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{{Archived Fanfiction}}
   
 
== '''LINKED''' ==
 
== '''LINKED''' ==
By: [http://fun-fandom-kotlc.wikia.com/wiki/User:Book_Beliefs Book Beliefs]
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By:[[User:Book Beliefs| Book Beliefs]]
[[File:85EB9345-C6E6-41DB-BDA5-C11CF44EB3BC.jpeg|centre|thumb|533x533px]]
 
   
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<h2>New Cover!<br />[[File:LINKED.jpg|center|400px]]</h2>
'''LINKED IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TURNED FROM PRESENT TENSE TO PAST TENSE. FOR ALL OF YOU THAT MAY BE WONDERING, NO IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE STORY, BUT I WILL BE ABLE TO WRITE FASTER IF IT IS IN PAST TENSE.'''
 
   
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== '''Announcement/Contest''' ==
 
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<font face="Georgia" size=6>
Thank you to everyone that participated in this contest! It’s nice to see readers active with this story.
 
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'''LINKED IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TURNED FROM PRESENT TENSE TO PAST TENSE. FOR ALL OF YOU THAT MAY BE WONDERING, NO IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE STORY, BUT I WILL BE ABLE TO WRITE FASTER IF IT IS IN PAST TENSE.'''</font>
   
Calla’s middle name is '''AMY'''.
 
   
This was guessed by two people. Congratulations to [[User:SuldreenSong|SuldreenSong]] and [[User:Rararobin14|Rararobin14]]
 
   
Do not fret! If you didn’t win this time, there is always next time. Every month for Linked‘s anniversary I am giving to host a competition with prizes similar to this one, or this prize.
 
   
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== <font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Feature: June (Votes are casted!)''' </font>==
Until next time!
 
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">All of the votes for the Alternate point of view chapter have been casted! </font>
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">Below are the results: </font>
== '''Synopsis''' ==
 
It has been 24 years since the defeat of the Neverseen. Sophie and Keefe Foster, who are still battling their inner demons, started their life together and are facing the challenges of parenthood.
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''CHARACTER:''' Kenric Foster with 8 votes. </font>
<nowiki>***</nowiki>
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''CHAPTER:''' Chapter Seven with 7 votes. </font>
Calla Foster, daughter of the most powerful elf in the world and the most powerful empath is facing the challenges of not only a normal teenager but also something beyond what most have faced. When she finds out that her parents are keeping their dark history away from her, she does what any Foster would do, find out what it is. Now she and her brother are searching for answers to these secrets, but what they don’t realize is that the truth can change everything. It doesn’t help that she has started developing feelings for a certain boy, or a certain two, one of them having a very special, very rare connection to her. <span>Calla faces challenges like never before, and in the end, will it be worth it?</span>
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">The POV will be up soon, some point next week. Thank you everyone for voting! </font>
== '''Characters''' ==
 
'''Okay, before you all see this portrait, I would like to thank Luna Di Angelo for creating these. You have no idea how grateful I am and how much I appreciate that she created these masterpieces. Thank you soo sooo soooooooooooooooooooo much Luna. Now let's see these beautiful portraits!'''
 
   
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== <font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Synopsis''' </font>
I will be uploading these one at a time, whenever they are completed.
 
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==
[[File:B0056C41-6FC6-4A1B-9058-1C831484B440.png|thumb|533x533px|Kenric! Our first portrait! Isn’t he amazing!?|none]]
 
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">It has been 24 years since the defeat of the Neverseen. Sophie and Keefe Foster, who are still battling their inner demons, started their life together and are facing the challenges of parenthood. </font>
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4"><nowiki>***</nowiki> </font>
== '''Chapter One''' ==
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">Calla Foster, daughter of the most powerful elf in the the world and the most powerful empath is facing the challenges of not only a normal teenager but also something beyond what most have faced. When she finds out that her parents are keeping their dark history away from her, she does what any Foster would do, find out what it is. Now she and her brother are searching for answers to these secrets, but what they don’t realize is that the truth can change everything. It doesn’t help that she has started developing feelings for a certain boy, or a certain two, one of them having a very special, very rare connection to her. <span>Calla faces challenges like never before, and in the end, will it be worth it?</span> </font>
'''“CALLA FOSTER!'''
 
   
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== <font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Characters''' </font>==
Go to my office right now!”
 
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Okay, before you all see this portrait, I would like to thank Luna Di Angelo for creating these. You have no idea how grateful I am and how much I appreciate that she created these masterpieces. Thank you soo sooo soooooooooooooooooooo much Luna. Now let's see these beautiful portraits!''' </font>
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I will be uploading these one at a time, whenever they are completed.
I turned around to find a red Magnate Leto who looked at me with anger. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his face which earned me a hard glare.
 
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[[File:B0056C41-6FC6-4A1B-9058-1C831484B440.png|thumb|533x533px|Kenric! Our first portrait! Isn’t he amazing!?|none]] </font>
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[[File:KenricFoster1.jpg|center|500px]]
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[[File:CallaFoster1.jpg|center|500px]]
   
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== <font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Chapter One''' </font>==
''I told you to hold off on that plan until next week!''
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“CALLA FOSTER!''' </font>
I scanned the prodigies who stood around me, and then I spotted Kenric, my brother, and I looked at him as I transmitted.
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">Go to my office right now!” </font>
''I couldn’t, the gulons were getting restless.''
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I turned around to find a red Magnate Leto seething with anger. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his face which earned me a hard glare. </font>
He looked at me and said,
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">''I told you to hold off on that plan until next week!'' </font>
''You could have told me, we were supposed to put a purple hair elixir in Volta’s lushberry juice and you were supposed to be the distraction!''
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I scanned the prodigies who stood around me, and then I spotted Kenric, my brother, and I looked at him as I transmitted, ''I couldn’t, the gulons were getting restless.'' </font>
I internally rolled my eyes. I loved my brother but sometimes he was so pushy. But before I could reply Magnate Leto yelled,
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">He looked at me and replied, ''You could have told me, we were supposed to put a purple hair elixir in Volta’s lushberry juice and you were supposed to be the distraction!'' </font>
“Miss Foster, I told you to go to my office, not stand there on the spot!”
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I internally rolled my eyes. I loved my brother but sometimes he was so pushy. Before I could reply, Magnate Leto yelled, “Miss Foster, I told you to go to my office, not stand there on the spot!” </font>
I make my way to his office while trying to avoid eye contact with prodigies who gave me questioning glances. Even though I pulled pranks, I didn’t like attention, just like my mother.
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I make my way to his office while trying to avoid eye contact with prodigies who gave me questioning glances. Even though I pulled pranks, I didn’t like attention. Just like my mother. </font>
I turned the handle on the door and I found the Magnate sitting in his chair behind the desk. The back of the room was all glass which looked over the fields of purple grass and trees in every colour and shape you could imagine. On the sides, there were rows of bookshelves from the floor which is made of crystal, to the roof which is at least 10 feet tall. The ceiling was a crystal that seemed to be brighter where ever I stepped, mocking me for getting in trouble, too bad I’ve been here so many times it stopped bothering me. “Sit down please.” I listen and sit down, he sighs and says, "Calla, how many times have I told you the consequences of your pranks, you and Kenric are so much like your father. Keefe and Sophie were quite the trouble-making duo.”
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I turned the handle on the door and I found the Magnate sitting in his chair behind the desk. The back of the room was all glass and looked over the fields of purple grass and trees in every colour and shape you could imagine. On the sides, there were rows of bookshelves from the crystal floor, to the roof which was at least 10 feet tall. The ceiling was crystal and seemed to be brighter where ever I stepped, mocking me for getting in trouble, too bad I’ve been here so many times it stopped bothering me. “Sit down please.” I listen and sit down, he sighs and says, "Calla, how many times have I told you the consequences of your pranks? You and Kenric are so much like your father. Keefe and Sophie were quite the trouble-making duo.” </font>
I get that a lot, even with appearances were similar to them. I had my mom’s shoulder length blonde hair and brown eyes with ice blue flecks, my nose was exactly like hers but my skin tone leaned more towards my father, and they said I smirked like dad but smiled like mom. Kenric had dad’s hair and spent just as much styling it as him. They said, “When you are born with such a gift you take full advantage of it.” But Kenric’s eyes were ice blue with brown in the center. Magnate Leto smiled as he thoughtfully told me, “Keefe was always pulling pranks and Sophie was always almost dying. They somehow managed to have Elwin visits every other day.” My eyes widened before I asked, “Why was mom almost dying?”
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">We get compared a lot, especially with appearances were similar to them. I had my mom’s shoulder length blonde hair and brown eyes with ice blue flecks. My nose was exactly like hers but my skin tone leaned more towards my father's, and they said I smirked like dad but smiled like mom. Kenric had dad’s hair and spent just as much time styling it as him. They said, “When you are born with such a gift, you take full advantage of it.” Kenric’s eyes, however, were ice blue with a brown ring around the pupil. Magnate Leto smiled as he thoughtfully told me, “Keefe was always pulling pranks and Sophie was always almost dying. They somehow managed to have Elwin visits every other day.” My eyes widened before I asked, “Why was mom almost dying?” </font>
He looked at me and his face went pale, “You mean they haven’t told you?”
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">He looked at me and his face went ashen. “You mean they haven’t told you?” </font>
My eyebrows scrunched up in confusion, “What did they not tell me?”
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">My eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. “What did they not tell me?” </font>
He gulped and said, “It’s not my place to tell and I’ve already said enough, you have detention for three days, now go to your next class.”
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">He gulped and said, “It’s not my place to tell you and I’ve already said enough. You have detention for three days, now go to your next class.” </font>
I frowned, there were a million questions running through my head, but I knew that now was not the time to ask. I would have to consult Kenric on this.
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I frowned. There were a million questions running through my head, but I knew that now was not the time to ask. I would have to consult Kenric on this. </font>
...............................................................<span>......................................................................................................</span>
 
   
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----
I get home to see mom waiting for me, she wrinkles her nose as she asks, “Why do you smell like a gulon?” 
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I get home to see mom waiting for me. She wrinkles her nose as she asks, “Why do you smell like a gulon?”  </font>
I smirk as I tell her, “I may have put a couple of gulons in Magnate Leto’s office.”
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I smirk as I tell her, “I may have put a couple of gulons in Magnate Leto’s office.” </font>
Dad, who walks in from behind with a twinkle in his eyes says and a proud grin says, “Really I’m so pr-“ 
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad, who walks in from behind with a twinkle in his eyes says and a proud grin says, “Really I’m so pr-“  </font>
But he gets cut off when he see’s mom glaring at him, he turns back to me trying to suppress the smile on his face as he says, “I’m so disappointed in you Calla, how could you?”
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">But he gets cut off when he see’s mom glaring at him, he turns back to me, trying to suppress the smile on his face as he says, “I’m so disappointed in you Calla, how could you?” </font>
But then he winks and I could tell that mom saw when she huffed and rolled her eyes, “Calla, how many times have I told you to be careful, and I know you’re not going to stop with the pranks, but at least don’t let people catch you.”
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">But then he winks and I could tell that mom saw when she huffed and rolled her eyes, “Calla, how many times have I told you to be careful? And I know you’re not going to stop with the pranks, but at least don’t let people catch you.” </font>
She smiles the smile that made all of the boys fall for her when she was younger. I turn to see dad with a look of pure love and awe directed to mom, he wraps an arm around her waist and mom grabs his hand.
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">She smiles the smile that made all of the boys fall for her when she was younger. I turn to see dad with a look of pure love and awe directed to mom. He wraps an arm around her waist and mom grabs his hand. </font>
They love each other, anyone could see that, and you could see how mom’s smile always brightens when he was around, how dad always perks up when people talked about her, how even on the toughest days they always have each other by their side. How dad’s hand always seemed to find mom’s. How mom always is happier when dad was with her. It was as if they are one soul in two bodies, they are soulmates. I want the relationship that they have, I want to have someone that has so much love and care in there eyes directed towards me, someone that would instantly brighten up because of my voice, someone that I could protect and they would protect me until the sun stopped rising. I want a soulmate.
 
