by C. C. Lynch
Ever the indefatigable student, Liz was lying on her bed flipping through flash cards. Typically I was just as eager to study, but all I wanted in that moment was a friend. Steph would have known what to say about the strange meeting I had just spied on and for a brief moment I wished so hard she could be there that I had to push the thought out of my head for fear that it could come into fruition. Who knew what the consequences would be if Steph somehow did show up in the dorm? Was that even possible?
I shook my head and decided to find something to preoccupy my mind. “I’m going to go watch T.V. downstairs. Would you like to join?” I invited Liz in the rare event that she actually wanted to do something aside from studying.
She held up her flash cards as proof, “test tomorrow, I’ve got to study.” Liz was curt as always.
“Do you want me to quiz you?” I did not particularly want to help her, but I knew the panic of getting ready for a test.
She shook her head and continued flipping through her study aids. With that I turned on my heel and headed downstairs to claim one of the couches and enjoy some mindless programs. After half an hour of getting sucked into some reality television show that had absolutely no premise I heard the light tapping of footsteps. I did not feel threatened, and ignored the steps. A moment later Liz sat down at the other end of the couch and we sat in silence for a few minutes.
“You have really pretty hair,” her voice was a strange balance of terse and kind.
She was trying to be a friend! “Thank you,” I smiled, “I love yours. I just don’t have the bone structure for pulling off a styled bob.”
It was true, Liz had high cheekbones that sloped down to a slender chin and her natural blonde hair perfectly curved along her delicate jaw line. My eyes were squished whenever I smiled by high cheekbones and a round face that begged to be lengthened by hair that flowed at least halfway down my back.
I nudged the remote to her and told her I was up for watching anything that was not thought provoking. With a smile she put the remote control on the table beside her. We watched television together in silence, the same contented peace that Will and I shared. If anything, I would leave Glaston Academy with the understanding that communication came in countless forms and words did not have to be spoken to seal a friendship.
15
I dropped my books at the door of the gymnasium and walked towards Vlaine with a purpose. “Look,” I thrust my hands on my hips, “I worked hard to be able to find a crack and then you get all loopy weird when I am able to do it. I’m going to find a crack again but first you are going to teach me how to put up a psychic barrier. I can put up a wall so that I do not get thoughts from other people; I have been doing that for too long. Now I need to make sure no one can get mine. Teach me teacher, and don’t flake out on me again.”
His stony expression cracked into a smile. “Whatever you say, Abbs.”
“Wait,” before you give me any instructions I want to try something first.”
Vlaine nodded his head in compliance. I sat down and cleared my mind as best I could. I imagined the black wall that I had put into my mind the day prior with Draxe. Once I cleared my mind totally and completely I imagined a glass barrier around my brain. Next I put an imaginary brick wall around it and sealed it with a nice black cloth.
“Okay,” I nodded, “give it a try and then critique me.”
Intrigued, he sat next to me and concentrated on reading me. A minute or so later he put his hand on my arm then informed me that I had the right idea, but I went about it a bit wrong. Though it was harder for him to get into my mind, he was still able to and that made me nervous because it was only a matter of time before he found out that I knew about the secret room and the meeting that had taken place in there.
Tuesday and Thursday seminar classes were too short to allow the significant accomplishment of anything. While I practiced archery Vlaine and I would communicate telepathically allowing me to work on my distance telepathy. If the conversation ever became dull he would pull out an extra bow and begin a competition between us, one that he would always win since he was the closest thing to a super human I had ever met.
I was not ready to go back to the dorm after class and found myself wandering through the woods around the school. I followed one of the horse trails that twisted the farthest from campus. Adventuring through the secluded forest of upstate New York was emotionally affirming. If the students were not so high strung, Glaston Academy would be a truly magical place.
