Gyfted

Part 8 - New Arrival, or New Distraction?

I stand, stunned by what I just heard. Cassie and Jonas are plotting something? And, from the sound of it, they're not plotting a tea party.
I wander out to the courtyard, pondering what that conversation could have meant. Suddenly, I bump into Wren, who is running across the courtyard.
"Emmi, didn't you hear? They want us all in the dining hall, pronto." She pants, and races off. I quickly follow her to dining hall, where all 40 kids are gathered around the head of activities, Mr D. I don't even know what the "D" stands for but man, he is strict.
"Ah, now that we are all here," (he shoots me a stern glance ) "we can get started. I have two pieces of news. First, we have an an excursion tomorrow, into town, so today we will be revising what we have learnt about hiding your powers." Everybody cheers loudly.
"Now, for my second announcement. Today we have some twins, two gyfted, joining us all the way from England. As you all know, this facility holds the only gyfted program currently running in Australia. Yes, you are Australia's first and only gyfted." He smirks. A faint cry of Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Ran around the room.
"Now, the new gyfted, Will and Lexi, are coming this afternoon after classes. I want you all polished up and on your best behaviour. Of course, at this all the other girls giggle between each other. I'm not interested in boys. I prefer books and food. And training.
As expected, nobody pays much attention in class. Everyone is whispering about what they will be like, and what to wear. I roll my eyes.
<Alliya, you can't possibly be interested in this nonsense> I mind-whisper.
<come on Emmi. there aren't many decent boys here, all of the nice ones already like someone or aren't interested in girls. plus, don't you want to make some new friends? admit it, this is a good chance.> She turns in my direction and fake pouts. I just sigh and blow a piece of escaping hair off my face. Around the room, only another kid named Oliver is paying attention. But he's really smart, so that's expected. The teacher drones on about "controlling your emotions" and "adhering to safety measures". Honestly we've gone over the drills a thousand times. Sedation disguised as EpiPens, wheelchairs, blah blah blah. Honestly we all know how to fit it with the normies, we were them once. But they need backup, and safety nets, etcetera. I tune out, but Oliver continues to take notes on everything. That's his gyft, knowledge. Well, more specifically, he can take "screenshots" of anything that he sees to remember them forever, and access a whole lot of knowledge that some Professors wouldn't know, let alone a 13 year old. So basically his brain is like a phone. I take out my notepad and start doodling in the corner. I've been designing a new comic character. People says I'm good at drawing, really I can only do comics. I start drawing my characters latest combat outfit. She's going to be a really tough ex-cop who finds out she's related to Wolverine. Pretty cool, I know. I am halfway through this amazing button-covered leather jacket when the teacher announces that class is over. Great. Only one more class until the new guy comes and we can be over with the giggling and whispering. For our second class, everyone splits into sub-classes and works with a teacher on their particular gyft. Alliya and I are together for telepathy. Today we are only working on mind-whispering to others, but it's clear no one is even trying. The instructors our usually three hour class 30 minutes early. All the girls rush off to get dressed for "the new arrivals". All I'm planning is to eat in my room for the next few hours and then wear some random, preferably clean clothes. It's not like I need to make an impression. My hair already does that for me.