Don't you hate it when you're having the best sleep of your life and then you have to wake up to go to school?
My alarm buzzed angrily, and my eyes groggily fluttered open. I was really not a morning person.
Still, I managed to pull myself out of bed and find my clothes. I slipped on a simple, white long-sleeved shirt and black pants. My blonde hair now reached down to my armpits. My face had more creases on it as well. I was lucky I didn't get braces or pimples (many, that is). Marcus wasn't so lucky. Poor guy...
I headed downstairs and packed my school bag. It was almost overflowing with school and home work. My mom gave me a kind smile. I returned it, my back already aching though the bag wasn't even on my back yet.
I slipped my bag onto my back, strained from the weight. I said goodbye to Mom and then left. I walked to school, passing by the houses and neighbors I'd seen countless times. I walked into the school, tired and definitely not ready for the new year.
I met up with my friends, who were also pretty unexcited about returning to school. We complained about all the assignments and annoying teachers. Before we knew it, the bell went, and we had to go to home room.
Chrissi wasn't in my home room unfortunately, but luckily Marcus was. I smiled at him as I took my seat.
The teacher, Ms Pattingham, began by doing the roll and going over the daily bulletin. Then she stood up, raising her hands.
"We have two new students joining us here," she said. "These two siblings are from very far away, so let's make sure we give them a big welcome."
Two students stood at the front of the class. We gazed at them with curiosity. Brother and sister.
The brother had black, somewhat spiky hair and ghostly pale skin. His eyes were grey. He was wearing a light grey hoodie with dark grey pants. He was giving me a stare that was making me shiver. He looked so hollow… so…
He almost looked… dead.
The girl, on the other hand, though with the same skin colour, had long, brown hair and a cheerful smile on her face. Her eyes, too, were grey, which dimmed the smile ever so slightly. She was wearing a black jacket over a green shirt and grey jeans.
"Why don't you two introduce yourselves?" Ms Pattingham asked.
"Sure thing," the sister grinned. "I'm Lara, and this is my brother…" She paused for a moment, thoughtfully. "Harold."
Harold briefly glanced at Lara with a scowl.
"As Ms. Pattingham said, we're from pretty far away," Lara continued. "Almost like, another world." She had a glint in her eyes. "So yeah, we came here for a better education."
"Interesting," Ms Pattingham smiled politely. "Does anyone have any questions for these two?"
No one raised their hand. Harold kept looking at me. Before I knew it, I felt my hand rise into the air.
"Yes, Alice?" Ms Pattingham asked me, still smiling.
"Where exactly do you guys come from?" I asked. "Like, what country or…"
"Very far away," Lara replied, her smile slightly twisted. "You may know where."
That didn't make any sense to me, but I kept quiet.
"Okay," Ms Pattingham's cheerful tone changed the mood. "Would anyone be willing to show these two around the school?"
One of the class pets put her hand up. Ms Pattingham picked on her, of course. I myself kind of felt like volunteering, but giving tours isn't really a talent of mine. Besides… those two creeped me out. Especially Harold. He gave me bad vibes.
Marcus agreed with me about the siblings.
"Yeah, those two were kind of creepy…" he said. "They almost sounded… fake?"
"Who sounded fake?" Chrissi asked, walking over to us.
We explained the story of new students.
"Hmm," Chrissi looked curious. "Yeah, I don't like the sound of those two. Especially since they're siblings in the same class… I don't see that very often."
"We'll keep an eye on them." I said, nodding at Marcus.
…
As usual, most of my afternoon/evening after school was taken up with homework. Good times. I paused to have dinner of course, and procrastinate - I mean relax.
I went to bed, slightly stressed over some assignments I had due. I sighed, my eyes closing. The ceiling was fading from my view as I succumbed to slumber…
Then… I saw someone… in my dreams. I recognized her. I recognized her well.
Athena.
The goddess looked down at me, her eyes glowing and hair flowing. I stared back up at her, excitement rushing through my veins. This could only mean one thing.
"In a new world, three heroes will appear.
One home again, one competitive and one shaking in fear.
Long-gone vengeance will rise,
Taking the world as its prize.
If the heroes succeed,
We will be free.
But if they lose,
Every world is doomed."
At last.
I was returning to Poptropica.