The next day, I wake up earlier than usual. The excursion today, maybe it can help keep my mind off the overwhelming sense of dread I am getting. I don't know if it's from my telepathic abilities, or my feelings, or if it stems from the conversation I overheard yesterday. Today they are taking us into town because, apparently, next term we are starting school. Yes, you heard me. We are going to a school. According to the teacher we have shown enough control over our powers to attend a high school, incognito. So today we are buying new clothes (the school has no uniform), laptops, phones, school supplies, basically everything you need to blend in normally. The facility only taught us about our powers, and trained us in combat, so now they think it's time we learnt things like Maths, and art. Of course, the first thing they did in the experiment was to increase our intellectual ability (some more than others) so we are officially all at the level of a grade 9 student. But that doesn't matter because of course, we will all seem a little weird, so they are posing us as advanced students. That will make up for some of the kids' lack of social skills. But other than that, we are effectively on our own. They reassured us that they have one or two teachers in the school, for emergencies, but we have to learn to cope on our own. Even bullying. I can remember anything about school, I have a strong suspicion that I haven't been to school since I was way down in lower primary (elementary school for y'all Americans) but I know that I am prime bullying material. Oh well, I am pretty tough. I can beat them up if I need to.
"Emmi, what are you wearing today?" Alliya asks as she enters my room. Without permission. I might add. That girl has no sense of personal space.
"What do you think, Alliya? What I always wear, obviously. Just like a t-shirt and shorts." I say. Nadia and Wren come in. Great, a party in my room.
"Hey Emmi..." Alliya begins slyly.
"Oh no no no no no." I exclaim.
"Please!" She says, doing that thing where she tells you but-I'm-your-bestest-friend.
"Fineeeeee," I groan "but only today." Wren and Nadia high five while Alliya looks triumphant. They mean a makeover, they want to make me look nice. I can see they even brought makeup. Alliya and Wren set to work, bringing over millions of clothes to try on, until they settle on jean shorts, a black/white striped cropped tee, and a denim jacket. I have to admit, it looks okay. Once they braid my hair and put on my makeup (I managed to convince them to only put on mascara and lip gloss), we are done.
"Ugh" I moan "People go through all this every day?"
They all giggle. We walk down to the dining hall, chatting about what we are going to do today. Breakfast is just cereal today, so I grab my bowl and plonk down next to Alliya. She hands me two mugs.
"I heard they have hot chocolate that's literally just melted chocolate. Can you get us some? Apparently they only give it out to people they like, and Ms Mariam is on duty. You're one of her favourites." She tells me.
"Makes sense. I am beloved by all!" I say dramatically. I take to cups to Ms Mariam, who happily fills them up for me. Alliya and I drink them and chat about what type of phone we are going to get today.
"Probably an iPhone, I'm thinking a 6 or- OMG he's coming over here!" I spin around, and see... Will? Why is he coming to our table? Wren shifts uncomfortably and whispers something to Nadia, who nods in agreement. I jump up.
"Hey, I... ah... forgot that I need to write a list of stuff to buy. See you all after breakfast!" I race to my room. Oh no no no, I can't handle this. The truth is... I'm not crushing on Will. I'm crushing on his sister.
YOU ARE READING
Gyfted
FantasyA group of teens wake up to discover that genetic experimentation has granted them supernatural powers, known as gyfts.