Walking in solitude was always my favorite way to let my imagination take off. I played with the idea of a team of do-gooders. Of the students of whom I knew their abilities, we could make a kick-ass team of pseudo-superheroes. Liz had invisibility, Adele could start fires, Tracy had telekinesis, Kyle had an affinity to animals, and Will had telepathy. I wasn’t sure of the complete list of Vlaine and Draxe’s gifts, but manipulation and emulating someone were enough on their own.
When I returned to the school something was off. I could sense a difference in the energy around the campus. Memories of Tracy’s mangled arm flashed in my head. I quieted my mind to try and hone in on what exactly I was feeling. There was a tangible level of angst around the school. I found Liz to see if she knew what was going on and after a pointed look she told me there was a new student.
I jumped in the air with excitement; I would not longer be the new meat at Glaston Academy. I skipped my way to the stables to find Will knowing he would share the excitement with me. Cinnamon gave a loud whinny when I entered the stables, but Will was nowhere in sight. After searching the dorms, common area, and school for him I gave up and sprawled out on a couch to watch television.
Halfway through a gore-filled movie I heard soft steps behind me. I turned and smiled a “hello” expecting to see Liz, but it was another student. I put the remote on the table and anticipated being ignored but to my surprise he was cordial.
“Hello,” he put his hand out to shake mine, “I’m Erik.”
“Abrielle,” I smiled, taking his hand in return.
“Do you mind if I sit here?” Playful mischief was hidden in his hazel eyes.
“Not at all,” I moved my legs underneath my body.
Erik’s dark hair was longer than Liz’s, but perfectly kempt as if he just left a modeling shoot. He was handsome, but not in an overstated way. His thin nose widened slightly at the base just a few centimeters above full proportionate lips. Something about him felt familiar, like I had met him before but I could not quite place him.
“Do I smell bad or something?” He mused, running a hand through his soft waves.
“What?” I was confused, but then I noticed how far I was leaning away from him. “Oh, no, you smell good, like the ocean.” Could I possibly sound more socially inept? “Sorry, I’m just accustomed to being treated like a diseased rat around here. If anyone looks at me it’s with repulsion.”
“Why? Aren’t you a healer? We had a healer at my school and everyone flocked to her.” He leaned back and stretched his arm out against the back of the couch. “You always want to make friends with someone that can save your life before a doctor can.”
“Healer or not, I’m the new student. Wait, your school?” I turned my entire body to face him and tucked my legs underneath myself. “What do you mean?”
“I just transferred here,” he flashed a charming smile. “I’m from Glaston’s sister school over in Pennsylvania.”
“Glaston has a sister school?” Was this supposed to be common knowledge?
“Yeah,” he laughed sliding his hand through his long locks once again. “There are a few. You really are new, aren’t you? Or do they just not talk about the other schools here? There is one in Pennsylvania, Alaska, Oregon, New Mexico, and Scotland.”
Did everyone else know about the other schools or was everyone so tight-lipped here that we did not even know about the place we were attending? “Like I said, diseased rat,” I pointed to myself.
“They’re missing o
ut.” He brushed his knuckles against my cheek, “Looks like you finally have a friend at Glaston.”
My first instinct was to shudder away from his touch, but as soon as his fingers brushed against my skin a sensation of relaxation washed over my body. His touch was warm and comforting, like I had just been hugged by a best friend. I was instantly at ease with Erik and I felt like I could tell him anything.
Erik and I spent hours conversing that night. I learned that Valdor Academy was the first and main school of the affiliated colleges for gifted students. Erik was inducted into Valdor when he was seventeen just like me, though he did not explain what his particular gift was. The school in Scotland was opened second because of the numerous gifted people in Europe. The other ones were opened in accordance to try and obtain the most intelligent students with admirable gifts from different parts of the country. Each school had their own set of rules and standards dictated by the headmaster of that particular institution.
I was tempted to ask him about the “think tank” but I did not want to tread on territory that could get me in trouble. Though Will was hot and cold with our friendship, I would heed his advice not to trust anyone. Erik and I talked until early morning and I awoke from the sound of movement. I was lying on the couch, my head propped on Erik’s hip. He was sound asleep leaning against the opposite arm of the couch.
