Her Amber Eyes: The Failure. (Discontinued.)

Chapter Four: Boundaries.

My aunt walked out of the infirmary and through a maze of hallways, metal doors tainting the grey walls to my left and right.

"Where do all these doors lead?" I asked.

My aunt turned around so that she was walking backwards and was looking at me, "Training rooms, laboratories, deserts, jungles, fields of grass, basically wherever you want it to lead. But being able to conjure a destination is difficult and takes time. You'll be learning how to do that pretty soon, though." She smiled at me with pride.

"Wait, I'm going to be studying here?" I asked, more excited this time. If I stayed here, I'd actually learn how to use my Shifting powers so that it helps people, not hurts.

"Of course." Agent Jones interjected. "Why else do you think your here?"

I glared at him and said coldly, "Forgive me for not knowing information I was never told."

My aunt chuckled and stated, "Calm down, Darri. We're almost there."

She turned around and I realized we'd reached the end of of the hallway, and an elevator stood in front of us. My aunt typed some numbers on a keypad, and the doors opened. I walked in, but noticed that Agent Jones didn't.

"You're not coming?" I questioned. I became nervous at the thought of him leaving; I didn't like him, but at least I knew him.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked, "No, do you want me to?"

I nodded, "Yes, I do. I don't like you all that much, but I know you. I don't know anybody in this academy."

His cheeks became red and he stammered, "I-I'm sorry, but I can't... I have b-business to attend to -"

My aunt interrupted him before he could finish. "Oh, cut the girl a break, Jones. She's new. Show her around." She turned to look at me and said, "I actually have business to attend to as well. The teachers want to talk about the Winter Ball in December. Safety measures and all that. You don't mind, do you?"

I shook my head, "Not at all." 

I looked at Agent Jones expectantly as Tia Delphie left the elevator space. It was impossible to ignore the expression on his face as he took his place next to me. He looked so pained, like I had some disease and he was bound to catch it.

My aunt smiled as the elevator doors closed and yelled, "I love you!"

I sighed and looked at Agent Jones, who had traveled to the wall farthest from me in the time span of a couple of seconds. I walked to the wall across from him and leaned back on it, so that we were facing each other. I gazed at him and he glared back. If there was one thing I learned in the jungles of Kilbluff, it was that maintaining eye contact was essential to survival. That, and knowing how to speak wild animal, which isn't very easy either.

He raised an eyebrow and asked calmly, "What do you hope to accomplish by staring at me like that?"

I crossed my arms and, matching his tone, responded, "I'm not sure yet. Right now, I'm just admiring your eyes."

He flinched, blushing furiously, and turned his head to look to the left. I wasn't lying when I said that, I truly was admiring his eyes. Such a clear blue, like a lake in the winter. I thought. The winter...

"Oh!" I exclaimed, causing Agent Jones to flinch. "Who was reading me when I was in the infirmary? I know it wasn't you."

He laughed and simply said, "A close friend of mine."

I cocked an eyebrow and growled, "Do not test me, Agent Jones. I did not ask you the question so that you would give me a vague answer."

He gazed back at me and confessed, "Fine. I'll introduce you to them at the Winter Ball."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, and I was about to ask him what the name of the person was, when the elevator door opened and revealed a world that seemed even more dangerous than the jungle.

Agent Jones put his hands in his pockets and began to walk out of the elevator. I followed and gasped.

For a second, I thought that I had walked into a novel. The room I walked into could only be described as a ballroom. The walls were made from mahogany wood, with intricate designs carved into them. An enormous chandelier hung from the ceiling, and with so many little jewels hanging from it, it reminded me of the sky in the jungle, unobstructed by the pollution in the sky. What really took my breath away though, was the grand staircase. It was so majestic and elegant, it matched what I thought it looked like in mind perfectly. The feeling of awe didn't last very long, because I noticed next made my blood turn to ice.

The students.

I began to breathe quicker, adrenaline coursing through my veins. How I survive this place? The ballroom was packed with students carrying boxes of what seemed to be Christmas decorations. Some of them were hanging snowflakes on the walls, others were wrapping lights around the staircase banister, and some of them were just standing around, talking.

There is too many of them. I thought, tensing up. How... How am I going to- I'll never make it. Never, never, never-

When a rough hand grabbed my own and began leading me through to crowd, I almost screamed. It was Agent Jones, his face turned away from me. I almost laughed I was so relieved. He must have heard my thoughts and came back for me. However, my nerves began to rise up again when I noticed that as I passed through the crowd, whispers and stares were left in my wake.

I squeezed Agent Jones' hand, trying desperately to calm myself; I told myself I didn't care if he found it uncomfortable or revolting, I just needed somebody to lean on at that point. However, when Agent Jones squeezed back, I let out a small breath, thanking whatever entity was out there for sending him to me.

After what felt like forever, we finally made it to the top of the stairs. Agent Jones abruptly turned right down a hallway and I closed my eyes with relief to find it empty. I began to let go of Agent Jones' hand, thinking to myself that he must be tired of holding it, but he held onto it, his grip almost painful.

"Agent Jones, you can let go of my hand now." I quietly reminded him. All of a sudden, he stopped and turned me around so that I was facing him, his hands gripping my shoulders. He stared deep into my eyes, brows furrowed, like he was trying to see right through me. His mouth was set into a thin line and his jaw was tensed. 

I slowly raised my hands to meet his own, lifted them off my arms, and held onto them, letting them connect the space between us.

"Agent Jones, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me through that crowd, I would not have been able to do it by myself. I must ask you however, to refrain from touching me like you just did. We are not at that stage of friendship yet. Simply because you helped me does not allow you to grip my shoulders like that."

I let go of his hands and rested my own in front of me. "I kindly ask you to take me to the dormitories." I looked down at myself, realizing for the first time what a mess I looked like. Dried blood marred my favorite purple shirt, and my grey sweatpants were torn and ripped. Minor cuts and scrapes littered my arms, and I could only imagine what my face looked like.

"In case you haven't noticed, I don't exactly look my best." I laughed softly, trying to lighten the mood.

He sighed, a glimmer of a smile appearing for a second, before he straightened his back and stated, bowing towards me, "Of course. Please, forgive my outburst. I don't know what came over me."

I giggled and asked playfully, "Who are you, and what have you done with Agent Jones?"

He smiled again, and offered his hand out to me and asked, "May I hold your hand?"

I nodded and he began to lead me down the hallway again. I looked up at him and said, "I really do hope we can become friends."

He laughed, and it echoed down the hall. "Adaria, we already are."

____________________________________________________________Greetings, it's Wystoria! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Some personal problems have come up, so I won't be updating as often. However, I'll do my best to upload whenever I can! I've also made some drawings of the characters and as soon I as figure out how to insert them into the chapter, I'll upload them. I hope you have a splendid day/night! Love for all!