Blue Skies Academy

Chapter 6

April and I are running through the corridors. We're so, so fucked. We woke up late because the power went off in the dormitories, and her programmed alarm didn't ring. I never thought I'd regret not bringing my good ol' alarm clock with me. We exit in the gardens. Soon, the wooden platform she showed me two days ago comes into sight. Yesterday was full of classes, and I had to stop by the barn to fulfill my stable duties that were apparently assigned to me as soon as I applied for the riding course. Safe to say that when I got back to the dorm, I took my pills and fell face first into my bed and wasn't heard from again until this morning.

When we get to the platform, everyone is already there. The teacher gives us a look.

"Close to the limit, ladies." She grabs her paper and starts taking attendance.

Mrs. Sillion. She's the head of the physical education department and the defense coach. Although she doesn't look older than fifty, she's already retired. Let me rephrase that. She's a retired army colonel. She has sharp features and an impeccable, precise, calculated way of holding herself. Her gray hair is tied back into a bun with millimetrical precision. April told me things about her. She's ruthless when it comes to lying or whatever it is she perceives as going against all that is fair and doesn't hold back with her punishments. But she's also, despite her rough nature, an excellent teacher. Alright. In the folder that De LaRoche gave me, it says that I've been trained in self-defense ever since I was young. I sigh. The only thing that's not sitting right with me is that Dominic is here. I look around, and I spot him. Then I noticed the guy standing next to him. It's that redhead.

"That's Rowan. He's Fabiana's twin," April says as she notices me staring.

"Oh. Right. Twins. I didn't know why he looked so familiar."

"Yeah. Although they're twins, they barely look alike, yet still resemble one another. That's why seeing them plays games with your mind; you're just asking yourself 'Huh, where do I know this person from?' Confused me at first, too," she adds.

I give her a smile. It now made sense. And I remember that I hadn't seen Fabiana for a while. I don't have the time to ask any more questions.

"Alright students. Welcome back, or just welcome to combat classes. As you all already know, we have a new student who joined us." She eyes me then continues. "Today I want you to show her what you can and show me that all my training wasn't for nothing." She turns to me again. "You, on the other hand, will have to show me what you can do."

I almost gulp. Her stare is cold as ice. Mrs. Sillion looks around the bunch of students on the platform. I do so, too. And then I spot him. Again. Dominic isn't even looking at me, too busy to flirt with some other blonde. I had forgotten that we were supposed to share activities. I shake my head and turn my attention back to Mrs. Sillion only to find her inspecting me discreetly.

"De LaRoche. Come here." She calls out.

Dominic snaps his head back towards his teacher and just now notices me standing next to her. His face drops only briefly as his confused frown is quickly replaced by a smirk.

Mrs. Sillion gives out clear warm-up instructions but pulls Dominic and I aside.

"Dominic," she starts, "is a talented student. Not a hidden gem, but witty and quick on his feet. He'll be a good way to evaluate you. I've read your student information. But I don't form my opinions based on things I don't see with my own eyes. I propose to you a combat with Mr. De LaRoche here, so I can assess your capacities."

I nod. I like a practical teacher, someone who doesn't judge based on appearances. She asks the other people in the group to run a few laps around the gardens to warm up.