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">They love each other, anyone could see that, and you could see how mom’s smile always brightens when he was around; how dad always perks up when people talked about her; how even on the toughest days they always have each other by their side; how dad’s hand always seemed to find mom’s; how mom was always happier when dad was with her. It was as if they were one soul in two bodies--they are soulmates. I want the relationship that they have. I want to have someone that has so much love and care in their eyes directed towards me, someone that would instantly brighten up because of my voice, someone that I could protect and they would protect me until the sun stopped rising. I want a soulmate. </font>
“I’m home!”
 
   
Hollers Kenric from the Leapmaster. He runs into the living room and starts telling dad about the purple hair elixir he put in Volta’s lushberry juice and dad enthusiastically replies. I tune out and get lost in my thoughts until I hear, “and we were supposed to put the gulon in Magnate Leto’s office next week but Calla did it today and got caught!” Mom interrupts and questions, “Where did Calla even get the gulons?”
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">“I’m home!” hollered Kenric from the Leapmaster. He runs into the living room and starts telling dad about the purple hair elixir he put in Volta’s lushberry juice and dad enthusiastically replies. I tune out and get lost in my thoughts until I hear, “and we were supposed to put the gulon in Magnate Leto’s office next week but Calla did it today and got caught!” Mom interrupts and questions, “Where did Calla even get the gulons?” </font>
   
He smirks and replies, “Grandma gave them to us from the batch at Havenfield.”
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">He smirks and replies, “Grandma gave them to us from the batch at Havenfield.” </font>
   
Mom mutters about how she would have to talk to Edaline about helping with pranks. I transmit to Kenric,
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom mutters about how she would have to talk to Edaline about helping with pranks. I transmit to Kenric, </font>
   
''Can I talk to you later?''
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Can I talk to you later?'' </font>
   
His eyebrows furrow,
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">His eyebrows furrow, </font>
   
''Sure, I’ll come to your room after mom and dad fall asleep.''
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Sure, I’ll come to your room after mom and dad fall asleep.'' </font>
   
'''Hey guys! How was that chapter? Oh boy, I can’t wait for the next chapter, you're going to meet someone special! I try to update every 3 to 4 days but the schedule could change. Bye for now!'''
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Hey guys! How was that chapter? Oh boy, I can’t wait for the next chapter, you're going to meet someone special! I try to update every 3 to 4 days but the schedule could change. Bye for now!''' </font>
   
== '''Chapter Two''' ==
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== <font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Chapter Two''' </font>
  +
==
'''It is 10:00 pm when Kenric knocks on my door,'''
 
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''It is 10:00 pm when Kenric knocks on my door,''' </font>
   
''Tap tap tap-tap-tap tap''
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Tap tap tap-tap-tap tap'' </font>
   
That is our signal, it’s how we know that the other person is here. We have used it since Kenric was four and I was three when one of us had nightmares or was scared, we would go to the other person’s room and spend the night there. As we got older we would go if we had a problem at school. If we're in a fight, we always resolved it in each other's rooms.
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">That is our signal. It’s how we know that the other person is there. We have used it since Kenric was four and I was three. When one of us had nightmares or was scared, we would go to the other person’s room and spend the night there. As we got older, we would go if we had a problem at school. If we're in a fight, we always resolved it in each other's rooms. </font>
   
I usher him in and softly close the door, I sit across him on my bed and ask, “Do you know anything about Mom and Dad’s past?” 
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I usher him in and softly close the door. I sit across him on my bed and ask, “Do you know anything about Mom and Dad’s past?”  </font>
   
The confusion is evident on his face, but he still says, “No, mom and dad told us that they met when mom exploded something in Alchemy and dad met her when she was walking to the healing center.”
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">The confusion is evident on his face, but he still says, “No, mom and dad told us that they met when mom exploded something in Alchemy and dad met her when she was walking to the healing center.” </font>
   
That doesn’t explain why mom was almost dying, but it shows that they are hiding something from us, and I am going to find out what it is. I am so lost in my thoughts, Kenric has to transmit to me to get my attention,
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">That doesn’t explain why mom was almost dying, but it shows that they are hiding something from us, and I am going to find out what it is. I am so lost in my thoughts, Kenric has to transmit to me to get my attention, </font>
   
''Calla!'' 
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Calla!''  </font>
   
I jerk backwards due to surprise, and he asks me, “What are you thinking about?” 
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I jerk backwards due to surprise, and he asks me, “What are you thinking about?”  </font>
   
I shake my head, ‘“Nothing important.”
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I shake my head, ‘“Nothing important.” </font>
   
He narrows his eyes at me, “You know that you and a Dad aren’t the only empaths in our family right? I can feel your guilt, so spill.”
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">He narrows his eyes at me, “You know that you and a Dad aren’t the only empaths in our family right? I can feel your guilt, so spill.” </font>
   
Me and my brother both inherited empathy from our dad, not only that, our ability is super strong like his as well, we could feel emotions without touching people. We could also feel emotions from animals, but the alicorns and mom seem to have very strong emotions, they never told us why. 
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">My brother and I both inherited empathy from our dad. Not only that, our ability is super strong like his as well. We could feel emotions without touching people. We could also feel emotions from animals, but the alicorns and mom seem to have very strong emotions, they never told us why.  </font>
   
''Another thing that they are hiding.'' 
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Another thing that they are hiding.''  </font>
   
But then I turn to my brother and find that he deserves to find out as well, our parents are hiding things from both of us. I sigh, “When I was in the Magnate’s office he said that mom had a lot of near deaths when she was younger, they never told us about that and paired with what you said, I know that they are hiding something.”
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">But then I turn to my brother and find that he deserves to find out as well, our parents are hiding things from both of us. I sigh, “When I was in the Magnate’s office he said that mom had a lot of near deaths when she was younger, they never told us about that and paired with what you said, I know that they are hiding something.” </font>
   
Kenric stares at me for a few seconds then whispers, “You're right,” He blinks, “They are hiding something from us and we have to figure out what that thing is.”
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">Kenric stares at me for a few seconds then whispers, “You're right,” He blinks, “They are hiding something from us and we have to figure out what that thing is.” </font>
   
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----
<span>...............................................................</span><span>......................................................................................................</span>
 
   
“Calla, wake up!”
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Calla, wake up!” </font>
   
I groan, “Just five more minutes.”
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I groan, “Just five more minutes.” </font>
   
I turn to look at dad who says, “You’re already five minutes late, I wouldn’t care but you know what your mother will say.”
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">I turn to look at dad who says, “You’re already five minutes late. I wouldn’t care but you know what your mother will say.” </font>
   
Kenric and I had stayed up all night brainstorming ways to find out about our parents past. We concluded that we would ask Vertina, mom’s spectral mirror and find out what she knows. As much as I hated it, we would have to monitor mom and dad, seeing if they slip up and give us a clue. Kenric casually asks, “Hey mom, how long have you had Vertina for?” Mom looks at Kenric, surprise on her face, and replies, “I’ve had her since I was thirteen, why?” Kenric smoothly explains, “You’ve had yours for a while now I just wanted to know how long.”
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">Kenric and I had stayed up all night brainstorming ways to find out about our parents past. We concluded that we would ask Vertina, mom’s spectral mirror, and find out what she knows. As much as I hated it, we would have to monitor mom and dad, seeing if they slip up and give us a clue. Kenric casually asks, “Hey mom, how long have you had Vertina for?” Mom looks at Kenric, surprise on her face, and replies, “I’ve had her since I was thirteen, why?” Kenric smoothly explains, “You’ve had yours for a while now and I just wanted to know how long.” </font>
   
He didn’t lie, he changed the meaning of his words. Kenric is the one good at lying, I am the one that can divert the topic. This is what made us such s good team when pulling pranks, the person we are pulling it on never knows and if they suspect we easily make them stop. I knew we succeeded when dad didn’t say anything about it, only complained that I took away time for him to style The Hair by waking up late. Mom and I roll our eyes but Kenric takes his side lecturing me about the importance of proper hair styling. The speech is more boring then Elvin History and I am eternally grateful when it ends, Mom bores the same expression and dad sits there nodding his head at everything Kenric says. We move to our Leapmaster and Kenric and I get whisked off to Foxfire. I enter the crowded halls, making my way to orientation, and behind me, I could sense giddy emotions and I immediately know who it is. “Ardelle, you can make yourself visible, I know it's you that’s trying to scare me.”
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">He didn’t lie, he changed the meaning of his words. Kenric is the one good at lying while I am the one that can divert the topic. This is what made us such s good team when pulling pranks, the person we are pulling it on never knows and if they suspect we easily make them stop. I knew we succeeded when dad didn’t say anything about it, only complained that I took away time for him to style The Hair by waking up late. Mom and I roll our eyes, but Kenric takes his side, lecturing me about the importance of proper Hair styling. The speech is more boring then Elvin History and I am eternally grateful when it ends. Mom shares the same expression and dad sits there nodding his head at everything Kenric says. We move to our Leapmaster and Kenric and I get whisked off to Foxfire. I enter the crowded halls, making my way to orientation, and behind me, I could sense giddy emotions and I immediately know who it is. “Ardelle, you can make yourself visible, I know it's you that’s trying to scare me.” </font>
   
My best friend appears and a grin spreads across her face, Ardelle is pretty, no, she’s beautiful. With her mom’s brown hair that cascades down to her shoulder, and blades in thick luscious locks. To her plump pink heart-shaped lips, her father’s silvery blue eyes and a pale complexion she is what most girls want to look like. Not me though, appearances never mattered that much to me, as long as I was comfortable I was happy. My brother cares about how his hair looks but that’s all. Ardelle is a vanisher, taking after her mother Biana Song. Her brother Abben Song takes after their dad, Tam Song by being a shade and their uncle and grandfather Fitz Vacker and Alden Vacker by being a telepath.
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">My best friend appears and a grin spreads across her face. Ardelle is pretty, no, she’s beautiful. With her mom’s brown hair that cascades down to her shoulder blades in thick, luscious locks, plump, pink heart-shaped lips, her father’s silvery blue eyes and a pale complexion she is what most girls want to look like. Not me though, appearances never mattered that much to me, as long as I was comfortable I was happy. My brother cares about how his hair looks but that’s all. Ardelle is a vanisher, taking after her mother, Biana Song. Her brother, Abben Song, takes after their dad, Tam Song by being a shade and their uncle and grandfather Fitz Vacker and Alden Vacker by being a telepath. </font>
   
She see’s something behind me and her grin disappears and she vanishes, I turn to see what she was looking at to come face to face with Lady Flayia. She asks me, “Have you seen Ardelle Song?” I shake my head as she walks away. I turn back to Ardelle and she reappears, she explains, “I forgot the hand in my vanishing homework yesterday she’s looking for me to give me detention.” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She see’s something behind me and her grin disappears and she vanishes, I turn to see what she was looking at to come face to face with Lady Flayia. She asks me, “Have you seen Ardelle Song?” I shake my head as she walks away. I turn back to Ardelle and she reappears, she explains, “I forgot the hand in my vanishing homework yesterday she’s looking for me to give me detention.”  </font>
   
I raise my eyebrow, Ardelle never forgot her homework, she was always telling others to not forget. She saw my question look and said, “You’ll find out soon enough, it’s just if you agree.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I raise my eyebrow, Ardelle never forgot her homework, she was always telling others to not forget. She saw my question look and said, “You’ll find out soon enough, it’s just if you agree.” </font>
   
The rest of the day consists of me begging her to tell me, but her telling me no and going to our classes. 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">The rest of the day consists of me begging her to tell me, but her telling me no and going to our classes.  </font>
   
  +
----
.<span>..............................................................</span><span>......................................................................................................</span> 
 
   
I get home and find mom sitting in the kitchen with jittery energy radiating off of her. She turns around to face me with a nervous smile. She asks me how my day was and I rant about the secret Ardelle is keeping from me. When I finish I see her smile wavering and her expression unsure. She takes a deep breath and says, “Calla, I need to talk to you about something.” I nod, signaling to keep talking, “There is this really powerful Telepath and he is a year older then you, he manifested when he was eight, only a year later then you, he can transmit from what is supposed to be impossible distances and only one other person that is not me can get past his blocking.” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I get home and find mom sitting in the kitchen with jittery energy radiating off of her. She turns around to face me with a nervous smile. She asks me how my day was and I rant about the secret Ardelle is keeping from me. When I finish I see her smile wavering and her expression unsure. She takes a deep breath and says, “Calla, I need to talk to you about something.” I nod, signaling to keep talking, “There is this really powerful Telepath and he is a year older then you, he manifested when he was eight, only a year later then you, he can transmit from what is supposed to be impossible distances and only one other person that is not me can get past his blocking.”  </font>
   
