This has to be the single most ugliest thing I've ever seen in my life! Julia loosened the yellow bow at her throat. I feel like I'm being choked! She sat on the bed and glanced around the double dormitory room she'd be calling home for a while. "It's not too bad," she assured herself. It was a small room, not very many decorations, but that suited Julia just fine. Garden had not been what she had expected it to be. Instead of being a training ground, it was more of a non-stop social event – and Julia was not too fond of it.
Julia jumped, startled by a sudden and unexpected knock at her door.
"Julia?" A clearly female voice greeted her from the other side of the door. "Julia, I'm Jess from the room next door. I wanted to know if I could maybe come in and say hi or at least show you where the classroom is on 2F. Class starts in 10 minutes, you know!" Julia remained silent. She didn't feel like talking to anyone just now. She needed to be alone with her thoughts.
Jess, however, remained insistent and knocked again. "Julia? Are you alright?" Julia was silent. She had lost her best friend and her grandfather in the same day. She had to adjust to the new environment. Couldn't this girl understand that? She was interrupted from her thoughts by several clicking noises coming from the door. It swung open, revealing a girl, about 17 years old, dressed in a Garden uniform crouching down close to the floor. She winked.
"I've locked myself out of these rooms enough times to know how to get back in!" She laughed, causing her light brown hair to bounce. Her aqua eyes were sparkling. She stood up and held up the small object in her hand. "Hairpin. These things have a million uses."
Julia's face remained emotionless. "I wanted to be left alone."
Jess's smiled faded and her eyes flashed. "Well, why didn't you just say so, then? You can't expect me to know what you want if you don't tell me, do you?" Her smile brightened again. "Well, it doesn't matter, does it? You're stuck now. So c'mon, we're gonna be late for class! You don't want to make a bad impression on your first day, do you?" She grabbed Julia's hand and began dragging her out into the hallway.
"Whatever. It doesn't really matter."
Jess stared at her. "You know, you are really gonna be one tough shell to crack, aren't you?" She pressed the up button for the elevator. "Well, anyway, our class is a pretty full one. You'll probably get the terminal in the back, it's the only one that's still open." The elevator screeched to a halt on the second floor. They stepped out onto an empty hallway. "Oh maaaan!" Jess slapped her forehead and shook her head.
"What's wrong?" Julia stared at Jess.
"I'm late again! Man, am I gonna get it! C'mon, let's go!" Jess ran up ahead and Julia followed slowly. Jess threw the classroom door open, panting. She threw her arms above her head screaming, "I'm here!!" She lowered her arms as the whole class turned to stare at her.
The instructor glared at her. "Miss Kinneas, you're late again. This is the third time this week and it's only Wednesday!" He shook his head in exasperation. "Part of being a SeeD is punctuality. What am I going to do with you?"
Jess lowered her head and kicked at the ground. "I'm sorry, sir."
"Please stay after class." The instructor fought a smile.
"Oh maaaan!!" Jess approached her terminal dejectedly and the entire class burst into laughter.
The instructor turned to Julia. "And you must be Miss Julia Caraway..." He held out his hand.
"Yes, sir." Julia stared at his hand, but made no motion to shake it.
The instructor lowered his arm and shook his head. Sometimes history does repeat itself! He thought shaking his head at his newest student. "I'm Instructor Dincht. Please take a seat at the empty terminal towards the back." He guided her towards the back of the room. Julia sat quietly and turned on her computer.
As the instructor began lecturing, Julia took the liberty of gazing across the room. There were about twenty students in the room and from her seat she could survey what each of them were doing. Jess was sitting towards the front and had her head on her desk. The boy sitting directly in front of her, she thought she recognized him as the one who had escorted her to Garden. Reese, was it? He had his hand on Jess's shoulder and was whispering to her. She seemed upset about receiving a detention and was whimpering and burying her head into his shoulder. A blonde girl towards the opposite corner of the room was staring blankly into space, obviously not listening to one word of the lecture. The red-headed boy next to her was furiously jotting down every last word that flew from the instructor's mouth. A few other students were playing cards under the table...
