I awoke in a cold sweat and breathed a sigh of relief. I relive that memory almost every night.
It has been ten years since then and today, I turn fifteen. I breathed another sigh, but this one out of irritation.
Ten years of this training was enough to deal with. But since today is my birthday, I get people’s smiles and happiness directed at me, just like the last nine birthdays before this.
Before my mom died, I would have welcomed the birthday wishes with open arms. But, now my mother isn’t here to celebrate with me, so it has just become stupid and pointless to me.
I climbed off the cot in slow motion and walked over to my dresser. I opened it and pulled a black tank top and a pair of blue jean shorts from the top.
I walked slowly to the bathroom and turned the hot water on, undressed, and quickly climbed in. I welcomed the heat the water brought as it relaxed my tense muscles.
Today would be a long one.
***********
After I got out of the shower, I threw my long, straight, black hair into a pony tail and put just a little bit of blue eyeliner on to highlight my brown eyes. Then, finally, I walked out of my room in search of food.
I live in a training center for the children of assassin’s. I’ve lived here since the day of my mother’s death and have been training to follow in her footsteps ever since. Apparently, there is a lot I didn’t know about her.
I stepped into the corridor and was instantly surrounded by lower levels. I planted a fake smile on my face as I kept walking and listened to all the short kids talk about how cool it is that I’m done training. And then, I got my first birthday present from a first level girl.
It was a small gem that glittered like a rainbow. I believe the girls name was Samantha.
This is how the levels work; the 1st levels are the beginners. They are between the ages of four and six. They learn to tie knots at first. 2nd levels are between the ages of six and eight. 3rd levels are between the ages of eight and ten. 4th levels are between the ages of ten and twelve. They are the higher levels lap dogs. 5th levels are between the ages of twelve and fourteen. And the 6th level (which is what I am) is between the ages fourteen and sixteen. After the 6th level, you’re done with training. The only exception to the age group is if you start late. There is no starting early.
I sighed when I saw Selena, the training academy’s prep, walk towards me.
“Hey. Happy Birthday, Maggie,” she said with a smile. All of her friends laughed. I smirked.
“Thanks so much for that, Samuel.” I smiled, showing my teeth. She frowned.
“My name is Selena.”
“Yes and my name is Madeline. I figured you call me by the wrong name, so why not call you by the wrong name? It’s only fair.” I gave her an innocent look.
“Whatever,” She said and, turning on her hill, walked off.
“She is so mean.” said a high pitched voice that I didn’t recognize. I looked over to see a 5th level set down beside me. “Hi, names Lola. I just transferred here from Pennsylvania.”
“Hello, Lola. My name is-”
“Madeline, I know. You’re like the most popular girl here.” She said, picking up a piece of her sausage and popping it into her mouth.
“Me? You have got to be kidding me.” I said with a smile on my face. My smile quickly faded when I realized she was serious. “How am I the most popular?”
“Duh, everyone is talking about you ALL the time. About how good at the exercises and battles you are. You’re like, a natural.” She popped another piece of sausage into her mouth and chewed slowly as she thought.
She swallowed hard when she spotted something behind me.
“Oh, My God, look at that amazingly hot guy, heading this way. Gasp, do you think he will like me?” She said as she fiddled with her hair.
I laughed loudly. “Did you just say gasp?”
She looked at me for a whole two seconds then her eyes flicked back behind me. “I’m serious! Look at this majorly sexy beast.”
I rolled my eyes and turned around to see… no body new.
“Which one do you mean?” I asked, turning back around.
“Are you serious? I’m talking about the guy with the blue jeans and white T-shirt.”
I turned back around and the only guy I saw wearing those clothes was my best friend, Jake.
“You mean Jake?” I asked her without turning around.
“Jake? I guess, I mean, I don’t really know his name. Do you know him?”
“Yes,” I said, finally turning around. “He’s my best friend.”
“Oh, I am so sorry. How can you look at THAT every day and live with knowing he will never be yours?”
“Cause I grew up around him and that would be weird to me.”
“Oh, Hun, you have got to let me have a piece of that.”
I laughed loudly. “He is ALL YOURS.”
