1.01

The tree I sat under felt distant today.

Well, not distant in actuality - a tree, for obvious reasons, can not get up and move - but it felt… off. Almost sad.

I looked up to the branches of the tree. Normally this type of tree, a golden curls willow to be precise, do not grow this big, however this one was different. Special. This tree was easily as tall as a redwood, if not more large. The trunk of the tree was the size of a car, maybe even as big as a compact SUV. Who knows though, I was not about to start measuring.

I loved this tree, more than anything. This tree sat - or rather stood - on the top of a small hill surrounded by very well maintained grass. The faculty of the school as well as some students really did enjoy the outdoors (we do not get much in this overcrowded city), so they keep the surrounding area of the tree very well maintained.

“Ahh” I think to myself. Maybe the tree does not feel sad, but rather I do. The reminder of needing to finish the school day stirs my stomach into a frenzy.

Not because the school is bad! I love school. Like, I really really love school. I somehow managed to get accepted to this wondrous school even though I did not meet the age requirement. They say I’m smart, but I’m really just a try-hard. I love to read, and I pretty much lucked into getting here.

But yes, this school, the Atlantic Canada University of the Gifted, is based in obviously Eastern Canada. One of the two other military schools in the country, this university usually accepts students going into medicine, the army, or some other form of government. I say usually here, because sometimes rats get in with their mommy's and daddy’s money.

And yes, I mean rats literally.

Ok, not literally, but that’s what those people are.

I call these people rats because they are pure evil. Messed up bullies that wish to pick on the weak. These nasty people hate me and spite me.

This school is the forefront of technology innovation in the world. Yes, the entire world. To get into this school means that one is set for life and will change the face of the Earth - not that I really care about that. The technology being researched and created at this school is on a totally different scale that one could not possibly even begin imagine.

The purpose of this school was to prevent a tragedy like WW3 from happening again. Or rather, if it were to happen, the alumni from this school would be able to stop it.

Do you think a war could happen if people had access to materials that were previously not even known? Or what if underdeveloped countries had access to an *almost* infinite energy source? What if with a scan of the body from an iPhone someone could accurately asses what is wrong with someone? At that point would there even be need for wars?

That’s what this school not only wishes to answer, but do. Prevent wars from happening. This is why I am here. Not to stop wars of course, I could never do that. I wish to foster peace, and to heal people. I want to be the best doctor in the world, and at this school is where I can become that.

Oh yes, back to the topic at hand, why am I hated? Well, to simply put it, everyone is jealous of me.

Pfft, if only that were true.

Truth is, I’m fifteen. Almost 16! My birthday is in a month. But yeah, I’m fifteen, and this school does not accept people until after high school, which is normally 18. But I guess I’m pretty smart, I lucked into an early admission.

But because of my age, I am tormented. People loathe me for being “gifted.”

No, it’s not the worse in the world, but it is bad. Im kicked down stairs, drinks are poured upon me, and I’m called really mean things, like ugly, and freak, and whatnot.

Not that those words hurt me. Those words could never hurt me. Only one does. And it’s the truth.

It hurts when they call me fat.

I’m really not that fat. I’m 164cm (so for Americans that’s 5”5), and weigh 81 kilograms (180lbs). Im right on the cusp of obesity. For a guy, I really don’t look that big, however I’m really good at hiding my weight.

Well, I guess if people are calling me fatty, I’m not that good at hiding it.

I constantly wear a coat. With a hood of course, what is the point of coats without a hood. What if it were to rain? Or what if you need to hide from people? Stupid design flaw.

But yes, even in the blazing summer heat, I wear a coat. My body has not seen the sunlight - other than my face and hands - for the better part of 6 years. Basically, I should be taking vitamin C supplements, but who has time for that?

Back to my tormenters - they are relentless. Every moment a faculty member is not near me, they hound me with insults and threats. Most of the time I try to stick by teachers, but even lately when I do stay near staff, they get quick jabs in, most of the time targeting my man boobs.

And what do I do to prevent all this from happening? Do I fight back and finally stand up for myself, to prove my worth and show these foolish people that I am someone that should not be messed with? Of course not, there’s only one thing I do, and that’s cry.

I cry a lot.

