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Andra-Astrid Belibou, 30 years old, is participating in the 6th International Literary Creation Competition, from Constanța, Romania. We are grateful for the participation and wish her success.

Witchy the Teachy and the Mysterious First Day

The first day of school at Saturn Elementary was supposed to be lovely. Almost memorable, if not perfectly splendid. After all, the children of Class 3A, famously known as the Naschkatzen, were about to meet their brand-new teacher.
There were many secrets in the world. At least, there were many unknowns to the Naschkatzen. Like the secret ingredient in Lady Chef Biscottata’s famous blueberry-lemon muffins, or the actual day when she would serve pizza again. Other mysteries included where exactly the blue staircase led and why their last teacher had mysteriously left mid-term. Whispers blamed either the yoghurt incident, when her car had been mysteriously bathed in it, or Ed Mond’s legendary prank. But no one was allowed to mention that anymore. Now, the latest mystery was their new teacher.
“My mum says Principal Solana hand-picked someone special,” bragged Honor Rollins, puffing up his chest. “Because we’re special. We deserve the best.”
He sounded a bit too proud for someone who’d been in the principal’s office fifty-six times last year—about twice as many times as he’d won math awards.
“No!” yelled Poppy Giggler, hopping onto the bench. “My granny is friends with Lady Chef Biscottata, and she says our new teacher is a clown.”
“A CLOWN!?” the class echoed, half in horror, half in hope.
“But of course, my little horse!” she giggled. “Lady Chef always calls our class a circus!”
Lilly DeValley stepped forward with a graceful twirl, releasing a cloud of honeysuckle scent and dropping a few petals from her braids.
“I hope our new teacher is sweet and kind,” she said dreamily. “Someone who doesn’t yell… or make us run sixteen laps around the school.”
At the mention of laps, the class fell silent, remembering their former P.E. teacher, Mr. Victor Dioscuri. Yes, they had used every type of ball in the school—volleyballs, tennis balls, even golf balls—to chase away seagulls. And yes, they had repurposed the archery sets to “defend” themselves against Class 2B (now 3B) in the Great Snowball War. Technically, it was self-defense. But Mr. Dioscuri disagreed. His punishment for the Naschkatzen? Sixteen laps.
Some said it was Ed Mond’s prank—but no one was allowed to mention that anymore—that sealed Mr. Dioscuri’s fate. Parents weren’t thrilled. Especially not after Todd Broschi claimed to have been chased by a fox mid-lap. Also, Kikko Dash, the school’s fastest runner, came in last! A tragedy! And so, Mr. Dioscuri was politely removed. This, at least, was not a secret.
“Well, my mum says our new teacher is… an ogre,” muttered Sue Spect, adjusting her glasses as the class groaned. “What?” she said, shrugging. “Only an ogre could handle Ed Mond.”
Everyone but Ed laughed. If only he were allowed to play pranks again!
 “Class 3A! Back to your room!” The voice of Principal Solana floated over like a wind chime—though when addressing Class 3A, it often felt more like a cannon blast. 
“Principal Solana,” Sue said cautiously, “is it true we’ll be chained to our desks from now on?”
The tall woman closed her eyes and sighed. If anyone loved strange theories more than Sue, it was Sue’s mother, who had turned her conspiracy newspaper into a blog, then a vlog, and now apparently a podcast.
“This way, please,” said the principal, gesturing to the classroom door—a sturdy old thing that had survived two world wars and Ed Mond’s prank. But again… shh.
“Please, Principal Solana,” Lilly begged sweetly. “Can you tell us something about our new teacher? Anything?”
“Yes! Is it an ogre?” Sue pressed.
“Is it a clown?” Poppy asked hopefully.
“Is it a witch?” Ed snorted.
Principal Solana stopped walking. For a moment, the hallway fell silent. Ed froze, thinking he might’ve gone too far. But the principal didn’t look angry—just… puzzled. The truth was, she hadn’t actually met the new teacher herself. That, however, was a secret she planned to keep—just like Lady Chef Biscottata kept secret the special ingredient of her blueberry-lemon muffins and the actual day when they were all going to eat pizza at Saturn Elementary.
“Let’s go,” she said briskly, regaining her usual calm. “What will she think of you if you’re late to meet her?”
“Wait,” said Kikko Dash, frowning. “Why didn’t we wait in the classroom like normal?”
“She has a surprise for you,” Principal Solana replied.
Now, the Naschkatzen would have normally cheered at the word “surprise,” but they were cautious. Their last “surprise” had been a day-long trip to the Geology Museum, which ended up being... informative. And exhausting. And completely lacking in snacks.
Also, Ed played a prank afterward. You know which one. Still can’t talk about it.
“Here we are! Welcome!”
“Principal Solana,” Sue said, squinting. “What… is this?”
They expected confetti. Or maybe Lady Chef Biscottata’s pizza. Instead, they got… nothing.
“What’s what?” She looked at the perfectly normal classroom. The twenty wooden chairs were clean once again and so were the tables. Even the blackboard had a beautiful message written on it. Moreover, their new teacher was right by the window, looking outside. She must have seen them play in the backyard, maybe even heard them talk.
“This,” she said brightly, “is your classroom. Isn’t it... fresh? Now come right in! Hop-hop!”
Principal Solana pushed them gently, one by one, then closed the door behind them. 
“Is she punishing us for my prank?” Ed whispered to Sue.
“I don’t know,” Sue whispered back. “But if my mum finds out about this, the whole Saturn Cove will know by morning. An empty classroom for the Naschkatzen? Scandalous! Even tragic!”
And that was the truth, no matter how ridiculous it sounded. They couldn’t see anything. There were no desks. No chairs. No books. No posters. Not even windows. It looked like a blank hospital waiting room. Maybe it was a form of punishment for torturing their former teachers or maybe…
Suddenly, a shimmering mist swirled into the center of the room, sparkling like stardust. It began to take shape—forming into a woman. She was tall, with long black hair cascading down her back, striped stockings and gloves (definitely against school rules), and a purple pointy hat. Her sunglasses were star-shaped, her lipstick black, and her smile… mischievous.
“Hello!” she said, voice like caramel with a kick of peppermint. “Lovely to meet you.”
For the first time ever, the Naschkatzen were… silent.
She looked around. “Bit dull in here, don’t you think?”
From her hat, she pulled out a long, slightly crooked pen with a gleaming purple stone at the top.
“Let’s make it a little more... us.”
With one dramatic flick, the white room began to transform. Ottomans popped up, upholstered in fabrics from their old uniforms. Individual desks became mushroom-shaped tables for groups of four, while the windows now looked out onto a glittering underwater ocean scene.
“There,” she said with a wink. “Much better.”
The Naschkatzen stared in wonder.
Then Ed Mond finally spoke.
“See? I told you she’s a witch.”