It was raining outside. Weak September rays were bursting through dark clouds, promising a gloomy day. I picked one of the flying jets in the middle of the circle, which was available for anyone to use. It was light and easy to wear and didn’t need any fuel but used my body’s energy to power up. It sheltered me completely from the wind and rain, encasing me in a warm cocoon. I typed the name of my school, Waterside Valley High School, which was located in the southern part of town, about 10 miles from my house but a 5 mins journey on the flying jet.
I loved this part of my day, despite the rain which made visibility difficult. I wizzled through the air and passed familiar scenes of forests, lakes and gigantic greenhouse farms encased in glass dooms. The houses and other building structures were well concealed by trees, making them difficult to spot from any height. Pamela sometimes joined me halfway through, although her house was closer to the school, she enjoyed flying too much to walk. However, today there was no sign of her, which could only mean one thing. I was running late.
The school was so large that it couldn’t be concealed entirely by trees. Built from wood and glass, it was shaped like a round disk, with the classrooms branching off from various points of the circle. I landed in the clearing behind the school and parked the flying jet next to a tree where other machines had been abandoned. A few juniors were mingling around, seemingly in no hurry to get to their lessons. I breezed past the main entrance where a great swarm of juniors were huddled together whispering in excitement.
In the corridor, I spotted Pamela Burns and Charlotte Hoges by the lockers and breathed a sigh of relief.
“Morning girls,” I waved and entered the code to open my locker, which was right next to Pamela’s.
“There you are, what took you so long?” Pamela hugged me from behind, resting her head against my shoulders. We had been friends ever since kindergarten and knew everything about each other. Charlotte had joined us from third grade with her twin brother, Jeremy Hoges and together we formed a tight group of friends.
“I blame it on James . You know what, I’m going to get ear plugs the next time that boy speaks to me.”
“I’m sure he’s just trying to be helpful —” Charlotte said before I cut her off.
“Don’t you start. You have no idea how annoying he is.” I pulled my books from my locker and slammed the door. James had been a prefect as a senior at Waterside Valley High School before he left for college two years ago. All the students and teachers loved him and nobody dared to say a bad word against him. He knew how to charm everyone and say just the right thing in every situation, causing people to fall under his spell. I was convinced that half the female population at the time and Charlotte especially was in love with him, despite her frequent protests.
I pulled out my timetable and realised we had our first lesson with Mr Gildon in Plantology for 3 hours, followed by an 1hour break for lunch then world Literature for another 3 hours.
“Nevermind. You’re here now. Did anything interesting happen last night?” Pamela asked.
Pamela was always eager to hear stories of my endeavours during the night. The families who served as lightworkers in the town were well known at school. It was a status that everybody craved, including Pamela, who had been applying for years to the Adepts. I was usually glad to recount my tales to her and Charlotte but for some reason I felt reluctant to tell them about my encounter with Brendan.
“You know how it goes . . . but firstly tell me what’s happening here? Why are there a bunch of juniors whispering at the entrance?”
“Haven't you heard? A new kid moved into town last week and he’s starting today. Apparently he's smoking hot and he’s a senior. They’re all hoping to catch a glimpse of him.”
“What? A glimpse? That’s ridiculous.” I pinched the bridge of my nose and blew out a long breath.
From a young age, every child at Waterside Valley was matched based on their horoscope, with a child of the opposite sex. Although the children were usually unaware of the match until 18 years of age. Charlotte was devastated when she discovered James had been paired with a girl from Italy, but she still had her sights on him.
Everyone above 18 years was due to find out their partner’s identity in December, when the occasion would be celebrated with a banqueting ball. For months I’d begged my parents to tell me who it was but their lips remained sealed. I often looked at my circle of friends and wondered who it could be. No obvious candidates came to mind and I didn’t feel attracted to anyone.
“I know. It doesn’t make any sense. I’ve never seen them behave like this, not even when James was around,” said Pamela.
“It’s because he’s new. Whoever this guy is, I hope he lives up to the hype,” said Charlotte.
“He probably wouldn’t, unless he’s not human,” said Pamela.
