Alpha Academy: Misfit's Rise

Chapter Three: The Arrival

 Like always, the sunlight streaming across my window woke me up. I threw my blanket over my head in a futile attempt to shield myself, but it was too late. I was already awake. I stumbled out of bed and threw on new clothes, since I was still wearing the ones from yesterday. Based on the creaking coming from the kitchen, my mom was already up. Instead of heading downstairs, I turned toward my window. Things were always awkward the morning after we had a fight. I was willing to delay that as long as possible.

I was lucky my window looked out to the trees rather than back to the Rustlands. Plus, my mother had decided right below my window was the best place to plant her garden.

Flowers didn't grow in the Rustlands, but she managed to keep this garden going anyway. She had a thing for blue, but she had a few white roses and orchids to balance it out. It was also laced with, well, queen's lace; and lavender, which meant I had that fresh scent to greet me every morning. My favorite part, though, was the one, lone sunflower in that sea of blue and white.

My mother let me pick out one flower to add to the garden, and of course I'd picked the largest, brightest one I knew. It didn't belong there. It would've spread like a weed if not for my mother's magic, but there it was anyway. Standing tall.

There were voices coming from downstairs now. Mom had a visitor, which was weird because she didn't have many friends in the Rustlands.

Quietly as I could, I slipped outside and down the hall, stopping when I saw a familiar arm. This arm was familiar because it was covered in green veins. It was Mrs. Leto, the one Tanya's friend had called stupid for adopting too many kids. It made sense she was here. She was the closest thing my mom had to a friend.

"It seems they're keeping more tabs on us than we were lead to believe," Mrs. Leto said.

"But surely they won't send someone here. They hate coming to the human world," Mom said.

Mrs. Leto didn't respond. I guess she didn't know the answer either.

"Maia, is she ... is she still part of the UEA?" Mom asked.

"From what I hear, she's Assistant Director."

Mom's voice dropped, too quiet for me to hear.

Mrs. Leto replied, "I'm not sure Billie's given them much choice."

Well, they were definitely talking about me, though I'd already guessed as much. And it must have something to do with my ... accident. Despite what Mom said yesterday, it sounded like she thought someone was coming. I guess I shouldn't be surprised she lied to me.

"You don't think they'd ... take her, do you?" It was impossible to miss the fear in my Mom's voice.

I was so focused on their conversation, I didn't notice that my mom had wandered into view. Not until it was too late.

"Billie!" she heaved. "What are you doing?"

"Good morning to you too," I muttered.

She took that as a cue to calm down just a bit, but I could see how much she was freaking out over what I might have heard. "We were just talking about an old friend of ours."

All I could do was raise my eyebrows. It was just one lie after another with her, and not even a good one either. But it didn't matter. I recognized that determined look in her eye. There was no way I was learning anymore from her right now.

I slid down the stairs and brushed passed her. "I'm heading out."

"What? Already? Not without breakfast," she said in a rush.

I grabbed an apple off the table. "Got it covered."

I had just enough time to see her hurt look as I closed the door. That familiar wave of guilt washed over me, but I brushed it off. The state I was in, it was probably best if we weren't around each other right now, especially not in front of Mrs. Leto.