Alpha Academy: Misfit's Rise

Chapter Ten: The Students

Having started high school a month ago, masses of teenagers was hardly a new sight, but I'd never seen beings like this. In the hallways, they wore clothing made of exquisite material that was so vibrant they almost glowed. Some changed colors, like they were standing under a strobe light. And all of them were so complex in design, it was hard to believe a person made them.

But as they reached the doors on the dining hall, their clothes switched back to the flowing garb Gwen and Arthur had been dressed in earlier, which must mean it was the school uniform. A few girls tried to sneak in without changing out of their tight-fitting dresses with colors moving around like lava lamps, but the doors wouldn't budge. Grumbling, they snapped their fingers and their uniforms returned, finally allowing them to slip inside. I didn't know why they looked so grumbly, since those uniforms were still nicer than anything I'd worn in my entire life.

I didn't quite believe Arthur when he said Fae 'glowed.' I mean, Mom was a Faerie, I was part-Faerie, and we didn't glow. But next to all the other species, Fae stood out, like supermodels. Other students had skin of every color imaginable, from scarlet to silver—the Warlocks. A group of girls walk by wearing black leather pants and tank tops beaded in sweat—the Warriors. The Elves ears were extremely easy to spot, and they also seemed a tad bit shorter than everyone else. I'd probably have to see them in action to be sure, but I got the idea they were more like Santa's Elves than fantasy warrior Elves.

Anyway, I had six out of the seven species down. Now all I had to do was find a Sorcerer.

The dining hall was filled with many smaller, round tables. There was no food on these tables, just these silver squares. One girl held her hand over it, muttering something, and a plate of food appeared under her fingertips.

In another corner I saw the girl with the ivy tattoo ... what did Arthur say her name was? Oh yeah, Sedna. Based on what I'd seen in the hallway, she wouldn't be my best bet for a helpful hand here, but I couldn't stop watching her anyway. She was walking in the opposite direction of everyone else, away from the food. Just before she disappeared around a corner, she glanced around and her eyes met mine. My breath caught, but she just smirked before disappearing completely.

That could've been worse, I mused as I turned back toward the students. My eyes fell on a boy sitting alone in a far corner. He had black hair just long enough to cast shadows on his eyes. His skin was pale, almost white. He glanced up, like he could sense me looking at him. His eyes glowed silver. I'd finally found a Sorcerer.

He cocked his head, watching me, and then he winked. I blushed and looked away, walking forward like nothing happened. When I dared look back, he was talking to a girl who joined his table. I kept walking, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. I'd never seen a Sorcerer before, and I had so many questions about them. I was so lost in my thoughts, I walked straight into someone else.

"Whoa." I stepped back. "I'm sorry."

"Just be more careful the next time," the girl muttered. She had raven-black hair and ice-blue eyes that looked like contacts, only it must be her mark. She was a Witch.

"Right." I smiled, but she ignored me and sat down at the table behind me. After a moment, I joined her. I hadn't exactly made the best first impression, but my optimistic side kept telling me she was my future best friend. That was usually how it worked in movies. And there was something about her ... though I wasn't sure what it was.

"I'm Billie," I said as I took a seat. "And you are?"

She just looked at me, not answering. Did anybody believe in manners here? After someone introduced themselves, you were supposed to introduce yourself back.