During our free time, Thea went to hang out with Terran, while I decided to try and figure out how to curve-throw the sphere that Léam had given me. I set myself up in a corner where three ten-foot trees were available, and I made sure they were away from the other teenagers.
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1156766838844301352/1156767076116086814/throwing.png?ex=6542fdca&is=653088ca&hm=a347ca61126ef7942fae3334c50aae3d796868609a3978e340875e29e9f703bd&]
I ended up throwing the sphere ten times and I still couldn’t get it to curve. ‘What was I doing wrong, what am I missing?’ After thirty minutes I suddenly got the ball to curve a little, but I wasn’t sure if I imagined it because it only shifted a few inches. I tried to do it again by forcing myself to feel the same way when I released the sphere, but it didn’t happen again. I picked up the ball when I heard. ”Are you trying to curve it into that target?” I reflexively turned and noticed Terran sitting a few feet behind to the right of where I was throwing from.
“How long have you been there?” I asked while walking back to the location where I threw the sphere from.
“Six throws ago,” he said.
“And Thea?”
“She went to rest before classes started,”
“I see and have you taken an interest in me, or have you come to read me? Cause you’re worried of who is sleeping next to your sister?’ I say in a more defensive tone while having a smirk on my face.
“Ah-So you are not as naïve as you appeared to be... Let’s just say it’s both.” Answered Terran with a soft smile.
“So, what did you deduced?” I asked while visualizing the target behind the tree.
I took my stance. I lifted my leg and put my weight on my pivot foot. I then leaned forward and with as much speed as I could muster, I swung my arm to release the ball when I suddenly heard-
“That you suck at this”
-for a moment I lost my concentration and control of the sphere because of his stupid comment. My balance shifts a little and I lean just a tad more while my index finger as well as my middle finger slid on the outside of the sphere with a strong force messing up the release. Or so I thought, because when I looked up to see how my throw went. I was shocked to see that it curved, and it hit the tree in the back. I missed the target, but the sphere actually curved. ‘Yes! I finally made progress’ I thought. Then just as quickly I turned to face Terran while giving him an arrogant smirk.
“Don’t even start,” he said, “we both know that was a fluke.”
“It’s quite ugly of you Terran, to not recognize when you are wrong. Pride will get in the way of you learning from your mistakes.” I said while smirking and having my hand over my mouth to only show a bit of my smile. Knowing full well that Léam used those exact words on me. “I pity you.”
“Oh you are so cute,” He said. “Go on give it another go. I promise to apologize and recognize that I misjudge you if it curves. I will also help out with your chores tomorrow.”
“Why of course my prideful observer.” I say mockingly.
“Now, now, if you don’t succeed you will carry my books for me to class for two, no three days.” added Terran while readjusting himself to lay sideways. One arm bent to support his head with his hand.
In the end I was a bit relieved. ‘Progress’ I thought as I walked to class looking at Terran’s book.
.[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1156766838844301352/1158840465651671070/heli_holding_books.png?ex=65414e49&is=652ed949&hm=18b0455c4955ee7986050dd731bbaccb4186414c2cb635473f1900f6d84f2493&]
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
I now have an idea of what I need to practice. Once the twins and I reached the classroom I set the books on the table where Terran said he was assigned to sit. As I was making my way to sit next to Thea I got intercepted by Kimberly and the other three girls.
“Hi Heli, why were you carrying his books?” asked Kimberly while giving Terran the once over.
“Did you become his maid?” added Erica while giving me a taunting smile.
“Just a friendly wager between the dork and me. Let’s just say he got lucky,” I replied.
“I know you’re new here,” said Leslie “but hanging out with the-“
“We just came to remind you to meet up with us after classes are over.,” interrupted Kimberly. While extending her hand in front of Leslie stopping her statement. “We can… talk more after class.”
The classes ended after three hours. The teachers didn’t really allow many interruptions. It was mostly them showing examples while we took notes. The kind of class that just mentally tires you out. Not being allowed to interrupt meant we had to write our questions down and ask at the end. Which also meant you might fall behind when you take the time to write it. No one asked questions. It was clear to me that it was out of fear of being seen as someone who didn’t understand. The fear of feeling less. It was clear that the students had lost interest and just attended because it was demanded of them.
After these three hours I didn’t want to meet Kimberly and the girls, I was done. I just really wanted to unwind but they didn’t give me a chance. Before I even stepped out of class, they were upon me.
The girls guided me to Olivia’s and Kimberly’s room. The odd thing about their room was that it only showed one type of taste or style. It was mostly pink and purple decorations. It had bunk beds just like the ones I shared with Thea though everything was in a much better condition. They had four chairs, of which I assume two belong in this room while the other two probably belonged to Leslie’s and Erica’s. They also had posters of what I assume might be an idol or celebrities that they like. The only thing that stood out were the bed sheets on the bottom bed. They were pastel blue and pastel green pillows. Once everyone entered the room, they each grabbed a chair to sit in. Kimberly then signaled me to sit on the bed.
I was growing anxious in this environment that was new to me. Growing up I was a lonely child with no friends. The only children my age I hung out with were my relatives. I really did want to make a good impression with them, but something was bothering me about the way they acted. I tried to brush it off and ignore it, but the doubt was there. Like a thorn on my side constantly reminding me to read them as Léam had shown me. I didn’t want to though. I felt like I wouldn’t be giving them an honest chance if I did that.
“Heli where are you from?” asked Erica, prying me from my thoughts.
“Oh-um I am from a village named Sankther,” I replied almost regretting it instantly as soon as the words came out of my mouth. I’m not supposed to give out information that may lead anyone to know about my life in the past.
“Did your family die?” Asked Leslie “It’s rare to see anyone our age abandoned in an orphanage. Usually, it happens at a younger age.”
“I’m only here temporarily. A relative dropped me off. He is friends with Madam Doris,” I said while noticing all their confused expressions. When I glanced at Kimberly, I thought I saw her smirking, which caught me off guard but when I looked again, she had a stoic expression.
“I really like your fashion Heli, its rare to see something this nice in here amongst us rejects.” Said Kimberly
“Oh… thanks….” I replied awkwardly in a very low voice.
We continued to talk for two hours after that. I learned that Leslie and Erica were sisters and had been here the longest of us all. They were abandoned seven years ago, Kimberly six and Olivia five. They shared where they were from, but I didn’t recognize any of those towns or villages. It was all small talk as well as gossip about people I didn’t know. I awkwardly listened. I’ve always been uncomfortable with these conversations, but it seemed like that was something they really enjoyed. Perhaps it brought them some sort of relief to their frustrations.
As soon as I saw an opening, I decided to let them know that I was heading out. That’s when they touched the subject I didn’t want to talk about.
“Heli, its better if you hang out with us than those two.” Said Erica
“We wanted to do you a favor so you wouldn’t be marked as prey to bullying. You know for mingling too much with those elves,” added Leslie.
“I’ve already taken the liberty of asking Madam Doris if I can be your guide, so you would be more comfortable.” Said Kimberly while smiling.
“What gives you the right?” I asked trying to hold my growing irritation.
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1156766838844301352/1158840728559030313/heli_angy.png?ex=65414e87&is=652ed987&hm=933e39a1292ccf885602a3419c76622836f4354b59de44ac51ac8833551431eb&]
“By the looks of how things are with you, I think I’ll take my chances with them. Oh right, where are my manners? Thanks, for this shit you call hospitality.”