"Riv...Riv…" I felt someone shaking me.
"River get up it's our big day. Please get up before Gabe wakes up so we can celebrate with Mama."
"Come on! River get up!" I ignored the voice and rolled over. THUNK! I sat up so fast that I was afraid that I got whiplash. When I regained my bearings I looked over the side of my bed and the sight alone was enough to send me to the floor because I was laughing so hard. My twin brother was on the floor and he somehow managed to get himself wrapped up in my blankets. I heard a female laughing, and when I had calmed down and got up off of the floor, I saw that it was my Mama.
"Good morning River." Mama said while coming over to help me untangle my brother. When we finally untangled him Mama gave us both a hug while telling us happy birthday. Big brother and I smiled at Mama.
"Hurry up and get dressed honey. Then you both can have your breakfast." On that note I pushed big brother out of the room, he was already dressed, and then walked over to my dresser and grabbed my clothes for the day then I headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. When I got out I put on a pair of jean shorts and a blue tanktop. I quickly braided my my long black hair and put on my black sandals.
I walked out of my room and downstairs to the kitchen where Mama and big brother are. Mama was wearing a teal knee-length dress. Big brother was wearing a pair of jean shorts and a blue shirt along with a black tennis shoes. I gave Mama a hug and sat at the table to eat my blue pancakes.
We had just finished our breakfast when Mama returned with the mail. There was a letter from our preschool teacher wishing us both a happy 11th birthday. That's when big brother noticed something.
"Mama! River has a letter." Mama took the letter out of his hands and handed it me, so that I can read it. I took it from Mama and opened it. When I finished reading it I sat there in shock. Mama carefully took the letter out of my hands, so that she could read it.
"Honey this is amazing!" Mama said to me as she started to tear up. Big brother was tearing up as well. I got out of my chair and walked over to them. I gave them a big hug.
"Mama… Big brother… no matter where in the world we are. We will always be a family." I said while smiling up at them. BBBRRRIIINNNGGG!!!
I sat up quickly which turned out to be a bad idea because I ended up rolling off of the bed. I sighed but made no move to get off of the floor. My thoughts turned turned to my dream. That was the last birthday that I had spent with Madre and Fratello. A week after that I was on a plane heading towards my new life. That was six years ago.
The letter was for a private school that was next to impossible to get into. They only accept the best of the best. It's mainly made up of rich kids. Every year they accept five regular commoners a year on a scholarship. I am one of these five. Unlike the rest of the students we are not allowed to return to our famiglia every summer. We work for the school during the holiday's to pay for our tuition. My friends and I love being here. We get to learn all sorts of new things. They are teaching us how to defend ourselves and to be the best spies and agents. Yea you heard right. They teach us how to use weapons and to blend into our surroundings. Here in a few months I will graduate and will finally be able to return home to my famiglia. For some reason I feel like I'm forgetting something.
Anyway let me introduce myself. My name is River Jackson, but everyone calls me Mare. It's Italian for sea because I really love the sea. One thing everyone learns is that me and my roommates love speaking in Italian. Anyways, my Madre's name is Sally Jackson and my Fratello's name is Percy Jackson. Madre remarried a man named Paul Blowfish… I mean Blofis. He seems like a nice man and if he passed Percy's tests then he is alright in my books. Madre said that ever since I left that Percy is even more protective of her. I really do feel like I am forgetting something.
I shifted my weight and something hit me in the head. I sat up and noticed that it was my clock. I stood up and put it back on my table. Oh miei dei! I'm late for class! I started rushing and got dressed my my uniform. Everyone has their own customized uniform. Mine is a white short sleeved colored button up, a light gray skirt with blue edges that comes to about mid-thigh, black short shorts under my skirt, a light blue tie, dark gray thigh high socks, and black ankle boots. My super long blue hair, it reaches to the middle of my thighs, is usually worn in pigtails. I rushed out of my room and out the front door after grabbing my backpack. I noticed my roommates had already left for school. My roommates are the other scholarship students. I hit the sidewalk running as I heard the warning bell.
*Time skip brought to you by Mrs. O'Leary the hellhound.*
I sat down in my seat just as the last bell had rung. I laid my head down on my desk and tried to catch my breath. Nobody noticed that I was almost late until I had slipped while trying to get to my seat.
