Sky Jump

by Anastasia Bolinder

  The words were written in a bluish ink that seemed almost purple as I started to read,

  “Dear Quil,

  When I got my sisters letter I freaked out knowing you would be at her school and maybe I would get to meet you again, but until then I want to say thanks so much for the gloves and the letter! (Your climbing is amazing by the way!)

  I hope maybe we could be pen pals? If you want to of course but you’re just like my idol now and I hope that’s okay.

  Anyway, thanks again!

  Sincerely,

  Clara”

  The fact that the letter had about a dozen little smiles and squiggles on the page made me smile. Moving the letter to the side, I knew I wanted to write her back. Immediately placing a new page before me and taking my quill pen that’s feather nearly touched my cheek, I started writing back to her in curling scrawl.

  I for one, would not mind a new friend to add to my list or a new pen pal to speak with.

  ***

  The rest of the weekend was calm and relaxing. After giving Alissa the new letter to send her sister, she said she was surprised her sister had not come from how excited she was in the letter Alissa got.

  Getting up for the start of the week felt as painful as being kept from the outside breeze or being forced to work seventeen math problems before you even started out for the morning, of which I had to do. Somehow my math homework had evaded me wonderfully and in the minutes before classes started, I was writing as if the ink was water and the paper was on fire.

  Scrambling to try and be early for the first day of the week before tests, I slid into class a minute before Mr. Deplen shushed the students and even he raised a brow at my early appearance. Though he had a soft smile, one that made me know he was one teacher I had become friends with.

  The lesson was on testing subjects that ranged from temperatures to locations of rare breeds. I raced to write down things I thought might be on the test. By the time it was over my hand felt slightly numb and my wrist was sore.

  Reaching Mr. Jacobsen’s class was fast, considering I saw Lucy on a war path after me, I had good initiative to run to class. Sliding in, I blushed as the class and Mr. Jacobsen stopped and glanced to me. I lowered my head and walked as fast as I could to the table at the back where, unfortunately, Zac and Alissa were absent from.

  Sitting down with a huff, a sudden realization was that I had been too fast.

  Grabbing my things from my bag, my quill pen dropped from my grasp and slid to the floor. Reaching for it I nearly lost my fingers as a slick silver boot with black buckles clamped over my pen.

  “Hey…” my voice cut as I looked up to find Jack with a glaring grin as he tilted his head.

  My lips curled and he smiled with a sharp edge to his lips that made me feel extremely threatened.

  “You’re going to be gone before your first semester’s over,” he said darkly.

  My brows knit as I looked at him,

  “You don’t scare me,” I said and stood up to him.

  His lips twitched and again that odd flash of fire caught in his eyes.

  “You’re an idiot,” he said and glancing to the side, he left me and my poor stepped on feather pen in a state of annoyance.

  Biting my bottom lip, I got my pen from the floor and watched him go to his seat without a glance back, I scowled.

  “Everything okay?” Alissa asked and suddenly I realized she and Zac had come walking up.

  Looking to them, I rolled my eyes as the quill in my grasp swayed.

  “Yeah.” I said simply and Zac walked to the table as we all sat down.

  “What did he want?” Zac asked with a glare in Jack’s general direction.

  I looked to Jack and felt my lips purse in a frown,

  “He was threatening me and said I would be gone before the end of the semester.” I said bitterly.

  Alissa looked appalled and Zac’s brows rose.

  “Jerk.” Zac said as Alissa took her turn glaring at Jack and his mohawk.

  “What’s with those two going after you?” She asked almost to herself.

  I shook my head as Mr. Jacobsen quieted the class.

  “I have no idea,” I said under my breath and before we could say much more the room darkened and Mr. Jacobsen called the glowing globs to the front of the room.

  I wished I could stay focused on the lesson about magical grids that were made by the original ten Mages long ago to help people understand how to use different elements and techniques, but honestly my mind thrummed with Alissa’s question. Why did Lucy and Jack come after me as if I was someone they hated? I was a nobody and even after only a month I saw that they were both considered quite cool to most people.

  Internally I had already made a vow that I never wanted to be like either of them. If popularity meant you became a snob, I was quite certain I would rather be a reject who had kind friends instead of suck-ups.

  By the time Mr. Jacobsen’s class was over I think I only had about five things written while Alissa had gone to a new page twice.

  I remembered exactly two things. One was that Mr. Jacobsen was again bringing Earthen Brethren into the mix. And two, that SkyJump’s to him were something lesser by the way he said they had no real talent or gifts.

  Was it wrong that my mouth felt sour and I was worried what the rest of the day would hold?

  “You okay, Quil?” Alissa asked yet again.

  I nodded my head and felt slightly less than the nod or fake smile I put on as the rush of people surrounding me made me feel like a bug compared to the people nearly stomping on me.

  “Hey, as my dad always says, ‘Keep you head in the clouds and feet on the ground, but don’t let the sky get in the way!” Zac said from the side.

  Alissa and I both looked to him and then each other as she tilted her head.

  “What in the world does that mean?” She asked him as he nodded.

  “It means my dad has strange idioms. And I think it means don’t stop reaching for the sky, you can go higher.” Zac said with a nod.

