Hidden Power: Chapter 1: Part 1

      The bell sounds, a morning call. Lights flicker on in every room across the campus and word spreads of the party tonight.  For today was the day. The day we learn the truth about our magic.

      "It's been exactly seven years since the academy opened can believe it. I mean, imagine tonight, beautiful dresses, sharp suites, streamers on every wall. The lights going from scarlet red to ocean blue then royal purple and starting all over again." My friend, Alyssa, daydreams as she changes into her uniform, a scarlet skirt, white blouse, and black flats, and curls her dark, silky brown hair. 

      "Ya. The perfect night every normal kid could dream of." Our other friend, Lilliana, replies, emphasizing the word normal.

      "After tonight, we're no longer in the elementary level. We're headed off to bigger and better things. Like more school work for instance, and on top of that my 'club' has double the amount of training. Yay!" I sigh, sitting on my bed and allowing Lilliana to mess with my jet black hair.

      "You two are so negative. Think about it, after today, we will be considered some of the older kids at this school and the younger grades will be bowing at our feet." Alyssa says, giving a way over exaggerated bow and hitting her head on the desk in front of her. "I meant to do that." She she smiles, flipping some hair out of her face and fixing the black clip holding it back.

      "Sure you did." Lilliana laughs, rolling her eyes and jumping off my bed. "We have to go or we'll be late for the ceremony. Miss that and no one will be 'bowing at your feet' anytime soon." She jokes, grabbing her black fedora and putting it on my head.

      "Very funny." She glares. "But you're right, we better get going." With that she leaves the room with me and Lilliana trailing behind. 

      I look up at the beautiful artwork on the arches above our heads. They we're painted by some of the best artist this school has ever seen and one day I wish that my art will make it up there, and maybe even one day soon. Each piece was detailed from white doves that looked like you could just reach out and feel the soft, feathery creature, to the determined eyes or a warrior fighting off a scaly dragon.

      "I'm gonna miss this place..." I say, running my hand along the white walls of the elementary branch building. "This is the only place I've ever known, and with people always coming and going. It's the only thing I feel I really know..." My voice trails off and I sigh.

      "Don't worry, I heard the middle school branch is even better then this one. Plus the janitors actually try to work well they're there and not just laze around because everything is always so messy." Alyssa points out, "plus, you're really the only one of us who has even been here the whole time it was open, since you were six if I'm not mistaken. So it only holds any value to you and a handful of other kids." She states.

      "Exactly. I've lived here since I was six and I don't remember anything that happened before then so I don't know what to expect outside of these walls, you guys actually lived outside the walls." I reply. "How did you feel when you first had to leave you families to make sure they we're safe? I bet you were scared to leave too."

      "Not really, I was doing it for the good of my loved ones. I guess it was sort of hard but I knew it was something I had to do." Lilliana's voice was surprising calm, this topic was always kind of touchy to her since she joined last year. "Besides, if I didn't come here I would have lost my family, and I never would have met you guys so I would be completely alone, if I even survived."

Everyone went quiet.

    When we got to the end of the hall I was shaking. I didn't know what to expect outside of the elementary branch of the school.

      "Don't worry, Alice, it's not as bad as you think." Alyssa insures me.

     "I know..." I sigh. I take a deep breath and the three of us push through the doors...

To be continued...