Free Alchemist Academy: Book 2 by Matt Ryan

at the small bag in my hand and felt the stone inside. I didn’t know if I could handle the nice Jackie for much longer. “Can we hold hands?”
    Jackie turned sideways. “I guess.” She reached for my hand and I pushed the stone out of the bag and into her palm. It dissolved and she took a step back, turning her hand over and looking at me. Her mouth contorted with anger and her nostrils flared. “I knew there was something funny going on. I can’t believe I wanted you to braid my hair.” She pulled her hair back and flung it behind her.
    “Are you saying you don’t want me to anymore?”
    “I’d rather wax Deegan’s belly than have your grubby hands on me.”
    I laughed. “We missed you for a moment there.”
    “That little bratty braided-haired girl gave you a stone, didn’t she?”
    “Yeah, and she also told us not to eat the food here. I think Kylie is who we’ve been looking for. She knows the system here. She warned us about the food and she has stones.”
    “Great. Now I owe her.” Jackie put her hands on her hips and looked pissed.
    A few people in the cafeteria looked at me as I surveyed the room. At first glance, they looked like any group of young people out in the regular world. Couples holding hands, groups of girls laughing together, boys huddled together and looking at the girls….
    There, was a difference though. Even in high school, there was an underlying sense of annoyance. Somebody had to be bothering someone. I searched their faces for the emo girl, or the loner guy, but came up short. Each person seemed to have a role and enjoyed it. Maybe Jackie was right and this was some kind of utopia.
    “You guys not hungry?” Lola asked.
    I turned to face the perfect blonde’s beaming smile. “We had a huge lunch right before we got here.”
    “Well, make sure you at least try something. Everything is of the best quality. We grow a lot of it right here, in our own garden. We make specific stones to help them grow fast and full of color and flavor. I doubt you’ll find any better in the whole world,” she said.
    “Thanks. Next time.” I smiled.
    Lola stood there smiling and I wondered if she needed to be told to leave. “We’re having a get-together after lunch, to talk about alchemy. I’d love it if you came.” She spent more time looking at Mark than at Jackie or me.
    “Yeah, we’d love to learn something about the curriculum here,” he said.
    Jackie and I both looked at him.
    “Great, I’ll see you guys near the bridge after lunch.” Lola spun around and moved toward the food stands.
    “If she keeps smiling like that, I’m going to smack the veneers right out of her mouth,” Jackie said. “And a good vomit stone would take some of the pep out of her.”
    “We are not hurting these people,” Mark said.
    “Oh, and thanks for signing us up for whatever lame class they have planned.”
    “We need to fit in as best we can. I think if they find out what we’re up to, they might kick us out of this place, and we’ll be no closer to finding Allie’s mom.”
    I actually didn’t mind going to a real class. For once I would love to learn about the stones, or the history of alchemy. “I’m looking forward to the class,” I said, hooking my arm through Mark’s.
     

 
     
     
     
    The water trickled down the stream and under the white bridge. Nearby, a section of white couches formed a half circle around a woman sitting in a white armchair. I selected the back row and plopped down, and Jackie took a seat next to me. Mark glanced at the small area left on the couch and sat in front of us.
    Lola walked over and sat next to Mark. I thought about asking her if she wanted to switch with me, or take any of the other many vacant couches.
    “I’m so glad you guys made it. This is one of my favorite classes.” She patted her knees and turned to face the woman in the armchair.
    “I see a few new faces today. I’m Wendy.” She stood from her armchair and showed her bright