Yes it has been a long time, but I have been busy working multiple jobs. Now I finally had a little down time to write this up. So please enjoy Jades first day at school.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the ideas.
K is for Kandracar: Jades first day
"Come to me child, I will give you strength through the darkness. Cast away all of your fears and come." The deep voice would call to her from all around, like it always did.
She wanted to go to it, she knew the voice, but she was scared. She was scared that if she stepped out of the circle of light that she was in, she would get lost in the darkness, or worse, fall off a cliff or something. "Come to me," the voice kept beckoning like sweet honey.
"I wish I could, but where are you?" She was scared of getting lost and not being able to find her way back. As if granting her wish, a shadow suddenly started to stretch towards her in her circle of light. It extended an inviting hand for her to take. She was filled with overwhelming joy and a sense of power when she reached toward the outstretched hand. It felt so familiar, like she had found a way home.
"Come to me child, I will give you strength through the darkness. Cast away all of your fears and come." The voice repeated, and she knew the voice, she trusted the voice, it would never betray her. All she wanted was to join it. She reached for the shadow filled with excitement, but she hesitated suddenly, having a flash of a familiar face pass her eyes. Uncle Jackie's face, one of the few times he had been proud of her. She pulled away quickly, retreating to her original spot in the middle of the circle.
"I... I can't. If I do, Jackie might never be able to find me again. I don't want to disappoint him." Like she always did. Hot tears threatened to fall, she could feel the cold setting in now. The voice was calm, even comforting.
"But why are you afraid of his disappointment? Why should you care what others think of you if caring is what is causing you pain? why not just be who you are?" He asked her. She thought it was a stupid question, but when she thought about it, it really didn't make sense. But Jackie always cared about what others think, and he was awesome. But she...
"I can't, because when I am, I get into trouble, and when I try to help, everyone gets mad at me and I get scolded like a child for it." When she said it out loud it didn't make sense. The voice confirmed that.
"That sounds like a pretty messed up picture, my dear. Why do you want to hold back because of them? Why do you try to be what they expect when its not who you are? I thought you were supposed to be true to yourself."
"I am true to myself! I am supposed to do what im told, I..I..." She was struggling with her side of the argument. She never did what she was told.
"But what you are expected to do is what you don't want to do. And what are you expected to do? What do you have to do to keep others from getting angry at you?"
"Nothing," she let the tears fall now. "I can't do anything. They don't want me to, cause even when I do something and it turns out fine,"
"you always disappoint him anyways. No matter what you do." He finished the thought for her. "so I ask again, why should you care if that is what is causing you pain? Why shouldn't you let out your full self and be free? why must you hide in the light and torment yourself with trying to be what you are not? You are trying to keep them happy... but what good does it do you?" she was on her knees sobbing now, she knew what he said was true. She could never satisfy them, not without being someone she wasn't. "Let your power free, and let yourself be happy. Be who you are destined to be and they will never be able to hurt you again!" His voice beckoned, sending icy excitement into her very core. She saw shadowy hands of several different kinds come from all directions, all reaching for her, but none quite close enough. Part of her wanted to get as far away from them as possible, but another more powerful force within her wanted desperately to take hold of them and go to the voice. But something was off.
"Wait, what will happen to them? What do you mean they will never be able to hurt me again?!" she yelled, but then the hands started to touch her and she could feel the sweet cool power they offered her, and the voice turned into a thunderous sound coming from all around the abyss.
"Come to me dear, I will give you strength through the darkness. Cast away all of your fears and come."
*beep*beep*beep*
She woke up with a start, she always did. Even when she wasn't hearing the automatic alarm clock built into the agent headphones. She was shaky, like always, and her body was soaked in sweat. Hay Lin was already out of the shower and picking out an outfit for school, just like they agreed. Hay Lin would get up first, so they stayed out of each others way. "Oh, good, your awake. I was getting a little worried when you started crying." Hay Lin stated which Jade obviously wanted to retort and deny that she had been crying, but she figured that was pointless cause she probably was. She always did. She just got up shakily and ignored Hay Lins 'want to talk about it?' look and went to the shower. What bothered her was that the dream kept getting more vivid, more real. She showered and tried to put it out of her mind for now.