I’m not strong or fast at all. I could never play sports or do anything athletic. I think runners are really cool, with the speeds they can go, but I could never even dream to be able to run fast (gosh, I can’t even run slow, I run slower than slow. Is there a word for that?). And remember what I said? This being a top notched school AND a military school? Yeah, that bottles down to meaning one thing: the people here are practically olympians.

So I cry.

But that’s life, somethings are meant to be tough. A cool quote I saw on Instagram said that “if there are enemies and obstacles in the way, then you are going down the right path.” But now that Im really thinking about it, villain's have many enemies, so like, how would that work?

I look down to my Apple Watch and sigh as the alarm vibrates on my wrist. Great, skytrain time. With school being over, I stop the alarm and start to gather my belongings. I really only ever carry a few things.

One, which I mentioned, is my watch. I call it an apple watch but really its much more. While the body and software are mostly apple-made, the schools tech department had a huge influence on making these. Remember when I said this school is the forefront of technology? Yeah, I meant it. The screen of these watches can pop out and turn into miniature flying drones that make zero sound when flying. They don’t do much, but they are perfect for one thing: reconnaissance.

And by reconnaissance, I mean scoping out hallways and paths from bullies.

Another feature of the watch is the AirPods that are under the drone-screen. Just remove the screen and voila - music at your fingertips.

Of course, I always have my phone with me too. The iPhone 2108 (yes, Apple finally did away with their weird naming scheme after it became too complicated and just decided to name the model based of the year it was created). My phone is pretty generic to be honest, however it does have a taser feature. You might think that that’s special but really, most people have them nowadays. At least where I grow up that is. I would love to use it on my attackers, however I would also like to keep my seat in this school, so I have decided against it… for now.

Lastly I have my backpack with me. It is filled with only one thing. Food. Not healthy food, but food that would probably make a pig vomit. My pack is filled with chocolate and milk. Specifically chocolate milk. I know, weird combo. But, white milk is for wimps. And of course, this is all stolen as I could never afford this. I take it from the school staff room. The drone is really helpful to figure out when staff are not around.

Oh right, I forgot to mention. The bullies don’t just hate me because I’m fat, they also hate me because Im poor. Can’t believe I almost forgot that.

I don’t have parents. Not that I lost them when I was a kid or anything (well, I guess I did, but I don’t remember them so don’t feel bad). My mother died during childbirth, and no one from my family has ever met my dad. So I grew up with my aunt and uncle my whole life.

My aunt and uncle are poor because of one thing: they have a million children. 8 to be precise (not including me). Religion isn’t really practiced by anyone anymore, so why have this many kids? Who knows.

But yes, due to my Aunt and Uncle’s rabbit like habits, they are not really well off. My uncle works at a middle class blue collar job, but due to the unnecessarily large amount of children they have had, my aunt can’t work, and has to tend to the home.

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But, here’s the kicker: I don’t live with them anymore! I shouldn’t be happy about that. They’re great people, and I would die if something were to happen to them, but I got no personal space when I was living with them. From 3 min maximum showers, to sharing a room between 3 people, you never get to just… breath. However because I was enrolled into this school, I got an off-campus apartment.

The cool thing about this school is that it simulates real life. If you do good work you get a good pay. The school pays you on success. Success obviously doesn’t only come from academics - it can also come from sports, volunteer work, etc - but academics is the most heavily weighted. And, I did say I’m a fifteen year old going to the best university in the world. Basically, I’m really smart.

Well no, I’m not. I have a secret I have never disclosed. I cheat. I have cheated my whole way through life, and thankfully have never been caught.

I - thankfully - have the special ability to remember anything that I see or hear. Couple that with my adoration of books and media, and bam. Super genius.

Again, no, not a super genius, but academically I’m gifted. Ask me to make toast? You will see a knew definition of the word stupid.

I walk down the hill and look back at the tree once more. Hmm, I think, it really does look sad.

I turn back as I tap the crown on my watch twice, and the magic starts to happen. The drone, named Izzy by me, comes to life. And of course, the controller appears in my hand.

It it not a physical controller. You can only fit so much hardware into a watch, duh. The watch shines a light blue hologram over my left hand. With it, I can move my fingers to control Izzy.

I put my phone in my right hand and turn the screen on. It's already streaming the image of the what Izzy is looking at - which is me. Ew, I think. It’s looking at me. Fat. Ugh.

I send the drone to go scope out the train stop of where I am to get on. Perfect, no bullies. I motion with my hand for Izzy to return.

