Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Kyira yelled at herself that night. I was awful! Why did I even bother coming here?
She sighed again and turned over on the lumpy mattress they had pulled into an unused room. She had to spend the night somewhere, didn't she?
Knock, Knock, Knock
Kyira lifted her head off the pillow at the sound. "What do you want?" she snapped.
"I was sent with your exam results." said a light, cautious voice from outside.
Kyira rolled her eyes and got up. She hadn't bothered changing out of the clothes she had worn that day. Opening the door she took the papers from the shorter girl's hand and started to close to door.
"Wait!" the girl protested. "I saw that duel, and I think you did great."
Kyira just sighed and left the door open. The girl came in.
"Really, I mean, I did worse on my entrance exam, and they let me stay. I must have gotten the lowest score in the history of the school!" she went on.
"Really?" Kyira asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
"No, but I was pretty awful. I mean, I practically walked into every trap out there! At least you had the sense enough not too." she went on.
Kyira sighed, still feeling depressed. "Look, okay; I appreciate you trying to make me feel better and all, but I really don't need it."
The girl just nodded and started towards the door, and then she was gone.
Looking down at the manila envelop in her hands Kyira slid the papers out. The next several moments were spent in silent shock. The papers read, to her amazement:
Miss Toraka,
After several discussions and short meetings we have decided to approve your residence at the Duel Academy. It appears that you contain potential, and simply have not been taught some of the fundamental basics of play. We believe that your rate of improvement can be quite high if you apply yourself. In addition, your letter of recommendation was quite convincing, and I happen to know the author myself. Your schedule is attached below…
Kyira stopped reading there. This whole day just didn't seem real. In fact, I'm probably dreaming. She told herself right as she started to drift off.
Her alarm clock's screaming was the next thing Kyira heard, and it startled her. Letting out an undignified squeak she tumbled off the mattress and landed with a hard Thump! on the floor.
Sighing and dusting herself off Kyira rummaged through her duffle bag that held her things. Grabbing a brush she pulled it several times through her long, light brown, almost blonde, hair that fell about half way down her back. Her bangs framed the sides of her head, hanging down loosely. It was a bit of a battle keeping it looking nice, but Kyira hated wearing her hair short.
After pulling on new clothes for the day, which was a standard blue uniform someone, probably that girl, had left, Kyira grabbed her schedule to take a closer look. Apparently 'basics' included an advanced class in trap cards, combination strategies, and another class on decks and their contents, or something like that.
Opening the door Kyira was surprised to see that girl from last night again.
"I never told you my name." the girl mentioned, shuffling her feet just slightly. Her dark brown hair hung just slightly past her shoulders. "I'm Akail."
Kyira smiled, "Pleasure," she hummed, her mood a lot better from that of the previous night. Sometimes her mood just did that, but then all teens had to deal with depression and mood swings, didn't they?
The two talked while they headed down towards breakfast. Akail was pointing out everyone she knew, which didn't include that many people.
Sitting outside they stared over the vista, letting the slight breeze play around with their hair. Squinting, Kyira thought she saw something down close to the beach.
"What's that?" she asked, pointing towards the small dot.
"I don't see anything." Akail replied, shrugging. "Not like I get to see any of the cool stuff around here anyway."
Kyira didn't her the latter comment; she was staring at the black dot with her turquoise green eyes, completely focused. "Classes don't start for a few hours, right?" she asked without turning her head at all.
"Right," Akail agreed, not sure where Kyira was going with this.
"I'll be back later," Kyira mumbled as she started dashing back towards the stairs to the main dorm and ground level.
"Okay…" Akail sighed, dark chocolate eyes continuing to stare at the view, munching on a now cold piece of French toast.