Clairvoyance

Chapter 1

Brown eyes were set in a daze as they skimmed across the large textbook's page-- at least, that's how it would seem. However the teacher standing directly in front of her, Mrs. Brooks, knew better. A small, faraway smile laid gently on the young teen's pale lips which caused the teacher to let out a small chuckle, stepping closer to see the open novel set in Noelle Farce's lap. Mrs. Brooks smiled fondly as her young student pushed a brown lock of hair out from behind her black glasses. She didn't mind the girl's habit; she was a great student with excellent grades and a larger heart than she would've ever thought possible, but today there was a small problem. Holding back a wide grin the teacher quietly plucked the large textbook from the desk and, just as quickly, slammed it back onto the desk. Noelle's startled squeal resulted in pent-up laughter to burst from her teacher which the girl returned with an apologetic smile.

"Did I miss the bell again?" she asked, getting a nod from the still-giggling woman in front of her. Mrs. Brooks was a beautiful woman, anyone could tell. Her voice was sweet and smooth like honey, her dark red long-sleeved dress reaching her knees and complimenting her dark brown skin nicely. Her black hair was in multiple braids down her back with a gold cuff at the top and bottom of a few, signifying a beautifully-diverse culture few seemed to take time to learn about. Clear lip gloss covered her full lips and faint red eyeshadow, black eyeliner, and black mascara highlighted her deep brown eyes. Short black heels made her slightly taller than normal, which was about 5"6, with natural-looking stockings protecting her legs from the cold weather outside. Her short nails were painted dark red to match the dress and a black diamond necklace surrounded by a silver band laid around her neck. The gentle happiness radiating from her put Noelle's racing mind at ease as she sighed and started to collect her things. "I'm so sorry, I need to quit doing that."

"What book is it now? I've been looking for a good one," Mrs. Brooks changed the topic, hoping to keep the teenager from degrading her love for books yet again.

Noelle's brown eyes sparkled as she turned to hand the book to her teacher before returning to her task. She gazed at the cover while her student began to speak. "It's called Clairvoyance. It's about this girl who sees into the supernatural plane. Kind of like purgatory but not just ghosts. She sees demons, angels, ghosts, hell hounds, everything! There's some stuff about different religions, too! In her world, all the gods once lived in harmony. All were well-known, merciful, and powerful. But when the humans were created, they couldn't comprehend there being so many-- well, except the Greeks but even they didn't completely accept it. So they separated the gods into different religions altogether, making the stuff we know today! Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Greek mythology, everything! But since she can see everything, she's one of the only people in existence who know!" 

The teacher continued to listen to her amazed rambling, seeing the large smile growing on her face into her eyes. It wasn't often anyone got to see Noelle this way so she was careful not to interrupt even as they stood to leave the classroom. The young girl continued her explanation on their way to the school auditorium, Mrs. Brooks asking questions about her newly-beloved book and Noelle answering with almost otherworldly knowledge. The teacher swore she was too smart to be so young. As they entered the dark auditorium and walked the stairway isles Noelle's words died down to a stop, confusion radiating from her small body. 

"Mrs. Brooks? Why are the lights off?" she inquired, confusion heightening when all she heard in return was the clacking of heels moving forward onto where she guessed the stage would be. "Mrs. Brooks? Hello?" All of a sudden the blinding stage lights illuminated the stage, making her fair eyelids squeeze shut to protect her eyes. They slowly blinked open only to widen in surprise at the sight in front of her. Dark blue streamers lined the top of the stage, a white banner spelling "Happy Birthday" spread against the back wall. A fold-out table with a dark blue tablecloth held most of her favorite snacks-- cookies, chips, skittles, gummy worms, and Twix-- as well as a good-sized white cake with blue and red icing roses on each corner of the white barrier, dark blue letters reading "Happy 16th Birthday, Noelle" laid across the top. Everyone from her school's drama club stood in various places around the platform, large smiles on their faces and a perfectly unionized "Surprise!" fell from their mouths. Noelle's lips raised into a large smile as she stepped up with her schoolmates and she looked around her in awe. Her eyes finally landed on her teacher to see her already smiling back at her.

"Happy sweet sixteen, birthday girl," she beamed, chuckling as the young girl's lips moved without making a sound. "You didn't think we'd let you go without a party, did you?" 

Noelle's smile widened, she didn't even think they knew. She never talked about it and it was never said on morning announcements, mostly because she never really celebrated it. She found herself speechless, a soft "thank you" the only thing able to make its way through her. She heard a hearty laugh and couldn't even turn her head as the large arm of her best friend swung around her shoulders, his smirk a mix of pure happiness and teasing. She then knew exactly how everyone knew and wrapped a small arm around his side, a much louder "thank you" finally sounding from the small girl. 

Jaxon ruffled her hair, responding with an amused, "well, someone had to tell them. God knows you weren't about to. I mean seriously, you were probably just going to sit around and read your book again." He chuckled at the sheepish laugh she emitted. "I want to hear all about it later tonight, okay? But for now, let's go party," he exclaimed, throwing his free arm straight into the air making everyone else laugh. 

Noelle's eyes sparkled with pure glee. Maybe today wouldn't be so bad.