It was an important day today. Mila's first day in the sixth-grade class.
Because of Mila's advanced intelligence, her teachers thought it would be best to move her to a higher class that would meet better with her standards.
"We're very proud of you, Mila." Alicia said, holding her daughter's shoulders. "We know it's scary being the new girl in class, but you will do great. I just know it."
"You just show your class how special that brain of yours is, Mija." Bruno smiled, kissing Mila's head.
Mila was excited for her first day of advanced schooling, but she was also worried.
Mila looked down the hallway, knowing Mirabel was still in the kindergarten class. Unlike Mila, Mirabel was among the other five-year-olds whose brains were not as advanced as hers.
Ever since the gift ceremony, other kids hadn't been too nice to Mirabel. Neither of them needed Cousin Dolores' super hearing to know that they were whispering about Mirabel. And Mila was Mirabel's most loyal line of defense against these bullies.
People kept trying to get Mila to spill what her gift was, but she refused. One thing they knew for sure Mila didn't need magic to give her was stubbornness.
Mila herself actually felt surprised no one could even come close to guessing her gift. All they knew was that it had something to do with her mind. But, not one person guessed telepathy.
Many guessed reading minds, hyper-intelligence, or asking a lot of questions. But telepathy, or telekinesis was Mila's power. She still hadn't told Mirabel yet what her gift was. Nevertheless, Mila took as much time as she could whenever she was in her room to practice using her abilities. If there came an emergency where her power could save someone's life, that would be the only time she would use her power publicly, regardless of anyone being around or not.
Now that Mila and Mirabel were going to be in different classes, Mirabel would be on her own every day at school.
Mila was worried for her prima. Mirabel was not the fighting type, or the best at standing up for herself. She usually just forced a smile and walked away. Some might call that strength; Mila called it an unhealthy act of denial.
"Is Mirabel gonna be okay?" Mila asked her parents.
"I'm sure she'll be fine, Mijita." Bruno said. "You'll still see each other."
Bruno and Alicia gave their daughter a kiss and sent her into her classroom.
Mila walked into the classroom and saw a bunch of eleven and twelve-year-old kids getting into their seats as the teacher instructed them to sit.
Mila then walked up to her new teacher, Senora Rivera.
"Ah, good. You are here!" smiled the teacher. "Everyone, we have a very special new student joining us today. Let's all give a warm welcome to Milagro Madrigal."
The other kids' jaws dropped when they saw a five-year-old being introduced as their newest classmate.
"Kindergarten is down the hall." said one boy.
"For your information, I know which classroom is which." Mila said. "According to an IQ test, the average kindergarten criteria doesn't meet the standards of my unique mindset and educational needs."
"Huh?" Practically the whole class said, so Mila sinplified it.
"I'm smarter than the average kid my age, so I got put into a higher grade level earlier."
"Why didn't you just say that?" said one girl.
"I believe in using the vocabulary words I've learned over the years." Mila said.
"Is super intelligence your magical gift?"
Lots of other kids started to agree with that question being a good one.
Mila shook her head.
"Nope. My intelligence was found to be advanced long before my gift ceremony."
"Do you know why Mirabel didn't get a gift?" asked one student.
"No, but I'm trying to figure that out."
"How come you don't show anyone your gift?" asked another student.
"It wouldn't be fair to my cousin." Mila said. "I didn't like that I got a gift but she didn't."
"What is your gift?"
"I'm not telling or showing. When I find out why my cousin didn't get a gift and in the event she's able to get one, maybe I will show my gift at some point."
Señora Rivera decided to get on with starting class.
Since Mila was shortest, she got a special desk set up just for her in the front of the classroom. And class officially began.