Kayla flicked on the desk lamp as the light from the library windows began to fade. She took a bite from her bagel and turned back to her textbook. Hopefully, she could finish the remaining exercises in the chapter before the staff forced her out of the building.
As she scribbled a solution, there was a scuff of shoes behind her. She looked around to see Gaella standing over her, grinning.
“Oh Kayla, you’re still working on logarithms?” she said with obviously false sweetness. “Rose finished that last week…”
Kayla narrowed her eyes. “Great. Good for her.”
She stared at Gaella until the girl’s smirk faded, and she turned to leave.
Kayla sighed heavily. If Rose was ahead of her, then she had to skip to the next chapter, though she probably had the section mastered. Anxious not to give the impression that she cared what Rose was doing, she made sure no-one was watching, then flicked a few pages further into the book.
Gaella might have been lying, but Kayla couldn’t take the risk. She and Rose were locked in a battle for first place. Since the night of the Academy dinner, word had gotten out that the graduate had approached Kayla directly. Rose had dropped her dancing and modelling engagements to focus on study, and she had closed the gap in their grades. Kayla was vaguely aware that half a million people around the galaxy were talking about nothing else on their feeds, but she would not let that distract her.
With only two invitations to the Academy available each year, she had to place as one of the top two students at the school. If she lost the first place slot, she might also lose the second one too, and everything she had worked for over the years. There were plenty of Rose’s friends who were working just as hard to knock her down so they could gloat over the failure of ‘the colony girl’.
The news feed from Zula that morning had mentioned another death. As she often did, Kayla had scanned the article and memorized the name of the victim. Most nights, before she went to sleep, she tried to remember all the names she had seen over the years. She had forgotten many of them, but it didn’t stop her from trying. It was a reminder that she didn’t have the right to fail.
Kayla had been so tired the last few days, but she kept working. She wanted to reach the Academy more than anything, but the system seemed grossly unfair. After all, she had been the one to meet Urtiga. She had survived a tragic attack, and the loss of her father. She had suffered so much pain, and worked so hard to succeed, when all the other students treated her like dirt. Didn’t that earn her the right to go? She was working to save the lives of the Calderan farmers. What did Rose, or any of her friends want beyond another trophy to show off? As much as she looked up to Urtiga, and now Masey, Kayla was angry at them for subjecting her to such pressure, when she didn’t even have any friends for support.
And if she failed, what would happen to her? How could she live in the Helvetic League’s society when they hated her as much as she hated them? Could she ever go back to the farms now that they saw her as an outsider? Kayla often had nightmares of a life in front of a computer screen, shuffling agricultural stock around a warehouse. The workers would call her a stuck up Helvet, while the managers smiled as they belittled her.
Gaella’s laughter drifted up from the lounge on a lower floor, followed by the sound of a male voice that made Kayla tense. Weslan Genny was in the library.
He was Rose’s long-term college boyfriend, and shared her blond-haired, blue-eyed, aristocratic good looks. Another darling of Rackeye society, and the child of a famous, award-winning biologist, he was widely accepted as the perfect beau for Rose. Their pictures and video clips often went viral on the feeds, showcasing the joyful pair and their ‘wholesome’ antics.
Kayla hated those posts. She wished she could dislike Weslan too, but—since he was socially oblivious—he was the only person who seemed to enjoy spending time with her. He was open and honest with everyone he met and always asked how she was getting on. But his visits to the school always annoyed Kayla, because they reminded her how lonely she felt.
Once she heard Gaella say goodbye, Kayla dropped her books and scampered downstairs. Weslan was reclining on a sofa with a mug of hot chocolate, a plate of cookies, and a scientific journal.
“No pontificating in the library, please,” she said as she approached.
Weslan looked up and grinned. Kayla sat beside him on the couch, and they exchanged pleasantries, though he didn’t offer her a cookie.
“I don’t understand you at all,” he said once they had caught up on recent events. “You work so hard, and yet you would jeopardize it all by doing something stupid, like climbing up the bell tower.”
