“Eli, I said I was sorry”
This voice, dripping with insincerity, filled the air as I stormed away. I couldn’t stand his words, and he struggled to keep pace with my hurried steps, catching up and grabbing my hand to stop me.
“Don’t apologize if you are going to keep repeating it! I told you I don’t like being touched that way but you keep doing it.” Please, just leave me alone... for now"
With as much self-control as I could muster, I implored, avoiding his gaze, my emotions simmering beneath the surface. It had already been an emotionally taxing day, and I couldn’t bear any more stress.
I found solace in my designated napping spot in the library, but a slim figure caught my eye as they moved among the bookshelves.
“Ariel, nap time I believe?“, the voice uttered before coming out from behind the shelves
“Max!”
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FEMALE DORMS
MAX AND ELISE’S ROOM, G5AB
*Alarm rings*
“Yes? You called?”
A dream? More like memories surfacing. This is good. Very good. Taking a moment to study her new appearance, Max hadn’t changed much, and it was hard to believe I had forgotten her. I observed her new appearance; her baby-face features had matured, but her glasses frame remained the same.
“Instead of staring at me, I propose you get prepared. Classes commence in an hour. I will not hold off for you.“, she said while putting her books in order
“I’m sorry for staring. I... never mind, I’ll go get ready.”
Quickly, I picked out the uniform and hurried to the direction of the bathroom, but before I stepped through the door, I turned to Max and added,
“Oh, by the way, don’t leave without me... Maxine”
Her eyes flickered with surprise before softening. Sharing a smirk between us, I headed into the bathroom, the door shutting behind me.
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FIELD, THE ACADEMY
Morning assembly, O, How I have not missed You! The very bane of my existence... Here goes nothing.
Walking towards the large field with students already on their lines shot anxiety through my veins. Elise of four years ago would have had no issue walking with confidence towards the crowd. But here I am after four years in a coma, walking closely behind Max, with sweaty palms and shaky legs, as we made our way to the line for Year 5.
“Your apprehension is reaching me. Stop it. Reflect on the fact that these are the people you have known for four years.”
Her voice, however monotonous, weirdly reduced my fears, even from behind the new book she was as always very engrossed in. She was still the Maxine who became my best friend since the first day of high school. However, her newly found vocabulary and phrasing of sentences would need a bit of getting used to. A high-pitched squeal broke the silence as everyone’s attention turned towards me.
“She’s here guys! Elise, over here!”
“Hannah, she was already making her way here.”
Suddenly, everyone’s attention is on me. I tucked my hair behind my ear, feeling increasingly awkward. Might as well exchange pleasantries.
“He..y”, I choked out with an awkward wave.
“Good morning The Academy”, echoed powerfully throughout the field, bringing all murmuring to a halt.
Sensei was standing up on the podium, hands folded behind his back, gentle but firm eyes grazing through the assemblage as he began addressing us,
“The Academy is a prestigious institution for raising total future leaders. Here, we shall instruct you on obedience, diligence, and harnessing your innate abilities; propelling you beyond your limits. This is to equip you to face the real world without fear and be readied for whatever may come your way.”
Stopping to take long, calculated strides across the podium, he continued his speech,
“Fail once, try harder. Don’t allow your failure to define you or halt your progress. Rather, see it as a stepping stone to accomplishing better. Efforts bring results. Whether little or large, it will continually make a difference. Have an optimistic day. You are dismissed.“, he finished off with a small smile and walked off the stage.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“That was short. Does this happen even in the morning?“, I inquired from Max, not minding the book between us.
A familiar bright voice from behind provided an answer to my question instead.
“No. This kind of gathering only happens on special days like the first day of school, the beginning of a test or exam week, or sometimes, for no reason. But I can assure you, it isn’t all the time”
I turned towards the speaker, locking eyes with bright brown orbs framed by brunette bangs.
“I heard you lost your memories temporarily?“, she cautiously asked.
“Well, I’m just finding it hard to recognize a few faces. I’m trying hard to get it back”, I answered with a sigh, “But I’m sure it’ll come right back .” Hopefully, very soon.
“Take your time. It won’t be easy because if you have noticed, our abilities altered some physical features.”
So, that’s why I look different.
“My name is Fancy by the way” while extending a hand towards me, which I took. “We should head to class now. Everyone is leaving the field.”
Fancy? Those darn bangs fooled me. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of abilities she possessed.
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CLASSROOM BUILDING 5
I realized that each year had its building as I stood in front of the one labelled “5.” We walked into the building, passing several doors with letters on them before stopping at a door marked with a golden “C.”
