The Musain Academy

6.

Alex and AJ walked home that day with AJ's spirits low. "Hey it's not your fault you fell AJ. You know it's hard," Alex soothed.
"It's not that. It's the fact that James caught me Alex. He caught me," AJ snapped.
"It's fine AJ," Alex said. She shook her head and started walking faster to try and loose her brother. She got into the house and slammed the door in Alex's face.

Alex groaned and looked up at the large sign on the top of the building. SWIFFEN'S ORPHANAGE. This is where Alex and AJ's parents had worked before they died. Now the twins looked after the children there. It wasn't easy but they managed.

The oldest orphan, Lily, leaned against the counter top. She sighed when AJ stormed in. "AJ! You've got a mood," she teased. AJ rolled her eyes. "Ha ha. Very funny Lily. You're so hilarious," AJ replied sarcastically. She wasn't really in her best mood. In fact, she rarely had a mood that was her best. "Are you in one of your moods AJ? Which one is it today? The I hate everybody mood or the woe is me because James is dating that girl?" Lily asked. AJ gasped and hit Lily on the arm. "I take it that it's the first mood," she muttered. 

Alex came in shortly after. "Your sister is in one of her moods again Alex. And I think it might be the 'I hate everybody mood'" Lily informed. 
"This isn't because James-" Alex started. AJ gave him a glare and he shut up. ~
"James what?" Lily urged. 
"James caught her in practice so she's pissed off about that," Alex blurted out. AJ groaned slightly as Lily frowned. 

"You need to get over him AJ. He's slowly tearing you apart. One day you're talking to him, the next he's talking to her, then he's kissing her in front of you. It's heartbreak AJ. You've dealt with it for too long. Get over him," Lily told her. AJ shook her head as tears gathered in her eyes. Lily walked over to her and pulled the taller girl into an embrace. 

"You're convinced that you haven't made any mistakes. That you're fine and okay. That's not true AJ. You know that," Alex said. 
"No mistakes are made. I am fine. I'm okay. Yeah I know this is true love. How can there be any pain?" AJ asked. Lily and Alex both frowned. "Some mistakes get made. But I'm still fine and okay. Still in the end it's better for me. Will I get a happy story?" 

"AJ," Alex muttered. For the first time in weeks, tears rolled down AJ Swiffen's cheeks. She was always told to hide her tears. Not to disgrace the Les Amis like Misha did. Finally, she was able to show sadness. Show her tears. And the stress piling up inside, was gone. They went to school with AJ actually feeling great that day. What a day it turned out to be. Tari Mari and her posse were waiting at the front door. As soon as AJ walked in, they pulled her aside. She paled as she knew what would happen. Tari Mari took her to a room.

"You're still trying to get him AJ I know you are," she growled.
"Of course I am," AJ muttered. She had found confidence.
"You know I can take you down. I just gotta break you down," Tari Mari grinned.
"Well girl it's been 5 long years and you're still trying," AJ dismissed.
"Do you think I'm scared?" Tari Mari asked. 
"No but I know you're pathetic," AJ replied. 
"I hope that you're prepared," Tari Mari snarled. 
"And I'm gonna make you scared for once. While you been snogging my James. Heartbreak: what a shame. I've been fighting back and biting back viciously. Yeah prom queen is my claim. I will get that fame. The crown ain't got your name anymore," AJ grinned. 

"I don't know what you're saying. A dangerous game you're playing. If I were you I'd go. So AJ, what do you know?" Tari Mari asked. 
"You're cheating on James every night with another boy. I'll take my payback you bet it. So you better run. Girl this is fun. I'll get the gun and cock it. The bullet will be fired when James, he knows. So? Should he know?" AJ ranted. 
"No!" Tari Mari screamed. 

(TW: BULLYING! SKIP THIS PARAGRAPH IF NEEDED) 
That was how AJ's day got worse. Elena ran up to Rolf and Alex who were talking. "Rolf? What's up with AJ and Tari Mari?" she asked. 
"AJ and Tari Mari used to be best friends until Tari Mari started dating James when they were thirteen breaking AJ's heart," Rolf explained. 
"No. What happened with that fight in the meeting room?" Elena questioned. 
"Ah yes," Rolf muttered. 
"AJ and Tari Mari got into an argument. An intense argument. AJ said some things she shouldn't have and Tari Mari got angry. She pinned AJ against the wall and yelled at the poor girl. This was in the meeting room of course so everyone saw it. As soon as Tari Mari let go, AJ went to leave. But not before Tari Mari yelled at her a final time," Alex said. 
"What did she say?" Elena asked. 
"'If you leave this room you are dead to all of us!'" Rolf recited. 
"AJ said to her 'I wish I was dead," Alex continued. His voice got quieter with every word. That was what really happened. 

The group watched as AJ was trying to do the trick from the night before. Elena looked around but there was no sign of James anywhere. The upped the platform before AJ told her brother to raise it higher. Alex nodded and raised it up. "What is she doing?" Elena mumbled. 
"Stay safe AJ!" Alex yelled up. The girl nodded and took a running start. She caught the hoop. Alex sighed in relief. Then she suddenly fell. 

"JAMES!"