U.H Book One // Hegemony {ON HOLD}

• Chapter Nine •

    "Huh?"

"Welcome to real world, I said. You're so used to knowing everything about your magic. Well, none of us do, and we've survived this long, haven't we?" Star cooed, with a smile.

"Yeah..." I said quietly, "So should..should we research about what the dream meant or..?"

"No, if we simply avoid those things than it should be ok, right?" Violet said whimsically.

"I guess.."

"Oh...b-but it could be metaphorical.." Silas mumbled, "So maybe we should research it."

"No..." Leila said. For once she wasn't smiling. I felt a knot in my throat. "We shouldn't research it. We just need to avoid bad situations...." she looked like there was more she wanted to say, but she went quiet.

"W-well...I guess she's right...I mean, Beatrice, it's your first year here. You should try not to stress about the small stuff...and just relax and um..enjoy your first year here." Silas said, grabbing his third muffin. I sighed and took a lemon muffin.

"You're right." I said, taking a bite, "Thanks."

But I couldn't stop thinking about how vivid the dream had been...all day I was busy stressing about it and I kept glancing at the others. Everyone seemed fine, which was a relief, but I still wasn't utterly convinced. Hours passed and at the end of the day we held an assembly. Students crowded into the gymnasium, and we all found seats in the bleachers.

Leila and I were sitting together, we couldn't find everyone else.

"Quiet down, please!" Announced our cheery principal, Mrs. Hart. She was an iguana hybrid, dominant trait human. She was one of those 'old fashioned' type ladies who always wore a big smile. It kind of, for some reason, made me sick. Yet everyone liked her because everyone said she gave us free movie days and pizza. So I guess she wasn't that bad.

"Thank you!" She said in a sing-song voice, "Now it is the beginning of the year, which means we must start our magic competitions."

Leila looked at me and grinned widely, whispering "I'm gonna enter. They are so much fun!"

I bit my lip. "I'm not. Violet said they're pretty violent." I whispered, then turned back to Mrs. Hart.

"Everyone who enters will participate." Mrs. Hart said, picking a glowing blue orb off the ground. "This retainment orb will be placed in the hallway for those who would like to participate. All you have to do is write your name down on a piece of paper and give it to the orb, and it will retain the paper. Then your name will appear on the bulletin board. This competition is for all students, as long as you are fifteen and up."

Leila nudged me. Suddenly the blue retainment orb sprouted fairy-like wings and flew off into the hallway. I stood up unknowingly and screeched "It's alive?!"

Everyone...and I mean everyone spun around and stared at me. They all looked very annoyed. My face flushed tremendously and I sat back down.

There was silence for a moment. Then Mrs. Hart spoke up.

"Yes..." She announced, "It's alive...and he has a name. His name is Greg."

I didn't know if she was looking at me or not because I was busy holding my face in my hands.

"Anyways, the competition has three main parts. Intelligence. Strength, and Persistence. This years theme is..." she cleared her throat and the band in the back began playing a drumroll. A pink retainment orb flew in swiftly and stopped right in front of Mrs. Hart. She put her hand out and the orb spat out a piece of sparkling paper, then flew off into the distance.

"This years theme is..." the drumroll seized, "The dark forest."

Half the students cheered obnoxiously, the other half went 'OOOOOOO'.

"Oh, how exciting!" Mrs. Hart exclaimed, "Now if you wish to enter the competition, just slip your name in Greg who is stationed outside the restrooms by the cafeteria. You are all dismissed."

I sighed as we began walking out of the gymnasium. Leila and I somehow managed to stick together even though there were crowds of students pushing us along. Suddenly, just as I exited the door, I was yanked to the side. Leila quickly followed.

I looked up to see Mr. Junior gazing down at me. "Hey kid." He began, "I think you should enter the competition."

"Wh-Wha?!" I exclaimed, stepping back a bit.

"Aww come on Bea! I'm entering! We could do it together!" Leila said, grinning.

"But why should I?" I asked, "What's it going to do for me?"

Mr. Junior put his paw on my shoulder, "Listen kid, so far, you haven't made a good first impression on anyone except your friends and I, because your labeled as an obnoxious 'timebug' with the pink hair and everything."

I frowned.

"So this would be a great chance to higher your reputation. If you win, you'll get your face in the hall of glory and everyone will like you. Life will be easier then." He pulled out a cigar and lit it.

"But-"

"Why are you so reluctant?" Leila put her hands on her hips.

"Because...." I mumbled, "it's scary."

Leila and Mr. Junior laughed.

"It's only scary if you make it, kid." He puffed some smoke and tapped my shoulder, "I'll even be your coach if you enter."

"Yeah, come on Bea."

"I don't know..." I mumbled.

"Well, at least consider it. Greg will be chilling out there for a week, so you have plenty of time." Mr. Junior said than walked away.

I paused for a moment then turned to Leila. All the students had left so it was just her and I.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked, suddenly.

"Trying to change the subject?" She joked, grinning.

"Wha-yes..I mean...no.. just, please answer this honestly."

She shrugged, "What is it?"

I took a deep breath.

"You flinched when I mentioned you had scars on you in the dream...do you know anything about that?"

Her mood suddenly seemed to darken. "Bea I really don't-"

"I'll enter the competition if you tell me."

She looked at me, her eyes were glittering but reluctant. She paused, then slowly stuck out her pinkie.

"Pinkie promise?"