looking at him, I let my finger slowly drag it towards me.
“It’s an old family tree.”
I began to unfold the paper, feeling the soft buzz of energy and magic flowing through it before looking down at the names. It was the same oak tree that was planted right there on the Grounds but this time, there were names floating around different branches. It was the First Family… I could see Maggie’s name underneath her mother who was underneath Marvin.
