Extraordinary Mistakes II - Blood Ties

I'm number one now

July 2014

13-year-old Jade pretends not to listen to her parents talking on the phone, in English with the person on the other end of the line, and in Swahili with one another. She understands both and knows how disappointed they are with the news.

The Institute finally opened, and she was accepted, passing all the tests except the one her parents wanted her to excel at. The level of ability.

They turn off the phone and don't notice that she's lurking, watching them.

"They'll send the contract. She got the number two position. The first girl will be announced. She's a fifth generation, no one like her. But she's number two in the world, they say. She's not more powerful than her. Lies," Jade's mother's fists curl and her voice resonates throughout the room.

"Number two is good," her father's soothing voice echoes through the room.

"Good? Matthew Moore's invincible. What do they say? We should fear him. We should kill him. Jade's invincible too. And not number one? Why? Only one in the world that is a fifth deviant on a row. Only. How is she not the most powerful? How?"

"The contract's good, no? Good money, suitable position. If number one goes away, she becomes it. What other choice do we have? In Kenya, she won't be number two even. Kenya appreciates Jade, sure, but they don't have what America has. The money, the resources. Here Jade can be better. And number two, that's good. It's a matter of time. We wait."

In the next month, one before the start of classes at the Institute, the world woke up to the world's most powerful deviant announcement.

Until then, such a title didn't exist. Why the Institute had the power to make a top and announce it as it mattered?

The Eurasian organization quickly denounced it, so did most African countries and some Latin American, but with the promise that foreign students would have the chance to study at the Institute, some of the critical voices dimmed.

Jade looks at her phone and sees Emily being announced as number one. She notices her smile.

Are you afraid of being the most powerful? Is that what that smile hides?

One month later, on the first day of the Institute, Jade walks through the building like she owns it, head high and shoulders straight. She smiles while talking to the employees at the entrance and runs toward the elevator doors. Emily holds it for her and smiles when their eyes meet.

"Which class are you in?" She asks with a giant smile, and Jade refuses to even acknowledge the girl. "Sorry, I assumed you spoke English. I guess you don't study here, work maybe? Clean?" she makes a gesture imitating wiping the floor. "Me," she puts her hand on her chest, "Emily Roberts, most powerful in the world."

"Girl, you're not even the most powerful in this elevator." Jade faces her. "If you tried right now to hurt me, you wouldn't be able to. I don't know who sold you that idea that you are the most powerful," she scoffs, "but you aren't. Just some pretty face, probably dumb enough to manipulate."

Emily's eyes are wide, and her lips come apart, but words don't come out.

"I'm Jade Harris. My face didn't make it to the news. But it will be one day. Let's keep out of each other's way."

The door opens and Jade leaves. Emily stays there, speechless, frozen, powerless.

***

August 2016

"Aminu Ikubor, your designated student is... wow!" The employee's mouth opens wide. "Emily Roberts, how lucky. Please wait by while Ms. Roberts arrives. Next."