The Magician’s Writing Club

It was Dana who broke the silence.

You know, this is my first time camping.- she ventured. She glanced at Mia before quickly turning back to the coach window. 

Hmm? - Mia kept her tone deliberately neutral, her eyes fixed on her empty juice carton. From the seats behind them she could already hear giggling. After a few moments, when Dana seemed distracted, she turned to shoot her friends a quick smile. She felt a sense of relief as they waved back pulling funny faces. It was important for them to understand that she was only doing this because she had to do it. 

When Miss Brown had given her the task of keeping the new girl company during the school trip, Mia had reacted just as the teacher would have expected her to. 

I knew I could count on you, you're such a kind person! - exclaimed Miss Brown concluding their meeting.

Mia beamed back at her but the praise provided no consolation. It was her seemingly kind nature that got her into these situations. 

While she felt sympathy for Dana, she was also well aware of the implications of her assignment. Since her arrival at school a few weeks ago, Dana’s rank amongst her peers had already been firmly defined. On her first day she had walked in wearing an old-fashioned looking dress below knee length. Tom had asked if she was wearing her grandmother's clothes, to the classroom's delight. That day in the playground she had sat by herself reading a book. This became a regular occurrence. In P.E. she was always the last person to get picked. Last week Clara said she spotted a cockroach in her hair during assembly.

Mia knew that the cockroach story probably wasn't true. She also knew that the veracity of the incident didn't particularly matter. It was a consequence and not a cause of Dana's unfortunate fate.  

While setting up the tent Mia and Dana hadn't exchanged more words than strictly necessary. They finished as it was getting dark. Now, sitting side by side on their sleeping bags, the silence acquired an increasingly uncomfortable tinge. Mia sighed audibly and started unpacking random items from her backpack. 

I've read that one. It's one of my favourites. - Again, it was Dana who spoke first. She pointed at the book beside Mia. 

Oh, this one? - Mia asked stupidly.- I got it from the library yesterday. 

Without knowing what else to say she turned back to her backpack and fiddled with her torch. 

Have you brought anything to read? - she added after a while. 

Oh, yes. - replied Dana. She grabbed her bag and took out a worn out book with a spooky looking house on the cover. She handed it to Mia. - It's my brother's. Have you read it? 

Mia flipped through the pages.

No, not this one. I've read other books from this collection, though.

She actually loved the collection but having something in common with her new companion wasn't something she really wanted to admit publicly, given the circumstances.

You can borrow it after I've finished. - offered Dana.

Thanks, but don't worry, I can get it from the library. - said Mia returning the book. 

Dana put it back in her bag. 

Do you mind if I use my torch for a bit? Unless you wanted to sleep now. - she asked.

Sure, I'll read for a while anyway. - said Mia. 

Dana took out a notebook and switched on her torch. Mia switched on hers and settled down with her book. Now that they were each focused on their separate activities she felt more relaxed. But she couldn't really concentrate on reading. What was Dana writing? It didn't look like homework. 

Is that a diary? - she asked finally. 

Oh, no, it's an assignment. Not for school though, just for a writing club. - replied Dana waving her hand dismissively. 

Mia returned to her book but now she definitely couldn't read.

Is it the magician's writing club? - she blurted after a few moments.

Oh, you've heard of it?  - asked Dana looking up from her notebook. - I just joined last week. 

Mia had desperately wanted to join the magician's writing club ever since she first saw the poster at the local library over the summer. That same day as soon as she got home she started writing a story about a haunted forest inhabited by spirits. When it was finished she proudly shared it with her family, who loved it and encouraged her to submit the piece. However, when she tested the waters back at school, Camila had simply informed her that it was nerdy. That night at dinner Mia announced that she wanted to join the ballet club with the girls instead. When her mother asked if something had happened to make her change her mind, Mia ran up to her room and slammed the door. 

I think I've heard about it somewhere. Do you have to, like, write about wizards or something? - she asked.

No, you can write about anything, really. - replied Dana. -There's a competition on now. The best ones will be published in a magazine. 

Oh, cool. Good luck then. - said Mia. 

She switched off her torch and got into her sleeping bag, though she didn't fall asleep until hours later. 

The following morning Mia crept out of the tent very early. She was the first one to arrive at the breakfast area. Her friends showed up nearly an hour later, their hair up in identical plaits. They ran up to Mia in stitches and dived straight into a story about a horse they'd caught wandering around their tent. This was followed by a detailed analysis of the upcoming hike and a debate about whose footwear was more appropriate for the expected rain. 

So, anyway, how is your new friend, Mia? - asked Clara after it was unanimously agreed that her shoes were most definitely not appropriate for hiking in the mud. 

Oh, I wish I was in the tent with you guys. - said Mia trying to steer the conversation away from Dana. - We could tell ghost stories until midnight! 

Has she used your hairbrush? - interjected Camila causing the other girls to shriek with laughter. 

No way, I kept it under my pillow! - lied Mia. 

The girls giggled approvingly. That was close.

That's disgusting. - she added, asserting her position. 

From the corner of her eye she could see Dana approaching. She pretended not to notice as she sat by herself on an empty bench. 

Do you think she'll try to hang out with you during the hike? - asked Clara. 

Ugh. I hope not, she's tragic. I actually feel sorry for her. - declared Mia plaiting her hair.