' I need to be on my A game today, I don't want to get the same looks I do at my other school, hmmmmm, I've been doing pretty good at not letting airhead know about the secret stuff me and Jackie do (Jackie said it was important that I not make a name for us here so I have to keep our secrets, well, secrets.) and with her constant " wanting to be buddies" speeches, well I'm glad to not share. So since I've been doing pretty good here, and her and her friends haven't given me any freak looks, maybe I should just not talk about it, and see what kinda people the normal me attracts. ( Probably boring ones, but its worth a shot.)
Yeah, the dream was supposed to be a lot longer, but I didn't save it cause I was so into it and my computer started to act up and then I couldn't save it and had to crash the computer, so I had to re-write the entire thing. oh trust me I was seathing pissed. Took 3 hours to write it, then I had to re-write it in less then two hours before work, otherwise I would risk forgetting half of its glory. Yeah, I was not happy. I had to condence it a lot.
Anyhow, now that I have vented, I finally got it as much as I could remember from before, so at least the main concept is still there.
OOHHH nooooo... this chapter isn't done yet! So don't even think about changing the page yet!
The walk to school had been painfully quite. Neither girl said a word the entire time. They got to the school and saw the brainiac girl getting out of her mothers car, was she blushing? She seemed to be waving at someone when these jerks knocked her to the ground and stole her glasses. Jade saw the pointy haired jerk take them, but didn't say anything. The guy that helped her seemed to like her, and it seemed to be a mutual feeling. Jade silently gagged at the sight and Haylin silently sighed with glee at the romance.
They split ways when Jade said she didn't need help finding her classes. She was only in the year below Haylin, but she had never been in a school this big before. She was looking for her first class when a teacher found her wandering and gave her directions. It was History, and they had started out with a topic about an ancient war in Asia. It was actually surprisingly interesting and Jade didn't feel like zoning out for once. The first paper they did to review was actually a little challenging, but she figured it out and when they traded papers to grade, she got all of it right accept one. She felt pretty proud of herself. Then he assigned an essay to be done by Wednesday, which was three days from now, and that deflated her a little bit. She didn't know the first thing about writing an essay. She had gone up to the teacher and explained that her school never got into this kind of essay stuff, and he understood that the teaching criliqulium was different. So he assigned her to a partner to help catch her up to this schools system.
The guy he put her with was short, but had glasses and a shortish haircut so he looked a little older. His hair was a light blueish grey, and he had a bit of a baby face. He was wearing a green t-shirt with a surfing symbol on it. Jade smiled at that, at least he liked something fun. His pants were khakis but he made it look cool with his sandals. Mr. Collins told him what he wanted him to do and he smiled and nodded yes. Jade brought another chair over and was expecting him to start off with a lecture about English stuff, but instead got an invitation.
"Hi my name is Wessly, I know your new and I understand this is going to be a difficult assignment because you don't know too much about this level of work, but I think I can teach you two months of English classes in three days time, that is, if you feel you are up for it. We could meet in the library after school and ill bring my old materials and worksheets so you can use them as examples. And if you need help with anything else, like math or science I can help you out with that too." She was dumbfounded, she just met the guy and he was already treating her like she didn't know anything.
"Listen," she said in a hushed tone, "don't think just because I am not from here that it gives you the right to treat me like i'm stupid! I can catch up just fine on my own ok." She glared at him. She hatted school, even if her first class seemed ok. And this kid seemed like he was just going to be like every boy she knew, treating her like she was stupid and didn't know anything. He raised an eyebrow at her and smirked a little.
"Oh, so you think you can catch up to algebra when you haven't even taken pre-algebra yet? Tell me what is the quadratic formula and what is it used for? And what is the meaning of biology? And what are the 50 states and their capitals? Do you even know what an adverb is?" He ended his little quiz with a challenging look, like he was daring her to prove him wrong. She was offended, and tried to answer the questions but was fumbling dramatically and clearly was outmatched. Finally she sighed in frustration, knowing he was right, but not wanting to admit it. He could see that he angered her, but he didn't want her to back out.
"Listen, i'm probably coming off way too strong, but I just wanted to make a point. Clearly the school you were going to was treating you like children when you were only a sixth grader... and not excelling like they should have been, so now your a seventh grader in a different school and have no idea what to do. Personally, I think that even when you go back home, you should switch schools. Its just a suggestion. Anyhow, maybe staying here might help you get further faster in education then the other place. As for the tutoring, I'm happy to do it, but only if you are ready to work hard. It's not going to be easy to catch up with all that you've missed. Are you sure you're ready for tonight? I mean I won't go through everything in one day, its going to take a few weeks to really catch you up, but you have to be willing to challenge yourself, or else its all for nothing. I'm not going to waste my time with someone who isn't worth it."