Kayla attempted to ignore the charm of his puzzled expression. “They wouldn’t kick me out for that. Punishment, maybe, but that’s the point. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be as much fun.”
“It’s much more fun talking to people and building relationships,” Weslan countered.
Kayla sighed. “You know I don’t really have that option. You’re the only person who takes an interest in me.”
“Just put in a bit more effort. Don’t you think you’ll need good social skills once you get to the Academy?”
“Do you really think I’ll get in?”
“Of course you will. I know you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.” He laughed. “Or you’ll break something in the process.”
She failed to hide a smile. “Well, no-one else believes in me.”
“They don’t know how to talk to you. You have such odd quirks…”
“Well, I happen to think my quirks will help me in the Academy.” Kayla’s hands darted forward and snatched a cookie off Weslan’s plate. She snuggled back into her seat and smiled cheekily at him before biting into her prize.
Weslan rolled his eyes. “Charming behaviour. What makes you think the Academy will approve of you?”
Kayla stopped mid chew and shrugged. “I just do,” she said through her mouthful. “I met the graduate at the dinner. She was… sort of quirky.”
Weslan sighed and flicked a crumb off his cheek. “Yes, Rose mentioned that. Still, it’s not for us to judge the origins of greatness.”
“You really think like that don’t you?” Kayla swallowed the last bit as she studied him. Even when they were charming, Helvets were incomprehensible.
“Like what?”
“That some people are born to be noble, wise leaders who will change the world, and they automatically deserve your respect.”
“I think history proves it.”
Kayla rolled her eyes. “Historians can be very flattering.”
“So, what’s the Kayla viewpoint? Who do you respect?”
“I don’t know. Everybody is an idiot in their own way. I suppose I respect ability and character, but the two don’t always come together.”
He frowned. “I hope you don’t think of me as an idiot.”
“Of course you are. An idiot when it comes to women, anyway.”
“Oh, Kayla, why must you be so hurtful?” Weslan tutted.
“I’m not trying to offend you, and I’m not trying to say you’re a bad person. I’m only saying that for all your intelligence, you still do stupid things. Like chatting with me when Rose is your girlfriend.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“But she doesn’t really care about that. Okay, maybe she gets a bit stroppy when I talk to you, but it’s not such a big deal.”
“It’s kind of a big deal.”
He shrugged. “Well, she’s wrong then. I always believe that with the right attitude, you can get the best from everyone. Even you,” he said with a wink.
Kayla shook her head. “I guess I think that no matter how much you achieve, you’re always capable of doing something dumb. Greatness comes from having humility. You Helvets act like you couldn’t put a foot wrong if you tried.”
“Say what you like, Kayla. Some day you will be one of us.”
“What do you think you are doing?” a cold voice said from behind them.
Rose stood at the lounge entrance, her face twisted with fury.
Kayla pretended to slap Weslan in the face. “You pig!” she cried, “you told me you were through with her!” She swept her arms across her face in a dramatic pose. “Oh, how dreadfully I have been wronged.”
“Nobody thinks you’re funny,” Rose snapped, as Weslan hid a sudden cough.
“Maybe not—but I guess I’ll get over it,” Kayla said.
“Shouldn’t you be studying?” Rose said. “Instead of galivanting about,” she glared at Weslan, “with men beyond your station?”
He rolled his eyes. “You two and your silly rivalry,” he groaned. “I know you’re both nice people. You could get along if you tried.”
“I think we have too few legs for Kayla to get along with us,” Rose said.
“It’s true.” Kayla nodded. “Animals are better. For instance, you’d never catch a pig trying to pretend it can dance.”
Rose took a step forward.
Kayla sat up on the couch, hands gripping the edge, with a steady smirk on her lips.
Rose crossed her arms and returned the smirk. “You know, I told my new friend Ms. Masey Laukkanen all about you. She was very upset to hear that you are both a delinquent and a flirt—two qualities they do not accept in Academy graduates.”