“The school divides each year into three classes. A for students with physically enhanced abilities, B for students with manipulation abilities, and C for students with dimensional abilities. Although, we have some general classes together.“, she explained while holding onto the door handle.
“What class would I be in?”
She thought for a moment, her pride evident as she answered,
“Class B. Since your ability is Ice manipulation, which is a manipulation power.“.
Gesturing to the door by the left with “B” on it,
“Here it is.”
*Bell chimes*
“I have to run along now. Bye”, she hurriedly waves, disappearing behind the doors.
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CLASS B
Summoning my courage, I opened the door to the brightly lit classroom. Desk chairs were arranged in neat rows and columns, and I tried to avoid the inquisitive gazes as I found a seat in the corner of the room.
The door of the classroom opens and an unforgettable high-pitched voice envelopes the room,
“Elise! I figured you would be in our class”, she chirped, making her way in my direction
Hannah!... I can’t hate you but I hate this attention. I suppressed an eye-roll at the sudden shift of attention.
“I need to introduce you to everyone! I am super excited. Our reunion will be finally complete! I have waited months for you to wake up—“, she gushed as she approached. She was interrupted by a dark-haired boy wrapping his arm around her waist.
“Oh! I’m rambling. I’m sorry”, a hint of pink appears on her cheeks, “I’m just a teeny-tiny bit excited. But, let me introduce you to everyone officially”
Gesturing to herself, “Obviously, you know my name already, Hannah. And this ghoul beside me is Senza.”
The boy clung to her, his expression showing his displeasure.
“Well, when you stop creeping up on people, I’ll quit calling you that then, babe”, she said while sweetly patting his arm.
Glancing across the room, she pointed towards a tall, slender boy who was working on some sort of device, “That’s Pelz”, then whispered loudly to me, “If you have any issue with electronics, he is your guy”
“Hannah, I can hear you loud and clear.” His lisp stressing on the word ‘clear’.
Giggling, she turned to the next person, who was already making her way toward us, her ginger-coloured pixie cut caught my eyes with every step,
“Elise, it’s me Bri. I have missed you so much”, as she cheerfully pulls me into a hug.
She introduced several more classmates, each with unique abilities until her attention was drawn to the banging of the door, pursued by the crackle of thunder snags everyone’s attention, as a red-haired tall girl marched into the room fuming. Every eye followed her as she angrily stepped to her seat and planted her head on the table.
“And that would be Sarah. She sometimes gets into a “mood” but she is a very nice person I promise”, Hannah whispered before turning to Bri for confirmation. “Right, Bri?”
Yeah right, I will try not to cross paths as much as possible. Scary...
Across the classroom, oblivious to all the drama going on, staring out the window as the wind blew white layered hair across his face, I felt a sense of deep connection to this person.
“That’s Trent. You guys used to be very close.”
Hannah caught me staring at the person who I now know as Trent. JAs she was about to speak further, a clear voice cut her off,
“Good morning class”
The teacher greeted them taking long strides into the classroom. Sophie, her headphones over her head, followed behind closely before heading to her seat. The class fell into order as the teacher turned to the board and wrote boldly,
LIMIT
Looking towards the class, he inquired, “Who can tell me what limits are?”
A few hands went up,
“Yes, Pelz.
“Limits are the boundaries of a person’s ability. This is based on the training level of the individual. Hence, Limits are temporary and can be broken.“, he stated clearly.
“That is correct. This class aims to discover your limits and work on breaking them together. It won’t be an easy task but with determination and training, you’ll excel. Now, one after the other, I want you to come up to the board and write your ability and limit.”
One after the other, everyone was called up to the board to write their limit. Snapping me out of my thoughts, I heard my name being called,
“Elise, it’s your turn”
Here goes nothing.
With shaky hands, I took the marker from him and wrote in my most legible handwriting,
Elise
Ice Ability
Limit: I haven’t used the ability yet
Giving the marker back, I made my way to my seat and finally, glanced up at the board,
Sophie: Mind reading (need to be close to read mind clearly)
Pelz: Technology (can control one device at a time)
Bri: Puppets (small puppets)
Hannah: PLANTS ( Just vines and flowers)
Senza: Art comes to life (Just small paper art)
Sarah: Weather (hard to control)
Trent: Fire (small balls of fire)
Jealousy coursed through me as I absorbed the impressive abilities of my classmates.
“Okay, I will send personal assignments to you all through your emails. Check through and do them properly. In the next class, we will be demonstrating our abilities. Class dismissed”
The teacher packed up and began heading out of the class, but not before singling me out,
“Elise, please see me in my office now.” And he left.
Like, share, and comment, or else, I’ll cancel all ships about to sail.
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