Jess wasn't in history class, but that didn't bother Will one bit. Will knew that Jess hated Mr. Collins as much as she did, but Jess knew how to get away with skipping. Plus, Jess never made it a habit to show up to all her classes. The only class she never missed was gym, and only because she was so good at the balance beam.
Will smiled, remembering the first time she had met Jess on her first day at the Sheffield Institute. Later that day, both girls had found out they were the guardians of the veil, along with Cornelia, Irma, Taranee, and Hay Lin. The bell rang to dismiss history, and Will left with relief. She smiled as she saw Jess lounging against the wall with a wry grin playing on her lips.
"I wish you'd let me forge you a note. You shouldn't have to sit through that class," she said. Cornelia, who followed Will out the door, rolled her eyes.
"No thanks, I'd rather get out of class the old fashioned way. Break my leg in the hall way." The girls shared a giggle as Taranee joined them on their way to gym, where they'd meet up with the other girls. Will had always felt safe with Jess nearby. She was tough as nails, but she wasn't a bully. She was usually sticking up for the underdogs, since she was one herself. She was a mystery though, from her deep amber eyes, her scarred knuckles, to her boyish cloths.
Irma waved from the back of the gym and they all departed for their various activities. Will, as always liked to watch Jess on the balance beam. Jess pulled her dark brown hair up in a ponytail as she mounted the beam. She did a couple of cartwheels to warm herself up before she did two back flips and dismounted. Will and Irma clapped and she gave them a shy smile. She did a back hand spring on the ground and then a back flip before she grabbed a basketball and joined Will and Irma in free throws. Soon the girls were involved in a fast paced game of two-on-one. Jess won in the end, but not to far ahead of Will and Irma.
"So," Jess said as she slunk, panting into the back corner of the gym with Will, while Irma went to flirt with her latest crush, "are we going to practice our powers after school?" Will nodded and Jess smiled. The lightning guardian fully loved her new found powers. Cornelia through herself languidly next to Will, her sides heaving from exertion. She hated gym. Taranee, Irma, and Hay Lin joined them. Jess whipped a book to read out of her bag , and the others began to talk.
"I wish we would hear from Caleb." Cornelia said wistfully. Will nodded and Jess rolled her eyes.
"It's not like he's got a cell phone, Corny. He lives in another dimension for heaven's sake. Give it a rest." Jess said.
"I though you were ignoring me," Cornelia snapped, "And don't call me Corny." Jess stuck her tongue out at Cornelia and the earth guardian glowered. Will and Irma laughed. Jess and Cornelia were always at each others throats, but they knew that the girls cared for each other and would always look out for one another.
Authors Note: Jess and Cornelia are always at odds with each other, mainly because Jess's personality is a lot like mine, and Cornelia chafes ,y nerves.