The Outsiders

Our Fates Will Change

The sorting hall was filled practically to the brim of fifteen year old fighters, of varying degrees of skill (obviously). The tension was so thick I could cut it with a knife (or sword), sweat beading on the foreheads of almost all the rooms inhabitants. At that moment I happened to notice the only two people on the face of this shitty little planet (besides the lizard things of course) that I would happily see punished by the sharpness of my blade, Callum and Kayleigh.

Those two had been the source of mine and my friends torment since we were old enough to hold a knife, constantly berating us and our skills. Bragging about their high scores (which were only earned by giving the teachers 'special favours') and how we should get used to the thought of being worth less than the dirt they spit on. And seeing them there, smirking alway like they were God's gift, it made me sick. People like them, they don't deserve my hate, it's too good for them.

After swallowing my disgust at the site of their smug faces, I glanced to the right and spied the wild, sun bleached hair of my favourite little Ethan. I looked to the other girls and motioned towards him, they nodded and soon he was pulling me into his warm comforting embrace. I hugged him back trying not to succumb to the wrenching sobs that wanted to overcome me. He pulled away after one last squeeze whispering,

'We'll be fine because no matter what we will always be a family, in everything but blood.' He smiled, one of those true smiles that can truly light up a persons face and make everyone around them happy too, no matter how crap they were feeling.

'I know I'm just...scared, you know?' I gathered up all my strength to muster up the biggest smile I could, to be honest it was more of a grimace then anything. But to Ethan that was enough. He gave my arm one last tap before turning to Jemma.

Ellie and Ivy were wildly gesturing to one another (undoubtedly debating how to murder every soul in the room) and Chloe was making light conversation with the newly arrived Lewis (not Ivy's Lewis). So I was left to my own devices, a dangerous situation indeed, since this allowed me to deduce and imagine every scenario that could possible occur. I was also able to scan the hall for any possible exits and escapes. You see ever since I was a child I've been able to see things, hidden in plain sight, that others can't it's one of the reasons most people my age avoid me.

Suddenly, the bell, at the centre of the halls stage, rang out with our 'headmaster' standing by its side holding onto the thick, corse rope. His aged face held an expression, I believe was meant to betray some form of happiness, and immediately the entire hall fell into silence.

'Good morning students! I hope you are all well rested and ready to start the newest chapter of your lives!' He laughed, it was like he was trying to make light of the fact that our lives were about to become a whole new pile of shit.

'Your names will be called out and one by one you shall proceed towards the stage to be given your status. Ok first up...Taylor Richards!' I glanced over towards the right side of the mahogany stage and waited, with holding the latest breath in my lungs, for the first of my peers to have their future decided for them. At last a head of brown messy hair appeared within my vision, his face held a sort of rough confidence, but if you looked close enough his body language told another story. His shoulders were slumped as if he was trying to curl in on himself to escape, his step were slow and small showing off his hesitance and his hands held themselves in fists at his sides, shaking slightly almost trembling. His feet finally reached the marker and stilled, his body betraying him in his quest to seem brave as it begun to shiver. The 'headmaster' smiled tightly in his direction before glancing down at the paper he gripped in his hand, his smile brightened as he looked up and exclaimed.

'Strong!' The hall filled with the sounds of mixed envy, approval and relief. A smile of true happiness and relief broke out across Taylor's face as he was led of to stand by his new colleges.

Things continued this way with a range of reactions, from crying (in either happiness or dispair), laughing and even lashing out which then proceeded to get those people escorted out of the hall. Until...my name was called.

'Lauren Rose!' I froze, it was time. Time seemed to stop as my mind began to process what was happening. Before I knew, it my feet were climbing the smooth steps towards the man who held my future in his very hands. Once I had reached the mark, I glanced into the crowd looking eyes with every single one of my friends, all of which regarded me with sorrow filled eyes. I gave them what I hoped was a reassuring smile before turning away. I blinked away my tears and waited for my fate to be set with one word from his mouth. The 'headmaster's' mouth opened to deliver the news.

But before he could speak...