Chapter: 1
The sunlight filtered through the thick curtains of my room, prodding me awake. I groaned, squinting against the harsh light, and rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand. The soft hum of the city outside seemed to grow louder in my ears as I blinked into consciousness. Rose-gold eyes, the same as my mother's, glared at the window, annoyed by the intrusion of daylight. My bedroom was sleek and modern, designed with a minimalist yet luxurious flair. The room was a perfect blend of deep blues and rose gold tones, with the soft glow of ambient lighting reflecting off the black mahogany dresser. The 72-inch plasma screen TV on the opposite wall was framed by two large windows, their rich blue curtains drawn tight.
With a long sigh, I sat up, the bed's cool sheets brushing against my skin. The room was 20 square feet, not large, but spacious enough for the sleek furniture and soft, modern furnishings. I glanced at the clock on my nightstand.
"Today is the day, huh?" I muttered, my voice thick with sleep.
Today was the day I had been both dreading and anticipating—the entrance exam for Excelsior High, a school renowned for training the next generation of Espers. And of course, that meant today would determine my future.
I swung my legs off the side of the bed and winced at the cold floor beneath my feet. Stretching my arms overhead, I let out a groan before walking to the bathroom. My fingers ran through my long, black hair, which cascaded down my back in messy waves. The cold water hit my face, waking me up fully as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
After a long shower, I wrapped a towel around my waist and made my way back to my room. I opened the top drawer of my highboy and picked out the clothes I'd set aside the night before. It was a black turtleneck, paired with a sleek long coat and black pants. For footwear, I slid on my black Air Force Ones—simple, but stylish. I glanced in the standing mirror, ensuring everything was in place.
Black hair. Rose-gold eyes. Athletic frame. It was nothing new. I liked to think I had the right look for today, but nothing could prepare me for the storm that was about to hit.
I nodded to myself, taking a deep breath. "Time to make this happen."
Leaving the comfort of my room, I walked down the long hallway of my home, the walls adorned with modern artwork and sleek furniture. My house—well, mansion—was massive. With twelve rooms and ten bathrooms, it sprawled over two levels. The grand staircase led downstairs, opening up to a lavish dining room. The place was understated elegance with a twist, a reflection of the life I led.
I reached the dining room, where a black mahogany table stretched out before me. On the table sat a warm, covered dish, accompanied by a note. I smiled as I reached for the note and read it.
"I left early for work. Your favorite breakfast is waiting—Good luck at school. - Gabby."
I chuckled lightly, lifting the iron lid from the plate. Eggs, crispy bacon, and waffles—exactly what I needed. I snapped my fingers, and the food heated up by itself. It wasn't magic. It was just the kind of thing I could do with my Psyconic energy. A little manipulation of heat, nothing too special.
I devoured the meal quickly, savoring the warm, comforting flavors. Once done, I grabbed my plate and walked into the kitchen, where I washed it clean before setting it in the drying rack. The house had a high-tech kitchen, outfitted with all the gadgets I could ever want. Stainless steel countertops gleamed under the overhead lights, and the coffee machine hummed to life as I placed a thermos beneath it.
Once the coffee was brewed, I poured it into my thermos and capped it, ready to face whatever the day had in store. I grabbed my bag, made sure everything was set, and left the kitchen.
My journey toward the garage was short, but it felt like a mini-vacation. The underground garage, where I kept my cars, was just a few steps away. The sleek, modern space held more cars than most people would ever dream of owning—20 luxury vehicles, all top-of-the-line. I walked over to the key rack, selecting the key for my car.
With a press of a button, the headlights of a black Bugatti Veyron blinked to life. Its chrome finish gleamed in the dim lighting of the garage as I walked toward it. I slid into the driver's seat, closed the door with a soft click, and started the engine. The car rumbled to life, the low hum of the engine making me smile.
I pressed a button to open the garage door, and it slid open smoothly. I drove out, the massive doors closing behind me as I merged into the early morning traffic.
The world around me buzzed with life. The city was a mix of the modern and the futuristic, as towering skyscrapers gleamed in the morning light. Holographic billboards flashed advertisements for everything from tech gadgets to political campaigns. The streets were packed with people going about their business, some walking, others flying, using their Psyconic abilities to zip through the air. It was a chaotic, beautiful sight.
"The world's an odd place," I muttered, focusing on the road ahead. "Psyconic energy is everywhere. Some use it for good, some... not so much."
Psyconic energy was the invisible force that had become a part of life. It was the reason people could control the weather, manipulate shadows, or even create fire out of thin air. This energy was the catalyst for the birth of Espers—people like me who could harness it and change the world around them.
Schools had been built to help Espers hone their abilities. One such school was Excelsior High, located in Jamaica. The best of the best attended there, including me. Today was the day of the entrance exam.
I pulled into the parking lot of the school, parking in one of the many reserved spaces. The towering gates of Excelsior High loomed ahead, surrounded by eager students, all chatting nervously or excitedly as they waited for the gates to open. I stepped out of the car, locking it behind me, and surveyed the crowd. There they were—my friends.
I spotted them leaning against the iron fence near the entrance: Kevaughn, Sarah, Shaheem, and Danny. I grinned and waved.
"There they are," I muttered to myself. "Kevaughn! Sarah! Shaheem! Danny! Over here!"
The group turned, spotted me, and started walking over.
"Sup, Oriane?" Kevaughn greeted me, giving me a nod. He was a tall guy with long black dreads and brown eyes. His black hoodie had a gold design on the front, and he wore black jeans and black Nikes.
"Big brother!" Sarah exclaimed, running up to me. She wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug, her shoulder-length red hair bouncing with every step. She had amethyst purple eyes, a sharp contrast to her athletic frame. Her outfit consisted of a black tank top, a black coat, and blue ripped jeans.
Behind her, Shaheem Phillips slouched, his light blue hair tousled and his emerald green eyes half-lidded in a permanent bored expression. He wore a blue shirt, a black zip-up hoodie, and white Air Forces.
And finally, there was Danny. He was tall, dark-skinned, with short black hair and black eyes. His outfit was simple—a black button-up top, black pants, and black shoes.
"Sup, guys," I greeted, patting Sarah's head as she pulled away from the hug.
"How've you all been?" I asked, chuckling.
"Breathing," Shaheem replied, his voice thick with indifference.
"I'm good," Kevaughn said with a shrug.
"Existing as per usual," Sarah added.
"Yeah, I guess," Danny said with a small nod.
I chuckled. "Of course you are, Sarah." Then I turned to Shaheem. "And you, man? Are you ready for the entrance exam?"
"Born ready," Sarah said confidently.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Kevaughn said, his laid-back demeanor not hiding the slight tension in his shoulders.
"Yeah, I guess," Danny muttered.
Shaheem raised an eyebrow. "Wait, we had exams?"
We all stared at him, deadpanned.
"Typical," we thought in unison.
Before we could continue, an announcement came over the loudspeakers.
"Attention all student candidates, the gates of Excelsior High are now opening. The entrance exam is starting. Please make your way to the auditorium, where all will be explained and where the exam begins."
The gates slowly opened, and I turned to the group. "Ready?"
"Of course!" they all said.
"Good. Let's go cause some chaos," I said with a grin, stepping forward toward the open gates.
Chapter 1: End