The Fauna effect

10. strenght

"Wake up!" Is the last thing I hear before a pillow collides with my face.

My eyelids fall shut again, not adjusting with the sun coming from the window "Was that necessary?" I mumble while rubbing my eyes.

"Today's a special day, wear your best gear" He announces while fixing his hair infront of the mirror.

My arms stretch "What do you mean?"

He grabs the door handle and adjusts his bag on his shoulder "Hurry" he says before I hear the door shut.

I forget everyone here knows everything but me.

After getting dressed I rush out the door, immediatly colliding with a chest "Sorry" I say before taking in who I just hit, it's the tall guy from yesterday, the third year "Sorry" I say again to make sure he heard me.

"It's fine, Fauna?" He asks, he either forgot my name or is just being nice.

"Yes, nice to meet you...?"

"Lucian" He finishes for me with an amused smile "You were great yesterday" he notes.

" I don't know about that" He shakes his head in response.

"You were"

"Hey Ashford are you coming?" The tanned short boy from yesterday calls from him at the end of the hall, and a big figure walks alongside him, I could recognize those big broad shoulders anywhere, Kyro.

"I have to go, good luck today, don't be nervous"

"Nervous for what?" I ask to the air since he in two strides catches up to his friends.

It takes me more than it should to get to class, when I get there it's already packed, and I find my place next to Dylan, who's the most concentrated I've ever seen him.

"Alright class"  Mr Duskridge starts "Today is the big day!" He proclaims, earning loud cheers from everyone.

"What's going on?"

Dylan smiles "We're picking the birds"

"You're kidding?" The birds, of course, the birds that warriors ride so they can protect Eadonth, that's why Dylan told me to wear my best gear.

"Without further due" He says before a group of birds enter the room, in their "human" form, with feathers only in their lower arms and legs. Most of them tall and strong, and I watch as the other students' hungry eyes scan to find who has the best form or potential.

Behind all of the birds I see a girl, around my age, shyly scratching her arm, she can't be taller than 4'11, her skin is as white as the wall behind her, with long jet black hair, her monolid eyes scan the room, with a shy and hidden presence, she looks totally out of place in comparison to the muscular and big individuals next and infront of her.

Oh how I understand her.

The first one to go is Aloc--of course--he licks his lips as he goes down the stairs, immeidatly high fiving the biggest guy there.

The teacher scribbles down on his paper "Alright, next...Fauna Acardi"

I gulp, feeling lucky for still having a lot of options, as I get down the stairs I hear a banging sound followed by the wistle and laughing track of the students birds.

When I look down, I notice the same girl from earlier who just fell, she's looking at the floor, trying to ignore the laughs of her peers who I assume just pushed her.

"Was she even here?" I hear someone ask from behind me.

"I don't know, but I'd die before picking her"