I chuckled and shook my head. “What are you on about? You’ve never seen other beings before. You don’t know what they look like.”
Pamela shrugged and twisted the lock to seal her locker. She pressed her lips together in a firm line and I knew I’d hit a nerve.The fact she hadn’t yet developed the clairvoyance to see into the astral plane was a sore topic of conversation.
“I’ve got a fairly good idea from your descriptions. You’ve told me several times that angels look just like humans but are more beautiful with perfectly symmetrical features,” said Pamela.
“Eerr. . . yes I did say that and it’s true. The loveliness of the angels can’t be compared with anything on earth. It’s beyond description.”
I linked arms with Pamela and Charlotte and pulled them towards our first lesson, which was Plantology. The classroom was joined with the greenhouse at the end of the long corridor.
“You shouldn’t worry so much Pamela. I know one day you’ll be able to see the angels and all the other beings in the inner realms.”
“Yeah, when I’m dead,” Pamela said.
“Hey don’t say that. You never know, it could happen any time. Just keep practising.”
“I’m trying!”
“I hope you’re not about to give up.”
“I’m not, but it’s hard to keep going when you don’t see any progress.”
“Same. I’m not giving up but I want to,” said Charlotte.
“Anyway we’re here now. Mr Gildon’s already inside,” I said.
I pushed the door open to the plantology classroom and found the entire class were already seated, including Charlotte’s brother, Jemery Hoges. I settled at the back with Charlotte and Pamela in our usual seats, flashing a quick apologetic smile at Mr Gildon.
“No need to be sorry yet Rebekca. We’re still waiting for one last student,” said Mr Gildon.
I raised an eyebrow and caught eyes with Pamela, wondering who the last student could be. A quick scan around the room confirmed that everyone was present but I noticed an extra desk and chair had been squeezed in the middle of the front row.
I didn’t have to wait long for the mysterious student because a handsome boy strolled into the classroom, swaying as if he owned the place. I recognised him straight away from the dark nest of curly hair on his head. Brendan was even more striking in the flesh than last night when blood covered half his face. He was tall and wore confidence like a second skin, with a straight nose, high cheekbones and bright piercing turquoise/bluish/greenish eyes. He had a natural tint to his skin tone which gave away his mixed raced heritage. The overall effect was mesmerising, giving him an otherworldly look almost like an angel but not quite as perfect. Of course it made sense that he was the new student, I kicked myself for not making the connection earlier. I understood why most of the juniors were excitedly whispering about him earlier. He looked like a fallen angel. I wondered if he would remember me and the accident from last night.
I felt a kick under the table and winced in pain. It was Pamela trying to grab my attention.
“What?” I hissed
“It’s him! He’s the new kid.”
“I figured that out already.”
“Rebekca Frost and Pamela Burns, I can hear you whispering,” said Mr Gildon.
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“Sorry Sir,” I offered another apologetic smile and made a mental reminder to myself that Mr Gildon had clairaudience as well as being clairvoyant. He could hear the inaudible and so you had to be very careful in his lesson.
Brendan directed his mesmerising turquoise gaze in my direction. His eyes held no trace of recognition and I knew immediately he didn’t remember me from last night. His gaze sent a warm tingle down my spine and I suddenly became self conscious of my body. I had never experienced anything like this before and I couldn’t stand it.
“Ah, you must be Brendan Dolton. Good to meet you. Please take a seat here.” Mr. Gildon pointed at the empty seat in the front row.
Brendan took a leisurely stroll to his desk, taking time to remove his bag and settle into the chair. A quick glance around the room confirmed the entire class was enthralled by him, staring unashamedly.
“Sorry I’m late Mr. Gildon. I got lost,” Brendan said. His voice was deep, lazy and sexy at the same time.
“That’s understandable, this is afterall your first day here. In fact your first lesson I believe. Do set out early for your lessons to give yourself plenty of time to find everything.”
Mr. Gildon picked up a chalk and began to make notes on the board, including a complicated diagram of a flower and its etheric counterpart.
“Today, we’ll be revising the inner structure of a plant. This is one of the topics which may come up in your exams. I’m afraid you might be slightly behind Brendan. You’ll need extra tutoring to prepare you for the exames.”
