Aurelia the Rebellious

14: Onyx

When I got to school the next day, my friends tried to talk to me during History Class, but I didn't respond. I focused on the textbook, I felt like reading was the only thing I couldn't screw up. When I woke up, I was late for class so I was the last one to enter the room. I had a goal in mind: don't screw anything up, and try not to talk to your friends.

"Come on Rels!" Sierrah shouted, she slammed her hands onto my desk. I looked up, but I didn't say anything. "It's not your fault! It's my stupid cousin's fault for trying something so risky." Sierrah's eyes flicked to Adriel. "He should've known that the phoenix would try to take over, the phoenix always tries to." She hit the back of Adriel's head who was standing next to her. In fact, all my friends were gathered around my desk.

"Yeah Aurelia, stop beating yourself up for no reason..." Adriel whispered. His voice was so soft, it reminded me of the phoenix night all over again. Then, Adriel said. "It doesn't suit you, so start being annoying again and start talking."

"Wait what?" I looked up from my book in disbelief. I expected Adriel to be the most mad, but it turns out, he wasn't mad at me at all? Adriel nodded. "Really? You're not mad at me?" I was skeptical. "I'm the one who suggested the spar, I'm the one who talked back with just as loudly. And you, Adriel Carnell, the most pettiest boy I know, aren't mad?" I couldn't help but sneak in an insult there.

"YES! How many times do you want me to repeat myself? I swear all you ever do is-" Adriel started to go on and on about how annoying I was. I started to forget he was willing to forgive me in the first place.

"Ok, fine, let's just forget about this... and what happened last night" I sighed. I intertwined my fingers together and put both of my hands on my desk as a way to make it somewhat official. My friends nodded eagerly, glad to have me talking again. Later on, we headed to Combat Class, and no one was quiet as we walked through the hallways.

"Okay Ravens," Coach Carson called us by our school mascot. "Today we will be going to fight partners I assigned to you. We will switch partners every 10 minutes." Our coach went to each student and whispered something in their ear.

After hearing Mr. Carson say we should go to another student and start sparring, I got nostalgia from my spar last night. I hoped that I wouldn't have to fight Adriel again, we both agreed that last night was a draw.

"Yes!" I heard someone whisper. I turned to see Esme looking excited as Coach Carson talked to her. Esme practically skipped when she went over to Daniel Truebell. I could swear I saw sparkles in her eyes. Esme noticed me looking and fixed her expression. I tried to keep myself from laughing, because this was downright hilarious.

"Aurelia?" Coach Coby came to me while holding a clipboard. "You're going to fight with..." He looked down at his clipboard, "Ms. Katrina Serbios." I sucked in my breath. I didn't want to be paired with Adriel, but I didn't want to be paired with a stranger.

"Oh, isn't it 'little miss perfect'?" Katrina's arms were crossed when I came up to her. "Thank you for gracing me with your presence." Sofia smirked from the distance, I guessed that Sofia had put her best friend up to this. How mature.

"Pardon?" I raised my eyebrows to show how confused I was.

"You heard me." Katrina made a smirk that was basically her copying Sofia. How irritating of both of them.

"Well," I closed my eyes before opening to make a deadpan look, "you're welcome." I created a single sword, and Katrina readied her hooked blades. I was the first to charge at her, readying my sword to create a diagonal slicing motion, but Katrina was ready. Her hooks, formed into the shape of an X now, helped to defend herself. I gritted my teeth, I needed to push Katrina off balance.