“Um… no. She either laughed at you or ignored you,” Kayla said.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I understand her better than you.”
“Oh please, everybody knows she only spoke to you for a moment!”
“Yeah, and yet…” Kayla leaned back against the sofa, “You know, maybe Weslan is getting through to me, and maybe there is a tiny glimmer of decency stuck in your shoe, so I’m going to give you my genuine opinion.”
“How useful that will be,” Rose sneered.
Kayla raised an eyebrow. “This Academy thing is not for you. You don’t understand what it is all about—you are going to be disappointed.”
“Oh, I see,” Rose said. “So, just like that, I’m supposed to drop my application and leave you to be the star graduate?”
“Do what you want—I actually don’t care. Do I act like I’m desperate for that kind of attention? Nobody knows what happens to Academy graduates, Rose, they disappear from the public eye, remember? Sometimes they resurface for a speech and polite chitchat, then they’re never heard from again.”
For a moment, Rose looked uncertain.
“All I’m saying,” Kayla continued, “is that if you want to chase your dream of being some adored, over-achieving galaxy touring super-star, then you should probably go work for your dad’s company, or whatever.”
“What… what on Earth makes you think you know anything about those women?”
Kayla nodded sagely. “Good point—What could a dumb colonist know about anything outside of their farm?”
Weslan gave her a suspicious look. “Why do I get the impression you really do know more about the Academy than you’re letting on?”
“She doesn’t,” Rose snapped. “She’s playing mind games. And Kayla, how dare you suggest I’m only in it for the fame. Unlike you, I work hard every day because I want to make the world a better place. As, I’m certain, does the Academy.”
Kayla shook her head. She suspected Rose was lying, as Helvet’s always did about their motives. A quick glance at the daily feed on her phone told her what drove them. “So, the public image of your father’s corporation has nothing to do with it?”
Rose’s brow creased. “No, I don’t think it does. But why would you bring that up?”
“What would the Helvetic world think if Hieron Djallen’s daughter failed to get an invite to the toughest school in the galaxy? Come on Rose, you people are so transparent.”
Rose laughed. “Well, obviously it would reflect poorly on the Djallen name. But there’s a thousand other things I’ve failed to achieve. Besides, so many candidates fail to get through the infamous screening process—even intellectual superstars. I’m sure there would be disappointment, but everyone would move on. Really, Kayla, your two-dimensional critique of the League is getting tiresome.”
“I have to agree,” Weslan said with a frown. “It’s unfair of you to deny that Rose lives her own life.”
“Whatever.” She got up to return to her desk. “Keep your Helvet propaganda.”
Rose’s voice became sharp. “And of course, you still won’t share your real reason for wanting to go, will you?”
Kayla froze. Even after so many years, the implied accusation that she was a liar hurt, like a knife in the chest.
“I suppose by going,” Rose continued, “you think you can outrun the reputation you earned here?”
Kayla turned back to her with a look of hurt confusion. “Why did I even come to this school, according to you? Can’t you see how much I hate it?”
“Obviously it was your golden ticket to high society. I can’t imagine you’d have had much of a future on those farms—”
“Those people,” Kayla said angrily, “would do whatever it took to protect me. Just like I will do whatever it takes to protect them. And in this vicious, lying, hateful society, you will never ever know what that feels like.”
“Oh please.” Rose stabbed the air with a finger. “I can count among my peers some of the brightest minds in the galaxy.”
Most Helvets talked like they weren’t really listening, and Rose was the same. Kayla decided she’d had enough of her vacuous drivel, and wanted nothing more than to hurt the stupid girl as deeply as she could.
Her lips turned into a sneer. “But there’s that part of you that wonders how real their respect is. Maybe you’re wrong. Maybe, deep down, all they really want is to use you—”
“You’re a lying, impudent, arrogant girl!” Rose snapped. “You talk about community, and have the nerve to come here and act like our moral superior while you insult everyone.” She took a step forward. “You’re the transparent one. Everyone can see you’re here to prove to the colonists that Helvets are stuck up and evil.”
