Zodiac Academy (Draft 1)

Chapter 4: Let's get down to business

Nate had pulled out a brochure that had the directions to the Zodiac Academy, and was now sitting in between my parents. Mom had gotten up to sit next to my step-dad. Alix had gotten her hands on a spare sheet of paper and a pencil, and was now making a list of all the things I should bring to ZA.

"You're just in time too, Skylar," She was saying, writing down the word: headphones. "ZA's about to start the new school year."

"Why so late? The school year started two weeks ago." I say, scanning her bullet-point list that was almost to the bottom of the page.

"Oh, we're on a different schedule. We start in a couple of days. When do we start again, Nate?" Alix looks up from her paper.

Nate was in the middle of explaining the directions to ZA when his friend interrupted him, he looked mildly annoyed. "September 23rd. When Libra's cycle starts."

"Oh! Right!" Alix plays with one of her braids absentmindedly, "I keep forgetting."

"Good thing you're not a Virgo, cause they never forget anything." Nate mutters under his breath, and continues explaining the route to ZA. I have a feeling he was the responsible one of the pair.

I shoot Alix a questioning look, "What does he mean by that?" I ask.

She shrugs, starting a new column of words, "It's their special gift. Virgos have photographic memory, they never forget anything. Ask them something from last year, and they'll tell you. Which is probably why they're in charge of the school news."

Dad looked pleased at this. He is a Virgo, after all, even though he has no relation to the Zodiac.

"Wish I was a Virgo, then maybe I'd remember stuff better." Mom said, grinning.

"It is helpful." Alix admitted. I suppose it was, but imagine seeing something terrible, or disgusting, or traumatizing, and never being able to forget it. I shudder at the thought.

"What about Leo? What's our special thing?" I ask, eager to find out what made me special.

The look she gave me sent chills down my spine. The smirk was too much, a mischievous glint in her eye, "Oh, that's not for me to share. You'll have to ask the other Leos."

"Great," I mumble. I hated suspense.

"And I believe," Nate flips the brochure over to verify that they had covered everything. "That is all!"

"One more thing, what about the tuition fee?" Dad asked, rubbing the back of his head.

We aren't poor, but we aren't exactly rich either. It's a complicated middle-class situation, enough to be comfortable with. We live in a small quiet neighborhood in a small two story house, each floor about the size of two and a half classrooms put together. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a decent kitchen and a good sized living room, which is basically the biggest part of our house. The dining room is just a table in between the living room and kitchen, a sort of weird barrier to differentiate between the two.

Nate and Alix exchange glances, and Alix burst out laughing. I frowned, "What's so funny?"

Her eyes lit up with excitement and anticipation, "There is no tuition fee!"

"And how is that funny?" Dad prompts, I've never seen him look so confused before in my life.

Nate shrugs, unaffected by this. "Sorry about that," He gives a pointed look at Alix, who stops chuckling, clearing her throat and turned her attention back to her paper. I'm only going to guess it has something to do with her seeing some future joke that hasn't happened yet. "There's no tuition fee, Mr. Nevins. Although you do need to bring your own supplies."