The School for the Gifted (Book One and Two)

Chapter 2 – A Warlock and an Earth Bender

Giselle threw on a white tank top and a pair of cargo shorts. Jasmine watched her out of curiosity. They weren't fond of each other yet. Giselle had a tough time trusting her since she barely knew her. All she knew about this mysterious girl was that her father was the principle of the school, Professor Adam Cornelius, also the man that captured Giselle from her perfect home forever. He said it was for her own good and so that she could learn more about who she was but Giselle couldn't be so sure.

The past week was of nothing but testing, testing your abilities and testing how far your powers could go.

Teachers and Professors put her in a room and told her to work her magic. Without Hesitation Giselle lit the room on fire. To her surprise though, none of them look exasperated or in shock. They were used to this sort of thing and simply jotted things down on their clip board.

Each day for the past week had been of different tests, Professor Cornelius said it was diagnostic; to see who was stronger than the others and which classes each person belonged.

During the weekend nothing happened except your own choice, which could be free time or roaming around the campus of never ending anything. Stores, Classrooms, Libraries, food court, sports fields, you name it and this campus had it. But Giselle only felt the need to lock herself in her room the entire weekend, only to step out if hungry and to head to the food court.

The only person she knew was the roommate she was assigned when arrived, Jasmine. Of course Jasmine knew more about this school then Giselle did. She was a second year here and at the age of sixteen. She had the rest of this year and the next to graduate while Giselle had to be enslaved at this place that she was supposed to call home.

It was all so foreign to her.

"There's going to be an important meeting for all students at the main hall in an hour." Jasmine said. "You might want to show."

"I never said I wouldn't." Giselle responded

"You know, you might want to make friends here." She said. "You're going to be here for a couple years."

Giselle shrugged.

"Look, I know its hard but -"

"But nothing." Giselle retorted coldly. "I don't need you or anybody else telling me what to do."

Jasmine sighed with a look of understanding. "I guess I have to understand, I grew up knowing I would come here, unlike you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, both my parents are gifted." Jasmine said. "So, when my powers showed up at the age of nine they simply explained to me what was going on and told me about the academy, unlike you, you had to grow up thinking you were -"

"Weird?" Giselle said. "Not human?"

"Well, yes." Jasmine muttered. "But aren't you relieved to know there are other people like you?"

"Relieved to know I won’t ever see my mother again?" Giselle asked. "Relieved to know that all the friends I left behind wont ever be apart of my life now that I’m here?"

"It's meant to be this way." Jasmine whispered. "You can’t live in the real world."

"So where am I supposed to live?"

Jasmine grinned. "Ah, you don't know yet."

"Don't know what?"

"Our kind live in a world separated from human beings." Jasmine said. "The land of Zeptoria."

"What are you –"

Giselle was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. She had no idea what Jasmine was babbling about but had a feeling it wasn't over just yet.

Professor Cornelius walked into the room in a long cloak that barely touched the ground. It was black and made his hair look lighter than ever, a color close to white but not quite. His eyes stared at Giselle and Jasmine as if he knew exactly what they were speaking of. Instantly Jasmine's face went pale.

"Jasmine, what did I say about ruining surprises for later?" Professor Cornelius breathed, his voice low but intimidating.

"Sorry father." Jasmine muttered.

"As you know, the main hall wishes the both of you would arrive." He said. "And it's mandatory, don't be late."

"I won’t." Jasmine said to her father.

Professor Cornelius's eyes rested on Giselle, a small smile forming on his face that reminded her of the day he took her away from her home and into this place she barely knew.

"And what about you, Giselle?"