I give her a worried look before saying, “Mom, why are you telling me this?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I give her a worried look before saying, “Mom, why are you telling me this?” </font>
   
She takes a shaky breath and slowly says, “His name is Abben Song, and I want you to consider being cognates with him.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She takes a shaky breath and slowly says, “His name is Abben Song, and I want you to consider being cognates with him.” </font>
   
'''Soo... how was that? I ended it with a cliffhanger and I feel bad but it is a good spot to end it at. I’m working on the next chapter as fast as I can and I’ll try to have it up by Sunday but no promises. Who here likes Ardelle, I know I do! In the next chapter, you will hopefully learn more about Abben; it depends on how long I make the chapter. Bye!'''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Soo... how was that? I ended it with a cliffhanger and I feel bad but it is a good spot to end it at. I’m working on the next chapter as fast as I can and I’ll try to have it up by Sunday but no promises. Who here likes Ardelle, I know I do! In the next chapter, you will hopefully learn more about Abben; it depends on how long I make the chapter. Bye!''' </font>
   
== '''Chapter Three''' ==
+
== <font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Chapter Three''' </font>==
'''I blink,'''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I blink,''' </font>
   
Then I blink again, by now I’ve blinked so many times that mom reaches up to pull out an itchy eyelash. But that snaps me out of my daze and I reach up and swat mom’s hand away from her eye. Her eyelash picking habit has mostly stopped, but she still does it in stressful or nerve-racking situations.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Then I blink again, by now I’ve blinked so many times that mom reaches up to pull out an itchy eyelash. But that snaps me out of my daze and I reach up and swat mom’s hand away from her eye. Her eyelash picking habit has mostly stopped, but she still does it in stressful or nerve-racking situations. </font>
   
I already know the answer to the question but it doesn’t stop me from asking, “Abben Song, as in Ardelle’s brother?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I already know the answer to the question but it doesn’t stop me from asking, “Abben Song, as in Ardelle’s brother?” </font>
   
Mom nods her head but then I said, “Why can’t he be Kenric’s cognate, they’re both in level six.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom nods her head but then I said, “Why can’t he be Kenric’s cognate, they’re both in level six.” </font>
   
She counter-argues, “You know how hard it is for Kenric to trust someone, the only person that he is comfortable with sharing all of his secrets is you.” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She counter-argues, “You know how hard it is for Kenric to trust someone, the only person that he is comfortable with sharing all of his secrets is you.”  </font>
   
I hate that she has a valid reason but I still fire questions and she seems to have answers to all of them, “If Kenric only trust’s me then why don’t I become his cognate?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I hate that she has a valid reason but I still fire questions and she seems to have answers to all of them, “If Kenric only trust’s me then why don’t I become his cognate?” </font>
   
Mom swiftly replies, “You and your brother have a special bond and if you are cognates the bond may be ruined.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom swiftly replies, “You and your brother have a special bond and if you are cognates the bond may be ruined.” </font>
   
I finally go to my last resort, “I don’t even know Abben, my mind is not going to automatically trust him.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I finally go to my last resort, “I don’t even know Abben, my mind is not going to automatically trust him.” </font>
   
Mom sighs, “His mind won’t trust you right away either, that’s what we need to do exercises and hopefully your minds will trust each other soon.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom sighs, “His mind won’t trust you right away either, that’s what we need to do exercises and hopefully your minds will trust each other soon.” </font>
   
She squeezes my shoulder as she tells me, “Just think about it.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She squeezes my shoulder as she tells me, “Just think about it.” </font>
   
  +
----
.....................................................................................................................................................................
 
   
Later that night, while we are eating dinner, Kenric transmits to me,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Later that night, while we are eating dinner, Kenric transmits to me, </font>
   
''Meet me in my room.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Meet me in my room.'' </font>
   
Dad complains about how we never eat Mallowmelt anymore and how he is running out of his soft hair elixir. Mom rolled her eyes and promises to make some Mallowmelt over the weekend. They seem to notice how quiet we are and give each other questioning glances. Dad finally asks, “So, anything new going on with you two?” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad complains about how we never eat Mallowmelt anymore and how he is running out of his soft hair elixir. Mom rolled her eyes and promises to make some Mallowmelt over the weekend. They seem to notice how quiet we are and give each other questioning glances. Dad finally asks, “So, anything new going on with you two?”  </font>
   
''You two hiding something about your past from me, mom is trying to convince me to become cognates with a guy I know nothing about except for his ability and name and my best friend is hiding something from me.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''You two hiding something about your past from me, mom is trying to convince me to become cognates with a guy I know nothing about except for his ability and name and my best friend is hiding something from me.'' </font>
   
“Nope.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Nope.” </font>
   
My reply clearly didn’t convince them so they ask Kenric again, and he replies with the same vagueness. Everyone is quiet for a few minutes, the only sound being the chewing of our food. Mom attempts to fill the silence by saying, “Calla, have you made your decision on Abben yet?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">My reply clearly didn’t convince them so they ask Kenric again, and he replies with the same vagueness. Everyone is quiet for a few minutes, the only sound being the chewing of our food. Mom attempts to fill the silence by saying, “Calla, have you made your decision on Abben yet?” </font>
   
Kenric’s head snaps up and he swiftly questions, “Isn’t Abben Ardelle’s brother?” I nod my head and he states fiercely, “If this is about matchmaking don’t gun for Abben, I know you can fill out your forms and I’m sure he’s a nice guy but if you two get together and aren’t on each other’s list it will break your heart and I will break his bones.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Kenric’s head snaps up and he swiftly questions, “Isn’t Abben Ardelle’s brother?” I nod my head and he states fiercely, “If this is about matchmaking don’t gun for Abben, I know you can fill out your forms and I’m sure he’s a nice guy but if you two get together and aren’t on each other’s list it will break your heart and I will break his bones.” </font>
   
My cheeks heat up and I can feel myself turning red, dad snickers and I blurt out, “N-no this isn’t about matchmaking and I don’t want Abben on my list, I barely know him! Mom is talking about becoming cognates.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">My cheeks heat up and I can feel myself turning red, dad snickers and I blurt out, “N-no this isn’t about matchmaking and I don’t want Abben on my list, I barely know him! Mom is talking about becoming cognates.” </font>
   
His face forms into a grin but then it drops into a frown and a look of hurt flashes on his face, “Why didn’t you tell me?” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">His face forms into a grin but then it drops into a frown and a look of hurt flashes on his face, “Why didn’t you tell me?”  </font>
   
Mom quickly explains, “She only found out when she came back to school.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom quickly explains, “She only found out when she came back to school.” </font>
   
He nods but still frowns so I transmit,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He nods but still frowns so I transmit, </font>
   
''I was going to tell you tonight.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''I was going to tell you tonight.'' </font>
   
That seems to cheer him up because he has a small smile and transmits,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">That seems to cheer him up because he has a small smile and transmits, </font>
   
''Have you decided if Abben is lucky enough to have my sister?''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Have you decided if Abben is lucky enough to have my sister?'' </font>
   
I roll my eyes, it was natural for Kenric to be overprotective about something like this, even when we were younger he would glare other kids into being nice to me. I don’t know why he does that but it started when a boy named Aden Elton can to our house so I could tutor him for midterms, I was in level one and Aden was a level two. Classes are easy for me because of my photographic memory. Aden was a person Kenric would occasionally talk to but after Aden came to my house Kenric glared at him whenever he passed by for a month. I tried asking him why he does this, but he brushes me off saying that I wouldn’t understand.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I roll my eyes, it was natural for Kenric to be overprotective about something like this, even when we were younger he would glare other kids into being nice to me. I don’t know why he does that but it started when a boy named Aden Elton can to our house so I could tutor him for midterms, I was in level one and Aden was a level two. Classes are easy for me because of my photographic memory. Aden was a person Kenric would occasionally talk to but after Aden came to my house Kenric glared at him whenever he passed by for a month. I tried asking him why he does this, but he brushes me off saying that I wouldn’t understand. </font>
   
''He will only be my cognate, and that’s if we are even cognates in the first place. You know that I know that the world knows that.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''He will only be my cognate, and that’s if we are even cognates in the first place. You know that I know that the world knows that.'' </font>
   
He narrows his eyes and transmits, 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He narrows his eyes and transmits,  </font>
   
''Yes, I know that. Besides, if he ever wants to be more he is going to meet my standards.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Yes, I know that. Besides, if he ever wants to be more he is going to meet my standards.'' </font>
   
Dad seems to realize that we are transmitting so he rolls his eyes and says, “Not you guys as well, when your mom and Fitz transmitted, it was bad enough.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad seems to realize that we are transmitting so he rolls his eyes and says, “Not you guys as well, when your mom and Fitz transmitted, it was bad enough.” </font>
   
Kenric and I release small grins and I say, “You were only annoyed by them because they could have secret conversations.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Kenric and I release small grins and I say, “You were only annoyed by them because they could have secret conversations.” </font>
   
Kenric seems to be thinking of what I just had said because his grin widens and he says, “You were jealous.” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Kenric seems to be thinking of what I just had said because his grin widens and he says, “You were jealous.”  </font>
   
A light pink spreads on dad’s cheeks. Mom seems to find this funny and starts teasing him, “Oh, is that the great Keefe Foster blushing, I think I’m hallucinating. If that was all it took to get you blushing I would have done it a long time ago, it would be great payback for all the times when we were kids and you would make me blush.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">A light pink spreads on dad’s cheeks. Mom seems to find this funny and starts teasing him, “Oh, is that the great Keefe Foster blushing, I think I’m hallucinating. If that was all it took to get you blushing I would have done it a long time ago, it would be great payback for all the times when we were kids and you would make me blush.” </font>
   
Dad recovers from the teasing, he smirks and leans in towards mom, “I can still make you blush Foster.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad recovers from the teasing, he smirks and leans in towards mom, “I can still make you blush Foster.” </font>
   
As if on cue, red spread on mom’s cheeks. Kenric scrunches up his nose and says, “Eww! Guys, there are innocent minds in the room.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">As if on cue, red spread on mom’s cheeks. Kenric scrunches up his nose and says, “Eww! Guys, there are innocent minds in the room.” </font>
   
Dad turns towards Kenric with a raised eyebrow and says, “Neither of you is innocent; I’ve seen the number of crushcuffs you get on midterms and finals.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad turns towards Kenric with a raised eyebrow and says, “Neither of you is innocent; I’ve seen the number of crushcuffs you get on midterms and finals.” </font>
   
That causes me to blush but Kenric to say, “Yes, the ladies always want a piece this.” He points at himself and I can hear mom murmuring to herself about how dad would say the same thing when he was younger. Dad turns his focus to me, and says, “What about you? Anyone you find… interesting?” I give him a look that says, 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">That causes me to blush but Kenric to say, “Yes, the ladies always want a piece this.” He points at himself and I can hear mom murmuring to herself about how dad would say the same thing when he was younger. Dad turns his focus to me, and says, “What about you? Anyone you find… interesting?” I give him a look that says,  </font>
   
''Seriously?''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Seriously?'' </font>
   
Dad raises his arms in defence and claims, “You are a level 5 now, and a teenager, your opinion on this stuff could have changed.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad raises his arms in defence and claims, “You are a level 5 now, and a teenager, your opinion on this stuff could have changed.” </font>
   
I scoff, “Dad, you asked me the same question not even a month ago, and I only started level 5 last week. You know what my option on the male population is.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I scoff, “Dad, you asked me the same question not even a month ago, and I only started level 5 last week. You know what my option on the male population is.” </font>
   
He fondly smiles, “Maybe Abben will change your mind.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He fondly smiles, “Maybe Abben will change your mind.” </font>
   
Mom gasps and stares at dad with big eyes, “Don’t tell me you're doing that.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom gasps and stares at dad with big eyes, “Don’t tell me you're doing that.” </font>
   
Dad’s forehead creases, “Doing what?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad’s forehead creases, “Doing what?” </font>
   
She shakes her head, “You are pairing Abben and Calla up!”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She shakes her head, “You are pairing Abben and Calla up!” </font>
   
Kenric’s face turns protective, “Calla is not getting with anyone until she is at least 150 years old.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Kenric’s face turns protective, “Calla is not getting with anyone until she is at least 150 years old.” </font>
   