She was shocked that he had the audacity to criticize her when she had just met him. He was clearly one of the smartest students in the grade, which Mr. Collins had told her, but she didn't expect him to be sooo... well straight forward with everything. But she didn't appreciate being told she had alot of catching up to do, like she was staying here for a longer time then a few months. He was staring at her, waiting for her answer, but he didn't seem to be taunting her with his gaze like most boys in her old school. He seemed to be expecting a serious answer from her. Maybe he's not like the others. Well I need to catch up anyways, and i'm not about to back down from him now.
"Fine, tonight at the library it is. But I warn you, bring your A game, cuz i'm bringing mine." She told him in all seriousness, and he smiled liking the challenging look she gave him. The bell rung and Jade was out the door, but Wessly was still thinking about their conversation. 'Huh, this might actually be fun if she is as serious about learning as she is competitive. Well then Jade, I will see you tonight, so you'd better be ready.
Her next class was math, and boy did she learn what Wessly had meant by missing alot. She had no idea what she was doing or what the teacher was saying. The same conversation went on between her and the math teacher as the one with the history teacher. When she mentioned Wessly's name Jade almost smacked someone. 'Really! Is he like the lord of the 7th grade class or something! She just sat back down with a bunch of papers the teacher had gathered for her to help her catch up.
But in her next class she wasn't the only kid who was new. A girl a little taller then Jade was introduced with her. She had short straight black hair and was wearing a purple blouse and dark purple skirt. Jeez, what a teachers pet. Was all Jade had time to think about before the same questions were asked to her about where she was from and why she was here. The other girl payed no attention to Jade, which she was kinda thankful for. She didn't know why, but she got a dark vibe from her.
After the teacher was done with the lesson of why reptiles shed, she found both herself and the new girl asking for help from the teacher for the review sheet that was handed out in the beginning of class. It was an almost identical conversation to the ones she had before, except now there were two of them. The teacher had simple stated that the other girl should also study with Jade and Wessly. Jade straightened up a little at that. She wasn't really looking forward to tonight's intense study session, but she really didn't want to share her humiliation with another girl so that she could go gossip about it with whoever she had become friends with. Though the other girl didn't really like the idea either, but it was evidently settled, because they had already called Wessly from his group in the back, and told him. He smirked that smirk and said of course he could handle it, and looked at Jade with that challenging gaze, making her stomach burn with determination to wipe that smirk right off that smug face.
-Lunch-
At lunch even after Haylin's instants, Jade sat by herself. She didn't want to be associated with those girls anymore then she already was. She had already planned on it, and was expecting to have a lonely lunch, like always. Until she notice the other new girl having problems getting her lunch. She seemed to be not sure with how to use a tray or know how to grab her silverware or how to pay for lunch. Jade felt bad for her, thinking about how she had the same problem when she first came to america. She went up and took her by the arm to the end of the line and helped walk her through how to get lunch without making a scene. She paid for her and the girl just followed Jade back to her table. She didn't say anything for a while so Jade made the first move.
"Well, I guess your welcome." She said nonchalantly.
"I never said thank you." The other girl seeming to be overly interested with staring at another table.
"Look, I know we just met, and I don't expect you to act like you care, but i went through the same thing when i first came to my old school. It takes a little getting use to. Even this school isn't what i thought it would be, it just takes time to adjust." Jade new the other girl clearly didn't care, and that she didn't either when Will said the same thing to her a few weeks ago, but for some reason she wanted to help her feel more comfortable. Probably because she had something in common with her.
"Why did you help me?" the other girl suddenly said, now scowling at Jade. It caught her off guard so she swallowed a little too soon, almost choking on her spaghetti.
"Ummm, I don't know, maybe because you were trying to pay for the food with coins from the middle ages and didn't know what spaghetti was."
"I know that, but I mean why would you help a complete stranger?" She asked the question with a little less glare and a little more curiosity.
