Ethereal Beings

Chapter Ten: An Appropriate GIF

*** First of all, let me apologise for how long it has taken me to get this chapter uploaded. 

In all honesty, I haven't had the motivation to write lately. Instead, I've been wrapped up in assignments and exam revision, which is not much fun. To make matters worse, my writing book, which had all of my concepts in is currently sat on my windowsill back at home in Cambridge (where I forgot to take it back to uni with me. ugh.). I know that there is no excuse, but I am trying my hardest. Please bear with me while I revive my motivation and re-plan where I'm going to take the story! I hope that you all can forgive me and I will make it up to you, I promise! 

- Alex ***

The group of giggling teens are silenced when the door opens, revealing Mr. Girton, standing in the door frame with a kooky smile on his face. "I'm so proud that you guys are all getting along so well!"

"Mr G!" Dave extends a hand to the history teacher and is met by a firm handshake.

"We just finished our formal introductions and were showing off some of our talents." Leigh is beaming at the History teacher.

"That's good, I'm glad that everyone is making progress." Mr Girton enters the Social room, closing the door quietly behind him. "You guys are, uh, being careful with this right? You've all kept it to yourself? Made sure that no one sees you using your talents, right?" Mr Girton was quickly assuming the father role to the rest of the group, clearly worried for the safety of the teens.

"Yeah, we're careful about things, don't worry Mr. G!" Phoenix's chirpy voice is next to speak, she wanders around the room until she reaches the desk her bag is placed on. She rummages around, looking for something, a puzzled expression on her face. She pulls out a small pile of papers. "I made mini, fact-files for all of us, so that it's easier to keep on track of things."

Phoenix hands over the papers to the teacher, their Chiron, as Dave had put it earlier. On each page, a name was written, as well as basic info about the person and an intricate drawing of their Mark. Nancy's page was somewhat blank, unfinished.

"These are good!"
"Yeah, I need to get around to finishing off Nancy's little page, but it's coming along slowly. I should have it done by tomorrow." Phoenix smiles, as she points to the empty space below Nancy's name on the page, tracing her fingers along it.

"Ooh, ooh! Can I see mine?" Leigh jumps up from her seat, moving across the room. She plucks the page with her name out of the pile of papers which Mr Girton is holding. "It's so... pretty!" Leigh looks to be in awe of the markings on the page before her, mesmerised by the patterns and swirls which were identical to the doe Mark on her ankle.

"Uh, it's nothing guys. I just thought it would be fun to do." Phoenix shrugs, her cheeks flushed with colour.

"They're amazing, Phoenix, honestly!" Nancy says.

"What is this? Some sort of show and tell session?" Jared scoffs, rolling his eyes as he leans back further in his chair, his posture slumping.

"Shut up, Jared. No one asked you." Leigh's voice is low, and the words rumble from her mouth as a hiss. Nancy begins to feel uncomfortable, and glances over at Phoenix to gauge her response. She appears to shift her position in a stiff manner, clearly taken aback by the comment also.

"Guys, calm down. Just as I thought you were starting to get along – become friends, even." Mr. Girton shakes his head slowly, as if he were a disappointed father. The group falls silent.

Leigh sighs audibly, "I'm sorry, Jared. That was a little harsh of me." She looks down at her perfectly manicured nails and fiddles with her cuticles.