“I’ll catch up, Sir.” Brendan made the statement with such easy assurance, leaving no doubt that he’ll do exactly as he’d said.
“That’s the spirit. You’ll go very far with that attitude. I’m expecting everyone in this class to pass their exams, both practical and theory.”
I copied Mr. Gildon’s notes on my note pad whilst watching Brendan’s every move from the back of the class. I simply couldn’t take my eyes off him even if I wanted to and I certainly didn’t want to.
Suddenly, Pamela flicked a carefully folded note to my desk.
“He’s so handsome. Do you think he’s real? I hope he’s unmatched.”
“Miss Rebekca, would you care to share your note with the class? It appears you find it more interesting than my notes about plant structure.” Mr Gidon’s bemused tone suggested he knew what the note was about.
I shook my head and quickly rolled the note into a tiny ball.
“Err, I wouldn't throw that paper away if I were you, Miss Rebekca. You’re far too sensible and you know the consequences. Just stand on your feet and read it out loud.” Mr Gidon smirked and I knew he was having fun at my expense.
My heart sank to my stomach as every eye centred on me. I would embarrass Pamela if I read the note out loud, but refusing to do so meant disobeying a teacher, the consequence of which I couldn't even think about. I could lose my position as a lightworker if my parents were called to the school. I unfolded the note and swallowed a big lump in my throat.
“He’s so handsome. Do you think he’s real? I hope he’s unmatched.”
“Louder. I heard you but I doubt anyone else did,” said Mr Gidon.
“Ahem. . .” My stomach acid churned and sweat gathered under my armpits.
“Nevermind, I’ll do it.”
Mr Gildon marched to the back of the class and took the note from my hands.
“Now let's see what this says.” Mr Gildon made a big show of unfolding the paper. I saw some people leaning forward in their desks, eager to listen.
“He’s so handsome. Do you think he’s real? I hope he’s unmatched,” Mr Gildon read.
I felt so humiliated that I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me whole. The class were in stitches, laughing as if they'd never heard anything so funny. Miles Garraway and Robin Vasquez in particular, the two class clowns, pointed and slapped their hands on the table as they laughed. A quick glance at Pamela confirmed she was on the verge of tears. I felt like crying right along with her.
“I presume you’re referring to our new student here. I wonder what both of your parents will make of this? I don’t think they’ll be too pleased, do you?”
“Sir, please no. Pamela was just joking,” I said.
This caused another round of laughter to begin and I wished I’d kept my mouth shut. Brendan wasn’t laughing. He sat at the front facing the board with a straight face, making it difficult to read him.
Tina Reese, Rosalind Henry and Victoria Barnes, friends I’d known since 1st grade, were laughing so hard I was sure they would fall off their seats.
“I’m not sure I can do that Miss Rebecka. You’re asking me to lie by omission. I have to include this in the daily report which goes out to your parents.”
“You’ll not be lying, Sir. Surely this isn’t important enough for their attention, it’s just a joke between friends,” I said.
“A joke you say? Well I don’t see it that way. Lasciviousness is forbidden.”
“Wow, hold on a minute. This isn’t lasciv — Ouch!” I felt a kick under the table.
Pamela shot daggers with her eyes. I knew that look, it meant I should stop talking. The entire class was staring at me as if I’d grown a pair of horns. I realised too late, I’d spoken too much.
Mr Gildon made a show of locking the note in the draw under his table.
“Nothing else to say then Miss Rebekca?”
I shook my head and picked a spot just above his eyes to stare.
“Excellent, sit down. Class, copy the notes on the board. When you finish, pick a pair of gloves and come to the greenhouse. We’re going to see how the plant takes up water and nutrients from the soil and absorbs it through its etheric counterpart. Also how the fairies, working through the light ether, are able to deposit the beautiful colours we see in the flowers. By the end of this semester, you should have a practical understanding of how the plants' etheric and physical vehicles work together to produce a successful plant life.”
An audible ‘whee’ and ‘yes’ went through the class. I would’ve been excited about seeing the inner workings of a plant but I wasn’t in the mood. I just wanted the lesson to end. I wanted to run, hide and lick my wounds in private.