"Hey Mare cutting it a little close today aren't ya." I looked up and saw Tempesta holding a container of what looked like mixed fruit.
"Maybe just a little." My stomach choose that moment to make itself known.
"Sorry guys," I said when everyone turned to look at me, "I forgot to eat this morning."
"Honestly Mare where would you be without us." I looked to my left and saw that Fuoco was sitting next to me. She handed me a thermos. Tempesta handed me the container of fruit.
"Thanks ya'll," I started eating, "Did I miss anything important?"
"There is talk of the teachers having a surprise for us." Bellezza said from my right.
"Yea, I overheard some of the teachers talking about it and it sounds big." Principe informed me as she stood next to her sister. I nodded and continued eating. I should tell you who is who.
Principe's real name is Luna McLean. Someone called her princess in first year and kindly-not so kindly informed them that she will never be a princess, so we started calling her Principe, which is Italian for prince. Any way her uniform is a long sleeved button up with a light pink vest. A dark pink pleated skirt. Thigh high dark pink socks and black ankle boots. Her hair, that reaches mid-back and is pink, is in it's usual braided ponytail.
Bellezza's real name is Lyra McLean. Her nickname means beauty in Italian. She truly is beautiful. Anyway her uniform is a short sleeved white button up with a light red vest. A dark red pleated skirt. Black thigh high sock and black ankle boots. Her shoulder length red hair is worn in a high ponytail.
Tempesta's true name is Noelle Grace. Tempesta is Italian for storm. She loves to be out in any type of storm. Her uniform is a long sleeved white button up, a light yellow vest, and a dark yellow pleated skirt. Thigh high black socks and black ankle boots. She has blonde hair that reaches her tailbone and is usually worn in a low ponytail.
Last but not least we have Fuoco. Her nickname translates into fire. We gave her that name because of her fiery temper. Her uniform is a short sleeved white button up. A light brown vest and a dark brown pleated skirt. Black thigh high socks and black ankle boots. Her brown hair reaches to the bottom of her shoulder blades and is always worn loose in school.
"Mare are you okay? You've been staring at nothing for the past few minutes." Tempesta asked me sounding a little concerned.
"I'm okay Tempesta. Just wondering what has all of the teachers so hyped up." I told her while stretching a little. The girls just laughed and shook their heads. Our teacher chose that moment to come in.
Mr. Jacob is our homeroom teacher. He has pitch black hair and black eyes. He is usually seen in a black turtleneck and a white lab coat. He teaches science to first years. He has a twin brother who goes by Mr. Jacobi. He teaches psychology.
"Good morning class. Please take your seats and I'll start roll." Everyone in the classroom took their seats. The girls took their seats around me. Principe to the left of me. Bellezza to my right. Tempesta behind me and Fuoco sits in front of me.
"River Jackson?" Mr. Jacob's said my said my name. I raise my hand I must have zoned out.
"Here sir."
"Okay now that that's out of the way. I have an announcement for everyone. The headmaster has decided that every sixth year will be going on a trip for the rest of the year kinda like a vacation. The headmaster trusts that you will keep up your training. No two teams will go to the same place." Everyone was buzzing with excitement.
"That's it everyone. Team leaders please go and see the headmaster during your free time to get your information packets." Mr. Jacobs said while standing up.
"Yes sir." Everyone said in unison.
"Good. Oh and by the way you have the rest of the day off and yes even from work or training. You need to pack and be ready to leave tomorrow. Class dismissed." He walked out of the room. Fuoco turned around and looked at me.
"I wonder where we will be going," She stated while standing up, "at least we have the rest of the day off." I nodded and stood up.
"Since our free time is right before light's out I'm gonna go and see if the headmaster will go ahead and give us our information packets now."
"That's a good idea. We'll meet you back at the dorm." Principe said as we walked out of the room. I nodded and headed towards the headmaster's office.
A/NOh miei dei - Oh my godsMadre - MotherFratello - BrotherFuoco - Fire (Ember's nickname)Principe - Prince (Luna's nickname)Bellezza - Beauty (Lyra's nickname)Tempesta - Storm (Noelle's nickname)Mare - Sea (River's nickname)Famiglia - FamilySo what do you think?