Dad starts nodding and says, “You play the protective older brother role well.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad starts nodding and says, “You play the protective older brother role well.” </font>
   
He and mom start bickering over what we were going to be called, mom declared, “They will be called Cabben.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He and mom start bickering over what we were going to be called, mom declared, “They will be called Cabben.” </font>
   
Dad argues, “No it will be Calben.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad argues, “No it will be Calben.” </font>
   
Kenric sits in his chair with his arms crossed and a mad look on his face.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Kenric sits in his chair with his arms crossed and a mad look on his face. </font>
   
Finally, when my brain can’t take any more I stand up and announce, “Enough! I haven’t even agreed to be cognates! Much less have an interest in him! You guys are supposed to be giving me lectures and saying how you have to approve of him, not come up with names for us!” I point to Kenric, “And you, you're supposed to be teasing me and making fun of me, not sitting there with a ticked off look! And... ugh.” I collapse in my chair.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Finally, when my brain can’t take any more I stand up and announce, “Enough! I haven’t even agreed to be cognates! Much less have an interest in him! You guys are supposed to be giving me lectures and saying how you have to approve of him, not come up with names for us!” I point to Kenric, “And you, you're supposed to be teasing me and making fun of me, not sitting there with a ticked off look! And... ugh.” I collapse in my chair. </font>
   
There is a silence for a couple of seconds and then dad starts softy chuckling soon mom and Kenric join in and they are full blown laughing. I sit there confused and ask what is so funny and dad manages to explain though laughs “Your... face... when you... said that... you looked... like a... mad chimpanzee.” Once they finish laughing, we finish eating without bringing up the topic again.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">There is a silence for a couple of seconds and then dad starts softy chuckling soon mom and Kenric join in and they are full blown laughing. I sit there confused and ask what is so funny and dad manages to explain though laughs “Your... face... when you... said that... you looked... like a... mad chimpanzee.” Once they finish laughing, we finish eating without bringing up the topic again. </font>
   
  +
----
.....................................................................................................................................................................
 
   
I tap the back of my hand softly twice and the time appears on the wall across from me,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I tap the back of my hand softly twice and the time appears on the wall across from me, </font>
   
''11:30 pm''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''11:30 pm'' </font>
   
Mom and dad should be asleep by now, so I sneak out of bed and slowly walk out the door. Me, mom and dad’s and Kenric’s bedroom make one floor of our house, of course, all the bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms and extended walk-in closets but besides that, it was just bedrooms. I quietly walk to Kenric’s room and did the tap. He opened the door and ushers me in. We sit on his bed and face each other.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom and dad should be asleep by now, so I sneak out of bed and slowly walk out the door. Me, mom and dad’s and Kenric’s bedroom make one floor of our house, of course, all the bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms and extended walk-in closets but besides that, it was just bedrooms. I quietly walk to Kenric’s room and did the tap. He opened the door and ushers me in. We sit on his bed and face each other. </font>
   
''So have you found anything?''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''So have you found anything?'' </font>
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I reply, </font>
I reply,
 
   
''No, but I think that mom and dad know we are planning something.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''No, but I think that mom and dad know we are planning something.'' </font>
   
He nods and says,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He nods and says, </font>
   
''I agree. We will have to be more cautious around them and maybe more cautious around some other adults. I think grandma and grandpa know since they grew up with mom, and by listening to dad’s stories he was around them a lot as well.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''I agree. We will have to be more cautious around them and maybe more cautious around some other adults. I think grandma and grandpa know since they grew up with mom, and by listening to dad’s stories he was around them a lot as well.'' </font>
   
I think about that, Kenric is right, but a lot of dad’s stories included Fitz, Dex, Biana, Marella, Linh and Tam. We will have to be more cautious around ''all'' adults. I transmit my thought to Kenric and he agrees. He questions,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I think about that, Kenric is right, but a lot of dad’s stories included Fitz, Dex, Biana, Marella, Linh and Tam. We will have to be more cautious around ''all'' adults. I transmit my thought to Kenric and he agrees. He questions, </font>
   
''So what are we going to do now?''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''So what are we going to do now?'' </font>
   
''We still have to ask Vertina about what she knows. In order to do that mom and dad have to be out of the house. How are we going to get them out?''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''We still have to ask Vertina about what she knows. In order to do that mom and dad have to be out of the house. How are we going to get them out?'' </font>
   
He thinks for a second before replying,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He thinks for a second before replying, </font>
   
''I can hide some of dad’s hair elixirs, for some reason mom always goes with him when he gets new ones. Plus, there is this one elixir that I have been dying to buy and he has one but never gives it to me.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''I can hide some of dad’s hair elixirs, for some reason mom always goes with him when he gets new ones. Plus, there is this one elixir that I have been dying to buy and he has one but never gives it to me.'' </font>
   
I grin. Kenric seems to always have some excuse that has to do with his hair, sometimes it is helpful, but others not so much. I was about to say goodnight when he transmits,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I grin. Kenric seems to always have some excuse that has to do with his hair, sometimes it is helpful, but others not so much. I was about to say goodnight when he transmits, </font>
   
''So do you know what you are going to do about the whole cognate thing?''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''So do you know what you are going to do about the whole cognate thing?'' </font>
   
My grin falters and I transmit,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">My grin falters and I transmit, </font>
   
''I don’t know, I barely even know the guy.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''I don’t know, I barely even know the guy.'' </font>
   
Kenric tilts my chin up so I look into his eyes and transmits,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Kenric tilts my chin up so I look into his eyes and transmits, </font>
   
''No matter what you choose I will always support your decision, for anything.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''No matter what you choose I will always support your decision, for anything.'' </font>
   
I tackle him in a hug and softly whisper, “Thank you. I will always be there for you no matter what the situation is.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I tackle him in a hug and softly whisper, “Thank you. I will always be there for you no matter what the situation is.” </font>
   
He quietly says, “Thanks, I’ll need it in the future.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He quietly says, “Thanks, I’ll need it in the future.” </font>
   
I’m confused by his words but I know it is not the time to ask.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I’m confused by his words but I know it is not the time to ask. </font>
   
We trade our goodbyes and I walk back to my room. As I lay down in bed I realize that I may know what my decision about cognates will be.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">We trade our goodbyes and I walk back to my room. As I lay down in bed I realize that I may know what my decision about cognates will be. </font>
   
'''I feel like this chapter isn’t as good as the other ones, there is a lot more dialogue then what I normally write, maybe that’s why. This chapter was definitely longer than the other ones, three whole pages of writing, do you prefer longer chapters or shorter ones? This one took 5 days whereas the other ones take three to four. There will definitely be more Abben stuff in the next one. I hope you enjoyed it!'''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I feel like this chapter isn’t as good as the other ones, there is a lot more dialogue then what I normally write, maybe that’s why. This chapter was definitely longer than the other ones, three whole pages of writing, do you prefer longer chapters or shorter ones? This one took 5 days whereas the other ones take three to four. There will definitely be more Abben stuff in the next one. I hope you enjoyed it!''' </font>
   
== '''Chapter Four''' ==
+
== <font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Chapter Four''' </font>==
'''Food,'''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Food,''' </font>
   
The wonderful substance my stomach didn’t get this morning. By the time I fell asleep, it was probably 1:30 am. My body is tired, my brain is tired, and my will to prank is tired too, Kenric also had bags under his eyes, proving that he didn’t sleep much either.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">The glorious substance my stomach didn’t get this morning. By the time I fell asleep, it was probably 1:30 am. My body is tired, my brain is tired, and my will to prank is tired too, Kenric also had bags under his eyes, proving that he didn’t sleep much either. </font>
   
As I trudge through the hallways to my locker, I walk into a wall, that wall being Myra Shold. She is the meanest, most annoying girl at Foxfire. Her mother being Stina Shold and her father Landon Shold. Uncle Dex told us how Stina was the bully in his time at Foxfire, though mom never talked about her. Myra has her mother’s stringy brown hair and tall frame, with her father’s pale complexion and midnight blue, almost black eyes. I’m tall for my age, at five foot eight, but Myra was still a few inches above me. She sneers at me and says, “Watch where your going, mommy and daddy aren’t always going to be there to save you. Though you wouldn’t know, you’re too busy tripping over air and hitting your head that anything in that pathetic excuse of a brain has disappeared, if there was anything there in the first place.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">As I trudge through the hallways to my locker, I walk into a wall, that wall being Myra Shold. She is the meanest, most annoying girl at Foxfire. Her mother being Stina Shold and her father Landon Shold. Uncle Dex told us how Stina was the bully in his time at Foxfire, though mom never talked about her. Myra has her mother’s stringy brown hair and tall frame, with her father’s pale complexion and midnight blue, almost black eyes. I’m tall for my age, at five foot eight, but Myra was still a few inches above me. She sneers at me and says, “Watch where your going, mommy and daddy aren’t always going to be there to save you. Though you wouldn’t know, you’re too busy tripping over air and hitting your head that anything in that pathetic excuse of a brain has disappeared, if there was anything there in the first place.” </font>
   
I narrow my eyes at her and am about to knock her off of the high horse she’s on when a voice from behind me says, “You know, that’s really rich coming from someone that barely passed finals, I bet this year will be a nightmare for you.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I narrow my eyes at her and am about to knock her off of the high horse she’s on when a voice from behind me says, “You know, that’s really rich coming from someone that barely passed finals, I bet this year will be a nightmare for you.” </font>
   
I whip my head around to see Abben leaning on a wall. His white uniform complements his skin tone, which is exactly like Biana’s, and his bright teal eyes shine like diamonds. He has his father’s nose and black hair, which is styled to perfection.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I whip my head around to see Abben leaning on a wall. His white uniform complements his skin tone, which is exactly like Biana’s, and his bright teal eyes shine like diamonds. He has his father’s nose and black hair, which is styled to perfection. </font>
   
Just like Tam, dad, and Kenric.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Just like Tam, dad, and Kenric. </font>
   
He wears this smirk and raised an eyebrow, has this calming mischievous aura coming off of him and is tall, at about five foot ten. Then it hits me, this is the guy that might be my cognate, the guy that I might share all of my secrets with, the guy that is my best friend’s brother. 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He wears this smirk and raised an eyebrow, has this calming mischievous aura coming off of him and is tall, at about five foot ten. Then it hits me, this is the guy that might be my cognate, the guy that I might share all of my secrets with, the guy that is my best friend’s brother.  </font>
   
Myra glares at him and says, “What do you care, you’re just like her,” She looks at me. “Always hiding behind your parents.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Myra glares at him and says, “What do you care, you’re just like her,” She looks at me. “Always hiding behind your parents.” </font>
   
Abben rolls his eyes, “Is that really the best you’ve got? You just said that to her, I mean, at least come up with a good insult.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Abben rolls his eyes, “Is that really the best you’ve got? You just said that to her, I mean, at least come up with a good insult.” </font>
   
Myra huffs and storms away. I look at Abben and say, “I could have handled that myself, you know.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Myra huffs and storms away. I look at Abben and say, “I could have handled that myself, you know.” </font>
   
A small smile plays on his lips when he says, “I know you could have, but Myra wouldn’t have listened if her victim was opposing her.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">A small smile plays on his lips when he says, “I know you could have, but Myra wouldn’t have listened if her victim was opposing her.” </font>
   
I sigh, Myra is always mean, according to uncle Dex it runs in her family. But what is odd is that Abben is in level five atrium, he had no reason to be here so why is he? I ask him, “Why are you here anyway?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I sigh, Myra is always mean, according to uncle Dex it runs in her family. But what is odd is that Abben is in level five atrium, he had no reason to be here so why is he? I ask him, “Why are you here anyway?” </font>
   
He shrugs, “I felt like taking a different way to the cafeteria.” I give him a confused look, the level six atrium is closer to the cafeteria then this one, why take a longer route, but more importantly, why would he delay when he eats?  Maybe that's the part of me that skipped breakfast that speaking but the food is very important and you shouldn’t delay it. I put my books in my locker and am in the middle of my lecture on the importance of eating when you can, but I turn around to find a blank red wall with no white uniform in sight. The students that are still here give me weird looks.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He shrugs, “I felt like taking a different way to the cafeteria.” I give him a confused look, the level six atrium is closer to the cafeteria then this one, why take a longer route, but more importantly, why would he delay when he eats?  Maybe that's the part of me that skipped breakfast that speaking but the food is very important and you shouldn’t delay it. I put my books in my locker and am in the middle of my lecture on the importance of eating when you can, but I turn around to find a blank red wall with no white uniform in sight. The students that are still here give me weird looks. </font>
   
