Children Of The Solstice & Equinox [ Wattys 2016 ]

Chapter Eight • Fawn

The trip from the lake to the academy was only the beginning. The perfectly green trees and grass never ceased. The birds chirped in a beautiful melody that rang in my ears. The sun seemed to shine much brighter here than it did in our world, or I suppose this is our world now.

I heard a gasp from my right and turned to see a look of awe on her freckled face. I was confused until I saw what she was looking at. The trees had become thinner and came into a clearing of perfectly trimmed grass. My eyes followed it until they reached stone. I trailed my gaze upwards, the wall went extraordinarily high. I couldn't help but wonder if it was meant to keep people in, or everyone out. The stone was shined a cream color, glittering in the sunlight.

The large gates were made of a silver metal, the center of the gate looked like a representation of all the season. One quarters was snowflakes, another leaves in the winds, another a bright sun and the last a display of flowers, all made of the same metal.

Mother Nature Superior led the pack. The gates smoothly swung open as soon as she stepped up to them, allowing us a clear view of the courtyard beyond the walls. A bubbling fountain stood in the center. Students were scattered around it and the surrounding benches. Surrounding the fountain was a couple meters of stone and then grass, planted with several trees around the perimeter.

Suddenly all eyes were on the five us. Every students eyes immediately lit up the sight of Mother Nature. But they all appeared surprised to see us. I suddenly felt strange in my fancy concert dress, along with the other three. I felt myself standing rather close to Kai, but it seemed she felt the same. clinging to my arm.

I looked around at the staring people in curiosity, so these were other Seasonal Children. They appeared to be very ethnically diverse, people coming from all over the world. No one here looked older than 20 years old. I wondered where all the adults went. Maybe they graduate? But what do they do after that? What would I do after that? Suddenly have the weight of an entire season on my shoulders? The thought sent shivers down my spine.

Hey, is that them?

They look so clueless.

How long do you think it's going to take them to crash and burn? 

I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the whispers. They no nothing about me, about us. We could be the best leader Sidarra has ever seen. Maybe not...

"Ah! Theodore! Oliver! Flora and Fauna! I have a job for you four!" Mother Nature Superior exclaimed as we approached the nearest building, made of a solid grey stone bricks, ivy growing up the structure.

The four teenagers that approached us, appeared to be around eighteen, except one, she looked maybe a year younger than us at fifteen.

The two girls, looked almost identical, just one three years older than the other. They both that blonde-red hair and tan skin and freckled. The younger one's eyes were green and the older blue. The smaller had cherry blossoms braided through her long hair. The eldest had her hair cropped short just above her shoulders, the tips dyed a deep red color.

"Children, this Flora," she said, gesturing to the older. "And Fauna." She gestured to the younger and shorter one.

"This Theodore." I looked at the boy. He was tall and had dirty blonde hair and golden eyes. Something about him seemed familiar.

"And Oliver." I glanced at him, my eyes widening. He had slightly curly charcoal black hair, and his eyes were a shinning sliver color. He had sharp features that made me stare for a moment. I felt the glare of Jack on the back of my neck, but ignored it for a moment. Oliver's eyes caught mine and he gave me a quick wink before turning his attention back to Mother Nature.

I snapped out of my daze and turned to the woman, still clinging to Kai's arm out of pure nervousness. I was never that close too Kai in the first place, but she was the only person who anchored me to the moment.

"These four here are the new Seasonal Children, and your future leaders." I winced at that note. "And these four are some of my top students. They will be your guides for the next little while until you get the hang of how things work around here."

My eyes flitted to Oliver for a moment, curious if he would be my guide. I wouldn't mind that too much...

"Fawn."

I turned back to Mother Nature and she was staring at me along with everyone else. I felt blood rush to my cheeks. "Yes?"

"You'll be paired up with Theodore." I looked at him and managed a smile. He muttered something under his breath and walked up to me with a friendly smile. "He's a fellow Autumn Equinox." She explained.

"You can call me Teddy." He whispered as he stood next to me. I gave him a small smile in return. 

"Simon and Fauna, you'll be paired together." The small girl looked nervous, but smiled anyway, standing beside Simon. So she was the Spring Equinox.

"Kai and Flora." Spring and summer were obviously sisters. I wondered what the odds of that happening were... It was quite amazing.

"And finally, Jack and Oliver."

Well, crap. Two Winter Solstices for me to deal with.

The four of us were obviously not eager to part. I gave Jack a tender glance before be led off by Teddy.

"I sure hope they don't expect me back in class, 'cause I'm not going back," he chuckled and I laughed as well. "So, what would you like to do first?"

I examined our surroundings, we were going through a breezeway, students idling around us, leaning on stone pillars and whispering. In the distance, past a large field appeared to be an orchard of some sort.

"What's that?" I questioned, pointing to the trees.

"Oh! That's a great start! That's your new home."

_________________

I'm currently looking for someone to make me a new cover! Just direct message them to me and I'll take them under consideration. Looking forward to them!
- Jlaicecrean