Below the Surface

Chapter 2

I woke up to my boring purple ceiling again. It was Friday. My alarm was still going off, so I slammed my fist down on it to silence the annoying beep. It stopped. I kicked my legs over the side if the bed, and ran my fingers through my hair, snagging on knots. I was about to get up, and get changed, when, I heard my parents voices echo down the hall. I couldn't understand them, so I crept over to my door, and cracked it open a little bit.

"Is that safe?" Mom's anxious voice echoed through the hall.

"Yes, dear, they don't know.... and they are not supposed to know until they graduate." Dad reassured Mom.

"But-" Mom's voice rang out.

"Shhh!" Dad chastised her. "Summer could be awake by now!" I cringed at the sound of my name.

"Oh, alright," I heard Mom confess. "But, I still don't think it's safe, meddling around with the other realms-"

"Shh!!!!!!" I could practically hear his spit falling to the floor with the intense 'shhhh'. I quickly backed away, and thought about what I just heard.

Meddling with the other realms... only knowing when I graduate.... THEY'RE AT THE SCHOOL!!!!!!

I started hyperventilating, and started pacing, still in my pj's.

So they're at the school, but....why? They could be.... PLANNING TO ATTACK!!!! I ran to my closet, and started pulling out boxes, and moving all my random stuff until I found it.

It was a dusty old box, even though what was inside was fairly new. I opened the box, and saw just what I expected. My mood ring. It changed colors with your body heat, but also had other qualities.

I slipped it on my right index finger, and held my hand out to look at it. The ring looked totally casual, not weird at all. I sighed and glanced at the clock.

Oh crap! It was 5:54! I had to leave in 6 minutes! I quickly tore off my pj's, then threw on some clean clothes. I ran down the stairs, taking two at a time, then ran into the kitchen and grabbed a bag of dried seaweed leaves. I ran into the living room, put on my shoes, grabbed my backpack, and ran out the door.

By the time I got to Janise's, I was panting like a dog, or whatever those things are called on the mainland. Janise opened the door, and gave me a bewildered face.

"What's wrong?" She asked. I had my arms behind my head, still panting.

"Just *gasp* found out *gasp* that-" I struggled to say.

Janise held up her hands and started walking towards the end of town. "Tell me later, at lunch." I nodded gratefully, and continued walking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"WHAT?!?!?!?" Janise ran her fingers through her hair, her eyes now wide with shock. I told her what I had heard from my parents. She turned to me, her eyes ablaze.

"HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN THIS??!" She spat in my face. I held up my arms in defense.

"I just learned it this morning!" I said as Janise looked nervously around the cafeteria, as if they would attack any second.

Then a sudden understanding flew over Janise's face, then she said, "That's why they trained us so early! To defend ourselves!" I nodded slowly. I had already figured this out.

"But how are we going to defend ourselves without our swords???" Janise said. I showed her my ring. Her eyes got wide, then she nodded.

"But, what about me?" Janise said, working herself up agian. She started breathing hard.