"Pssst." The note-scribbler next to her was tapping her maniacally on the shoulder.
"Will you stop it?" Julia hissed at him.
The boy looked like he had just been punched in the face. "I...I'm sorry, Miss Caraway...but..." he stammered.
She folded her arms. "What?"
Julia and the boy jumped as the instructor approached their desk and slammed his fist on it. "Kramer, if you insist on speaking, please be so kind as to tell the class what you were about to say."
The boy's eyes grew wide. "It was nothing."
Julia could see the fear in the boy's eyes. Probably some perfect disciplinary record broken or something. How shallow.
Instructor Dincht tapped his foot impatiently. "Shane, we're all waiting."
"I was just going to ask Miss Caraway if she needed help using the computer. I just noticed that she was the only student without hers on." Shane stammered.
The class burst into laughter as the blonde girl quickly flipped her screen on so that she, too, wouldn't be caught not paying attention to the lecture. She flashed a smile and gave a thumbs up to Jess.
"Alright, I see that we're not going to get any work done today. I just hope that when the time comes for your SeeD tests that you are able to pass with flying colors. Class dismissed." Zell shook his head, grinning as a mass exodus began to take place.
"Caraway and Dincht, I would like to see you after class along with Miss Kinneas."
Julia stood up and moved towards the front of the classroom along with the blonde and Jess. "Don't worry," the blonde whispered. "He never really does anything really serious to us. After all, he is my father and he doesn't want us to get into too much trouble."
They quieted as Zell stepped in front of them. "Jess, ordinarily I should be reporting you to the Headmaster for your continually interruptive behavior. But I've decided to make an exception. I do, after all, remember how boring classes can be. However, if you are late to class one more time this week, I'm afraid that I'll have to make sure disciplinary action is taken."
Jess breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!" She jumped up and hugged the instructor around the neck. "I LOVE you, Mr. Dincht! Did I ever tell you that? You're my favorite!!"
Zell chuckled. "Is there ever a time when you aren't so full of energy?" Jess shook her head furiously.
"Lee," he gestured towards the blonde and his voice turned serious. "I've noticed your productivity in class has been steadily decreasing and that you're more concerned with being funny that getting your work done. I'm afraid that I cannot recommend you to take the written SeeD exam if this behavior persists..."
"What?!" Lee stepped back and rose her fists. "You can't do that! You won't do that! I can't let you! You're my father! You're supposed to give me special privileges and besides, if I don't pass the test, you'll kill me! Absolutely murder me! I'll be pulled out of Garden!"
"Then I suggest you make more of an effort to be more studious and serious during class. Believe me, sweetie, I know. I was the same way. But you have to realize what's right." Zell patted Lee on the back while she continued to pout. "And, don't raise your fists at me, young lady, unless you want to be grounded. Now, Julia," he turned towards her. "I know this must be an adjustment for you. Please try to not let the antics of these two influence you. From what I've heard from the Headmaster, he expects that you'll be an asset to this Garden. Don't let him be disappointed."
Julia stood in silence, and nodded. ".......Yes, sir."
"Good. You're all dismissed."
They left the classroom and were greeted by Shane and Reese who were waiting in the hallway.
"How'd it go? What'd he say? What took you so long in there?" Reese's eyes were filled with worry. "The last thing I need is for you to be expelled, Jess. Mom and Dad would make sure that I got the blame somehow."
"Lee might not be allowed to take the written exam." Shane.
"What did you say, Kramer?" Lee stepped forward. "Who told you that? Did your father the high almighty 'headmaster' say something to you that I should know about? Just because you may be a little bit smarter than me doesn't mean that I'm an idiot! I swear, if you're hiding something from me..." She raised her fist and began to barrel it towards him.
"Lee, stop it!" Reese stepped in front of her and attempted to grab her hand. "He didn't mean anything by it. I sent him to listen at the door."
