One Dreams Beneath A Thousand Stars

Chapter 1

          "So.. what is it?"

          "I-I..." The red haired girl, Marina, looked at the boy who was standing next to her. His brown eyes stared at her dangerously, challenging her to tell the truth, but she knew that she can't do that. The boy, Zak, had something really important on her and if he leaked that something, her life as a Gifted would be ruined. She would bring dishonour on her whole family! Dishonour on herself! Dishonour on her cow!

           "I-I just want to change my Wing partner..." She said in a tiny voice, looking very scared.

           "Why? Is there anything wrong with your partner? Did he... bully you?" The man's different colored eyes, one yellowish brown and the other a piercing blue, stared at the girl in worry. George could not understand why the poor child looked so scared.

             "I-I..." Her black eyes darted to Zak for a second, looking away immediately after catching Zak's warning glare.

            She never felt as small as at this moment... so much for being Gifted.

            "N-no... Everything is fine. He didn't do anything to me." She looked at the floor, fiddling with the end of her T-shirt. "I-I just feel that I'm not good enough.... to be Zak's Gifted Partner."

             "Are you sure that is the only reason?" George looked at her seriously. This all sounded a bit... fishy. "Because this is really important. Once you change, you cannot take it back."

             "Y-yes. Sure. Completely."

              George sighed. If she was so sure... "Fine. Clay?" George looks at his partner, offering a fond smile.

              "I already prepared all the documents." Clay said, putting the paperwork on George's table.

               "Oh, okay. Thank you, Clay...." George smiled softly again and then clicked back into focus, reading and checking the documents. Great. More paperwork.

                Clay on the other side hummed happily, trying to stay calm and hide his excitement. He wanted to act professionally for George. Because he and George practically control the whole corporation of the Gifted and the Wings... or rather George did and Clay was the emotional support, and the scout and everything else because, boy, he did not have the patience to sit in one spot doing all the paperwork! Plus he was still working on his reading and writing, and he was much better already! Georgie even said he was proud of him! The thought of going outside made him flap his green wing excitedly earring a look full of confusion laced with fear from Marina and one of amusement from Zak.

          "Ahem.." George coughed softly, trying to bring back their attention to him. Zak and Marina look back at George. "So here is the contract for you two..."

          He showed the document to both of them. "Marina, are you completely sure you want to change your Wing Partner? It may take more than 2 weeks for us to find you another Wing. You also will get kicked out from the house."

         "Y-yes.." She nodded slowly. No other choice... Seems like she will have to go back to her parents place and get a part-time job since she cannot get money from the Government, as long she is wingless.

          "Zak." George glared at the troublemaker wing and sighed heavily. "Do you agree to change yo-"

          "Totally! Definitely! Yes!" Zak immediately cut George off while smirked happily.

          "Fine. Both of you, come here and sign right here." George said, putting the contract onto the table and sliding it towards Zak and Marina. He showed them where they needed to sign. Another Gifted that quit on Zak to add to the collection.