That night was the first night when I felt like I was actually an autonomous college student. I figured the “best years of my life” would be spent staying up late, cramming for examinations, and testing the limits of my liver with friends that I made along the way. Roughly a month into college and I finally scored my late night chat session with a friend I had so longed for.
I sat up slowly trying not to wake Erik, but failed in my attempt. “Morning princess,” he smiled and rubbed his neck.
“Stiff neck?” I nodded at the massaging motion he was making. “Here,” I scooted closer to him, “I can fix that in no time.” Forgetting about the school rules, I allowed my healing to go to work and half a minute later his shoulders relaxed.
“See, healers are the best people to be friends with.” He stood up and stretched. “Where are you off to? Classes don’t start for another three hours.”
“I need to take a shower, get breakfast, and then show up disgustingly early to my physics class.”
“What, do we have a test or something?”
We? “I just get to every class early to study, do homework, or write letters back home. Do you have physics this morning?”
“Yeah,” he yanked a piece of paper from his pocket that was folded up. “I have physics, ecology, robotics, ISE, and weight training today. Tomorrow I have ISE then macro.”
“Wow,” I jumped over to him and looked at the paper. “We have three classes together. Come on up to my dorm once you’re showered and I’ll give you the syllabi for our classes so you know what to expect. Mine is room 217, I’ll be ready in eight minutes.” I began to jog away.
“Want me to bring breakfast to your room and we can get you to show up on time for the class instead of a day early?”
“Whoa Erik,” I laughed, “Looks like you are going to be a bad influence on me. Yes, that sounds good.”
Twenty minutes later Erik knocked on my door, a paper bag filled with fruit and bagels was in one hand and a tray of coffee was in the other. “I come bearing gifts,” he grinned and walked into the room.
I twirled my finger in my hair, “coffee? You sure know how to make a girl swoon.” I pulled out the syllabi that I took copies of for him. I had highlighted the due dates of papers and projects in each class. “I am not sure what your strengths are but macro is mostly notes. We have one homework assignment each week that is due via email and there is a quiz or test in physics each week. Ecology is easy as long as you trust your partner not to stab you in the back.” There was a tint of resentment in my voice. Erik rested his chin on my shoulder as I explained the classes and professors to him.
“Looks like I made friends with the right person,” he sipped his coffee and looked over the paperwork. “Our headmaster, Peter, is a total hippie. He does not care too much about what grades we get as long as we try. Glaston seems like it has a stick up its ass.” Taking a bite out of his bagel he muttered, “Must be why it has more kids in the tank.”
“What?” I jumped up and looked at him.
“I said that Glaston seems to have a stick up its ass.”
“No,” I shook my head vigorously, “what did you say after that?”
“It must be why so many kids flunk out. You guys have the lowest graduation percentage of any of the schools.” He pronounced every syllable clearly.
“That is not what you said,” I sighed and ran my hand through my long hair.
“Has anyone ever told you how pretty your hair is?” he walked forward twirled a lock with one hand and ran the other along my face as he did the night before.
Instant tingles traveled from my face to my toes. I did not care about what he said anymore, I just wanted him to keep touching me. Abrielle. A voice in my head shook off the trance. Whose voice was that? It was not Erik’s voice I heard and I did not sense the telepathy buzz from him. Whoever it was knocked me from a strange stupor that Erik’s touch had given me.
I shook my head, “sorry for staring.” I giggled uncomfortably, “I left two lifelong friends behind and it is just so good to be making a new one.” Standing up I straightened out the grey sweater dress I put on that morning and grabbed my books. “Thank you so much for breakfast and coffee, but I am going to get some last minute studying done for physics just in case he has a pop quiz or something.”
Erik arched his brow and stood up. “I’ll accompany you.” He took the books from my hand and led me to the class.
