"Ouch.. she could've gone a little easy on me." My body was basically bruised up from the beating I took from Elena. She stormed off to the bathroom when she finished beating me up, and once she was done with that, she quickly left the room.
'That was already ten minutes ago, why am I still laying in my bed doing nothing?' Even though I asked myself that, I already knew the answer.
Ever since I was a child, I was very troublesome. I did anything that allowed me to get the slightest bit of attention, breaking plates, running away, even getting into fights with some snotty brats. But as time went by, I matured more. Eventually leading to my current self. Although I wouldn't exactly say I'm proud of what I am; I don't really think anyone could say that with a straight face anyways, I knew I've gone a long way at the very least.
I knew what I was experiencing. Denial, an extreme denial that I would have to leave the place where I knew my entire life to be in. I grew, got in trouble, matured, met friends, and even learned how to make magic. I also knew that it was stupid to be in denial, considering that I knew I would leave when I was in the face of the goverment. I couldn't risk Ms. Clare being in trouble.
Reflecting on my conflicting emotions, I sat up from my bed and decided to just.. spend it like a regular week and a half. I'll just enjoy it while it lasts.
To be honest my daily life is pretty bland. That one graveyard incident was just me being rebellious and wanting something new to do in a while.
I start my day by waking up. I brush my teeth, freshen up and around this time, it'd be 8 am. I'd then go to the cafeteria to eat breakfast. Being one of the only two teen that was an orphan in the building, the chefs cook whatever I request of them, long as it was reasonable of course. I normally eat whatever I feel like eating, and that's normally eggs, sausage, and rice.
After eating breakfast I help the part timers set up the plates so the children can eat. Elena also helps me with this as well. It often shocks me how different she acts with kids and adults alike. She's like a different person to be honest. She's so much more mature and always has a sweet smile. But under that sweet smile, only I knew that the devil lurks in there.
As if able to read my malious thoughts, Elena walked up to me after finishing her sets of plates.
"Wanna walk around?" She asked while giving me a gaze that didn't really seem like I had a choice eitherway.
"After I finish this set of plates, then sure." I answered. But suddenly one of the part-timers, Vicky, a girl that assists in watching over the children and playing with them, suddenly came up to us.
Vicky was pretty and she even looked to be our age. She was definitely one of those petite girls as she was pretty short. Although I wouldn't call myself tall, I'm atleast average or slightly above average, standing at 1.753 meters, but Vicky was a whole head below me! Her hair was short and brown, they only went down to her neck. Her eyes were crimson though, which was surprising since it's a pretty unique color. She wore quite the casual outfit, some shots and a slightly oversized t-shirt.
She only started this job about a week ago and this was actually her first time talking to us personally. I only knew of her name as she introduced herself to be a new part timer for us.
"Hi! I'm Vicky, can I ask for your names?" She questioned with a cheery smile.
Looking at Elena before I answered, I realized she had on her fake(?) identity on. Elena had a similar expression to Vicky as she was smiling like the happiest joy came to her.
"Of course, Vicky! I'm Elena and this is Grey. It's a pleasure to meet you." Elena answered with a smile and held out her hand for a handshake.
Vicky quickly shook Elena's hands and reached out for mine to, which I accepted as well. Although back then I was pretty social and had a lot of peers, as time went on, most of my friends got adopted and Elena soon came to be my only friend within my age left.
This left a pretty awkward time for me as, I became more introverted than I'd liked to admit. While Elena, she got along with anyone she talked to. She's a full blown extrovert.
Elena staring at me like I was embarrassing her on purpose or something, quickly put on a judgemental face and glared at me.
"Grey, the least you can do is to actually introduce yourself, right?" She scolded me as I never actually introduced myself except for the handshake.
"Ah.. sorry, I thought since you told her my name I didn't think I'd need to as well. Hi Vicky, my name is Grey." I said, explaining myself while also introducing myself to Vicky. This was a new opportunity afterall, there weren't many chances to make new friends with a peer in a orphanage, considering our ages anyways.
"No worries you two! I don't really mind as it was me that went out to disturb you guys. Haha!" Vicky said with a hearty laugh while she held both Elena's hand and mine and shook them excessively.
"So where are you two headed off? And can I also come? To be honest I haven't been able to socialize much ever since I started working here, and I'd like to start with people that are within my age range."
"We were just going to walk around the neighborhood, nothing too special. You're welcomed to join as well, we don't really mind."
As I stared at them talking, I realized that I really was outmatched. I couldn't even say anything without sounding incredibly awkward and out of no where. In the end I just followed them outside of the orphanage, where we walked around.
Vicky and Elena although they were also walking, their conversation never really halted for more than it needed to. They continued to talk about their lives, Vicky talking about her family and how she decided to work at the orphanage as a part timer, Elena on the other hand talked about her experiences as a child in the orphanage and the stuff she learned. She also took the chance to embarrass me as much as she could but I didn't really care enough as she was telling it to a person I just met a few minutes ago. So it didn't matter if they had have a weird opinion on me after this walk.
After a while though, an hour or two, I noticed something strange. Even though me and Elena always walked in silent or with minimal conversation, we always took breaks a few times to drink water or something. And even though we did take breaks to drink water and rest during this walk, Vicky was unnaturally energetic. She never even broke a sweat. Or had to drink water actually. Even Elena had to drink a two bottles of water to satiate her thirst, due to the constant conversation.
But by the time I realized that Vicky was an anomaly, we had already circled the entire neighborhood for the third time, and we were standing in front of the orphanage once again.
Elena, wiping the sweat across her forehead, quickly climbed up the stairs and onto the front porch. Me and Vicky followed after, realizing that this was the end of the "short" walk. Vicky probably had duties to do, considering she was still a worker here, and how she basically disappeared for 3 hours.
