You can't find me

Chapter 1

"Ry! Hurry upp! We can't be late to the academy again! I don't want to get another yellow note from Ms. Rosa. She already hates my guts!" I yell from the first floor.

"I'm coming! Don't leave without me!" she says while running down the stairs with her bag. 

I roll my eyes as Ry tries catching her breath while we get out of her house. She knows that I would never leave her even if we had a fight but always questions me on it.

 Small pieces of her straight blonde hair come out of her bun and block her light blue eyes. She blows them off as we reach the main street.

"I can't believe it's our last year of school. You know, I applied for the position at the library in the capital. I really-"

"Have you gone mad? I told you not to! Didn't I tell you how dangerous it is to be near that place? Forget being near that place, your talking about going in it! The highborne's won't leave any chance they get to report you! Your literally volunteering to be on the royals radar, Ry. Please revoke the application. We all want you to be safe" I plead.  

I know I was being selfish for trying to make her to stay but I didn't want to lose someone else.

 I had firsthand experience of having family members being taken away by the royals. The last thing I wanted was for someone else who I loved to be taken by those cruel monsters. It was a big deal when they were taken and the whole town used to talk about it. Nobody actually knew that those people were related to me because my parents had always kept my existence a secret. Now my only family was Leila who was 5. I know you must think how that even is possible..

 My aunt and uncle had gotten a letter saying she was the daughter of Athelyna Ann Everson, my mother. Which meant that she was still alive for all those years we were separated. I never understood how the baby even came all the way back to us but was more than happy and grateful for whoever who gave her back. 

There was no news of my father or my other siblings though which had made me cry for months straight, thinking they had all died. Now I just forbid myself from thinking of them because my hate for the royal family only increases as I do. And I don't think it is wise of me to go to the castle and slap the disgusting king across his face. 

"Ari, were you even paying attention to what I was saying? I'm sorry for applying but if I do get accepted, I'll promise to be safe. And I will definitely always send letters to you guys." she hesitantly says. 

I just shake my head back and forth as we both quietly enter the school.

 (We can't talk in the hallways of the school because every grouping has different start times. And it wouldn't be fair for them to have to hear so much noise when they could be testing.)  

Thankfully there are 5 minutes to spare before class begins. 

We quickly reach our class and settle down in our desks while waiting for the teacher to arrive. 

Kyle and Cindy both stop talking to the group around them and walk towards out seats. 

"Did you hear the news? I can't believe it! It's unbelievable that the council might actually pass that absurd law." Kyle says. 

"What news and what law?" Ry and I say at the same time. 

"Well. We only heard rumors but..." Cindy starts to say but then stops when Ms. Rosa enters the room. 

Kyle walks up to her and to tell her about it but she waves him off. 

"Okay, everyone get back to your seats. You all will be taking the Starlen test today. This wi-"

"How can we even take that! That is for the Vysilian academy students! We haven't even learned about all the things on it!" Estel shouts from the back of the room. 

The silence that had arrived when Ms. Rosa entered the room was gone in a flash as everyone started getting up and talking about it. 

"Something is definitely wrong. I know Rosa likes failing us but giving us that test? She would never. It's against the guidelines too! We aren't even gifted with abilities so how will we take the test?" Alia whispers to me.

"That's what I was thinking. Maybe she will explain what's going on?" I say and we both look over to the teacher who's hands are trembling with the papers she is holding. 

Ms. Rosa and being scared? Something for sure was off, I thought.