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Author Note: Okay everyone! Thanks for the reviews everyone. Keep reviewing and I'll keep updating! Thanks! –TL16
This place is truly amazing. I can't believe that I'm finally here. The LEP Academy. It is the very place where I have dreamed of going since I was a young child. Now that dream has come true. Now all I have to do is graduate and get into Recon.
Hayden and I walk into our first class. History. This should be interesting. I just hope the teacher is nice….and not one of those judgmental people who are against females from entering Recon. Believe me, I've met plenty of those.
I look down at the schedule. The teacher for the history class was Major Vein. Well, a major huh. Any problems and all I have to do is tell Mom. She'll fix it.
As I walk in I notice that my mom was right. There were tons of guys, but only one other girl. I sigh; this was great. Hayden enters behind me and spots a couple of seats towards the back.
"Come on, Cori. Better get seated before the teacher arrives."
I smile and we walk to the back of the room. Hayden sees a few people we knew from high school and waves at them. They ignore him.
I roll my eyes. Hayden Verbil. He has been my best friend since early childhood and we share the same ambition. Get into Recon. But sometimes…he just doesn't have a clue.
He takes his seat. "Wow. Can you believe it? We're actually here!"
I laugh. "Yes, Hayden. It's a dream come true!"
I take a seat next to him. At least there was one person that I really knew here. Someone who understands me; knows my weaknesses…
"So…where's the teacher?"
The sprite/elf hybrid shrugged. "I have no idea. We just got here. Remember."
I smirk. "You never know anything do you."
He smiles and I just roll my eyes. We sit and talk for a while, talking about our greatest worries about the Academy…
I squirm in my seat and start to tap a pattern on the desk with my fingers. "What if all of the teachers are sexist and judge me because I'm female? Or what if they expect me to be better than everyone else, because of my mother?"
Hayden rolls his eyes. "It's not going to be like that. You'll be just fine. You probably just as good as any of these morons; maybe even better. And if you have a problem you can always go to your mom."
I continue to drum my fingers on the desk. The same pattern over and over again. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7….1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…
"I know, but I don't want to be an exception just because my mother is Commander Holly Short."
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7….1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…
Hayden notices the involuntary ticks. His face shows signs of worry.
"Cori? Are you okay? Your thinking about this too much, you're starting to stress. Don't; calm down. You know that it's worse when you're upset."
I sigh, he was right. I was worrying about nothing and it was aggravating my condition….When I was 35, I was diagnosed with mild paranoia and OCD. It was nothing really and I have managed to control it. But occasionally, when I'm upset or worried about something, I lose all control. I start to suspect everyone and I obsess over small things. Usually it's the number seven.
I close my eyes and take several deep breaths to calm myself. Slowly the drumming stops….1…2…..3…..4….5…..6….7…..
When I open my eyes, I see Hayden watching me anxiously. I smile and he breaths a sigh of relief.
"Good. You're yourself now. I hate it when you get like that. It's freaky."
I roll my eyes. Sometimes Hayden could be so sensitive. But he had a point.
"How do think I feel? It's no picnic for me either."
We continue talking and we even talk to some of our classmates. After about 20 minutes of waiting, a pixie walks into the room. He seems nervous, maybe even slightly worried. But determined, nonetheless.
He walks to the front of the room and whistles to get our attention. Everyone immediately stops talking and gives him our undivided attention.
He smiles and speaks in an annoying high-pitched voice. Several of our classmates snicker. I sigh. Great. I'm going to school with a bunch of childish idiots. What's new?
"Good morning, class. Unfortunately, Major Vein has called in sick and I will be your substitute. You can call me Mr. Wraak…Now, if you would please say 'here' when I call your name."
I glance over at Hayden and he smirks. It was always the same. Teacher walks in, introduces him or herself, and calls roll. Typical.
We sit and talk for a little while longer, it would be a few minutes before he got to us.
"Sabrina Short?"
I turn towards the teacher and hold up my hand. "Here!"
I don't know if anyone notices other than me, but something seems strange about Mr. Wraak…..He locks eyes with me; his eyes look so cold…..I shudder. Something just wasn't right….
"Thank you Ms. Short." He coughs. "Now where was I…oh yes!"
Mr. Wraak finishes calling the role and starts class. He does pretty well…for a substitute. But everyone, including Hayden and myself, is relieved when the bell finally rings. Time for our next class.
As Hayden and I start to leave I feel someone tap my shoulder. I turn around and see that it's . "Excuse me, Miss Short. Do you mind if I speak to you for a minute."
I nod. "Sure thing sir." I turn back to Hayden. "Go on to class. I'll catch up."
Hayden looks hesitant. "Are you sure? I can wait…"
I shake my head. No need for both of us to be late. "I'm positive. Go on."
"Okay, Cori. I'll see you later." He hurries off to class and I turn back to Mr. Wraak. The small pixie seems nervous.
"Thank you for staying after, Miss Short."
"No problem. So, what is it that you want to talk about? I kind of need to get to my next class."
The pixie smiles and I shiver. That smile and those eyes…they gave me the creeps.
"I'm afraid you're not going to class, Short."
