Change If You Dare

Chapter 2

Parking my FlyBot in the lot, I slowly strolled towards the large blue doors, where people gathered in groups, waiting for the dreaded warning bell to ring. Sandford Academy is an overwhelmingly large school with a poulation of more than two-thousand talents and skills. A blast of warm, inviting air hit my face. I quickened my steps to the heated building, away from the depressing weather.

Stepping through the crowd of people dressed just like me, I feel like I am lost in a sea of clones. Most just send an acknowledging nod; others smiled admiralingly. A few that I know well pops out a spontaneous "hi" and "sup?" in my direction. I send a small wave in the general direction of the groups.

Finally able to weave through the crowd, I finally spot my group of my best buds.

"KYLEN!!!!" A hurricane of petite strawberry blond flies in my direction. I was greeted with an estatic hug from Massie, my lovable half-ginger. Her five foot and three-quarter inch frame only reaches my shoulders. She was forced to stand on her tip-top to be able to give me a non-awkward hug.

Digging in my bag for the cookies,I saw a life-size tarantella crawling up Massie's pale arm. I gasped, unable to find my voice. Sheer terror swepted over me, and I almost broke down in hysteric tears when I heard Vecca brawling.

Next to me, a slim girl with thick coffee brown waves broke down in laughter. I sent Vecca an unforgiving glare.

"Check it out," Vecca said, her hazel eyes gleaming mischieviously. "I made this device that casts life-like holograms of insects onto any surface. It's also animated to resemble the bug's movements"

Impressive. A small silver ring on Vecca's finger projected the hairy spider onto the ceiling. Knowing that it was fake, I let myself relax.

It was no wonder that Vecca was in the technology department. Being extraordinary at inventing new gadgets, she is always full of ideas. Our school is divided into departments. Depending on what your talent is, you are placed in a group with similar interests. I belong in the art department, while Massie is a briliant writer.

"Your expression was priceless!" Massie snickered.

I saw a few others join the group. We chatted until the bell signaled that training is starting. I hugged Massie and Vecca and gave the rest a halfheartedly waved. I watched everyone mingle into their departments, ready for another day of work.

***

"Hey! Give that back!" a small voice wailed.

"I'll see about that." the sneer responded.

Heading closer to the commotion, I see a mob already gathered beneath the stairs.

As I edge closer to the scene, a boy standing closeby looks aghast. With a shaky voice, he whisper to me, "that kid just totally bad-mouthed the government!"

I followed his glance, directing at a small boy. his arms are crossed in front of him and a look of defiance filled his freckled face. He glanced up at a massive fourth-year towering over him.

"You pick on the few lower class that are lucky enough to get into the school. Why? Probably because the government sees us as unnecessary items. Just because we are not are rich as you, it doesn't mean that we are not as good as you! Go ahead, tell the government that you don't agree! Wh-"

Two men in uniform suddenly materialize out of nowhere.

The badge on one man's jacket read:

Jon Walker, Predicament Patrol

Shock welled inside me. Wasn't Predicament Patrol a thing of the past?

Without effort, the undersized boy was dragged out. Silence fell throughout the crowd.

Everyone knew that the Predicament Patrol is just another synonym of Trials. No one spoke of it; the Trial is yet another taboo topic that was not up for discussion.

I caught a glimpse of the young boy's gaze. His fierce brown eyes shone with hatred and unforgiveness. It burned into my own dark eyes. I was unable to shift my gaze.

And just like that, he was gone.

***

"Kylen Chan! Are you with us here?" Mrs. Mali snapped with a hint of annoyance in her voice. Art history was an insanely slow class period. Having my least favorite class right before school's over is a pain in the ass.

"Yeah, sure, whatever." I mumbled to no one in particular. The witch has caught me doodling in my art journal.

I cannot stop thinking about the incident that happened at lunch today. The poor boy was merely defending himself! Looking at the big picture

Mrs. Mali's patience spilled over. "So what's the answer to the question?" she challenged.

"You never asked anything, madam," I replied sweetly, trying not to show my amusement in this pointless conversation. Other than being exceptional artist, I can multitask in just about any situation.

Mrs. Mali was boiling, but as I predicted, she did not contradict me. She was definitely not used to being outsmarted.

I was definitely not used to the new enforcement.

***

Author's Note

Sorry if this chapter doesn't make much sense.....

Hope you liked it =)