Elena and I though, we went straight to our room. Although the world has advanced enough where there were numerous technological wonders. Considering our budget of a few hundreds a month, we settled on old school board games to satisfy for boredom. But while I was taking our some board games, Elena who was quiet with me up until now, suddenly questioned me.
"Don't you think that Vicky girl is strange? She wasn't even tired after that long walk, and her stories about her family, they're way too boring don't you think?" Elena said this with a suspious look on her face.
"Yeah she didn't break a sweat and I didn't pay attention to whatever you guys talked about." I answered her questions, realizing that we both came to the same conclusion that Vicky was pretty suspicious. To not even break a sweat after a walk like that, it's basically summer time now too, where the heat is the worst as well. It was very weird to say the least.
"Anyways let's just get this day over with." I said with a loud sigh, for some reason I felt more tired than usual.
Me and Elena played board games and ate lunch in ours rooms until dinner arrived. At that point we came out after the hours of playing, where in the end, I obviously won the most. Eating dinner, we headed back to our rooms to finally sleep. As soon as I got onto my bed though, I immediately fell asleep.
***
Elena
"Hey Grey?" I asked for his attention, he didn't respond though. He was quite literally walking besides me 20 seconds ago but now he's completely unresponsive in his bed.
'I guess he really did want this day over with already then, it wasn't even ten pm yet..' As I thought of that, an idea came to me. Although it's been a long time, I used to ask Ms. Clare to teach me magic. At first she was hesitant but after realizing that I had no troubles, she stopped holding back.
'I wonder if Ms. Clare still has some lessons that I haven't been taught yet.'
Standing up from my bed, I walked towards the office where Ms. Clare is usually at, but weirdly enough her door was already opened and I could hear voices inside. Although I never consider myself to be a eavesdropper, I couldn't help it this time. Maybe all of the stress has been getting to me.
Squatting, I could see through the crack of the door, I saw Vicky who was standing in front of Ms. Clare's desk and Ms. Clare herself, was sitting there, looking at Vicky with a.. scary gaze. Although Ms. Clare has always been scary, she's always thought for the best of us. But right now, her gaze sent shivers throughout my body. I wasn't able to see Vicky's face though, as her back was turned to me.
"Professor Clare, please reconsider this. I know that.. in the past you've been wronged but it is only right that you come back to the family." I heard Vicky said in a unnaturally small voice. Her usual voice that I've spent talking with for a couple hours was no where to be seen. The cheerful and energized Vicky sounded more frightened and serious.
"As I've said before, I'm no longer a professor. I gave up that job after realizing that the academy doesn't care for the students. And as for my family, tell them to come take me by force."
Ms. Clare's usual stoic voice sounded icy and sharp. As if one misstep, you'd be cut into a million pieces from just her voice. And her being a professor, I've always had my beliefs and they were only proven today.
As that last sentence rang through the room, there was a small silence before I saw Vicky bow her head and headed my way, the door. I quickly got up from my squat and ran away.
***
Vicky
'How troublesome, a magical genius under the care of a magical prodigy, is this fate? No matter I must have her, while I've distracted Clare with nonsense rambling. She must be thinking hard now.'
I exited the office and to my right, Elena was there walking towards me. Putting on a cheerful face I greeted her. "Hey Elena! It looks like you came to see Ms. Clare as well! I was just talking to her a few minutes ago."
"Oh hey, Vicky. Thats.. that's pretty cool. I'm just going to Ms. Clare to ask her for some pointers on magic."
Elena's usual getup was strange, normally she'd be friendly and cheerful but now she looked nervous. Her eyes darted everywhere and I could see sweat beads on her forehead. She was also fidgeting with her hand behind her back. She definitely heard us. But how much did she hear? I can't let it be known that I've come to take her away from that Grey, with her talent, she'll only be burdened by him. He should be asleep by now from my sleep spell.
"Oh haha, right. I don't really know much about magic so.. off you go!"
"T-Thank you." She quickly fastened her pace towards the office and the door closed behind her.
'Ugh, this just got annoying didn't? I'm too young to be doing such stressful jobs..'
***
Ms. Clare
'That Vicky, to think she'd be sent by my family. Looks like they haven't given me up yet despite me being labeled as a traitor. But it's strange no matter how I think about it. Why hire a teenager instead of a more suitable person?'
As I thought of my encounter with Vicky, the door opened once more and surprisingly, Elena was there. She quickly walked up to my desk as I laid my eyes on her. She was wearing a simple t-shirt and jean shorts. Her hair was messy, instead of the usual ponytail, her hair now covered her entire upper back and shoulders. It looked like she was ready to sleep but now she's here.
'I wonder why..' I thought as I looked at her eyes. Her eyes were awkward as they failed to meet mine, which was highly unusual. Normally they'd stare at me with a sense of respect but now they're nervous. Her hands were fidgeting behind her back and her feet kept shuffling.
She tried multiple times to talk as her mouth opened slightly but no noise came out. From that moment, she was hiding something and was struggling to either keep it from me, or confess. I've always known that the overly happy Elena wasn't really her true personality. She acted more rebellious than she put up. I've always thought that it was just a phase a teenager has, but it's come to my attention that it's stayed for multiple years now. She's taken on Grey's personality from being friends with him for more than a decade, and she probably hasn't even noticed. While Grey has become less troublesome as of lately. They both evened each other out with their personalities and now they basically talk, act, and think the same.
While concluding Grey's and Elena's changes, Elena finally chose to speak up after five minutes from when she entered the room. Her look become more serious and her hands stopped fidgeting and returned to her sides. She stood firm as well and she finally met my eyes.
"I'd like you to teach me more magic!"