Ending Paradise

It All Falls Down

We arrived at our training site with a brand new set of tasks, work with an assigned partner and figure out each other synergies.

"This is so unconventional,"

Yeah but it's nice to use our minds critically-

"I wish she'd just tell us what she wants us to do exactly,"

But she did, we need to explore and discover things for ourselves-

"For fucks sake, they're all so annoying!"

They aren't annoying you just can't respect her teaching methods-

"I want to leave,"

And I want a better partner.

I stared at the boy, named Angelo, through my goggles but nothing seemed out of the ordinary or too noteworthy.

"Can you synergize?" I asked him but he only stared back at me with a wildly grim look.

With a deep exhale, I took a seat on a stone bench across from him.

"Could you at least do something a little. . . magical?" I tried to pressure him but he was already in a napping posture and unwilling to work with me.

I sighed, "Dude, it's our last lesson day, you could at least be a little more cooperative,"

No matter how much I pleaded and attempted to change his mind, he would not budge. No care for anyone's time but his own. I try to shake it off and try and figure it out on my mind own but something is so irritating about him, I can't get it out of my head.

With a groan, I slide out my seat and fall down to the floor. My hands retreat back into my pockets for warmth.

The compass! It's not in my pocket. Maybe it's in a different pocket?

With another huff, I stand and start searching for my missing item. I assume it would be hard to miss with all this snow around but alas I'm proven wrong by the swift kick of panic rushing through my body. I don't think I could explain something like that nor do I hope to.

My mind tries to remember the path I took and retraced my steps. Even though the rough path had been outlined by the snow I still couldn't find it.

Perhaps I could ask around but it doesn't seem like anyone would know anything. Since we've arrived everyone has been focused on their magic and using it and I don't want to disturb them. No, I can't grow as a person if I can't handle myself socially. But on the other hand, she seems very engrossed within her study book.

I promptly approached a girl with pale blonde hair and shining blue eyes. My chest puffed up with my swelling fear.

Oh no, what if she thinks I'm lame and insults me or cast public shame on me. She doesn't look harmful but still, I don't want to encroach on her reading time. Maybe I should ask someone else or come back later so I don't disrupt her.

She glanced up at me with a large smile, "Can I help you?"

I jumped and stared at her for second processing that she had noticed my presence, especially with such grace. She closed her book and turned to me awaiting my answer.

Damn, I didn't really want to interrupt her reading, but I guess that can't be helped.

"No– I mean, yes. Have you seen my compass?"

"I'm sorry I can't say I have seen a compass laying around," a blonde girl shrugged off. I sighed and pulled my hood back.

"Damn! I guess I'm screwed!" I droned powdering the walkway with more snow in our training area from a small exacerbated kick.