Hey guys, I'm back, one year older but still the same!
This isn't that much of a chapter, it's soooo short, it's more of a little filler thingy. It's just the walk with Piper and Dove. They just talk about stuff, but i thought i'd make the walk a chapter on it's own.
Anyway, hope you like it!
Chapter 8 – Walking and Talking
"Tis is da best part of de trail," Dove said, looking over the hill.
I slowed and Dove stopped next to me.
The rolling hills in the back of Atmosia boasted a forest with millions of green leaves tinged with red and gold, hinting that autumn was near.
This part of the trail reminded me of the woods behind my old school, where I had gone walking by myself every week. I loved exploring the dirt paths that snaked around the school.
We continued down a rocky path littered with broken twigs and pinecones.
"How long have you been a Mage at Helix?" I asked.
"Since I started sixth grade. I wes at Phoenix Academy before I ceme here."
"I've heard of that school! It's also like, one of the best schools along with Helix! Did you ever do an event there?" I asked.
"Two yers ago, in Tropica," Dove said. "T'was really exciting! I ceme first In da Harmony class, 'nd second in da Combat and da Sky Fu classes."
"I was in the audience!" I squealed.
I remembered that tournament well – it was the first time Dad had let me go to such a major contest. All of the Helix Mages had worn matching green and gold jackets. And beside the Helix cruiser, Helix's green tents were staked into the ground. It had all seen so glamorous and fancy. After that, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
"Cyclonis wes dere, too, I think, but dat was before I knew 'er." Dove continued.
"She wants to make the advanced level more than anything," I said.
Dove nodded. "We all do."
"How does the advanced team work, exactly?" I asked.
"Well, each yer Mages in grades seven 'nd up at da intermediate level are allowed ta try out for da advanced team," Dove said. "Onlay five Mages from each grade make it. Sometimes no won makes it."
"Are you excited to try out?" I asked.
"Oh yesh," Dove said.
"So, do you think Cyclonis is going to get in?" when I said Cyclonis's name, the wind started blowing the leaves around our feet.
"She's pretty good," Dove said. "But Ravess, Lark, 'nd a bunch of other ninth-grade intermediate Mages are good, too."
"What about you? You're great!" I said.
Dove lowered her head and looked away. "Being a good Mage is important. But Ayrgyn wants Mages wit da total package – great skills 'nd great grades."
"Great grades? Ah, what's the requirement grade?" My stomach tightened when I thought about my biology quiz.
"Both da advanced team 'nd da 'Young Mage National Team' require a B average."
"Oh, I didn't know that," I said. The Y.M.N.T was like, the stage before becoming a full-fledged Crystal Mage!
My mind drifted back to Cyclonis. It reminded me of the fight Cyclonis and her grandmother had on campus that first day. "How are Cyclonis's grades?" I asked.
Dove seemed to consider the question. "Cyclonis's smart – she just dont work hard at anything but 'er Mage lessons. Her entire family expect e lot from 'er. They want her to bee da best, and ta one day rule Cyclonia." She tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear.
"It was really different where I used to go to school," I said.
"There's pressure un everywon ta get good grades," Dove sighed. "Straight A's aren't enough."
"I hadn't even thought about that," I admitted. "Just thinking about whether or not I have a shot at the advanced team has been enough stress for me!"
"If ya work hard, ya could make it," Dove looked up at me. "I've seen ya practicing Sky Fu. Yur definitely won of da best here."
I beamed. There hadn't been many compliments on my Sky Fu since I'd been here. "Thanks! It's my favourite Mage class."
Now I had something to shoot for – the best Mage in Sky Fu at Helix. Blue crystals filled my head – I could almost hear the crowd's cheers. Scouts for the Y.M.N.T would mob me with offers to come join them. Dove seemed to sense me drift off, and she poked me to get me back to reality.
We continued our way down the dirt path, taking in the peace and quiet. I thought about what Dove had said. Dove was one of the best Mages I'd ever met. If she thought I was good, maybe I actually was.
THERE WE GO!
I'm gonna remind people that this is chapter 8, and Piper does meet Aerrow in the next chapter. They will talk and stuff, and Piper will FREAK out and all that, but it's not gonna be a big thing. No guys, i'm gonna pace out their relationship throughout the story! And i'll tell you now, i've planned this story to be a long one! And i'll probably make lots of sequel stories! HAHAHAAA!Make 'em suffer ;)
Hope it won't be too agonizing. Till then, BYES!
~LouiLuvr