Lee's fist connected with Reese squarely in the nose. Reese staggered back, clutching his bloody nose.
"Reese!" Jess jumped forward. "Lee! You just smacked him in the face! You could've broken his nose!"
"Stay out of this, Jess. This is between me and Kramer and your brother was just stupid enough to get in the way!" She pushed Jess aside.
Julia stepped to the side. This is ridiculous. I've never seen anybody act like such a baby. Maybe I was better off in Deling. She began to walk away from the fight that was no doubt about to ensue.
Shane tried to avoid his attacker while Jess was leaning over Reese who was on the floor covering his nose. The blow had only caused a bloody nose, but it caught him off guard enough to make him fall backwards.
"This is it, Kramer! You are gonna get it!" Lee grabbed Shane's collar and pinned him to a wall nearby.
"Lee, leave me alone, I didn't mean to blurt it out like that! We were worried about you in there!" Shane kicked her away and ran towards the opposite end of the hallway, close to where Julia was watching. Lee ran after him, swinging wildly. Her fist finally connected with flesh. Julia could hardly anticipate the oncoming onslaught and fell to the floor unconscious as a result of the unexpected blow to the stomach.
Shane and Lee lowered their fists and stared at each other. "Oh my God..." Lee stepped forward and kneeled down next to Julia's still form. "Julia?" No answer.
"Look what you did, Lee!" Jess ran over, leaving her brother, whose was just beginning to stop bleeding.
"I didn't mean it," Lee looked towards Connor. "I just lose my temper sometimes. I really didn't mean it. I didn't!"
***
"Julia?" A wave of icy water splashed Julia's face. She shot up, coughing. She glanced around her surroundings, noticing the dark haired woman in the corner. "Where am I?" Her eyes began to adjust to the light and her vision cleared. "Who are you?"
The woman laughed and pulled her green shawl closer to herself. "My it is hard to forget that you aren't your mother. Your face is her carbon copy. But you do have your father's eyes and that hair! It's almost identical to his. Your bangs even flop in your face in the same way. It's a pity, though, that you have his disposition." She held a wet washcloth to Julia's forehead.
"What do you mean?" Julia was thoroughly puzzled.
The woman smiled. "I must say, General Caraway did an excellent job of raising you. It must have been hard for him, considering how much he dislikes your father."
Julia's eyes slanted. "Who are you? And what are you talking about? I haven't got any parents!"
The woman's eyes crinkled as she smiled. "You're wrong there, sweetheart. Your parents miss you very much."
Julia flinched, and moved the woman's hand away from her forehead. "I have to leave." She tried to stand up, but her legs collapsed underneath of her.
"Oh, no. You're not going anywhere yet, young lady." Her caretaker settled her back into the bed. "You're going to have to rest for a little bit longer."
Julia's eyelids grew heavy. "But where am I?" She murmured as she began to fall asleep.
"That's it. Sleep." She held the washcloth up to Julia's forehead again. "Cry-Baby Zell's little girl certainly let you have it."
The connection was broken.
***
"Is she awake yet?" A familiar voice asked.
Was that a dream? Julia thought inwardly
"I don't think so. She's been asleep for three whole days! I hope she's alright." Julia recognized this voice as Reese's.
"You should be ashamed of yourself, Lee. I didn't think you were even that strong!" Jess added.
It must've been.
"I know! I'll never forgive myself and I'll never make SeeD now either! I really didn't mean it. It was an accident." Lee said weakly.
"Hey, Dr. Kadowski, I think she's starting to wake up." Shane called.
What woman could possibly know who my parents are?
Julia heard footsteps coming from another room. "So, she is! It's about time!" Julia's eyes flew open. She was face to face with a friendly looking woman in a white lab coat. She sat up quickly. A wave of dizziness washed over her, but she tried her best to ignore it.
"Do I know you?" Julia was very cautious of her surroundings.
