Problems of the Gifted

A promise

(*Note: TW-death*)

(Layla Hart pov.)

Only a few hours have passed since we've arrived at Jian's house.
In order to get at least some comfort, we decided to change our clothes, no one wanted to wear the academy's uniform.

It's a good thing we had taken our bags with us.

As to right now, we sit in the living room.
I look around.
Eric, George and Samir sit on a sofa, all tired.
We all are.
Meanwhile, Aiden and Amaya sit on the puffy rug, Valerie and Ben next to them, Jian going around while handing out glasses of water, Zain standing next to Ms. Volkov who was the one who got us out of this mess.
But it's not over just yet.

I can't just sit here and wait for- whatever it is I'm waiting for.

Ms. Volkov's phone rings and she takes it out of her coat pocket.

"Turn on the news." She tells us without looking up in a straightforward tone.

Samir grabs the remote and turns it on.
There are news about a conference with some politicians.
All of us watch closely because Headmistress Harris is there as well.
That must be the conference they announced in the radio earlier.
She steps up on the podium and silence falls over the crowd, there are many people present outside city hall, which is where the conference is held.

Apparently this is some kind of announcement.

None of us like where this is going.

Finally, she speaks:
"I thank you all for being here.
As a matter of fact, I have something I need to share as the headmistress of AGI.
We have-"

But her voice is cut short by the sounds of a helicopter slowly lowering itself to the ground, everyone looks confused as the reporter comments:

"Ladies and gentlemen- this is not an official helicopter- this doesn't look like it's one of AGI either!"

What- what is this supposed to be?

It finally lands near the stage as the crowds parts, the camera shows the door slide open.
My heart sinks abruptly as the Headmaster of TOL steps out of the helicopter.
It's not a mistake: The blonde hair, his left eye blue, the other gray which has a scar running across it.

Something's very wrong.
What is he doing there?!

I fidget with my hands when Ben asks:
"Who... is that?"

There is no way she is going to let that slide, especially when her ability is nature manipulation. She could easily defend herself, right?

He steps up where Headmistress Harris was standing, stopping short in front of her.
At that moment, no one knows what he says to her.

(Rose Harris pov.)

I stare up at him, his tall figure looking down at me with bitterness, yet I don't budge.
Literally appearing out of the blue, the Headmaster of TOL is right in front of me.

To be completely honest, I have never seen him before, but it's like we've known each other for years. One could suppose enemies don't really need to know each other to be enemies.

He says in a low tone, so that no one else can hear as the crowd remains confused by this spectacle:

"It is certainly a pleasure to meet in person, Headmistress Rose Harris."

With clenching hands, I'm ready to drive thorns into his chest:
"It is."

"Now, let's not cause unnecessary chaos.
It's your choice, really, but if you decide to summon your botanic ability, all of these people will die."