Looming Secrets

Chapter 3

Ariella

It's the first day of school, and it's Monday. I have to say this is the worst combination ever. I mean, seriously? First day of school, on a Monday. I think the headmaster and teachers just wanted to give us another reason to hate Mondays and school. Not that I need anymore reasons to hate this place, but hey, I'm grumpy today so you can't really blame me. Well, I guess you can, but . . . whatever.

Sitting in the Dining Hall surrounded by tools was not making my mood any better. The noise of voices and laughter pounding my head wasn't helping either. The bright light streaming through the tall floor to ceiling windows were annoying me too, and let me tell you, those windows are huge. So to take mercy on my eyes, I looked to the other side of the room and saw my three friends finishing gathering food from the buffet tables and making their way to me, where I sat with a cup of tea and some pancakes.

"Hey Ari!" Raina called out to me. I gave back a small wave and kept chomping on my pancakes.

"What's up?" Nick and Jenn asked at the same time.

"Nothing."

"Well then, why are you so down?"

"Nothing. It's just that it's Monday."

"Oh, yeah, you do hate Mondays." Jenn laughed and said, "Well, I know what would cheer you up. Here you go." She handed me some chocolate and I put it in my mouth. I suddenly felt so much better. I gave a smile and said thank you.

"There. That's better," Nick said, patting my head.

"Yeah. I am not looking forward to training with a crabby Ari today." Jenn said, shaking her head.

"Ugh, don't remind me. Jason's in that class."

"It's not that bad, Ari. It's like Phys. Ed, except you do sparring with real weapons."

"Easy for you to say, Raina, you took the class last year, so you don't have to take it anymore."

"Seriously Ari," Jenn said. "You have to take it sooner or later. Well . . . Actually, you don't get a later because this is our last year here. Anyways, it's still fun. You get to kick people's asses without getting in trouble, and that's why I've stayed in that class for the last three years."

"Jenn, you and Nick are like naturals at fighting, so of course it's fun for you two. But it's not fun for me 'cause I'm going to be the one who gets my butt kicked."

Raina sighed and tried to make me happy again, "Ari, it's not that painful. Just a few bruises and the occasional broken limb."

"Yeah, thanks, Raina. That made me feel so much better." I said with fake excitement.

"You know what, Ari? Just deal with it. It's not a big deal. Take the class, get a few scratches, and you're done with this place. Then off to law school, okay?" Nick said back.

"Okay, fine."

"Come on, let's see that smile," Raina sounded kind of sorry for me, so for the best of it, I smiled.

The school hasn't changed at all. It's the same crowded hall, with the same pushy people, but for some reason, one person was pushier than the rest.

"Move it, Parkerson." The next thing I know, I'm on the ground with all my books scattered around me. I looked up to see Jason walking over my things and not even bothering to say sorry.

I've had enough of this, and you know what? I might as well use what I've learned at the summer camp.

I closed my eyes to concentrate and muttered under my breath, "Cado." Fall.