''Great, they think I was talking to myself.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Great, they think I was talking to myself.'' </font>
   
I grumpily make my way to the cafeteria. No food, people think I belong in the loony bin and very little sleep, definitely not a good combination. I enter it and quickly walk to the lunch line, they were serving mushy purple stuff and yellow leaves. Mom never uses names when she cooks and the habit grew on dad so I know only know a few names to things. I take my tray and walk off to detention.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I grumpily make my way to the cafeteria. No food, people think I belong in the loony bin and very little sleep, definitely not a good combination. I enter it and quickly walk to the lunch line, they were serving mushy purple stuff and yellow leaves. Mom never uses names when she cooks and the habit grew on dad so I know only know a few names to things. I take my tray and walk off to detention. </font>
   
I enter the room and everyone looks at me, Lady Gavin says, “Miss Foster, you’re late.” I mutter an apology and walk to a desk and sit down. Detention seems to never end and to make matters worse I have to sit in my seat with nothing to do because Lady Gavin doesn’t trust me with her capes, and goes off muttering ‘just like Sophie’.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I enter the room and everyone looks at me, Lady Galvin says, “Miss Foster, you’re late.” I mutter an apology and walk to a desk and sit down. Detention seems to never end and to make matters worse I have to sit in my seat with nothing to do because Lady Galvin doesn’t trust me with her capes, and goes off muttering ‘just like Sophie’. </font>
   
When detention finally ends, I walk to my locker to gather my books for the Universe with Lady Renda. I cantankerously walk to the classroom and sit in my chair, I won’t have to focus in this class, thanks to my photographic memory I memorized all of the stars. In her squeaky voice, Lady Renda said, “What are the stars that make up the constellation Vexle?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">When detention finally ends, I walk to my locker to gather my books for the Universe with Lady Renda. I cantankerously walk to the classroom and sit in my chair, I won’t have to focus in this class, thanks to my photographic memory I memorized all of the stars. In her squeaky voice, Lady Renda said, “What are the stars that make up the constellation Vexle?” </font>
   
With a bored tone, I replied, “Malox, Tentin, Rodeus, Waver, Fedon, Givc and Arel.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">With a bored tone, I replied, “Malox, Tentin, Rodeus, Waver, Fedon, Giac and Arel.” </font>
   
She narrows her eyes at me, she has never liked that I already know everything, so she hates when I answer every question with no struggle. She sighs and says, “I want you to learn the uses of all the stars in the Northern part of the sky in the next two weeks.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She narrows her eyes at me, she has never liked that I already know everything, so she hates when I answer every question with no struggle. She sighs and says, “I want you to learn the uses of all the stars in the Northern part of the sky in the next two weeks.” </font>
   
Great, I have homework that I actually need to pay attention to, my day just keeps getting worse. The rest of the class goes by with me answering all of her questions and her shooting me glares. 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Great, I have homework that I actually need to pay attention to, my day just keeps getting worse. The rest of the class goes by with me answering all of her questions and her shooting me glares.  </font>
   
I walk out of the classroom and make my way to study hall like a sloth, and I end up being five minutes late but I sneak in before anyone notices.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I walk out of the classroom and make my way to study hall like a sloth, and I end up being five minutes late but I sneak in before anyone notices. </font>
   
Write the fifteen steps to catching a whirlpool with in-depth explanations and illustrations.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Write the fifteen steps to catching a whirlpool with in-depth explanations and illustrations. </font>
   
Elementalism is fun, all of the classes are fun but this is just a drag, whirlpools are one of the hardest things to catch, you have to go in the water to get them and when you are in it you have to be careful of being sucked in. Even if you do get it when you come out you are soaking wet and if you are like me you somehow trip and end up breaking the bottle releasing the whirlpool anyways.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Elementalism is fun, all of the classes are fun but this is just a drag, whirlpools are one of the hardest things to catch, you have to go in the water to get them and when you are in it you have to be careful of being sucked in. Even if you do get it when you come out you are soaking wet and if you are like me you somehow trip and end up breaking the bottle releasing the whirlpool anyways. </font>
   
I am halfway through my homework when some taps my shoulder, I turn around to see Ardelle facing me she points to the door signalling for me to get out of the classroom. I ask to go to the bathroom and I meet her there. “What is it, I have Elementalism homework that I need to do.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I am halfway through my homework when some taps my shoulder, I turn around to see Ardelle facing me she points to the door signalling for me to get out of the classroom. I ask to go to the bathroom and I meet her there. “What is it, I have Elementalism homework that I need to do.” </font>
   
She rolls her eyes and says, “Your homework can wait, I overheard Abben talking to my parents and he agreed.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She rolls her eyes and says, “Your homework can wait, I overheard Abben talking to my parents and he agreed.” </font>
   
I don’t what to say to that, when I talked to mom she made it seem like he already agreed. Again, for the second time in the last two days, my only reply was blinking. “Why are you telling me this?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I don’t what to say to that, when I talked to mom she made it seem like he already agreed. Again, for the second time in the last two days, my only reply was blinking. “Why are you telling me this?” </font>
   
She stares at me and finally when she sees that I’m being serious she replies, “Because that only leaves you to decide.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She stares at me and finally when she sees that I’m being serious she replies, “Because that only leaves you to decide.” </font>
   
I shake my head, “I thought that he already agreed so this doesn’t affect me, but do you know what does? You keep secrets from me but you told that you are keeping a secret, you could at least not have told me that!”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I shake my head, “I thought that he already agreed so this doesn’t affect me, but do you know what does? You keep secrets from me but you told that you are keeping a secret, you could at least not have told me that!” </font>
   
She slightly frowns, “I want to tell you but I promised I wouldn’t until they said so.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She slightly frowns, “I want to tell you but I promised I wouldn’t until they said so.” </font>
   
I press forward, “Who are they?” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I press forward, “Who are they?”  </font>
   
She pales at her mistake, “They are some people, it’s not important.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She pales at her mistake, “They are some people, it’s not important.” </font>
   
I sigh in frustration, “Fine don’t tell me but when you realize that whoever these people are don’t control your life then- then know that I’m here for you.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I sigh in frustration, “Fine don’t tell me but when you realize that whoever these people are don’t control your life then- then know that I’m here for you.” </font>
   
I turn around to go back to study hall when she grabs my arm and I look at her. She pulls me into a hug and whispers, “Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me. I promise the second I can I will tell you, even if that means leaping to your house in the middle of the night.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I turn around to go back to study hall when she grabs my arm and I look at her. She pulls me into a hug and whispers, “Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me. I promise the second I can I will tell you, even if that means leaping to your house in the middle of the night.” </font>
   
I squeeze her harder and softly say, “We are best friends and best friends look out for each other, no matter what happens you will always be my best friend.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I squeeze her harder and softly say, “We are best friends and best friends look out for each other, no matter what happens you will always be my best friend.” </font>
   
With that, we walk back into study hall and finish my dreadful day at school.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">With that, we walk back into study hall and finish my dreadful day at school. </font>
   
  +
----
.....................................................................................................................................................................
 
   
I am in line for the leap master and suddenly realize that I have forgotten my star maps in my locker. Normally I leave them it there but I actually need to use the maps today. I quickly tell Kenric about my predicament and race to my locker. I get there in record time and quickly grab my maps and shut the door. As I make my way back I hear something fall, and a person yell “Ow!” I turn behind me to see a girl on the ground and all of her books around her. Before I can help her Abben walks by and sees her, he helps her get up and collect her books, he asks, “Are you okay?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I am in line for the leap master and suddenly realize that I have forgotten my star maps in my locker. Normally I leave them it there but I actually need to use the maps today. I quickly tell Kenric about my predicament and race to my locker. I get there in record time and quickly grab my maps and shut the door. As I make my way back I hear something fall, and a person yell “Ow!” I turn behind me to see a girl on the ground and all of her books around her. Before I can help her Abben walks by and sees her, he helps her get up and collect her books, he asks, “Are you okay?” </font>
   
She nods her head, unable to speak, and scurries away.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She nods her head, unable to speak, and scurries away. </font>
   
Abben wasn’t someone that often shows that he cares about someone, he is always distancing himself from people unless he knows them well. He stays with his group of friends and never really socialized with others, the exact opposite of Ardelle. But here he was showing that he does care, that he does think about others, it was a different side of him, one that many people don’t get to see, but here I am watching it in action. Maybe, if he has a side to him that willingly helps, that cares I would be his cognate, just maybe. I walk back to the Leap Master with my decision made.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Abben wasn’t someone that often shows that he cares about someone, he is always distancing himself from people unless he knows them well. He stays with his group of friends and never really socialized with others, the exact opposite of Ardelle. But here he was showing that he does care, that he does think about others, it was a different side of him, one that many people don’t get to see, but here I am watching it in action. Maybe, if he has a side to him that willingly helps, that cares I would be his cognate, just maybe. I walk back to the Leap Master with my decision made. </font>
   
'''Well....... how was it? Yeah I know it’s late sorry about that. My motivation is running low. WELL FINALLY YOU ARE IN THE STORY ABBEN IT TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH. In the comments please put in ways to improve the story, I really could use your feed back.'''
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Well....... how was it? Yeah, I know it’s late sorry about that. My motivation is running low. WELL, FINALLY YOU ARE IN THE STORY, ABBEN, IT TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH. In the comments please put in ways to improve the story. I really could use your feedback.''' </font>
   
== '''Chapter Five''' ==
+
== <font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Chapter Five''' </font>==
'''I walked into the living room finding Kenric lazily doing his homework,'''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I walked into the living room finding Kenric lazily doing his homework,''' </font>
   
 It was obvious that he was bored, anyone with a pair of eyes could notice it. 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">It was obvious that he was bored, anyone with a pair of eyes could notice it.  </font>
   
''Did you hide the elixirs?''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Did you hide the elixirs?'' </font>
   
He glances at me before looking back at his homework,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He glances at me before looking back at his homework, </font>
   
''I’m going to do it right before dinner, but I need you to distract them, can you do that?''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''I’m going to do it right before dinner, but I need you to distract them, can you do that?'' </font>
   
I think, what would be a good distraction? Suddenly an idea dawns on me, I was going to tell them this anyways, but now a little bit earlier then expected. 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I think, what would be a good distraction? Suddenly an idea dawns on me, I was going to tell them this anyways, but now a little bit earlier than expected.  </font>
   
''I’ve got the perfect thing, speaking of which, I need to talk to you tonight.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''I’ve got the perfect thing, speaking of which, I need to talk to you tonight.'' </font>
   
He nods his head,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He nods his head, </font>
   
''We will do it in your room. I’m coming earlier then usual, I am dead tired.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''We will do it in your room. I’m coming earlier than usual, I am dead tired.'' </font>
   
He is not the only one, today was a bad day for me and that was partly because of my sleepiness. If I didn’t get enough sleep tonight then I would end up falling asleep in the middle of a session. 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He is not the only one, today was a bad day for me and that was partly because of my sleepiness. If I didn’t get enough sleep tonight then I would end up falling asleep in the middle of a session.  </font>
   
I took my satchel off of me and sat besides Kenric. I pulled out my Elementalism homework and try to finish it, the drawings of the steps were not hard, I’m not bad at art but I’m not anywhere near as good as dad. Mom has tons of abilities so it’s obvious that she is talented. Kenric can design and build anything, and while the best I can do is a box, he could build Lumenaria. I, however, had a rubbish talent. I’ve been told that I have a beautiful voice, but in the elvin world music wasn’t a big thing, that’s why I would sometimes sing with the gnomes and help them with the gardening. 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I took my satchel off of me and sat beside Kenric. I pulled out my Elementalism homework and try to finish it, the drawings of the steps were not hard, I’m not bad at art but I’m not anywhere near as good as dad. Mom has tons of abilities so it’s obvious that she is talented. Kenric can design and build anything, and while the best I can do is a box, he could build Lumenaria. I, however, had a rubbish talent. I’ve been told that I have a beautiful voice, but, in the Elvin world, music wasn’t a big thing. That’s why I would sometimes sing with the gnomes and help them with the gardening.  </font>
   
