6. Elementals

Elementals

GAbrIELLA

Orientation just confused the fuck out of me. The student liaison’s all spoke over each other and in the end they all ended up shouting at each other. The teachers just stood by and let them all argue until the guy I assume is the principal stood up and yelled loud enough to make even the teachers jump but what had me finally paying attention is the fact that he didn’t just yell, he threw a blast of lightning into the air.

The smell of burning ozone and the feel of the static in the air left my jaw hanging wide open. There’s no way that was faked or some slight of hand. The entire orientation from then on was just a buzz in my ears. My mind still can’t comprehend that what I saw was real but now sitting in my first class, watching as students and the teacher wave their hands and make books and pens appear on their desks is some straight up sci-fi shit. I swear I’ve stepped out of reality and into one of those teen paranormal novels where the hero ends up battling scary douchebags who cannot be named for fear of bringing their wrath down upon the mere mortals.

“Settle down, I know you’re all excited to be back after the break but it’s time to learn. So everyone shut your mouths and get your asses in your seats.” For the third time today, my mind stutters to a stop. Did she just say asses? I mean that’s awesome but I always thought there was a no swearing clause in teachers contracts or something.

“As this is your final year, I’m not going to fucking sugar coat anything. You all know how to use your powers or you should by now, so let’s just jump right into things and get this first test over with so we can learn something new.”

Test? On the first day? Ok, it’s official, everyone in this school is certifiable.

I watch as she goes from desk to desk, dropping a packet of papers on each before moving on. As she gets nearer mine, my hands start to shake, I was never good at school, but a test on a subject I have no clue about is like putting a five-year-old in a seat and then handing them a SAT test and expecting them to pass.

I pull my timetable out of my pocket and stare at the subject name. Elemental Advancements. I still have no clue what the fuck it means. At first, I assumed it was some sort of science class, like learning the periodic table or something but as the teacher drops the packet of papers in front of me, I suddenly have my doubts.

The first page is a list of questions;

1. Name the five basic elements.

2. List the subcategories of each element.

3. List which elements are combinable to mimic others.

4. What elements can be used to heal?

5. Which three elements are used to create an impenetrable shield.

6. What are the five basic rules of elemental powers for each element.

My mind goes completely blank. This has to be some kind of joke. I look around at each of the students surrounding me and to my utter shock, they are all scribbling answers like this is the easiest test in the world.

Okay Gab, obviously this is some kind of dream. Magic is real and this test needs to be completed or I’ll never wake up and return to reality. I mean seriously, that has to be what’s going on. First the magic, then the drop-dead gorgeous guy falling at my feet and now a test on something I’m not prepared for. Yup this is all a dream. Hmm maybe the guy will come back and this dream can go from zero to a hundred in point two seconds.

My face goes red at the direction of my thoughts. I grab my pen from out of my hair making the long strands fall over my shoulders and start jotting down what I think the answers would be if this were really about mythical magic. I remember reading a teen novel where the five elements of magic were Fire, Air, Water, Earth and Spirit, so I add them to the lines for the first question.

Next I add a few answers to the next questions basing my answers off the ridiculous first question. I have no idea if the answers I’m writing are right but it sounds good so I keep going answering with all the knowledge I’ve gained from my fantasy and paranormal books over the years. A bell rings just as I’m writing the final word for the last question and I sit back, shocked that I didn’t miss a single question. I quickly scribble my name into the section on the front and pass the packet forward like everyone else is doing.

A second bell rings and the teacher nods her head towards the door. “Get your asses out of here, I’ll have your marks ready for class tomorrow.”

My mind is numb with all the weirdness as I make my way towards the door at the front of the class. A few people bump me but nothing appears vicious so I ignore it, until one particularly aggressive nudge makes me stagger into the arms of a guy. I mumble an apology but the guy’s arms tighten around me, almost protectively as other students start pushing roughly through the door.

“A little thing like you would be better off waiting at the end of the crowd or you’ll get trampled by the mob. Our next class is one where you need to get good seats or you’ll end up getting spit on when the teacher talks.”

“Seriously?” I mumble into his chest as he continues to hold me safely away from the pushing and shoving. With my nose pressed so close to him, I’m practically inhaling his tantalising scent. I always thought boys smelt weird but this guy… His scent reminds me of the beach. A hint of coconut. A subtle salty tang but most of all there’s this masculine musk that makes my insides quiver. I pull my head away from his chest, blushing to my roots when I see his cocky lopsided grin and repeat my one word question, “Seriously?”

“Afraid so. Brightwood’s also known for looking down girl’s tops and trying to feel them up during class. The asshole gets away with it cause he’s the director's son and everyone who talks to the police disappears.”

“Fuck, let me go then, I gotta get a good seat.”

“Chill, you can sit with me, I’ll keep him away. Besides there’s always a spare seat next to me.”

I turn in his arms so I can see more of his face than just that cocky smirk and my breath wooshes out like I’ve been punched. This guy is sexy beyond words. Deep russet hair that is spiked with far too much product, dewy blue eyes that are like pools of the purest water and his lips… I’ve never seen lips as full and red as his. My brain short circuits. Creamy chocolate. Deep red juicy apples that glisten with the morning dew. Pools of liquid sin begging to steal my soul.

Shit, don’t wax poetic and stop staring!

I give my head a small shake and step out of his embrace. My cheeks turning a slightly warmer shade.