Auras

Chapter 2: In Trouble

Carl and I walked to the soccer field where Hannah was waiting for us. "What were you thinking?!" she yelled immediately, she was lucky there was no one of the field today.

"Uh... I was thinking I didn't want to get hit in the head with an apple," I joked, but I knew it wasn't the time for jokes, it was never time for jokes with the two of them. 

"It was an apple," Carl said.

"You both know I can't control it all the time! If there is potential for me getting hurt it activates if I'm not paying enough attention to everything," I replied.

"You know the more you use your ability the-" Hannah began

"The greater chance of them finding me, I know," I finished. "I've heard it a thousand times, but that's why you two are here and why I'm a battle trained and tested."

"That's not the point Artemis, you can't keep putting yourself at risk like this," Hannah said. 

"And I can't run for the rest of my life, I won't do it. I have gone to 30 different schools in a ten year period. I haven't been back here, my home, since I was seven. I won't move around my entire life, there has to be a time where I can stop running, stand up, and fight. Both of you know your magic... your 'shield' around me can't last forever, it's already beginning to waver and it's only been two weeks, the day for fighting will come," I replied.

"And that won't be for a very long time, unless you keep doing this," Carl said and I sighed in irritation.

"It's my ability. I should be able to choose when to use it, not two people who don't know what it's like," I argued.

"And you can, if you go back to the camp," Carl offered, he knew I never wanted to go back there. 

"Fine, whatever. Now if you will excuse me I have a class to get to," I replied and started to walk away. Carl grabbed my arm and spun me around, my glasses fell off and I knew my eyes changed color; they were crystal blue, instead of the pale blue they usually are these days. I looked directly at him; he's a big man with dark brown hair and brown eyes and he hasn't changed since much since I was a kid. Although I had let my ability activate, I knew Carl would never hurt me. Not only was I his charge, but we had been through so much together and he and Hannah were like family to me. I didn't look away from Carl's stare and he released me and I walked away. When I got back into the school Mason, Bailey, and Ashley were all waiting for me even though the first had already rung.

"Are you okay?" Ashley asked. 

"Yeah, nothing's wrong he was just checking in on me, you know first day here and all. I thought I told you guys to go to class," I replied.

"We were worried about you," Bailey said.

"Yeah, it didn't look like you wanted to go with him," Mason added.

"Don't worry I'm fine, my dad is just a pain," I replied with a smile. Once my parents had actually died, it was easier saying Hannah and Carl were my parents rather than two people who were just around to make sure I didn't die.

"He didn't hurt you did he?" Bailey asked, jeez these people don't give up easily.

"Trust me he couldn't if he tried, so no he didn't hurt me. Guys just stay away from him, okay? If you see him come and get me got it?" I asked.

"Yeah, sure why?" Ashley asked. 

"Maybe one day I'll tell you, but for now you just have to trust me. He's not dangerous or anything, but he can be... protective," I replied.

"Okay," Bailey said. Maybe I will tell them someday... maybe. And it was true Carl wasn't dangerous to anyone who didn't wish me harm. If the person was my friend or something, he was like a big teddy bear but you just had to get him to that point. I went to art, fortunately Mason, Bailey, and Ashley were all in my class, but unfortunately so was Stacy.

"Okay class you probably already know, but this is Artemis Max. She's new here," my art teacher, Mrs. Smith, said.

"Uh... Mrs. Smith are you sure a blind girl should be in art class, I mean just think about it," Stacy said in disgust. She was lucky I had control over my temper or her nose would be broken by this point.

"Now Stacy..." she began.

"Stacy, I am full of surprises, I think your boyfriend over there already learned that lesson," I interrupted and the class snickered leaving Mrs. Smith more than slightly confused.

"What do you mean Artemis?" Mrs. Smith asked.

"Artemis should be on the softball team, she's got one wicked arm. My shoulder still hurts," Brandon said and I couldn't help but smile.

"Artemis did you hurt Brandon?" Mrs. Smith asked in disbelief.

"He threw an apple at my head. I didn't mean to throw it that hard," I explained. I shouldn't have thrown it in the first place and I wasn't about to explain how I threw it back or stopped it from hitting my head, thankfully Mrs. Smith was focused on another part of my explanation.

"Brandon! You threw an apple at a blind girl!" she reprimanded.

"Yeah without success as you can see, I'm the one with the injury," he replied. 

Mrs. Smith sighed. "Anyway class, today in light of our new student we are going to do abstract art."

It had only been an hour and I could tell everyone was crowding around me looking at my picture, five minutes later I was finished. "That's wonderful Artemis. I am very impressed," Mrs. Smith said.

"Thank you I modeled it after stained glass windows, which are technically abstract art. Close up all you can see are pieces of colored glass, but from far away and in the light you see the most amazing picture," I replied. I could hear her tack it up on the board and step back, "I did a beach."

"That's amazing Artemis," Bailey said.

"I wish I could do something like that," Ashley said.

"Really cool Artemis. It would be even better if you could see it," Mason said.

"Mrs. Smith, look at my picture," Stacy said.

"Yeah great job Stacy wonderful. Artemis this picture is amazing," she replied. Then the bell rang, I grabbed my stuff and walked out of the room saying goodbye to Mason, Ashley, and Bailey who had other things to do after class. By the time I got outside Stacy was waiting for me and I didn't like it.

"Look guys, it's the little blind girl," Stacy said.

"Can I help you with something Stacy?" I asked.

"Yeah, you can move away and never come back."

"And why would I do that? I literally just started today."

"Because I will make your life a living hell if you don't."

"What did I do to you?" I asked.

"You embarrassed me today," she stated simply. Man I hated girls like this, their reputation and image meant everything and if you ruined that, then you were dead.

"How did I embarrass you?"

"You and that picture of yours."

"My picture? I painted that was all, you were the one who made a fool of yourself," I replied. I could feel the tension rise, and I saw the auras five guys from the football team step up behind her. I had already known they were close by, but I didn't think they were waiting to help her. "Aww come on now. You call for back up with a blind girl? Guess you're smarter than I thought." I whistled. A minute later I heard barking. Even with Carl and Hannah nearby I always had my German shepherd not far from where I was. "Athena, protect." She was in front of me then barking and snarling at Stacy and the five boys. The boys backed up and ran off, most people know not to mess with German shepherds.

"What's that?!" Stacy yelled.

"This is Athena. Now if you will excuse me we have to go home now," I replied as I pet her. "Athena, cease. Good job girl." I walked away without a problem Stacy trying to stop me. When I got home, Carl and Hannah were waiting for me by the front door. "Nothing else happened. I'm going to my room." I didn't need a walking stick or Athena to get myself through the house. I lived here when I was younger and I knew that house like the back of my hand. I went into my room and laid down on my bed and Athena laid down next to me.