I was so enriched in my homework I didn’t realize that it’s dinner time and mom was calling for me. I look at Kenric and he nodded, showing that it’s time for our plan to take action. I walked into the kitchen with a nervous energy and said, “Hey mom, there is something I need to tell you and dad.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I was so engrossed in my homework I didn’t realize that it’s dinner time and mom was calling for me. I look at Kenric and he nodded, showing that it’s time for our plan to take action. I walked into the kitchen with a nervous energy and said, “Hey mom, there is something I need to tell you and dad.” </font>
   
In reality I didn’t actually have to tell dad, but he had to be distracted as well, “Okay, your dad will be down soon, he has to organize his hair care products.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">In reality, I didn’t actually have to tell dad, but he had to be distracted as well, “Okay, your dad will be down soon, he has to organize his hair care products.” </font>
   
I panicked, because Kenric was in the room full of the products, if dad caught him he would have to lie and dad would be able to tell. I raced up to the room and warned Kenric on the way, when I got there dad was about to open the door, but due to my fast speed I ran right into him. His body was pressed against the door because he wasn’t prepared for the impact and my body was slammed against his back. He groans in pain and says, “Calla, that hurt why were you running at me?” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I panicked because Kenric was in the room full of the products. If dad caught him he would have to lie and dad would be able to tell. I raced up to the room and warned Kenric on the way. When I got there, dad was about to open the door, but due to my fast speed, I ran right into him. His body was pressed against the door because he wasn’t prepared for the impact and my body was slammed against his back. He groans in pain and says, “Calla, that hurt why were you running at me?”  </font>
   
I got off of him and he faced me, “I have something really important to tell you and well, we all know that once you are with your hair products it will take a long time for you to get out of that room.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I got off of him and he faced me, “I have something really important to tell you and well, we all know that once you are with your hair products it will take a long time for you to get out of that room.” </font>
   
He rolled his eyes and we both said in unison, “When you are born with such a gift you take full advantage of it.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He rolled his eyes and we both said in unison, “When you are born with such a gift you take full advantage of it.” </font>
   
I stick my tongue out and he glared at me while trying to suppress a grin. “What about Kenric, don’t you want to tell him too?” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I stick my tongue out and he glared at me while trying to suppress a grin. “What about Kenric, don’t you want to tell him too?”  </font>
   
I said, “I want to tell him in private.” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I said, “I want to tell him in private.”  </font>
   
It wasn’t a lie, I truly do want to tell him in private, but this way we can also distract our parents. He ruffled my hair and started walking down the stairs. I let out a breath that I didn’t know I was holding.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">It wasn’t a lie, I truly do want to tell him in private, but this way we can also distract our parents. He ruffled my hair and started walking down the stairs. I let out a breath that I didn’t know I was holding. </font>
   
We sit down to eat and mom asked, “Where is Kenric?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">We sit down to eat and mom asked, “Where is Kenric?” </font>
   
I freeze, thinking what I am supposed to say. I can’t tell he truth, but I can’t tell a lie either, “He is fixing his hair.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I freeze, thinking what I am supposed to say. I can’t tell the truth, but I can’t tell a lie either, “He is fixing his hair.” </font>
   
In technical terms he is fixing his hair, when mom and dad go to Atlantis he will tell them to bring an a hair product that will help him ‘fix it’. Mom believed me but dad was suspicious, he didn’t say anything but I know by the look on his face that he is onto me. I transmitted to Kenric,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">In technical terms, he is fixing his hair. When mom and dad go to Atlantis he will tell them to bring a hair product that will help him ‘fix it’. Mom believed me but dad was suspicious. He didn’t say anything but I know by the look on his face that he is onto me. I transmitted to Kenric, </font>
   
''If anyone asks, tell them you were fixing your hair.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''If anyone asks, tell them you were fixing your hair.'' </font>
   
He replied,
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He replied, </font>
   
''Got it.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Got it.'' </font>
   
Mom, doesn’t seem to notice dad’s facial expression and says, “So what is it that you wanted to tell us Calla?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom, doesn’t seem to notice dad’s facial expression and says, “So what is it that you wanted to tell us, Calla?” </font>
   
I nervously smile, “I’ve decided.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I nervously smile, “I’ve decided.” </font>
   
She raised an eyebrow, “Decided what?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She raised an eyebrow, “Decided what?” </font>
   
I was certain that she knew what I was talking about and I was pretty confident in this but nevertheless my voice came in a whisper when I said, “I’ve decided what I’m going to do about the cognate thing.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I was certain that she knew what I was talking about and I was pretty confident in this but nevertheless, my voice came in a whisper when I said, “I’ve decided what I’m going to do about the cognate thing.” </font>
   
'''This chapters has like a million errors since my editing app isn’t working, but once is figure out what’s wrong I will fix it. So the poll has spoken and there WILL BE TEASERS IN EVERY CHAPTER'''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''This chapter has, like, a million errors because my editing app isn’t working, but once is figure out what’s wrong I will fix it. Also, the poll has spoken and there WILL BE TEASERS IN EVERY CHAPTER''' </font>
   
== '''Chapter Six''' ==
+
== <font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Chapter Six''' </font>
  +
==
'''This was it,'''
 
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''This was it,''' </font>
   
This was where I was supposed to say yes, Abben and I became cognates and live happily ever after. But, this being the reality that was not going to happen. I take a deep breath, “I have decided that I will not be cognate’s with Abben.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">This was where I was supposed to say yes, Abben and I became cognates and live happily ever after. But, this being the reality that was not going to happen. I take a deep breath, “I have decided that I will not be cognates with Abben.” </font>
   
Mom’s playful smile deciphered and dad’s questioning look vanished with his attention fully on me. I was about to sit down when mom asked with a quiet voice, “Why?” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom’s playful smile disappeared and dad’s questioning look vanished with his attention fully on me. I was about to sit down when mom asked with a quiet voice, “Why?”  </font>
   
I sighed in frustration, “I barely know the guy when you and uncle Fitz started cognate training you had some trust, something to base off of. You are asking me to become cognates with a complete stranger, someone I know nothing about, someone I don’t talk to.” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I sighed in frustration, “I barely know the guy when you and uncle Fitz started cognate training you had some trust, something to base off of. You are asking me to become cognates with a complete stranger, someone I know nothing about, someone I don’t talk to.”  </font>
   
Mom shook her head, “You don’t get it, Calla, do you think I would try to make you cognates with a complete stranger if it wasn’t the best decision? Do you think I want you, my daughter to share all of her secrets? Believe me, if I had a better choice I would have taken it in a heartbeat.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom shook her head, “You don’t get it, Calla, do you think I would try to make you cognates with a complete stranger if it wasn’t the best decision? Do you think I want you, my daughter to share all of her secrets? Believe me, if I had a better choice I would have taken it in a heartbeat.” </font>
   
I stared at her in shock, I knew she wasn’t lying, if she was I would have felt the guilt. What was she hiding, what was so important at the couldn’t even tell her children? This was a clue, maybe a major one or maybe not. But, there was obviously a connection between the Songs and my family. If cognate’s were an important thing to my mother, then there must be something related to her and uncle Fitz’s cognate relationship and this. I was going to find out what that thing was.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I stared at her in shock, I knew she wasn’t lying, if she was I would have felt the guilt. What was she hiding, what was so important at the couldn’t even tell her children? This was a clue, maybe a major one or maybe not. But, there was obviously a connection between the Songs and my family. If cognate’s were an important thing to my mother, then there must be something related to her and uncle Fitz’s cognate relationship and this. I was going to find out what that thing was. </font>
   
The rest of dinner was quiet: when Kenric came down he noticed it. Before he could mention it, I transmitted that I would explain later. Soon, later came and dinner ended. We went to his room and I told him the whole story, as well as what mom said. At first, he didn’t say anything, but soon enough the questions were asked, “Are you sure that’s the only reason?” I give him a confused look, “The only reason you denied the cognate thing.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">The rest of dinner was quiet: when Kenric came down he noticed it. Before he could mention it, I transmitted that I would explain later. Soon, later came and dinner ended. We went to his room and I told him the whole story, as well as what mom said. At first, he didn’t say anything, but soon enough the questions were asked, “Are you sure that’s the only reason?” I give him a confused look, “The only reason you denied the cognate thing.” </font>
   
I thought, “No it’s not, I already have enough to deal with, Mom and Dad’s past, school, cognates would never fit into my schedule.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I thought, “No it’s not, I already have enough to deal with, Mom and Dad’s past, school, cognates would never fit into my schedule.” </font>
   
He insisted, “But if you become cognate’s with him it may help with all of that other stuff.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He insisted, “But if you become cognate’s with him it may help with all of that other stuff.” </font>
   
I gave him a frown before saying, “It’s not just that Kenric. If I become cognates with him I’m letting him in. He will know every single thing about me, my deepest fears, my darkest secrets. I-I’m not ready for someone else to be let in. It won’t be good, for you, me, him, everyone.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I gave him a frown before saying, “It’s not just that Kenric. If I become cognates with him I’m letting him in. He will know every single thing about me, my deepest fears, my darkest secrets. I-I’m not ready for someone else to be let in. It won’t be good, for you, me, him, everyone.” </font>
   
His gaze softened and he said, “But how will you know if you don’t take the risk?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">His gaze softened and he said, “But how will you know if you don’t take the risk?” </font>
   
He got me there, I wouldn’t know, but I may mess up and I wasn’t ready to take the risk, I may never be. As if he can read my mind, he gave me an understanding look, he probably did read my mind.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He got me there, I wouldn’t know, but I may mess up and I wasn’t ready to take the risk, I may never be. As if he can read my mind, he gave me an understanding look, he probably did read my mind. </font>
   
After that, he leaves me be, saying that we will talk more the next day. I was sitting on my bed thinking when I heard a light knocking on my door. I tell the elf to come in and dad enters. “If you ‘re here to try and convince me you can leave, mom and Kenric already tried and failed.” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">After that, he leaves me be, saying that we will talk more the next day. I was sitting on my bed thinking when I heard a light knocking on my door. I tell the elf to come in and dad enters. “If you ‘re here to try and convince me you can leave, mom and Kenric already tried and failed.”  </font>
   
He sat quietly beside me on the bed for a few minutes. “I was never good at the serious thing.” I gave him a confused look but he kept going, “But I’m going to say one thing, your mom is one of the strongest people you will find, she may be the strongest you will ever find. She knows what it feels like to be pushed into something, she would never ask you to do something so big if it weren’t necessary.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He sat quietly beside me on the bed for a few minutes. “I was never good at the serious thing.” I gave him a confused look but he kept going, “But I’m going to say one thing, your mom is one of the strongest people you will find, she may be the strongest you will ever find. She knows what it feels like to be pushed into something, she would never ask you to do something so big if it weren’t necessary.” </font>
   
I knew he was right, I know that she would never ask me if it wasn’t her last, the best choice she could make. Still, I couldn’t accept, if I did I would be giving my trust to a complete stranger, it would be me breaking down my borders. I turned to tell dad, but he already knew, he could tell by my emotions, he understood, “You can wait, you’re not ready to trust someone else, but will you ever be ready to trust someone besides Kenric?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I knew he was right, I know that she would never ask me if it wasn’t her last, the best choice she could make. Still, I couldn’t accept, if I did I would be giving my trust to a complete stranger, it would be me breaking down my borders. I turned to tell dad, but he already knew, he could tell by my emotions, he understood, “You can wait, you’re not ready to trust someone else, but will you ever be ready to trust someone besides Kenric?” </font>
   
I fall back onto the bed, “I don’t know. I’ve never had to trust anyone besides him, I know one day I will but... I may not anyways.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I fall back onto the bed, “I don’t know. I’ve never had to trust anyone besides him, I know one day I will but... I may not anyways.” </font>
   
Dad asked again, “Do you trust mom and me?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad asked again, “Do you trust mom and me?” </font>
   
I stared at him, wondering if he was kidding, “Of course I trust you guys! But Kenric and I have a different type of trust.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I stared at him, wondering if he was kidding, “Of course I trust you guys! But Kenric and I have a different type of trust.” </font>
   
After that, we talked about the most random things. Before we knew it, it was time for me to go to sleep. Dad left the room and I was left to my thoughts.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">After that, we talked about the most random things. Before we knew it, it was time for me to go to sleep. Dad left the room and I was left to my thoughts. </font>
   