Pamela’s nose was buried in her notepad as she copied the writings on the board. Meanwhile Charlotte shrugged and flashed an embarrassed smile at me before averting her gaze. By the time I finished writing, most of the class had followed Mr Gildon to the greenhouse which was linked to the classroom by a door behind Mr Gildon’s desk. I waited for Charlotte and Pamela to finish writing before choosing a pair of gloves.
“I’ll meet you girls back here then.”
“Sure!” Charlotte replied. Pamela ignored me, focused on the task of wearing her gloves.
The greenhouse was huge and you could easily get lost in there, which I’d experienced on a few occasions. There were probably more species of plants in the greenhouse than the entire student population of Waterside High. It was huge. Everyone was assigned an area to work and with familiar steps, I found my allocated unit towards the back of the greenhouse. Pamela was at the front alongside Charlotte’s unit. The entire class was dispersed through the room and I couldn’t see Mr Gildon’s head above the plants.
Each unit had a table separated from the others by glass panels. In my unit was a collection of 11 plants that I had cultivated in previous lessons. Each was encased in a separate cabinet with its own temperature and humidity conditions. I taped the screen in the middle of the table to see the instructions for what I was supposed to do when I saw Mr. Gildon approaching with Brendan. They stopped at the table next to my unit.
“Looks like this is one of the few tables left Brendan,” Mr. Gildon said. “Just tap that computer screen. The first time you use it, it’ll ask you to set up your boimetrics. After you do that, it should show you exactly what to do. All the pots, soil and equipment are stored under the table. Press that red buzzer if you need any help. Any questions?”
Brendan shook his head.
“None? Excellent. Alright have fun,” said Mr Gildon.
I tried to focus on the instructions on my own screen but couldn’t concentrate with Brendan standing so close. I was hyper aware of his every move and was surprised by the speed in which he worked. In no time at all, he potted a sprouting sunflower seed in fresh soil and began to carefully examine it with glasses, especially designed for those without clairvoyant sight. They were a bright violet colour, popularly known as X-glasses. Their use was severely restricted with various laws about when one could and couldn’t use them.
Suddenly, Brendan spoke without looking in my direction. “Are you going to stare at me for the entire lesson?” He was studying the plant carefully through the X-glasses and recording his observations on the computer.
I wondered if he’d actually spoken to me but there was nobody else close by. I asked myself how he knew I was staring at him as either of us were looking in the other’s direction.
“Are you talking to me because I wasn’t staring at you?”
“Hmmm. . . a light worker who is also a liar. A strange combination.”
“So you remember me from last night?”
“Err not exactly but I figured it was you. After all, it's not like there are many lightworkers around.” Brendan removed the X-glasses and directed the full force of his turquoise gaze at me. I sucked in a lungful of air to catch my breath. He was even more striking up close and I felt tongue tied for the first time ever.
“I don’t like what you’re insinuating. I’m not a liar. I wasn’t staring at you. I’m aware of your presence and I have a natural curiosity, just like everyone else.”
“In other words you’re nosy!”
“How dare you?” I stared gobsmacked at his audacity.
“I could feel your eyes glued to my back in the classroom and even now you continue to stare. Didn’t your parents teach you that it’s rude to stare at people, no matter how beautiful you think they are?”
“Whoa, stop right there. I didn’t say you were beautiful. You’re a bit full of yourself aren’t you?”
“I’m simply stating a fact. You think I’m beautiful. There’s a note underneath Mr. Gildon’s desk to prove it. I’m not the one who said ‘He’s so handsome. Do you think he’s real? I hope he’s unmatched?”
“I didn’t write it. My friend did. I was trying to protect her.”
“Ah I see, so you don’t think I’m beautiful? If you insist on denying it then you prove my point of being dishonest.”
“Fine. If my opinion is that important to you then sure, I think you’re handsome. But inner beauty is more important than whatever you’ve got going on the outside.”
“Sure, whatever.” Brendan replaced the X-glasses over his eyes and turned back to the plant, effectively dismissing the conversation. However, being the chatterbox that I was, I wasn’t done with the conversation.