Throughout physics he passed me notes and made gestures just to make me laugh. It was fun being infantile in a school that took itself all too seriously. He was the friend I was missing, the friend I was craving. The instantaneous comfort and joking was so similar to the friendship that I had with Nicholas, it was soothing and nostalgic in equal measure.
We walked to ecology together and he sat down in the seat next to me. “Wait,” I put my hand out, “that’s Vlaine’s seat. This one to the right of me is open.”
“Vlaine, as in Vlaine Josnic?” a devilish grin spread across his face.
“Yes,” I spoke hesitantly wondering how he knew Vlaine. “Don’t tell me you are afraid of Vlaine too.” Erik’s expression was taunting.
“I’m not” I pushed my hair back and crossed my arms across my chest, “I’m the only one at this school that doesn’t seem to be afraid of him.”
“I guess you are one of two now.” He had a look of determination and defiance that made me uneasy.
His excitement with angering Vlaine made me uncomfortable and I would not be part of getting Vlaine angry. I took out a study game I had made myself for the class and began connecting terms and definitions on the page to distance myself from the situation. A few minutes after sitting down Vlaine walked in and stood by Erik.
“I know that you’re well aware that is my damn seat,” Vlaine growled at Erik.
My stomach twisted in a knot watching the interaction. I knew Vlaine’s history well enough to know that he was not all talk but I knew very little about Erik, aside from the fact that he was quickly climbing the ranks to being my closest friend at Glaston.
“There’s one open on the other side of this pretty little healer.” Erik’s voice was taunting.
I froze with my mouth slightly agape. Why was Erik doing this? Why would he taunt Vlaine when he had such a notorious reputation? I looked up nervously at Vlaine whose face was serious and angry.
“So what you’re saying,” Vlaine’s voice was icy, “is that we sandwich this ‘pretty little healer’ between two assholes?” Just then Vlaine and Erik did a weird handshake and a short guy-friend pat on the back. “How the hell are ya?” Vlaine dropped his books on the desk.
/> “Just transferred here man, already making friends,” Erik nodded his head in my direction. My face grew hot as embarrassment burned my cheeks. “Can you believe it? Guess I screwed up too many times for Valdor to keep me but your old man thought I was worth another shot.”
“Awesome, glad to have you here,” Vlaine gripped Erik’s forearm in another strange handshake. “But seriously, Erik, this is my seat. Sit on the other side of Abrielle.”
Erik held his hands up in a surrendering motion, grabbed his things, and switched to the seat beside me. They began talking again and I quickly stopped them, “do I need to switch seats with Erik so you two can continue your bromance?”
Both men laughed at the same time and fell into a silence as other students entered the room. Once class was over I got up abruptly assuming that I was in the way of the two men from conversing. I backed up and straightened out my books.
“Where’s your next class?” Erik was focusing solely on me.
“Not anywhere close to this building, I usually have to jog there just to get to the class on time.” I began walking towards the door. Vlaine was gathering his items slower than usual, no doubt listening to the conversation.
“I have old man Leonard teaching my ISE class, I can spare a few extra minutes if you want me to walk you there.”
“Don’t be late on your first day, maybe another time.” I stopped walking and looked at Erik, “no idea who Leonard is, but have fun at your skill seminar. I’ll see you around.”
“Abrielle,” his melodic voice stopped me in my tracks, “want to study again tonight?”
“Sure,” I nodded, “I’ll meet you at the common area later.”
16
For the rest of that week I would brush Cinnamon while waiting for Will to meet me, but I hadn’t seen him since before I became friends with Erik. After brushing the horse I would meet up with Erik and we would study until we fell asleep. Will’s absence was unsettling and on Saturday morning I made it a point to investigate his absence. After searching for a few hours I gave in and asked Liz who took a couple seconds to shrug her shoulders before continuing on with her studies. Eventually I found Vlaine in the kitchen and I sat down with him.