  It was a nice thought, but my brain hurt to understand it.

  “Could he not have just said that?” Alissa asked with a sigh as we walked.

  Zac broke into a chuckle and I joined his laugh as Alissa was unfazed while she straightened her jacket that had silver embellishments.

  “Your dad and his idioms are idiotic.” She said and all three of us were laughing until the moment we broke off with goodbyes and good lucks moving to our next classes.

  Stepping into Mr. Sheplar’s class we were nearly late. The crowd blocking our view into the room did not hold back their chatter that echoed off the walls, making Alissa and I both glance at one another before we tried to see over the crowd.

  “What’s going on?” Alissa asked as I stopped trying to stand on my tippy toes to see past a boy who was easily beyond my ability to see above.

  A boy with auburn hair turned and Alissa froze as I realized it was the boy she was set on having take her to the end of term formal.

  “There are some of the older teens playing around fighting to show off before class starts,” he said and smiled towards Alissa.

  I was quite sure she was paler than a ghost and on the verge of breaking into a million pieces.

  Coming to Alissa’s side I bumped her shoulder to keep her from crumbling as I nodded to the boy.

  “So, are you here to fight before class too?” I asked trying to keep up some kind of small talk.

  Alissa was slowly coming from her daze as his eyes glossed over her,

  “Naw, I’m just stopping in before heading to my next class,” he glanced at his watch and his eyes widened, “Oh, I’d better be off!” He said and before Alissa had completely found her facial muscles again, the boy was out the door with his designer look of slate and silver apparel.

  “Did that just happen? Did I really just freeze?” Alissa asked wide eyed and on the verge of panic.

  I held back a giggle as I put a hand to her arm a
s she swayed.

  “Yes and we don’t need you toppling over in class. That’s my thing remember?” I said and a smile crossed her lips though she looked out the door longingly.

  As I looked out the door I realized though Alissa may like him he seemed superficial compared to what Keten would have said in the same situation. In that same moment the class cheered and Alissa and I looked to the crowd blocking our view.

  “Alright, I need the class in order!” Mr. Sheplar’s voice broke over the noise and people started lining up as we always did before we started practicing.

  Moving with the flow of people, the room started to open and I swayed to get a glimpse of the students who had been fighting. It was both exciting and nerve racking to know we would be learning something like fighting. As my view expanded, I suddenly realized I saw one boy helping another up off the floor that I thought I knew. But before I could see clearly Alissa put a hand to my arm making me turn to her as we stood almost against the wall.

  “Quil, tell me I said something after he started talking. I can’t remember anything.” Alissa said in a panic.

  I smiled and bit my lip as a laugh escaped. She glared at me, though I saw the way she held back a smile at her own words.

  “Do you want to know the truth?” I asked with a raise of one brow.

  Before she could speak I heard running as Mr. Sheplar spoke in the background but I didn’t think anything of it until a hand was put to my arm. Turning, I felt dumbstruck at the boy who had grabbed at my arm.

  “Equila, long time no see.” Keten said kindly and I felt a burn slightly catch on my cheeks as I felt my pony tail sway.

  “Keten, what are you doing here?” I asked him, surprised and though I tried not to notice, Alissa had a smug grin lacing her lips as she folded her arms and watched us.

  Keten let go of my arm. For some reason I felt immensely annoyed he did not stay close longer. Good gracious Quil, what are you thinking? My mind moved past those thoughts as he motioned to the center of the room and I realized he looked sweaty as his hair was closer to his head and less wild or casually swayed to one side.

  “I’m here helping teach fighting techniques,” he said and with a smile he motioned to me, “And you?” His grin was deviant, in a good way, as his dimple appeared and my lips held in a grin just seeing it.

  I shrugged casually and glanced around,

  “Just here to enjoy the show.” I said and smiled up at him.

  His grin at my words made my heart flutter and I felt slightly air deprived. Trying to keep my cool I hoped I would not faint in this moment being so unprepared when Mr. Sheplar’s voice broke through the room.

  “Alright, student’s of both my advanced classes and this first year class please quiet down and take your place in the line.” He said motioning to them as Delphine seemed to be chatting with a few of the older teens as she had glanced this way when they started moving back.

  “Mind if I squeeze in here between you two?” Keten asked kindly.

  Alissa easily nodded and I followd her lead.

  “Nope, not allowed.” I said and for a moment I saw Alissa freeze unsure of what I was doing, but Keten grinned and came between us with a kind smirk in my direction that again made me have to look to Mr. Sheplar not to faint or fall dead, or heaven forbid blush.

  “Today, as you may have noticed, we will start training for the fighting part of the test,” he said nodding, “I know many of you may have concerns with only having a week left to practice. Let me assure you that by the end of the week, if you listen and learn you will be ready for the test,” he voiced with a quick nod.

  Biting my lip, I felt that was a long shot. Even glancing up at the net high above us made my stomach twist. A hand intertwined in mine and I looked over to find Keten as he smiled at me and nodded conveying something deeper than words as my smile lifted to him.

  Delphine stepped forward and for once seemed to be taking Mr. Sheplar’s place as he nodded for her to speak.