Dad always understood, no matter what the problem was, he understood. He would know exactly what to say, knew exactly how I felt, he knew exactly how to get me to talk. When I was younger, dad would come into my room and we would have pillow fights for hours straight. But as I got older, the games came less and less, until one day, we stopped completely. I know that I’m a teenager, and I’m not sick, but I missed playing with dad. I had to do something special with him, something meaningful. As I thought, I dozed off into a state of sleep.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad always understood, no matter what the problem was, he understood. He would know exactly what to say, knew exactly how I felt, he knew exactly how to get me to talk. When I was younger, dad would come into my room and we would have pillow fights for hours straight. But as I got older, the games came less and less, until one day, we stopped completely. I know that I’m a teenager, and I’m not sick, but I missed playing with dad. I had to do something special with him, something meaningful. As I thought, I dozed off into a state of sleep. </font>
   
  +
----
<nowiki>*****************************************</nowiki>
 
   
I woke up to someone shaking me, I opened my eyes to find Kenric perched over me while fixing his hair. He didn’t seem to realize that I was awake. Finally, when he finds me gazing at his so-called beauty, he gives me the dazzling smile that seems to make people fall to their knees. 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I woke up to someone shaking me, I opened my eyes to find Kenric perched over me while fixing his hair. He didn’t seem to realize that I was awake. Finally, when he finds me gazing at his so-called beauty, he gives me the dazzling smile that seems to make people fall to their knees.  </font>
   
''Not me.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Not me.'' </font>
   
“Morning Callie!”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Morning Callie!” </font>
   
If looks could kill, we would find a lifeless boy in a closet. “I told you to stop calling me that.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">If looks could kill, we would find a lifeless boy in a closet. “I told you to stop calling me that.” </font>
   
He grinned at the fact that he got a reaction out of me and said, “No can do Callie.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He grinned at the fact that he got a reaction out of me and said, “No can do Callie.” </font>
   
I didn’t fail to notice that he acted as if last night didn’t happen, I wonder why. I groggily made my way to the bathroom. There, I find a girl with hair that looked like a bird’s nest, a drool line running down from her mouth almost to her chin, her clothes we wrinkled and her skin as paler then what should be healthy. That girl was me. I sighed and made my way to the shower, me, a person that is more clueless about appearances, thought that she needed to improve her appearance. It was bad. Really. Really. Bad.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I didn’t fail to notice that he acted as if last night didn’t happen, I wonder why. I groggily made my way to the bathroom. There, I find a girl with hair that looked like a bird’s nest, a drool line running down from her mouth almost to her chin, her clothes we wrinkled and her skin as paler then what should be healthy. That girl was me. I sighed and made my way to the shower, me, a person that is more clueless about appearances, thought that she needed to improve her appearance. It was bad. Really. Really. Bad. </font>
   
After spending who knows how long in the shower and trying to get a comb through the mess that was, unfortunately, my hair, I went down to eat breakfast. There, I met mom and dad who in the middle of a thumb war. Okay, let’s get one thing straight, my parents were still children at the heart. Not in front of others, (Although dad does act like one in public) but at home or people they are comfortable with, they are kids in a grown-up body. I didn’t know if it was because of each other that they had childish hearts or something else entirely. Something told me that deserved to be free-willed, something that I couldn’t put my fingers on.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">After spending who knows how long in the shower and trying to get a comb through the mess that was, unfortunately, my hair, I went down to eat breakfast. There, I met mom and dad who in the middle of a thumb war. Okay, let’s get one thing straight, my parents were still children at the heart. Not in front of others, (Although dad does act like one in public) but at home or people they are comfortable with, they are kids in a grown-up body. I didn’t know if it was because of each other that they had childish hearts or something else entirely. Something told me that deserved to be free-willed, something that I couldn’t put my fingers on. </font>
   
I sat at the table watching my parents compete in the battle of the thumbs while eating the food in front of me. A few seconds later dad’s thumb had mom’s pinned down and he was pumping his fist in the air, gloating about his win. Mom sent him the harshest glare known to Elvin kind and stated, “That wasn’t fair! You tickled me!”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I sat at the table watching my parents compete in the battle of the thumbs while eating the food in front of me. A few seconds later dad’s thumb had mom’s pinned down and he was pumping his fist in the air, gloating about his win. Mom sent him the harshest glare known to Elvin kind and stated, “That wasn’t fair! You tickled me!” </font>
   
Dad rolled his eyes and shot back, “Really, tickling? If I tickled you, why didn’t you start laughing?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad rolled his eyes and shot back, “Really, tickling? If I tickled you, why didn’t you start laughing?” </font>
   
Mom, having nothing else to say claimed, “I would tell you, but right now we need Kenric to get here.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom, having nothing else to say claimed, “I would tell you, but right now we need Kenric to get here.” </font>
   
He still didn’t come when mom continuously called for him. But I heard a voice in my head.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He still didn’t come when mom continuously called for him. But I heard a voice in my head. </font>
   
I’m in mom and dad’s room, I found a clue and need to see if there are any more here. Stall them.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I’m in mom and dad’s room, I found a clue and need to see if there are any more here. Stall them. </font>
   
I quickly said, “Uh... mom, I have something to tell you.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I quickly said, “Uh... mom, I have something to tell you.” </font>
   
She turned towards me and raised an eyebrow. I had her attention.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She turned towards me and raised an eyebrow. I had her attention. </font>
   
''Oh no, I have her attention.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Oh no, I have her attention.'' </font>
   
I had to think of something, anything. I blurted out, “Kenric is getting his Match Making forms.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I had to think of something, anything. I blurted out, “Kenric is getting his Match Making forms.” </font>
   
Mom seemed to buy it but dad, the empath may I remind you, said, “That’s not possible, he told me yesterday that he wasn’t going to do it until he is older.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom seemed to buy it but dad, the empath may I remind you, said, “That’s not possible, he told me yesterday that he wasn’t going to do it until he is older.” </font>
   
My palms started sweating and my heart started speeding up. Dad narrowed his eyes and asked, “Why are you lying?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">My palms started sweating and my heart started speeding up. Dad narrowed his eyes and asked, “Why are you lying?” </font>
   
I unintentionally took a step back, “I-I’m not.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I unintentionally took a step back, “I-I’m not.” </font>
   
Again, dad was an empath, he could feel me lying. He didn’t look mad, he looked hurt, sad, and disappointed. I would have taken mad over this any day. I turned towards mom, she bears the same look, the look that sends a sharp pain into my heart. That doesn’t stop mom from yelling, ”Kenric Tam Foster, get down here this instant!”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Again, dad was an empath, he could feel me lying. He didn’t look mad, he looked hurt, sad, and disappointed. I would have taken mad over this any day. I turned towards mom, she bears the same look, the look that sends a sharp pain into my heart. That doesn’t stop mom from yelling, ”Kenric Tam Foster, get down here this instant!” </font>
   
Mom’s voice was so loud that a ringing started in my ears. Kenric hurried down the stairs to find Mom giving him ‘The Look.’ This look made all children aware of their bad doings and admit right away, even if they didn’t do it. The look I have never got and hoped I never would. “What is this your sister is telling me about?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom’s voice was so loud that a ringing started in my ears. Kenric hurried down the stairs to find Mom giving him ‘The Look.’ This look made all children aware of their bad doings and admit right away, even if they didn’t do it. The look I have never got and hoped I never would. “What is this your sister is telling me about?” </font>
   
''More like not telling her about.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''More like not telling her about.'' </font>
   
Kenric glanced at me. We were caught, and there was no getting out. 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Kenric glanced at me. We were caught, and there was no getting out.  </font>
   
== Chapter Seven ==
+
== <font face="Georgia" size="4">Chapter Seven </font>==
'''Kenric groaned,'''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Kenric groaned,''' </font>
   
<nowiki> </nowiki>“Fine, we will tell you.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4"><nowiki> </nowiki>“Fine, we’ll tell you.” </font>
   
I shot him a glare before turning back to mom, she was looking at Kenric waiting for an explanation. He sighed and said, “I was in your room to talk to Vertina, she has had some thoughts on a project we are doing that involves you guys.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I shot him a glare before turning back to mom. Mom was looking at Kenric waiting for an explanation. He sighed and said, “I was in your room to talk to Vertina; she has had some thoughts on a project we are doing that involves you guys.” </font>
   
Mom crossed her arms and said, “What was the project exactly?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Mom crossed her arms and said, “What is the project exactly?” </font>
   
''Oh no, he has to tell her now.''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Oh no, he has to tell her now.'' </font>
   
“We were going over some details in something we were going to do while you and dad are at Atlantis.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“We were going over some details of something we were going to do while you and dad are at Atlantis.” </font>
   
Dad’s eyebrows raised, “How do you know that we were going to go to Atlantis?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad’s eyebrows raised, “How do you know that we were going to go to Atlantis?” </font>
   
''Loophole''
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Loophole'' </font>
   
“I was in the hair supply room, I saw you were running low on somethings.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“I was in the hair supply room. I saw you were running low on some things.” </font>
   
Dad nodded his head in understanding, but still asked, “What is this project you are working on?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Dad nodded his head in understanding, but still asked, “What is this project you are working on?” </font>
   
“Information on your past.” I blurted out, I met the slightly panicked looks of my parents and Kenric shaking his head. “For a project, me and Kenric are doing, we wanted to find out about your past on our own. We want to learn about our family history. Also about mom’s birthday parties, so we could throw you one. Why do you have them in the first place?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Information on your past.” I blurted out. I met the slightly panicked looks of my parents and Kenric shaking his head. “For a project Kenric and I are doing, we wanted to find out about your past on our own. We want to learn about our family history. Also about mom’s birthday parties, so we could throw you one. Why do you have them in the first place?” </font>
   
The topic was diverted, but for how long? Mom smiled fondly, “It was important in part of the time I was growing up. Your dad decided that we should bring back that part of my childhood.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">The topic was diverted, but for how long? Mom smiled fondly, “It was important in part of the time I was growing up. Your dad decided that we should bring back that part of my childhood.” </font>
   
Before they could get a chance to question us more, Kenric said, “So, uh, me and Calla have to get to school. Bye!”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Before they could get a chance to question us more, Kenric said, “So, uh, Calla and I have to get to school. Bye!” </font>
   
We practically sprinted to he Leapmaster and leaped to Foxfire. When we got there Kenric turned towards me and asked, “How did you come up with birthday thing?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">We practically sprinted to he Leapmaster and leaped to Foxfire. When we got there, Kenric turned towards me and asked, “How did you come up with birthday thing?” </font>
   
I shrugged, “I’ve been thinking about doing it for a while.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I shrugged, “I’ve been thinking about doing it for a while.” </font>
   
We started walking towards the atriums, Kenric pointed out, “You do realize that we will have to top all of her past parties right?”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">We started walking towards the atriums, Kenric pointed out, “You do realize that we will have to top all of her past parties right?” </font>
   
I grinned, “Oh, we will.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I grinned. “Oh, we will.” </font>
   
  +
----
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 
   
The day went off without a hitch until PE. I wasn’t exactly bad at the subject, definitely not as bad as mom was. Though I can’t picture her being bad at anything. I wasn’t exactly good at it either. After the grades were gathered together, a mentor announced that we were practicing channeling energy into parts of our body,  something I was good at.
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">The day went off without a hitch until PE. I wasn’t exactly bad at the subject—definitely not as bad as mom was, though I can’t picture her being bad at anything. I wasn’t exactly good at it either. After the grades were gathered together, a mentor announced that we were practicing channeling energy into parts of our body,  something I was good at. </font>
   
Ardelle and I broke off to a part of the field and started practicing. “So my mom told me that you denied being cognates with Abben.” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Ardelle and I broke off to a part of the field and started practicing. “So my mom told me that you rejected being cognates with Abben.”  </font>
   
I jump into the air and landed, “Yup.” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I jumped into the air and landed, “Yup.”  </font>
   
She waited a few minutes before saying, “So why did you do that?” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She waited a few minutes before saying, “So why did you do that?”  </font>
   
I turned and gave her a blank look, “You know exactly why I did it.” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I turned and gave her a blank look, “You know exactly why I did it.”  </font>
   
I turned back to a wall of metal placed for this activity, as Ardelle said, “I just think you may have made the wrong choice.”
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I turned back to a wall of metal placed for this activity as Ardelle said, “I just think you may have made the wrong choice.” </font>
   