"Not yet, no. Dr. Kadowski. When the nurse at the infirmary couldn't get you to wake up, Cid arranged for me to come around to try and help."
"I have to get out of here." Julia tried to stand, but her legs were still wobbly.
"Oh no you don't!" She felt a strong arm grab her by the waist and ease her back onto the bed. "You need to get better first."
Julia frowned. "No. I'm going home."
"Julia, you can't!" Reese jumped up to block her path.
"Whatever."
"Reese, it's useless. She won't listen." Jess interjected.
Dr. Kadowski laughed. "Julia, it's no use going home yet. You might as well wait until you feel better."
Julia was vaguely aware of someone grabbing her hand. "Oh, Julia, I'm awfully sorry. I never meant for this to happen." Lee's blonde hair hung limply to her shoulders and her eyes were rimmed in red. "Can you ever forgive me?"
"......Yeah, whatever."
"Well, Julia," Dr. Kadowski approached her. "I've taken a look at all of your medical records, and it seems that you ought to be able to leave the infirmary. Just don't do anything strenuous for a few days or you might suffer a relapse of the concussion."
Jess helped her out of the bed and supported her as she regained her balance. "C'mon, let's get you back to your room."
Jess, Reese, Shane, and Lee walked with her back to the dormitory room. When she was decidedly settled, the entourage left, leaving Jess behind. She perched on the edge of the bed next to Julia.
"She does things like this sometimes. She usually doesn't mean them, she just gets carried away." Jess blew her bangs out of her eyes.
"Tell me something Jess," Julia turned to face the other girl. "Do you have grandparents?"
Jess stared at her for a moment. "Not that I know of even though I never really thought about it before. My parents were both orphans since before they could remember."
Julia grabbed her pillow and hugged it against her. "What are your parents like, Jess?"
"Why are you asking me all of these questions all of a sudden? You never seemed like you wanted to have anything to do with us before you got hit."
Julia knitted her eyebrows. "To be honest, I don't know. Part of me wants to shut everything out so I'll never be hurt again. If I don't get close to anyone, they won't be able to leave me." She closed her eyes. Like Evan... What am I thinking? I never thought about him like that before...I still don't. I guess I just miss being friends.
"What about the other part of you?"
"The other part of me just wants to be a 17 year old girl. To have private jokes with someone, to share girl talk with her mother, to positively annoy her father by defying every word he says..." She stopped talking. She brushed her hair out of her eyes and stared out the window.
Jess hugged her. "Then be both! Visit your parents and just sit and talk with them!"
Julia sighed and stood up. Turning to face Jess, she threw her arms up in the air. "That's the problem! I haven't got ANY parents! They abandoned me when I was three months old. They never wrote to me, or called me, or tried to make any connection with me whatsoever! They left me with my grandfather! I love him to death, but it's just not the same!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. Jess inched towards the wall. "I'm sorry. I just want to know what its like."
Jess smiled. "Alright, then. My mother's almost like a sister to me. We can talk about almost anything. My dad says that we're two peas in a pod. My mom always laughs and says that him and Reese are exact clones of each other. I guess that's why him and I get along so well. We're just like our parents. My dad's a real clown. He used to have this huge cowboy hat that I used to wear when I was little and he'd always push it over my face so I couldn't see."
"Do you see them a lot?"
"No, not really. But I talk to them all the time. See, my mother's the headmistress at Trabia. She's trying desperately to rebuild it, and she comes over sometimes on business. If not, Cid lets me talk to them on her communicator." Jess frowned in thought. "You don't remember your parents at all?"
Julia lowered her head. "No, I've never met them. I don't even know if they're still alive. I don't know what their names are, I don't know what they look like, or even what their last name is. I know it's not Caraway." She shook her head. "I think I might want to be alone for a little bit. Thank you for talking to me."
Jess smiled and got up to open the door. "Sure. Whenever you need to talk, we're all here to listen."
"I know."
The door closed softly behind her.