Apinya sighed as she boarded the train. Casting one last glance over the station, she hoped in vain to see her little sister running along the platform, or her dad waving her off. But she knew they couldn't follow her here. And yet, she felt as if she didn't really care about them not being here as much as she should. The ache in her heart didn't yearn for them, but for her friends, Deiva and Millie and most of all, Bill. She could picture their faces so clearly, feel their arms around her. Even though she knew she could return for the holidays, they would never look at her the same way again. She was a witch now, learning magic.

The train gave a mighty blast of a whistle, and Apinya started looking through the carriages for somewhere quiet to sit and read. Finding a carriage with less people than the others, she settled down and pulled out her book. But today she found it impossible to concentrate on the words. Her mind kept going back to them. Every laugh she heard sounded like Bill, every wisp of cloud reminded her of Millie's blonde fluffy hair, and the bracelet that Deiva had given her tinkled on her wrist. Unfolding the note in her pocket, she read it again.

Dear Pin,
We'll all really miss you. We hope you'll have fun at private school. Please send us lots of pictures, and remember, we love will miss hope you'll love you.
Billy xx
Mill
Dei

She realised that tears were streaking her cheeks now. Seeing their wobbly handwriting, Dei and Billy obviously fighting for the pen, made her tear up once again.