DEVIATE X / / AN UNORDINARY FANFICTION

III.

AP Language. The only class I took that consisted of only third years.

Contrary to my other classes, which had a gap difference of one year between the third and fourth years, the students in this class were lively and easygoing. It seemed that everyone knew each other, despite the small cliques littered across the classroom.

And then there's me, sitting near the back alone.

My leg shook impatiently as I glued my eyes to the analog clock, waiting for the minute hand strike to twelve before lunch started. I wanted to convince myself that I was itching to leave because I was starving, that I wasn't critically uncomfortable of being the only student who wasn't in a tight circle of individuals.

I couldn't help that despite my unwavering focus on the clock, that an aqua haired girl kept darting her eyes in my direction. It wasn't hostile, but it reminded me almost of an innocent curiosity that reminded me of Isen.

"Um excuse me," she said as she cautiously approached me with a tread of light footsteps, "you're Delta, the new student, right?"

Did they not have new students that often? It seemed that every person i've encountered so far took the liberty of introducing themselves and getting to know me. Is having a new student really that interesting, or is everyone truly that friendly at Wellston?

"Yeah."

The aqua haired girl offered a cartoonish smile, before shifting her arms behind her back animatedly.

"I'm Elaine. Nice to meet you." She replied eccentrically before I shook her feline hand.

"Oh, nice to meet you too."

"So Delta," Elaine said she leaned closer to me, her bubbly aura slowly fading into a more suspicious curiosity, "What are your abilities?"

At this, every head turned and landed on me. If I felt critically uncomfortable before, nothing could compare to what I felt now. The bustling commotion that filled the room died down as they anxiously awaited my response.

The second time i've been asked about my ability. Elaine didn't even have the decency to get to know some simple things about my personal life before she popped the question.

"My abilities...." I repeated as I stood up, the chair screeching against the waxed tiles.

"Yeah, can you show us?" She asked, her voice dripping with lust. No, this wasn't innocent curiosity. This was deception. An innocent facade used to manipulate others to do her bidding, specifically so she could measure my prestige based on the abilities I have.

That pisses me off.

"You know, I'm not exactly comfortable with using my abilities right now. Now, if you'll excuse me."I said as I slipped my bag over my shoulder, readily directing myself to the door.

I heard murmurs arise amongst the group of people, intermixed with gasps and sighs of disbelief as I started my traverse towards the door. Before I could progress, Elaine's small hand suddenly grasped my wrist tightly in an iron clasp.

"No, Delta. I didn't excuse you." She replied nastily as her eyes began to radiate a vivid, emerald green. "I'm not some mid tier you can dismiss so easily. When a high-tier speaks to you, it'd probably be in your best interest to listen."

I turned to her.

Elaine was definitely small in stature. She didn't give me the impression that stereotypical high tiers emulated; I couldn't sense menace or arrogance. It only dawned on me that she looked like a puppy that's been kicked around too much.

She could be bluffing, but even if she is, she has a lot of gall of picking on someone without knowing how strong they could be.

My pale gray irises immediately shifted to a glowing crimson as I clenched my trapped hand.

"I suggest you shouldn't pick fights you can't win."  I threatened.

Before I could get her off of me, her body suddenly became rigid with fear. Elaine suddenly lost color in her entire body, and became entirely coated with a deep gray color.

My eyes shifted to the source. A girl with purple hair and bright green highlights approached Elaine nonchalantly, and crossed her arms before narrowing her her glowing blue irises.

"Elaine...." she began in a calm tone, "Peoples' abilities are none of your business. You wouldn't want to create a problem that has no solution, so I think it would be in your best interest to listen to me."

The crowd of people suddenly became dead silent at the girl's presence. I shifted my hand up to my bag, locking my eyes on Elaine's terrified expression as tears formed at the corners of her eyes.

"Hey," I touched the girl's shoulder lightly. "It's fine."

The girl narrowed her eyes at me and scrutinized my monotone expression before Elaine's body returned to its normal state. She crumpled to the floor on all fours and began gasping for air, shivering like a chihuahua.

I'm not surprised that my hunch was right. All talk, no bite. But maybe this should teach her to pick and choose her battles wisely before she gets hurt.

As I shuffled out of the classroom, I shifted my eyes to the purple haired girl. She was an obvious high tier, but the stereotypical traits that they usually possessed didn't reside in her. Should I go say thank you? I don't think she did it for me. Maybe she was just as irritated as I was from watching Elaine manipulate people like that. From the way the girl reacted, it didn't seem this was Elaine's first time scheming something like this.

Sunlight invaded my eyes as I stepped out into the courtyard. The warm air swirled around my skirt, slightly ruffling the plaid material as I started towards the girls' dormitory to eat lunch. The welcoming weather swept away my discontent, and I became distracted by the surroundings around me, daydreaming about laying out a blanket on the pristine grass, engrossed in a good book under good weather.

But that dream subtly reminded me of home, when Irel and used to sprawl out on the emerald grass with our favorite books in hand. I loved it, being in my own private domicile with my favorite person in the world. It's only been two days at Wellston, and i'm acting like I haven't seen him in years.

I miss him....

"Get off of me!"

I snapped my head up at the source of distress and immediately let the surge of nostalgia fade away. The scuffle of rapid, throbbing movements drew closer as I rounded the corner to secluded alleyway, watching as four students began to beat up a black haired boy.

"Hey," I intervened firmly as I dug my fingers into one of the students' shoulders, pulling him backwards. "Leave him alone."

The student harshly shoved my hand off of him before his other three cronies averted their glowing eyes in my direction.

"You're Delta." He snarled, hands curved in a threatening manner. "We know what you did to Elaine. You really think you're tough, huh?"

The four individuals squared their stance before activating their abilities again.

"I'll make you think twice about that." :;