The story of Natasha

Her game

(22564 words)

Part 1 of 2

"Catch!" 

Natasha shot out her hand in a reflex, only for the apple to sail past it. She looked to where it had come from and saw a trio of students coming toward her. 

How did she know they were students? They all wore the same clothing. White blazers with black piping, a white-collar shirt with a black tie. The girl walked first, the two boys flanking her like personal guards. 

"Quick but not precise," the girl mused, dragging a hand through her long blonde hair. Natasha only stared at the girl with awe. Her skin was perfect and her eyes striking, making her look like she walked straight from the runway even if she was wearing a uniform. The knee-high white socks were not bunched up but looked instead almost glued to her long lean legs. 

The boys were tall, the one taller than the other. The blonde one gave her a charming smile, but although he was handsome, there was something about him that bothered her and made a cold shiver run down her spine. Maybe it was the mischievous twinkle in his dark brown eyes or the stark contrast between the colour of his eyes and the lightness of his hair.

The third one had freckles and nose that was a tad too wide for his face. His dark hair looked messy and he was the tallest of the bunch. 

"New girl," he said. "Aren't you going to introduce yourself."

She opened her mouth, compelled to do just that. 

"NO!" The shout came from her other side.

Natasha turned her gaze to see the girl stalking toward them. Her black hair was cut to her shoulders and her complexion was the Mediterranean, but the most striking things about her was her unnaturally green eyes. 

Her uniform was black with red pipings instead of white with black piping. 

"That is low of you Avery!" The girl hissed. "Targeting a new student before she has even settled in!" 

New student, that was what Natasha was. She looked down at her lugagge and wondered where she'd come from. She remembered stepping out of the Taxi and walking in to the old Academy, but nothing before that. 

Except...

Don't tell them your name before you've chosen.

Don't tell them your name.

Don't tell them, Natasha.

The harsh voice rang in her head and she brought her hand up to toutch her caramel locks. 

"Where am I?" She asked, interrupting the two girls' intensive stare-contest. 

"The Academy of course silly," the dark-haired said softly. 

"Why can't..."

"You can't remember anything because you passed the border of oblivion," the blonde girl, Avery, informed. 

"Girls? How many times have I told you it's not allowed to target new students?" A strict voice called out from behind the counter Natasha stood in front of. The counter reminded her of those ticket-booths you could find at an old train station or maybe in a prestige bank. 

"Does it matter? No one ever falls for this trick, well except..." Avery looked down at the shorter green-eyed girl.

"I was made to wear black anyways," the girl snorted back. 

"You tell yourself that Thalia," Avery said with a sly smile that didn't reach her eyes. 

"Girl," the receptionist said and Natasha returned from watching the catfight to the older lady. She pushed a key toward her. "Congratulations on getting accepted to the Academy, hope you'll enjoy your time here." The lady's dry tone didn't fit her words.