Miss Raven's Talent Facility, First Year

Chapter One: Grace

                                                                      Chapter 1

                                                                         Grace

    “Tag!” Grace shouted, laughing. “Pew pew. You die now.” She laughed harder. Her sister, Jo, laughed back and clasped her hands to her chest.

    “Oh no!” she exclaimed. “I’m dead, what a shame.” She fell to the ground and lay perfectly still. Grace smirked.

    “I won, silly goose.” She smiled, brown eyes lighting up with excitement. “You can stand up now.” Jo smiled back and stood. She clasped her older sister’s hand and swung it in a big arch, leading Grace away towards the town. Her green-hazel eyes seemed to glow when she laughed, like now. Grace laughed back. The two were almost twins. They both had brown hair, though Jo’s was significantly lighter. They both had freckles, and their attitudes were almost exactly alike. The two sisters were goofy and spastic. They were fun, as Grace said. Her sister was one of her best friends.

    “Run faster before I shootchu,” Jo called. Grace chuckled.

    “Stop being so weird,” she warned. But she did as her sister asked and ran faster. It didn’t take long for them to reach the town. Grace was the first one to see the flier. She cocked her head. “What’s that for?” she asked.

    “What?” Jo turned and found what Grace was talking about. “It says, ‘Miss Raven’s Talent Facility; a School for Rising Stars’.”

    “Want to check it out?” Grace asked. Jo nodded.

    “Let’s go!” She dashed off before Grace could stop her.

    “Wait for me!” Grace called. “We could use a school, especially since we’re not in one right now.”

    They followed signs plastered all over the town, and they soon found Miss Raven’s Talent Facility. There were all sorts of people inside, short people and tall people. Plump people and people thin as twigs. People with hair as black as a raven’s feathers and those with hair as white as snow. Confused, Grace walked inside the building, Jo following.

    A tall woman with black hair in a bun hurried to meet them. “Welcome, and what are your names?” she asked.

    “Actually,” Grace began, “We’re here to learn more about this place. Could we speak to...Miss Raven?”

    The woman bowed. “This is she.” She smiled. She had bright blue eyes, and pale skin. “How may I help you?”

    “What is this school about?” Jo asked. “You know, like, what subjects are there? Is it a collage, or a high school?”

    “All your basic subjects like math and PE, in addition to classes created specially for those pursuing a career in the arts,” Miss Raven explained. “It is a school open to all ages. Where are your parents? Have they approved?”

    The sisters exchanged glances. Grace spoke first.

    “Our parents died, long ago,” Grace said reluctantly. “We raise ourselves.”

    “We say it’s OK, though,” Jo cut in, fighting tears. Her hand slipped up to a cat necklace on a silver chain around her neck. Grace pulled her close in comfort. Miss Raven gave them a sympathetic glance.

    “I’m so sorry, for bringing it up.” She smiled warmly and slipped a sheet of paper into their hands. “Here, this is the sign-up sheet. When you’ve composed yourselves, feel free to fill in the spaces. Take your time,” she added as she walked away. Grace placed the sign-up sheet on the table and gazed down at it.