I stared down at the ground, blinking away the angry sting of tears as the limousine behind me pulled away. Gerald, my driver, was the last vestige of my old life I’d see for a long time.
With my suitcase in hand, I took a step forward, accepting that for at least two years, this would be my existence – nothing more, nothing less.
Ahead loomed Thorne Brooke Academy for the Gifted. The name was ironic, a gilded cage for troubled children. Parents dumped their problem cases here when they’d reached their breaking point, and I knew, with a sickening certainty, my mother had finally reached hers. She’d shipped me off as a last chance, or perhaps, a final punishment.
The school was immense, constructed from obsidian bricks, radiating an ancient, oppressive vibe. It wasn’t paradise, but it would have to do.
I inhaled deeply, savoring the moment of autonomy. Who knew when I’d have the freedom to breathe on my own terms again?
I walked through the iron gates and into the school through the massive double doors. The woman at the reception desk stared blankly ahead, chewing gum and idly twisting a phone cord around her finger. The awkward silence stretched, so I simply stood there, waiting for someone – *anything* – to happen.
“Miss Angeles?” A voice cut through the stillness. Relief flooded through me. I turned to see a woman who looked to be in her late thirties, with a severe blonde bob and piercing eyes.
She extended her hand. “Madam Lex, head of the academy. I’ll give you the tour today.”
I nodded, shaking her hand. We moved away from the bleak reception area towards a staircase. Madam Lex launched into a lecture about school morals, and I promptly tuned her out. The stairs led to a brightly lit hallway lined with doors on one side and windows on the other.
As we walked briskly along, Madam Lex spotted two girls passing each other and called out.
“Oh, Miss Jenner and Miss Williams!”
They both looked visibly annoyed to be singled out, but approached anyway. I noticed they kept a considerable distance from each other. Something felt…off.
Madam Lex patted my shoulder gently. “This is Santana Angeles, our newest student.”
One girl confidently offered her hand, and I took it. She gave me a tight smile. “I’m Athena.” She was petite and curvaceous, her long, curly black hair framing her face. She wore a sleek black dress that accentuated her figure. Her expression was blank, but I noticed a tattoo on her shoulder: ‘Snakes and bitches before ice and snitches’.
Athena’s voice was a serpentine whisper, laced with a subtle lisp. Her eyes were narrow slits that seemed to assess your worth with a cold, calculating gaze.
The other girl smiled brightly, revealing pearly white teeth. She wore a white top and grey jeggings, but they were a bit too big, making her look oddly disheveled. “Hey, I’m Jane Emily.”
I nodded and offered a small smile, wondering why they seemed so resentful of each other.
Madam Lex let them go after saying, “Put your uniform on Athena, lessons are starting soon.”
I watched silently as they walked away, then turned back to the head who had returned to strict tour guide mode.
“I’ll be showing you to your room. You are to put the uniform on and join your first period class. This is your schedule.” She handed me a printed sheet. “As I’m sure you know already, Miss Angeles… this isn’t an ordinary school. You have the privilege of having the Element of Fire as your gift, so we’ve coordinated your classes to suit your capabilities.”
Schedule: Santana Oriana Angeles
Breakfast First - English Language ~ Mrs Guerres Second - Defensive Combat ~ Mr Creed Third - Quiet Study w/ Miss Lacey Lunch Fourth - Element Edification ~ Ms Bates Fifth - Math ~ Mr Theo Sixth - History ~ Mr Jeffery Free Time Dinner
“Your schedule changes every two weeks, make sure you pick it up from the front desk or you won’t know what classes you have. Note that using your gift against any other student will not be tolerated, Miss Angeles. Is that clear?”
“As day,” I replied, finally speaking for the first time since meeting her. She smiled, a predatory flash of teeth, and stopped in front of a door. She handed me a key, my schedule, and a map of the school.
“This is your room. Room 712 North. Your roommate should be in there. Class starts in 45 minutes, don’t be late.” With that, she disappeared around the corner, leaving me standing alone.
I really don’t want to be here.
I sighed in frustration and opened the door. Immediately, I was greeted by the scent of vanilla. My roommate certainly smelled good, but the temperature was frigid. I concentrated, drawing on my gift to infuse the room with warmth, desperate to avoid pneumonia.
I noticed there was no one inside. They could have been in the en-suite bathroom, but judging by the silence, I was alone.
I shut the door and dropped my bag and other belongings on the side of the room that was unoccupied. I hauled my suitcase onto the stripped-down bed.
The other side was a chaotic explosion of personality. The bedsheets were crumpled, and a red lamp glowed on the bedside table despite the daylight.
Scattered everywhere – on the floor, the dresser, the desk, even the bed – were a collection of colorful sneakers.
I turned to the door, which was entirely covered by a mirror, the edges etched with writing in black marker. It looked intriguing, but I was too exhausted to bother reading it.
My side of the room felt sterile, a blank canvas. Normally, that would be exciting, but not when you’re being forced to personalize it.
On the dresser was the uniform, folded neatly, and the gym kit too. Grey jeggings and a white shirt, basic but practical, I guess. For gym, we had to wear a black shirt and black leggings or shorts. Thankfully, we could wear whatever shoes we wanted.
I had about 30 minutes left before class, so I decided to unpack. I put my clothes away in the dresser and wardrobe, arranging my shoes neatly on top of the dresser, unlike my roommate.
I changed the bedsheets to the grey ones I’d brought from home and stashed all my lighters in my bedside table. I filled the bottom drawer with snacks, just in case.
After about 15 minutes, I was done. I rushed to take a shower in the bathroom, adjusting the temperature as the water hit my skin. I thanked whatever deity had granted me my gift.
I slipped on the grey jeggings and white shirt, along with my AF1s. The jeggings fit perfectly. Five minutes before first period, a bell sounded, and I heard people walking and chatting in the halls. My schedule said English Language first, with Mrs. Guerres in the West block.
I looked in the mirror and sighed before opening the door and heading out.