"Well, its the right thing to do I guess. I mean, I would've liked someone to have helped me to understand how things worked in my old school when I first transferred there, but I didn't. I guess I just didn't want to sit back and watch like everyone else did back then." Jade looked down at her food. The other girl, much to her surprise, actually told her thank you. But was still looking at another table. When lunch was almost over, she actually stopped Jade on the way to their next class, which they apparently shared too, and asked her, "Would you consider the people at your old school bad people because they didn't help you?"
"Well, not really. I mean there were alot of people who were mean to me, but it's just because they like to make a fool of me and laugh at my stories."
"Stories? Like what?" She asked with an eyebrow raised. Jade hadn't meant to mention that, and she thought she was doing so well on her first day too.
"Ummm... never mind. They aren't important. Anyways, are you ready for our 'study session of doom' tonight? Its probably going to be supper boring, so bring your Ipod." She was teasing, but the other girl clearly didn't know what she was talking about. "Whats a study session and an 'IPod'?" Jade was surprised to here her say that. Where was this girl from again... oh yeah the Mediterranean.
"Wow, you aren't kidding with not knowing anything about this place huh." Jade stated without really answering the questions before they sat down for their next class: Art. The same scenario went down for this class too, except Jade actually knew a little more in this one so she helped the other girl, who this time she actually payed attention to the name when the teacher said it. Jade helped Mykayla with everything she knew how to do.
After they finished the assignment together, she asked her a question that was kinda bothering her.
"Sooo, Mykayla, what did you do at your old school?" Jade was honestly curious. Mykayla didn't really seem to know how to answer.
"I was ummm... home schooled. I never been with so many kids my own age in one place before without a slash around." She didn't seem to want to answer the question that was obviously on Jades lips so she continued quickly, "living conditions aren't as nice as this. I don't even know what an 'IPod is, let alone most of the other things around this place."
"So, how about I help you then," she raised a eyebrow with a clear expression of 'you need a tutor and you think you can help me?' on her face. "Hey, I may not know about the textbook stuff, but I know how to blend in in this kind of society. I can get you started on making new friends and fitting in with these guys. What do you say?" Mykayla simply laughed, though Jade didn't understand what was so funny.
"Excuse my behavior, but you don't seem to have any friends either... how do you expect to teach me to fit in when you can't seem to yourself? Its a little contradicting isn't it?" Jade surprised her by laughing too.
"Yeah I guess it it. But I still know alot more then you do, and it might help us both learn a thing or two to check the place out a little more."
"You mean like a ...ummm shopping trip?" She seemed to have to hunt for the word, but that just made Jade smile, she might actually have fun with this.
"Yeah, that's perfect. But it wont be shopping, considering neither of us would have money, but we can just hang out and walk around town before having to be cramped into textbooks with all night." Jade didn't actually want to shop, but was already thinking about asking Jackie for some money to go to the arcade, or at least help get this girl some cooler clothes.
"I guess that's true. Alright, do you want to head out right after school?" Mykayla asked. Jade agreed as long as they could stop by the Silver Dragon first to get some money and permission from her Uncle Jackie first.
The next class Jade had with both Wessly and Mykayla again, but this time her and Mykayla sat next to each other and tossed irritated glances at Wessly when the same conversation repeated itself with the teacher about catching up on English.
They agreed to walk with the others so they could both not get lost on the way to the Silver Dragon. Mykayla seemed perfectly fine with it, though it irritated Jade to have to depend on Haylin and her friends. When they were leaving the school grounds she noticed that the dark skinned one wasn't with them. Then a van from the Silver Dragon pulled up with Yan Lin driving, and Jackie in the passenger seat, looking terrified.
"Did someone order take out?" The funny Scottish girl asked.
"I think we are the take out." Stated Will, all of them smiling at the statement.
Jackie got out looking relieved to have solid ground. Once the girls left with Yan Lin he walked up to Jade and explained that he needed her to come to his Karate class with him because the restaurant would be extra busy tonight. Jade told him about her and Mykayla's plans, and he said ok as long as she had her cell phone on her. He was just happy she had a couple of kids her age being friendly with her so she could stay out of trouble, hopefully. And also keep her out of Haylin's and her friends business too.
Oh Jackie, it will only get worse from here. Guess who the new girl is! I will be making some more alterations as the chapters go on, minor ones but they are needed to fit my diabolic plans for theses unsuspecting universes. I hope you enjoyed and keep reading. :)