  “Our advanced trainees please come forward.” She said and motioned for them to step forward.

  Keten left my grasp but glanced back once with a kind wink in my direction that I knew other students had caught and more than a few girls looked over to me with a glare.

  Alissa slipped up beside me as they went through the names of the students,

  “So, what’s your secret with being able to speak around him?” Alissa asked with a smiled as she nodded to Keten who stood tall and looked absolutely unafraid.

  I sighed.

  “I have no idea.” I said dreamily and Alissa giggled softly with me until Mr. Sheplar stepped forward making the room fall into a buzzing hush.

  “Today, we are going to train with the older student’s and if you can keep up with them, one of you will have the chance to fight Delphine.” He said, motioning to the room as whispers exploded.

  I glanced to Alissa who tilted her head in a way that made me feel she doubted it would be her.

  “Now, for the start of learning to fight. You all will be in groups of about six each and will stay as you are standing but one from your assigned group will be the first to try and fight against one of the advanced class teens.” The moment the words left Mr. Sheplar’s lips my eyes darted to Keten and his eyes were already on me as I smiled stupidly at him.

  He tilted his head and was about to mouth something when Delphine started pointing out who was in what group. As she moved down the line, Alissa glanced from me to the teachers as she saw that I might not be in Keten’s group. As Alissa looked to almost be having a meltdown, I noticed Keten asked one of the boys ahead of him if he could move over. The boy seemed to be his friend from the way they nodded to each other. The boy said something and nodded to me making Keten put a hand behind his neck as he said something back to him.

  “Miss Depsey, you are the first in Keten’s group with six down from you in the same group.” She said and moved on as I looked to Keten who smiled wickedly at me as I blushed in amazement, I caught a glance from Mr. Sheplar at what had happened and saw the way he eyed both of us.

  When everyone was in a group, the advanced teens stepped up and into the circles outlined on the floor as Mr. Sheplar moved aside the circles.

  “Starting with Creg one student will be picked to see how well you fight without training and after the first person tries it will be on to the next in the group.” He said and nodding, the advanced teens started voicing who they wanted.

  I looked to Keten and he still glanced to me. All fun and smiles gone seeing how he looked to be picking me first!

  He smiled and when it finally came to him, Alissa leaned over to me.

  “It’s going to be yo-”

  “Equila Deshion.” He nodded and acted casual, I felt everyone would know he chose me just because we were friends. Though hearing my name spoken by him always made my mind seem to slow.

  Alissa pushed me into a stumbling walk as everyone had already moved down the line while I walked to Keten with the other opponents already next to their opponents.

  Coming to his side I glanced to him,

  “Keten.” I hissed and he smiled casually and acted like he had not heard how I scolded him, even though I felt I could not hold a grudge against him.

  Looking to the faces of my classmates felt daunting as most who looked at me seemed to know I was no fighter.

  “You got this, Quil.” Keten said from the side. I looked to him and he nodded taking my hand for only a moment before looking back to the crowd lined before us.

  Mr. Sheplar explained the rules as I felt a spark light within me. Who was to say I could not fight? Then again, when had I ever fought hand to hand combat? The only thought I had was of my father when we would play at a park and he would pretend to be chasing me as a tickle monster. That thought made me see that I could and would prove something to everyone.

  “Now those who have been chosen will start fighting and the rest will watch your respective group’s competitors.” Mr. Sh
eplar said, motioning for the group to look to their leaders.

  Delphine stood back from them all and nodded in her silver blazer with her hair held back as she spoke to everyone her lips a silver shimmering gloss.

  “You will only have one starting rule and that is you always go to the edge of the circle when fighting to start the match,” she nodded to us all, “After that, it’s up to you today to see what you can do and then we will teach you how to improve.” Her tone was upbeat but my stomach turned.

  I was in front of my classmates fighting. As I walked to the edge of the circle, as every other competitor was doing, I turned to face Keten who I questioned if I could fight.

  Glancing aside before we started, Alissa thumbs upped me though I was very hesitant on if she meant it was good or because I was with Keten or if I should beat him?

  “Ready.” Keten stated and I turned around to face him as I realized you had to say ready to start the match.

  Taking a gulp and a deep breath, I nodded to him and made my mind look at him as just an opponent, not the Keten from a little city who lived on a farm but seemed casual and had a lovely smile...

  I nodded before my thoughts could linger much longer.

  “Ready.” I said and set my sneakers with a nod.

  Keten did not hesitate as he started to side step. Making my mind work, I realized I needed to be on the defense and started to circle the opposite direction. For a few seconds I considered that we were much like wolves or big cats as we waited for who would strike first.

  Biting my lip, I considered moving when suddenly Keten jumped towards me. In my infinite wisdom my mind sent me into a jog away but within the circle. Glancing behind me I saw him close in as he lunged. Ducking, I slipped to the floor and he tumbled behind me missing me by inches as I looked after him and he landed hard.

  I wanted to ask if he was okay when a voice called over,

  “Deshion, this is a fight!” Mr. Sheplar stated and as Keten stood he added nodding to me, “The climb is hard.”