I rush - more like fast walk as I don’t ever run - to the skytrain. I raise my hand as Izzy gets near me and she plops back into my watch. Yes, I gave a gender to my drone. Don’t judge me. It’s my drone.

I get there just as the train pulls into the station. I swipe my travel pass and head to the very back as quickly as possible once the doors open. As I go to sit down, I put in my AirPods and pull out a Reese’s bar from my backpack. On my phone I click play on my favorite artists album. “Wrong” by EDEN plays, and I sit back and stare out the window while I shove a Reese’s cup into my mouth. Absolutely delicious.

—

I touch the doorknob of my apartment with my thumb and the reader scans it and lets me in. My apartment is not that big, but it’s exactly what it needs to be: my own space.

It’s a flat in a generic condo downtown. Other than the huge shower, everything is pretty much typical. I spend a lot of time in the shower. I usually just sit on the floor and have the water beat down on me. It’s one of the only times I feel totally zen.

I turn on the TV and put on some background noise. Normally I would be watching TV and wasting my time, but tonight I have other plans. I may have finally made a friend!

Today in class, Connor, another fellow medical student, started talking to me. Most people wouldn’t think anything of this, but since I started at this school a few months ago not a single person has tired to be my friend (not that I tried to be theirs either). Connor asked me what I was doing after school, and when I told him nothing - which is always the case - he invited me to join him in playing the new COD game.

After taking off my coat, I pour myself a glass of chocolate milk while I boot up the game and message Conner on Facebook.

<< Hey!! Just checking in to see if you made it home, and was wondering if you still wanted to play? Totally understand if not :) >>

Connor was a pretty buff guy. He was 6”1, and same weight as me. I’m weirdly good at measuring peoples height and weight, so while I am not one hundred percent sure of that stat, I’m pretty confident. Again, don’t ask me to measure the tree though, it only works with people. Like I said, Connor is in the medicine program like me, but also plays a lot of Hockey, and supposedly he’s really good. Maybe he’ll invite me to a hockey game. That would be pretty cool.

My smile is gone when I see the message appear. I don’t know why I every believed someone like him would want anything to do with someone like me, but I did say I’m only smart academically.

Connors sent a very simple message.

A pig emoji lights up my screen.

I put my phone down as I feel the tears start to role down my face. So stupid. So so so stupid and fat. I look down at my stomach and and just watch the tears fall onto my shirt. How could I have fallen for that.

I stand up quickly and rush to put my coat on. My coat is the only thing that stops me from looking at my fat self. After zipping my coat back up, I shut the game off and drink the rest of my milk with tears trickling down my cheek. I grab the entire carton of milk and head right under the covers.

This is also another special skill of mine. Im really good at calming myself down. Well, I guess I have to be since I cry a lot. Im sitting up in my bed, but my blanket is wrapped around my whole body. I sit like this because I need to be able to drink my milk of course. I unlock my phone and click on YouTube. I play the first random video that pops up and chug the rest of my milk. And just like that, the tears stop.

I wake up the next morning to the sound of my alarm going off at 5AM. Class doesn’t start until 8, however today is going to be the day I change my life. I'm sick of bullies controlling me and calling me nasty things. I have finally had enough.

For the first time in my life, I'm going to head to the gym. No more Mr. Fat guy.

So instead of going to the gym, I shut my alarm off and head back to bed. I'm way too tired to get up so I reset my alarm for 7AM, just enough time to shower and get to school.

—

The first two periods end with nothing eventful happening. Two of my enemies are sick, so I’m able to relax a lot today. Connor is here and keeps looking back at me and snickering to his friends, but I’m used to that, so I brush it off.

At lunch I sneak my way through the halls and safely head back to the tree. I sigh with relieve when I see that no one else is here. The fall weather is starting so the cold will keep people inside.

Before sitting I look at the tree again. Something is definitely wrong with it, but I just can’t put my finger on it. A tree can’t be sad, right?

Is it the cold? That would not really change the way the tree looks. Not that the looks of the tree have really changed anyways.

I know I’m not tripping out. Something is seriously wrong with this tree. Something in my body is telling me that I should leave the tree alone, and head back inside.

But something also tells me to touch the tree. To reach out and ask If it needs help.

I look around and see if anyone is around. Not a soul in sight.

Is it the future doctor in me, or is this just childhood hormonal madness coursing through my veins? Whatever it is, I touch the base of the tree and ask “Uh, are you okay?”

