The Work of the Natives- A Work in Progress

Chapter 1: The New Kid

Sometimes the world is black and white. There are no colors. No sunrise. No sunset. A photograph. Every detail is perfectly laid out. There is no question. No answer. And with that, I am content.

But most of the time, the world is a frustrated artist's canvas, poking and prodding to make a photo and never quite getting there. We find no perfection in being in the light. We find no satisfaction being enlightened. I suppose there is beauty in color, as there is beauty in imperfection. It seems to be the way of the world. But it sure as hell sucks.

Frantically brushing my hair, I steal another glance at the clock. 6:24 AM. Undoubtedly late. I hurriedly braid my hair, not bothering to move the pieces that frame my face. Before leaving, I take a good look at myself in the mirror. Tired eyes, a too-small shirt, crooked teeth, a lopsided smile, sweatpants. Such is the way of a teenager. There is no satisfaction in being a painting. We must be a snapshot in time. Forever the same. And I'm whisked back into the world, a bustle of color and light. Can't hide now. Show's on.

One step into the school and something is already off. People are moving too quickly, eyes down, darting about. My eyes narrow, scanning for a friendly face, which, admittedly, is most people. I pose no threat. I am a traveling circus, flaming head drawing all around to witness me laugh as I writhe under the scorching heat. One Cheshire grin and they're all mine. "Oh, she's weird," they giggle under their breath. "Funny, inviting. Charming." And yet, there is nobody laughing now. The silence is a welcome change.

I stroll down the hall, shoulders back, smirk painted across my slim face. As people pass, I hear them whisper. "It's happening, it's happening." "Who is he?" "What is he?" Snippets of students who just want to scream. That one did catch my attention, though. "What is he?" It would seem there is a new student at the Academy. Interesting. I catch a blur of colors whizzing by, sprinting through the halls, bringing a spotlight to herself. I can feel myself instinctively close my eyes as the light is quite... annoying. The light disappears around the corner, pauses and then comes hurling back at me. I raise my chin to meet her eyes.

"Hey babe," The girl breathes, her shoulders moving up and down to the pace of her lungs. She briefly looks at me before scanning our surroundings. "You seem disturbed. Have you already heard?"

The question should really have been if I haven't heard, though I doubt Casey cares. She can't tell the difference anyways. Though I feel a strong urge to take that stupid smile off her face, I do find Casey to be a lot of fun. No filter, oblivious and quite beautiful, the girl's green eyes search my expression, hoping to find her answer. "Somewhat. So who is he?" Casey's eyes immediately snap up to mine, and she quite literally buzzes in excitement. She always wants to be the first one to tell me the news, but it may be the one thing she isn't fast enough for.

"I did learn a few things. He's new meat alright. Didn't even go through Realm Training before getting here." I raise an eyebrow. Realm Training is the step before the Academy for almost every student. He must have gotten a scholarship. I doubt anybody so powerful to skip Realm Training would just fall into our game like this. "Wow, I got a full eyebrow raised? That's, like, a full fifty hairs? You really should pull yourself together, Mads. Your human is showing." Her playful banter would have been rewarded with an eye roll if she had not just dropped the new kid news. I have significantly less patience now.

"Out with it, or I'll find another source." My words quicken Casey's pace as she scrambles to get back on track.

"Right, right. His name's Jason. They say he's off the charts powerful. Like, they tested him and he was literally off the charts."

"They say that every time a new kid comes by. Impress me, Casey. We don't have forever." But, as luck would have it, I arrived at my destination before Casey could tell me anymore. Checking her watch, Casey didn't hide her surprise. We had less than a minute, and her classroom was across the Academy.