Dear Santa Clause,
Yes, I'm fifteen and still writing, that's okay, isn't it Santa? I'm sixteen on January 15th though. Anyway, I hope everything's going alright up there at the North Pole. I'll leave some milk and cookies by the window in my dorm -- I hope you find them.

My Christmas List

[] Keep my brother safe. He's really the only family I have left. I don't know if I could bear it if I lost him too. Please watch over him.

[] To do well in this school. So far, not so good. I can't get these powers down. Practice makes perfect though, I guess. I have to keep trying.

[] A boyfriend. Haha, just kidding, Santa. Tell you the truth, I don't want a boy for Christmas. They're too much trouble.

I guess that's all I want. Two things - Not that big of a deal right? I'm not counting on anything expensive or extravagant. Justin and I haven't had things like that since mom and dad were alive. But that's okay, it really is. Christmas isn't about the gifts.

Love,
Lamora Miraca

[strikeouts = things she crossed out]

Dear Justin,

Optimus is going pretty well.  The classes are very difficult though. It's hard to catch up with all of these talented people. I'm piled with homework at the moment. I'll pull it off though, you'll see. I'll learn everything there is to learn. I haven't had much of a social life though. Too busy with academics.
Popularity? Not something I want. It draws too much unwanted attention to me. But I keep acting like a complete klutz, running into people all over the place. They don't seem to mind, but still.
Events? They had a Sports Day. I went for the last half hour, but I was reading my book most of the time. There was a Masquerade tonight. I showed up briefly to give Sparta a gift, but that's it. We did a Secret Santa type thing and he was the person I had to get a gift for. Good thing I knew what to get him. I hope he liked it, I left before seeing his reaction.
Friends? Not really. I've talked to a few people, but I don't know if they'd consider me friends.
Boys? I've met a few, but none I have a liking to yet. I had a small crush on James, but I think it was just for his looks, and I'm not that kind of girl. I want to like someone for who they really are. Relationships with guys have never been my strong point. I don't need them.
Anyway, it's beautiful here. It's unbelievable, really. I'll send you some pictures with this letter. The scenery is amazing.
How have you been? Is it awfully quiet without me around? I'm sorry. I miss you, you know. Maybe you should move in with Addison. Then you'll have someone to talk to.
Write back. Don't forget your baby sister just because she's not at home.

Love,
Lamora

Dollar signs doll up a picture perfect point of view...

Outside, the weather was harsh and frigid, a bitter wind whipping at anyone who encountered it. Children were hurrying inside to fetch a mug of hot chocolate and curl up next to a warm fire. All except one.
A young girl was outside the entrance of Optimus Academy, grinning up at the falling snow and spinning around in circles, opening her mouth so the small flakes would land on her tongue. Dizziness took over and she tumbled to the ground with a laugh, making a snow angel.
If you got a closer look, you would see the girl was around fifteen years of age, nearing sixteen. Her slender body made gentle touches, giving off an air of fragility. Smooth, flawless skin adorned her body, her cheeks flushed pink from the cold. Golden brown eyes sparkled with happiness, snowflakes sticking to her eyelashes. Delicate light pink lips were curled into a soft smile. She wore no make up, but was beautiful all the same. She was bundled up in a winter coat, scarf, and gloves, but the fabric in no way showed she was rich. She wasn't.

On January 2nd, fifteen years ago in a hospital in Greece, a baby girl was born. In the arms of her mother, Elizabeth Miraca, Elizabeth decided to name her Lamora Calice Miraca. (Lah-mor-rah Kah-lees Meer-rah-kah) Lamora meaning the love, Calice meaning flower, and Miraca meaning miracle. Elizabeth's husband, Joseph, was thrilled, spending time with his first daughter whenever he wasn't working. Elizabeth's son, Justin, seemed excited about Lamora as well. He had wanted a younger sister or brother to take care of and protect. Although Justin was only four at the time, he vowed that he wouldn't let anything happen to her. Justin was a werewolf though, even at a young age. He made sure that he wasn't around Lamora during a full moon; he didn't want to injure her in anyway. He knew his sister would be alright without him for a few days. She rarely cried, always seeming pleased and content.

Lamora grew, and when she was five years old, her mother died in a car accident. Her father worked overtime, leaving early in the morning and coming home late at night. Lamora never saw him as much as she used to and Justin took up the baby-sitter role, sticking close to his baby sister. By the time Justin was thirteen, he was definitely showing signs of magical powers. His father didn't have enough money to send him to an expensive private wizarding school, but he let him go to a local school that showed the basic properties of magic. Lamora was attending a private school too, but not one for magic.

When Lamora was twelve, her father had a heart attack. They got him to a hospital, but the doctors couldn't save him. He died as well. Justin took the responsibility of being Lamora's guardian. Although he was only sixteen, he dropped out of school, getting two jobs instead. Lamora worked on the weekends to help out, but their efforts weren't enough to keep her in private school and she got sent to public school. They also couldn't afford to continue Lamora's ballet lessons and Justin's jousting lessons, so they canceled those as well.

When Lamora was thirteen, she showed signs of magical powers. She could control water with the slightest touch, understand any language she heard even if she hadn't learned it before, heal injuries with a simple wave of her hand, and hover off of the ground. They still hadn't earned enough money to send her to a school of magic, but Justin promised that eventually he would send her to one.

Lamora could remember that day perfectly. She was bounding down the stairs two at a time. School had started a few weeks ago and she was a bit excited to see all her new teachers and make new friends. The beginning of the year and the end of the year were the best parts. Her brother stood in the kitchen with a knowing smirk on his face. "Morning 'Mora."
She smiled at him warmly. "Morning, Justin."
He decided to get to the point. "You know that school, Optimus? I heard they had an open spot."
"Oh?" She didn't want to get her hopes up. She knew they didn't have that kind of money.
He nodded. "I looked through our savings.. And we have enough to send one of us there."
Lamora's mouth dropped open, literally. "R-really? I mean, you should go, most of it's your money anyway and--"
"'Mora, shh. I'm nineteen. I don't need to go. You're young and you deserve to go, that's final."
She grinned, throwing her arms around her older brother. "Thank you!"
"You just better write me everyday." He grinned as well, hugging her back.

And now Lamora stood, smiling brightly at the large castle before her named Optimus Academy. Nothing could go wrong.
Except getting lost in a huge school, trying to learn magical things she had no clue about, or maybe the huge older kids who could break her in half like a toothpick? Everything could go wrong.

[Plot? Please?]