And that’s when it happens. I blink and look around. “What the ****”

The school was gone. The hill was gone. There was nothing around but other, smaller trees. I took one deep breath before I realized even the air was different.

I looked back up at the tree and start to cry. “What did you do you stupid tree??” I yell in a panic.

This is the start of the story of me hating this stupid, godforsaken tree.

—

A King looked out from the top of his castle overlooking his city and sighed. Ugh, he thought, I want to sleep.

“Could I let Master Orzhov in your Grace, or should I ask of him to meet you down near the war table?”

“No, no, its fine Lana. Let the Master in.”

Master Orzhov entered the Kings chambers as the servant girl opened the doors. He started at his King. This King was no King, he was far to young. He was in fact a Prince. Most people called him King as this Prince lost his father many years ago, but in truth he was not yet King.

This Prince was well presented even in his morning gear. Curly brown hair, with dragon’s eyes that were a light blue with the faintest bit of orange. He was short, but not too short for his ripe age of sixteen. The prince was slim, with a good build. You could tell that he lived a pampered life, as his flesh was free from the blemishes of mundane world. Orzhov noticed the Princes dimples when he smiled as Master walked inside.

“Your Grace” Orzhov said as he bowed his head towards the Prince.

“I hear you're leaving, is that why you have come by so early?”

“I am your Grace. There have been reports of rebel armies fighting up North, so I am headed there to attempt to stop any wars from breaking out.”

“So you’re leaving me with the Old man and Zanya? You know I will die without anyone mentally stimulating around.” The Prince chuckled as Orzhov smiled.

“It should not be to long of a trip. I should only be gone for a few months. I promise to return with some new material to read.”

“A lot could happen in a few months you know… but no matter what I say you will not listen to me.” The Prince says under his breath. “Are you taking horse or transportation spell? Are you heading to the capitol, Nosdåar? I heard it is very cold there this time of year, no?” The Prince asks, with a look of concern on his face.

Orzhov loved his Prince, and would gladly lay down his life for him, however he did hate the he asked a hundred question in one sentence. Orzhov needed to cut him off “I will ride out with carriage. We cannot afford the cost of a transportation spell for a simple matter such as this. I also do not want to avert the eyes of the unwanted. Our enemies are smart, and the will attack if they see that we are vulnerable. I will also be taking Ms. Mayim with me as she needs to start experiencing the world.”

“You do not think it is wise for me to take that place instead?” The Prince asks, genuinely wanting to leave with Orzhov.

Orzhov turned towards the door and looked back at his Prince and smiled “Once I return we will restart your training. I expect you will not slack?” The old man raised his eyebrow.

“Of course not! And you said you had to leave quickly, so go!” The Prince motioned his hands towards the door. He was much too tired to think about his grueling training.

“Well then your Grace, I take my leave. Once your training is completed, I will gladly have you accompany me.”

After the servant girl closed the door, the Prince asked “What are your thoughts on the matter, Lana?”

“What do you mean, your Grace?” Great, thought Lana, questionnaire time.

“Orzhov made a contradictory statement.” The Prince said, matter-of-factly. “He said it was not an important enough matter to take a transportation spell, but also that rebel armies were forming up North. Is a rebel army not that pressing of a matter? To me it most certainly is.”

“ ‘Am not sure your Grace. A wizard at the level that the Master is at may think of a rebel army as nothing more than a fly, your Grace.”

“No,” says the Prince, touching a finger to his chin “I do not agree. Something is wrong. I felt it this morning. It is a feeling that I cannot get out of my chest.”

Lana's faced looked full of concern when she heard that. “Oh no!” She exclaimed “Are you sick my Grace? Did you need a mage to come heal you? Are you famished, we could get the cooks to-“

“No it is nothing like that,” the Prince said, cutting Lana off by waving his hand. “Something inside me feels… anxious. Almost as if I am waiting for something.”

“Well… your Grace…” Lana blushed as she moved her hair behind her ear “You are of that age where one starts to explore their own body and that of others…”

Lana truly was the Princes favorite servant by far, so much so that he appointed her as his personal attendant after only a few months of her working for the Prince. However, the prince threw his pillow at her with all his might when she said that embarrassing statement. Lana took the blow with pride as she giggled. “Get out!” He proclaimed “and bring me some milk!”