“Shouldn’t you have dinner with your friends, at least?” Penelope asks. “To congratulate each other?”
My sister is the oldest of the three of us, and maybe that’s why she takes it upon herself to mother me so much. Our parents died a long time ago, so there’s no one else to really fill that role. I know she worries about me, but I don’t want her to. I’m fine.
I shrug lightly, glancing away as I shake my head. “I don’t really… no, I think they’re all busy.”
It’s a nicer way to put things than I don’t really have any friends.
I have people I’m friendly with, sure. I don’t have any enemies—at least, as far as I know. I just don’t have anyone I’m really close to. I’ve been so focused on schoolwork over the past three years that my social life has dwindled to basically nothing.
But if I say that out loud, it’ll make me sound sad and lonely. And I don’t want my siblings feeling sorry for me. There’s nothing wrong with my life. I’m perfectly happy.
“You should find some time to relax,” Max says, as if he’s somehow managed to read my thoughts. “Come up for air a little, you know? You’ve had a shitload of work on your plate these past three years, and—uh—Caleb, don’t repeat that!”
He raises his voice as he calls after his son, who must’ve been nearby and heard him swear. I chuckle, imagining my nephew’s devilish grin.
“You should come out to Boston!” Penelope says brightly. “The offer to stay at my place still stands. You can visit all of us. It’s only May, so you can get here before it’s miserable and humid, and you’ll beat most of the summer crowds. It would be so nice!”
Both Penelope and Max live in Boston, where we all grew up. Penelope’s got a nice apartment all to herself, and Max lives in a townhouse with Cassidy and the boys. It would be fun to visit, but I’m hoping I’ll have a job lined up soon.
“I might, thanks. It will depend on if I hear back from any of the places I applied to,” I tell them. “I—”
My words are interrupted as my phone dings. I glance at the notification at the top of the screen and see that I’ve got a new email from…
Oh, holy shit.
Max must notice the way my eyes widen, because he raises his brows. “What is it, Rae? Everything okay?”
It’s an email from IUM.
The Institute of Unpredictable Magic.
Holy crap.
IUM is still new and has only been around for a short time. It was funded and created right before I started my training at Griffin. But for such a young institution, it’s done a lot, and it’s been my dream to work there ever since my Unpredictable magic sparked. I applied to other places because it pays to be smart and hedge your bets. Pinning your hopes on just one job opening is pretty stupid. But I’ve been hoping…
Keeping the call with Max going but turning off the video, I open up the email, my fingers shaking. My eyes scan the screen as my heart lodges in my throat, making it hard to breathe.
Dear Ms. Parker,
It is our pleasure to inform you…
“Raelyn?” Penelope asks. Even without being able to see her, I can hear the curiosity in her voice. “You okay?”
“I got it.” My voice sounds muffled and far away, as if it’s coming from someone other than myself. Happiness and adrenaline flood my veins as my mouth drops open. “Holy shit! I got the job at IUM!”
My siblings both burst out into cheers, congratulating me. My heart feels like it’s going to pound right out of my chest.
Holy shit, I can’t believe it. I did it. I got in.
“I start in ten days. There’s an orientation period, and my first day will be May twenty-ninth,” I say breathlessly.
“Looks like you won’t be taking a break after all,” Max jokes, and I grin.
Yeah, maybe not, but it’ll be so worth it to be at my dream job.
Chapter 3
Penelope and Max fly out to see me walk at graduation the next week. Cassidy stays home with the boys, since at four and two years old, they’re a bit too young to really appreciate what’s happening, and flying with them would be a nightmare.
It’s a big deal, my siblings flying out to see me, since I’m on the west coast near Portland. It’s a long way from Boston, and I hope I make it clear how happy I am to see them and how much I appreciate it.
Everyone walks across the stage to get their diplomas and shake Dean Hardwick’s hand, and when it’s my turn, I can hear Max and Pen cheering loudly for me. Max films the entire thing, the nerd, and both of their faces glow with pride.
I know I shouldn’t be embarrassed by their obvious enthusiasm. This moment really is a big deal. Things have changed so much for Unpredictable magic users over the last few years. Once, we were distrusted and reviled by nearly the entire magical community. We were seen as freaks and outcasts, and some families were ashamed of having an Unpredictable sibling or child.
But that’s a lot less common now, as evidenced by the huge and enthusiastic crowd. The admins decided to hold the ceremony outside on the main quad instead of in the assembly hall to accommodate all the family members who wanted to cheer on the graduating students.
Dean Hardwick looks a little misty as he surveys the boisterous crowd. He was a champion for Unpredictables even when few people were willing to speak up for us, and I know it means a lot to him to see how much public opinion has turned.
There used to be limited options for Unpredictables. Going to Griffin wasn’t a guarantee of a better life or a good job. It was only a guarantee that you wouldn’t have to have your magic ripped away from you. Now I’ve actually got the chance to have an amazing career, and so do the people around me.
It’s pretty freaking incredible.
After the last student collects their diploma, Dean Hardwick gives a short speech, beaming out at the crowd as he speaks.
“It’s truly amazing what can be accomplished in so short a time,” Hardwick says, gripping the podium lightly with both hands. He’s a tall man, with salt and pepper hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and a fatherly demeanor. “In only three years, these young people have gone from struggling to control their magic to being in full command of it. Likewise, Unpredictables have gone from a frustrating struggle on the fringes to becoming a full and valued part of magical society.”
Everyone cheers, and I do too, excitement thrumming through me. Hardwick nods, letting the noise die out before he continues.
“It hasn’t been long since our community faced the most dangerous magical attack we’ve seen in years. And when that happened, it was Unpredictables who rose up and played a vital role in fending off the danger. In keeping the entire magical world safe.” He smiles, sweeping his gaze from side to side as he surveys all of us. “Elliot Sinclair, the woman who led that fight, was a student here just like all of you. She had struggles and successes here, just like all of you. And she used her magic to help and protect others, just as I hope all of you will. Let’s continue to show the world what Unpredictables are capable of.”
Another loud cheer goes up, and when Hardwick wraps up his speech, we all throw our caps in the air. Not long after that, the ceremony wraps up, and as the crowd begins to mingle and disperse, I find my brother and sister in the throng. They both give me huge hugs, and we snap some photos.