The tale of the shadow phoenixes

Chapter eleven.

Cole could hardly wait for the switcheroo to end. Not only did he want Arianna back but also his toes were hurting. It was clear that Tabitha had NOT been taught to dance. She continued to step on his toes with her heels. And the worst part? The worst part was that she didn’t realize she was stepping on them…or she just didn’t care. Finally, mercifully, the switcheroo ended and Cole caught Arianna.

The ball finally ended. Tom danced with Leah all night long(except for during the switcheroo). He walked her home, still holding hands all the way. Leah seemed like a very nice girl and she liked to talk with Tom. “Yeah, I find Sirens very strange. Do you think they are real?” Leah asked. Tom shrugged. “I wouldn’t doubt it, after all of dinosaurs are real why can’t Sirens be?”

Finally they came to Leah’s house. “Well.. goodnight Tom. I enjoyed our time together.” Leah said sweetly. Tom smiled. “Any time.” Tom replied.

Once Tom reached his house he quietly crept past his parents room and his Jenny’s room up to him and James’ room. He opened the door and closed it behind him. “You’re late.” James said. Tom looked up to see his brother lying on his belly in the top bunk reading. “And YOU are supposed to be studying. I already finished studying…mostly” Tom said smugly. James placed his bookmark carefully in the book, muttering something about “poor Aurora, she’s so lonely.”. “I am.” James said, pointing to his desk. Tom looked at the desk, where a shadow sat reading a book about magical fungi and plants. Tom sighed. “You know that you’re not supposed to use your power like that.”

James smirked. “Yeah, but nobody knows so…who’s gonna tell?” James asked. “Um… I know…so I guess…me.” Tom said. James frowned. “You’re such a tattletale Thomas and to think you’re gonna be a king.” Suddenly they heard footsteps in the hall, heading toward their room. Tom ran over to his bed and opened “magical creatures and where to find them”. James disappeared for a brief second and appeared right where his shadow used to be. Someone knocked on their door. *Knock,knock* “come in.” Tom called. The door opened and a young girl about ten years old stuck her head in. She had long dark red hair and brown eyes. “Mom asked me to make sure that you two were studying and were home from the ball.” Jenny said. “Okay, thanks Jenny.” James said. “Bye.” She said, beginning to shut the door. Then she stopped and ran in. She hugged her brothers goodnight. “Goodnight.” She said, the hurried out the door, closing it behind her. “We’d better head to bed.” Tom said. James nodded. “Okay, you don’t tell mom and dad about me using my power to study and I won’t tell them about you staying out past our curfew to hang out with Leah.” James said. Tom blushed but nodded. “Fine. Deal. James disappeared again and reappeared on his bunk. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

Hope y’all are enjoying! I’ll be working on the next chapter!

-SunnyFox57.