•Ella
04/03/2000
I stare down at my food blankly, it's different from my parents'. I had to learn how to cook myself, without magic of course, because my parents think I don't deserve to eat their magically prepared food.
"How are your studies going? I hope you're doing well in school" Dad breaks the long silence that began right when we all sat down for breakfast.
"Haven't asked me about school in a while" I answer, still keeping my gaze on my food.
"Well, since you have no means to make us proud of you, our hope is that you try not to embarrass us any more than you already have-"
The sound of my fork being slammed on the table cuts him off. As I grab my bag and begin to rise from my seat, I answer
"Mom, dad, school is going great!" The sarcasm in my voice was unkind, but that didn't bother me.
I flounce out the door, making sure I close it with a loud bang. I've been disrespectful towards my parents the past few months but I wasn't entirely wrong for doing that. Mom and dad had been worse ever since it became established that I wasn't getting powers anytime soon. They were no longer my dear Ma and Pa.
Sometimes I wished they'd just disown me and leave me out alone with no sure means of survival, at least that was better than being reminded of being a failure everyday, being treated like one every single day.
But they have an uncharacteristical sense of responsibility towards me because I am still their daughter. So, they are 'doing me a favor' by letting me stay.
I could run away, they wouldn't even bother looking for me, but if I'm being realistic, I have no where to go. I'm not even 18 yet so no one would offer me a part time job while I go to school.
School was something else I wanted to run from. I still attended a high class school which was crawling with people who had already gained magical strength or powers. Except one person: Me.
I have begged and pleaded with my parents so many times to enroll me in a magicless school since that's what I was, but they never listened. I am still a Kiyoni noble, powerful or powerless, and it would leave a huge dent in their image if their daughter is seen attending a low class school.
I didn't even realize I wasn't paying attention to where I was going until I felt someone's firm hands on my shoulders like they were stopping me from moving forward.
When I look up I realize I was about to crash into a wall.
When did I get here? I inspect my surroundings to make sure I'm not lost and I relax a bit when I see a sign— 'Morgan's pills n potions'— a store I recognize. I must have taken a left instead of a right when I was lost in my thoughts.
"Is everything okay, miss? You almost gave yourself a concussion" The person who stopped me finally speaks.
He was tall, not really tall, but nonetheless so much taller than I am. He had a neatly styled chestnut hair, and his black blazers and pants looked like it was a uniform. He's probably in the same age group as me, so he might be on his way to school.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I was just..lost in thought" I stumble backwards a little cause we were standing a little too close.
"Are you apologizing to me for almost hurting yourself?" He flashes a little smile and I notice a small shine in his amber eyes when he smiles.
He has a really cute smile.
"No, no. I mean, you look like you have somewhere important to be and I must have wasted your time. I apologize for that, but thank you..umm-" I pause not knowing how to address him. I glance down at his shirt for a name tag since some uniforms have those but there's isn't one. All I see is a logo that has 'ACA' on it. I wonder what that means.
"I'm Leon. And yes, I was heading to school, but it wasn't a waste of time. It's been a while since I saved a pretty girl's life."
I smile at his lackluster attempt at humor. For some reason, that kinda makes him cuter.
"Thank you for saving my life Leon. I was also on my way to school until I got sidetracked. Where is your school by the way? I haven't seen anyone in this uniform around the neighborhood. It is a uniform right?"
"Yes it is. As you can see," He points at the logo I had noticed earlier, "I attend ACA. It's not in the neighborhood, I'm here cause I came to visit someone."
"Early in the morning, before school?" I shouldn't be prying but the question left my mouth before I knew it.
"He'd be moving somewhere inaccessible this afternoon, so it was my last chance." I nod, not wanting to ask him anymore prying questions, cause we just met, and I don't want to make this awkward.
"What's ACA?" I ask.
So much for not prying.
"Alpha-Centori Academy. It's a really popular school, you haven't heard of it?"
The name finally sounds familiar when he says it in full. I've heard of that academy a few times. It was the only mixed academy in Anodohra. A place where magic and non-magic weilders both co-exist.
"Oh wow" he says after looking at his watch "I'm so sorry but, I'm running really late so, umm, it was nice meeting you…" he pauses realizing I didn't give him my name.
"I'm Ella. Ella Kiyoni."
I grimace as I try not to bite off my tongue. Why did I have to tell him my last name?! I was so used to introducing myself like that, it had become a habit.
"Kiyoni? The noble Kiyoni?"
I nod reluctantly at his question. Of course, everyone knows that name. We were more or less next to royalty in status.
"Oh…that's.. wow. Should I maybe bow or?"
"No no no no, no need. I'm Ella. Just Ella. Please forget I said that" I place a hand on my forehead and sigh. I should work on the way I carelessly let things flow out my mouth.
"Alright" He lets out a small laugh. "Well, I better get going, You should too… I hope I see you around, Ella" He places a firm hand on my shoulder before turning around and walking away.
Even though I regret telling him my full name, I don't regret bumping into him. My lingering smile is proof. It's been a while since I related with someone like that, without having any nasty comments being thrown at me.
I turn to the wall and blow it a few kisses, but when I turn around I see a lady staring at me. I smile wider and blow her a kiss as well before I start making my way to school.
Today I'm going to be spending a lot of time in the library, researching a certain academy.