Chapter 4 - Special Education

Carla sat in the grass behind the school. This was where the special education classes were held. There were two different special education classes - a group session and an individual session. Carla was required to do both. The group session was always the first class of the day. Then, the individual sessions were dispersed throughout the rest of the day. Carla was fortunate enough to have her individual session immediately after the group session, so she wouldn't have to leave only to come back later.

She and the other students were sitting in a circle. "Hello, students!" The teacher greeted cheerfully. "You can call me Periwinkle. Now, there are two reasons why you could be in this class. One - you could merely have great potential but are too weak to transform. Two - you powers could have a special circumstance based on an external disorder. Let's get to know each other by going around the circle and telling everyone our names and why we're here. I'll start. My name is Periwinkle, and I'm here to guide you. Next?" She gestured to the student next to her. "Why don't you stand when you speak?"

The girl next to her stood up, as suggested. "My name is Ami, and I have Dissociative Identity Disorder, also known as Multiple Personality Disorder. When I transform, I have a different fairy form for each of my other personalities."

"Good job, Ami," said Periwinkle. "Next?"

Carla recognized the next girl as being Mole. She wasn't entirely certain, but it looked like Mole and Periwinkle shared a knowing look before Mole started speaking. It looked almost as if they had some kind of agreement going, although Carla could've been imagining it.

"Hello!" She began in a very excited manner. "You can all call me by my nickname - Mole."

"People mean that nickname offensively," another girl spoke up.

"It all depends on how it's received, not how it's meant," she smiled. "I'm here because I'm too weak to transform."

"Thank you. Moving on."

The girls continued around the circle. Soon it was Carla's turn. "My name is Carla, and I'm too weak to transform." It seemed the most reasonable answer, and it was true. She thought it would draw too much attention if she added in the bit about being able to turn into other people.

"Now, Carla, we can't properly support you if you don't tell us everything," Periwinkle scolded gently.

Of course the teacher would know about everything… Carla sighed. "And I can turn into other people. Not just looking like them, but getting their personality and memories."

The other students seemed very impressed. They started to ask questions, but Periwinkle kept the line moving, and everyone else finished their introductions. Then, they did some other first-day procedures and some trust exercises. Soon enough, the class was over, and the other students were going back into the building.

"Now, Carla, let's start our very first individual session," Periwinkle said cheerfully. "Before we start working with your magic, do you have any questions for me?"

There was one question that had been burning in Carla's head. "I don't know if you can answer this, but do you know why I, of all people, have the legendary metamorphosis powers? There is no history of magic in my family, considering Earth is not yet a very magical realm."

Periwinkle smiled at her. "The metamorphosis powers are not spefic to any realm, like how plant powers are specific to Linphea. No, your powers are ones which blossom through the soul. Your soul was just the right one to contain the metamorphosis powers."

"How could my soul be the right one?" Carla asked. "After I learned how to use the powers, all I did was abuse them."

"It happens to the best of us," said Periwinkle. "What's important is that you worked passed the abuse, and now you can continue forward to discover more. Now, let's tune into your powers and see if we can't develop them."

End of Chapter 4

A/N: So here we have a shorter chapter that sets up Carla's class structure and provides a few answers. Do you like the cameo appearance from Ami? Ami is actually a member of one of my most recent groups, the Psycotix Club. Her story will also have a special education class in it, so I thought "why not give her a brief cameo in this story?"

What do you think is going on with Mole? Any predictions?