Kayla clenched her jaw while she maintained eye contact. “You know nothing.”
“Enough of this.” Rose held up a hand, palm outward. “I have better things to do than explore the warped imagination of a future career criminal. Weslan, don’t bother calling me until you’re ready to apologize.”
She turned on her heel and strode away as Weslan jumped up and chased after her.
Final exams came and went. Madame Lefevre posted the student’s scores on the school’s bulletin board, and Kayla was high on adrenaline as her eyes focused on the top of the list.
Her name was in second place. Rose had beaten her by only a few points, though Kayla’s grades were far ahead of her nearest challenger. With a sigh of relief, she collapsed on a bench to collect herself as she wiped away tears. When her hands stopped shaking and her mind cleared, she began to feel heat filling her cheeks.
Rose was first.
The thought of seeing her smug grin along with the looks from her adoring imitators was almost more than Kayla could bear. Even worse, she would have to suffer Rose’s presence on their trip to the Academy.
But when she thought about that, she became nearly giddy with excitement. She had made it. She would see Urtiga again, and finally discover the truth about who those women really were. And with Kayla’s help, they would destroy the monsters that were still killing her fellow colonists.
Later that day, the headmistress invited them both to her office for a meeting in which she congratulated the pair for their stellar performance.
“All I can say, Madam Lefevre,” Rose said, as she beamed with delight, “is that our success can only be due to the wonderful talent of our professors. Wouldn’t you agree, Kayla?”
Kayla glared daggers at Rose. “I think,” she said, almost struggling to speak, “that at least my individual effort might have had something to do with it.”
“Now ladies,” Madame Lefevre scolded. “You must remember that you are representing the school to those vaunted women of the Academy. I absolutely insist you put away this… this childish rivalry you have, and make sure to give a good account of yourselves. Is that clear?”
Rose’s already overdone smile blossomed into an expression that was too absurd to be real. Kayla nodded unenthusiastically.
“Yes, Madame,” she said.
“Excellent. Well, I trust you have your affairs in order for the weekend tour? Do try to take notes of what you see. Everyone we have sent there seems to forget the details.”
As she left the headmistress’ office, Kayla swatted away dark thoughts of confronting Rose in an empty alleyway. In the gardens she ran into Weslan, wandering aimlessly among the flowers. His eyes were red and watery.
“Hey… are you okay?” she asked.
“Rose ditched me, you know?” he said.
“Oh.” Kayla struggled to hide her reaction. She should be sympathetic and supportive for him. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“She said I was a distraction. She wants to be one hundred percent focused when she gets to the Academy.” His eyes narrowed as they focused on her. “That’s your fault, isn’t it?”
Kayla returned the expression with a look of confusion. “No, it’s her fault.”
Weslan scoffed. “You provoke her. Don’t act so innocent—everyone knows how much you want to humiliate her. Why else would you work so hard for something you’ll probably hate?”
Kayla wanted to yell, to tell him how wrong he was, and how much she hated all their assumptions. But how could she possibly explain, either to him or to Rose, what she had seen on the night of her father’s death—what she hoped was waiting for her? But he was obviously distraught by Rose’s actions, so she settled for a deep breath.
“I… can’t tell you,” she said. “But I didn’t ask her to compete with me—that’s all on her.”
He sniffed. “Well then, I hope the Academy is what you want it to be. You’ve obviously worked hard enough for it.”
Kayla decided to change the subject. “How’s your doctorate proposal looking? Everyone seems to be talking about it.”
“It’s going well, yes, the professors seem quite excited. It’s a study of the organizational networks controlled in insects by pheromone receptors.”
“That sounds pretty cool. I hope you get it,” Kayla said with an encouraging smile.
“Thanks, and good luck. You’ll stay in touch, won’t you?”
Kayla’s gut tightened. Why was she feeling anxious? She decided to ignore the sensation. Resistance in all things was to be overcome.
She smiled. “Yes, I’d like that.”