The Mismunandi

Chapter 7

Before first period starts, I walk into Dr. Paver's room. He looks up at me as though he was expecting this visit. I stand close to him so that my voice is a whisper.

"So there's more people going down there with us," I say.

"Yes. Consider it a new semester at MTA and they are taking in new members," he says as he grades papers.

"Does that mean there are more Mismunandi here in this town?"

"Yes. I think you'll be surprised to see who is going. Everyone there is from ages eleven to twenty, not counting the board. You might even know someone going considering your age."

The bell rings, signaling the ten minutes I have to go to my locker and get to class. I mumble a thank you and close the door a little harder than I should have. I have so much on my mind and I'm staring at the ground, walking fast as I round the corner and run right smack into a girl holding loose papers that are now floating to the ground around us. She scrambles around trying to pick them all up. I help her pick them up when I notice a shiny gold flyer next to me. I pick it up, but she quickly jerks it away from me.

"Sorry," she says. "It's just that...um...it's a personal thing."

"Pretty bad choice of color if it's private," I say sarcastically.

"Yeah, It's the organization's color. I, uh, can you please move?" She asks. I cock my head and turn around realizing I'm standing in front of Dr. Paver's door. She must need to talk to him privately since he doesn't have a first period. I slide out of the way.

"Do you have him?" I ask.

She hesitates. "Yes," she finally says.

I can't help but laugh a little. "Um, are you sure."

"Yes," she says more confidently this time. "Thanks for the help and sorry I ran into you." I nod and start walking towards my locker.

That was fishy. Dr. Paver's words play over on my mind. "You might even know someone that's going," He said. I wonder if that girl is a Mismunandi. What are the odds of me and another Mismunandi literally running into each other. I bet the flyer was for the academy. I don't know what their colors are, though. I don't know why they would have colors. It's not like it's a high school that has sports teams and clubs and a mascot and they compete in league games with other High Schools. It just seems kind of silly.

I pull my Physics book out of my locker and grab a hair tie for gym. With about four minutes to get to class I decide to take the elevator which is full of the usual late-to-class kids a.k.a. the trouble makers, who are currently throwing a football through the small space. As soon as the doors open I push my way through the Elevator Football Team and speed-walk away, earning a few laughs. The bell rings as soon as I plop down in my usual desk next to my good friend, Kimmy. She leans over her knees and raises an eyebrow.

"I heard Laney got it on with three guys at the party Saturday," she whispers, turning around and waving to Laney, who looks around the room confused and then points to herself. Kimmy nods and then turns back to me, rolling her eyes.

"There was a party? Of course I didn't hear about it," I say.

"Grace danced on the table and then Josh and Drake got in a fight over who got to take her home." Kimmy laughs out loud, making a few people turn to see what's so funny.

"Sounds like I missed the fun," I shrug.

"I didn't even tell you the best part," Kimmy continues, scooting her desk a little closer to mine. "After Drake lost the fight I drove him home." Kimmy leans back with a wide smile. I look up from last week's homework long enough to smirk.