I channeled energy into my arm and my hand and punch the wall creating a large indent, “Who are you to tell me what I did right and wrong?” 
+
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I channeled energy into my arm and my hand and punch the wall creating a large indent, “Who are you to tell me what I did right and wrong?”  </font>
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Punch.''   </font>
Punch. “This isn’t your place to interfere, and also, I’ve already had this conversation with Kenric and my mom.” 
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“This isn’t your place to interfere, and also, I’ve already had this conversation with Kenric and my mom.”  </font>
This time I punch it so hard a hole forms on the other side and the wall falls over. A loud crash causes everyone to look at me with shocked eyes, slowly, everyone starts clapping. It was hesitant at first, but gradually built up, people start whistling and a mentor walked over to me, “Amazing work Miss Foster, we are going to need to give you a harder task next time.” 
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">This time I punched it so hard a hole formed on the other side and the wall falls over. A loud crash causes everyone to look at me with shocked eyes and, slowly, everyone starts clapping. It was hesitant at first, but gradually built up, people start whistling and a mentor walked over to me, “Amazing work Miss Foster, we are going to need to give you a harder task next time.”  </font>
I nodded and turned toward Ardelle, “I made my decision, I know its consequences.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I nodded and turned toward Ardelle, “I made my decision. I know its consequences.” </font>
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 
   
  +
----
Before I knew it, the weekend had come around. After that PE session, no one had tried to make me change my mind. Mom and dad had left for Atlantis and me and Kenric were about to go into their room to talk to Vertina. When I opened the door, I levitated Vertina so she was facing the wall. Kenric had used telekinesis to close the curtains. We walked into the room hearing Vertina’s calls for help. In order for her to not figure out our identities, we used voice changing elixirs from our pranking equipment. In a voice that was much deeper then mine I said, “Vertina, you have some answers we need.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Before I knew it, the weekend had come around. After that PE session, no one had tried to make me change my mind. Mom and dad had left for Atlantis and Kenric and I were about to go into their room to talk to Vertina. When I opened the door, I levitated Vertina so she was facing the wall. Kenric had used telekinesis to close the curtains. We walked into the room hearing Vertina’s calls for help. In order for her to not figure out our identities, we used voice changing elixirs from our pranking equipment. In a voice that was much deeper then mine I said, “Vertina, you have some answers we need.” </font>
“What? There is more than one creature here? Yeah well, you aren’t getting anything out of me, you answer seeking freaks. Sophie is so going to hear ab-“ 
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“What? There is more than one creature here? Yeah well, you aren’t getting anything out of me, you answer seeking freaks. Sophie is so going to hear ab-“  </font>
“Would you just let the other person finish?” Kenric’s fake voice interrupted. 
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Would you just let the other person finish?” Kenric’s fake voice interrupted.  </font>
“We need you to tell us about Keefe and Sophie Foster’s past.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“We need you to tell us about Keefe and Sophie Foster’s past.” </font>
“As if I would tell you.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“As if I would tell you.” </font>
“Yes, you will.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Yes, you will.” </font>
“No, I won’t.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“No, I won’t.” </font>
“Yes.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Yes.” </font>
“No.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“No.” </font>
“Yes.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Yes.” </font>
“No.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“No.” </font>
“Would you to shut up!” Kenric exclaimed. He sighed, “What if we made you a deal?”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Would you to shut up!” Kenric exclaimed. He sighed, “What if we made you a deal?” </font>
This definitely sparked Vertina’s interest, “If you answer our questions, we will transfer you to a room with someone that will have to take your fashion advice. Calla Foster’s room.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">This definitely sparked Vertina’s interest, “If you answer our questions, we will transfer you to a room with someone that will have to take your fashion advice. Calla Foster’s room.” </font>
Yeah no, not happening,
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Yeah, no, definitely not happening,'' </font>
I glared at Kenric, he shrugged, I could not believe I was agreeing to this. Vertina said, “Hmm,  good deal. But I am staying loyal to Sophie.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I glared at Kenric, he shrugged, I could not believe I was agreeing to this. Vertina said, “Hmm, good deal. But I am staying loyal to Sophie.” </font>
I sighed, “I guess we will have to go.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I sighed, “I guess we will have to go.” </font>
As we were about to walk out of the door, Vertina said, “Wait, why do you want to know?” 
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">As we were about to walk out of the door, Vertina said, “Wait, why do you want to know?”  </font>
I turned to Kenric again, he nodded, “Sophie and Keefe are hiding their past from us, something we deserve to know.”
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I turned to Kenric again, he nodded, “Sophie and Keefe are hiding their past from us, something we deserve to know.” </font>
Vertina thought for a second, “I may tell you one thing if I know your identities.” 
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Vertina thought for a second, “I may tell you one thing if I know your identities.”  </font>
Kenric and I came to a silent agreement that we would let her see us.
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Kenric and I came to a silent agreement that we would let her see us. </font>
I turned her around and she takes a look at us. She sharply inhaled, “They still haven’t told you?” 
 
   
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I turned her around and she took a look at us. She inhaled sharply, “They still haven’t told you?”  </font>
When we shook our heads, she took a deep breath, “Sophie used to live with humans.”
 
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">When we shook our heads, she took a deep breath, “Sophie used to live with humans.” </font>
  +
  +
==<font face="Georgia" size="4">Chapter Eight</font>==
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> 
  +
'''SUNGLADE, SOPHIE & KEEFE’S ROOM''' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I stumbled back, “What?”
  +
Vertina rolled her eyes, “I told you, Sophie Elizabeth Foster used to live with humans,” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">My mind grasped at all the points of denial. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I missed. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Despite the fact that I didn’t want to believe Vertina, what she was saying fit. Mom had brown eyes; elves were supposed to be blue-eyed beings. Grandma and Grandpa Ruewen both had blue eyes, and as far as I knew, so did everyone before them. Unless… mom was never related to them. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Anger flared through every inch of my body. It was coursing through my veins, it was pumping my muscles, it was clouding my vision. My hands were itching for something to throw. My feet were longing for something to kick. Why would they never tell us? Why keep something so important from your children? What did we ever do to deserve this type of punishment? </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">We didn’t. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">The hand that laid on my shoulder blade reminded me that. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Kenric’s eyes met mine. His weren’t full of anger. They were full of determination. The determination to find out what else our parents were hiding. That was something that I envied Kenric for. His ability to be calm in even the toughest situations. His ability to not get angry until he has no other emotion left to feel. His ability to see the good in people despite everything they have done to prove they are anything but. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''”You’re going to fail this year, Foster!”''
  +
I rolled her eyes, “We’ll see who fails Myra. After all, wasn’t it you who barely passed midterms?” I shot back.
  +
Myra turned a couple shades paler, “W-whatever. Just wait Foster, you’ll be the one failing,” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''I hated that she got the last word. Footsteps were coming my way, “Calla, how many times do I have to tell you? Lay off Myra,” Kenric instructed.'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''I turned and gave him an unbelieving look, “How do you even know I was talking to her?”'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Kenric’s expression turned from serious to playful, “Have a little faith in me, would you? I’m your brother, of course I know,”'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''I gave him a look that said, ‘seriously?’ Kenric rolled his eyes at my expression, “Fine, I could hear you guys. I’m pretty sure the whole world could.”'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''A suppressed sigh left my lips, “So what were you saying earlier?”'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''“That she could have been a lot worse. You shouldn’t waste your energy on something like a bully,”'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''I turned back to him, “Dude, when did you ever get the experience to tell me this?”'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''He shrugged, but his eyes wouldn’t quite meet mine, “I’m old Calla. I’ve met people, and seen things.”'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''I whacked his head, “You’re not old, you dolt. You’re sixteen! If you’re old, I am too!”'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''His face turned lighter and his shoulders lifted from the slump they were in. “You are old, sister. Just wait, soon you’ll be getting pointy ears and great-great-great-great-great grandchildren.”'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Something hit my head. It was a book. I loved books. Why would someone assault me with something I treasure? </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Before I could give the assaulter a piece of my mind, an urgent voice said, “Calla! Mom and dad are here! Go pretend to be normal in your room!” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">The lecture would have to come later. A shame. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">The voice altering elixir would wear off soon, all we had to do was avoid our parents until then. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I raced to my room, locking the door behind me. I slid my back against the wall while falling into a sitting position with my knees up. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I may have not realized it before, but Kenric was the strongest of us all. </font>
  +
----
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''FOXFIRE, CAFETERIA''' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I plopped my tray of food down beside Ardelle. She looked over at my food, “You have a real knack for choosing gross stuff; what did you get today?” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I rolled my eyes at that, “Excuse you, I chose amazing stuff!” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">She gave me a flat look, “You don’t even know the names of any of these things,” She pointed out. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Whatever,” Was my reply.
  +
I took a bite of my food, soaking in all the flavours. That should not have been done. I spat it all out, “Eww! That was vile, terrible, horrible! The most disgusting thing to have ever entered my mouth! Curse that food! It’ll die and burn! We’ll burn the ashes as well! Ki-“ </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">My rant had stopped when I heard laughter behind me. I recognized that laughter. My whole body froze. A furious blush crept up my neck and to my cheeks. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I slowly turned my head to face the elf. A pair of amused teal eyes met mine. Soft blonde hair aid on his head. You could tell he took pride in it. What was with boys and thier hair? </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Why do boys love their hair so much? </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">His perfectly shaped lips were pulled up into a grin which showed his perfectly white teeth. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Ardelle nudged, but I couldn’t turn my head. His grin widened, “Hey Calla!” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">My eyes widened at that, “Hey Damon,” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Damon Vacker, son of Fitz and Shadea Vacker. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">His bio was simple. He was a level six, just like my brother. He was an only child. He was handsome. He knew how to make people laugh. He was simply perfect. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He was also my first and only crush. Let’s just say level two a complicated year. The feelings had gone away by now, it was just a shock to see him here. Damon started drifting away from us when I was in level three. My feelings for him became purely platonic after that. </font>
  +
----
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''FOXFIRE, SOME RANDOM HALLWAY''' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I was late. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">My mentor was going to have my head. There was no doubt in my mind. Not a single one. I could imagine the look on his face. That cold, calculated look that would haunt my dreams for days… </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">My body slammed into a wall. I knew I should have looked where I was going! “Watch where you’re going!” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">That was definitely not a wall. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I narrowed my eyes, “Who are you to tell me what to do?” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Last I checked, this boy had no authority over what I did. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he changed his words, “And why do you want to know?” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Was this boy mad? “Why wouldn’t I want to know the name of my assaulter?” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He rolled his eyes at that, “Look, lady, you’re the only who ran into me. If anyone got assaulted, it’s me. Not you,” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“What’s your name?” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He gave me an untrusting look, “Why do you want to know?” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“So I can report you to the authorities for child abuse,” I answered sarcastically. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He rolled his eyes again. Those things were going to get stuck at the back of his head, “If you want to use sarcasm, at least do it properly,” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I raised an eyebrow at that, “If you want to use your brain properly, you need to get a new one,” I retorted. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“That sentence only proves that you’re the one who needs a brain transplant,” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">For once, I studied the boy properly. His dark hair was what would call ‘artfully messy’. His eyes gleamed like the sun on the desert sand. In other words, they didn’t gleam. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">They burned. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">The fire in them was overwhelming. You could see the passion in them, the flame, the hope, and the sadness. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">The key to this boy was through his eyes. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">You couldn’t tell what he was feeling. What any of the emotions that played in those midnight blue eyes were. They held a story, a story that had yet to be told. They say to look for the light, but you wouldn’t be able to see the light without darkness. So what did the darkness in this boy do to the light? </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">His voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Huh?” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Don’t you have a class to attend?” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He was wearing a cape, he was in the elite levels. “Aren’t you supposed to be in your fancy gold tower?” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">His eyes flashed, as if he forgot why he was here, “I have to go meet with the Magnate,” He explained. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Ooh, so pretty boy got in trouble? No way!” I teased. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He scoffed, “You’re not one to talk. How many types have you been to that room? 50 give or take?” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I flushed at that, “Well… just shut up!” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He smirked, “Aww, are you embarrassed? My, I never thought I’d see this day!” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I looked up at him, which was saying something being that I was considered tall. He was at least 5’11. “Listen, if I was embarrassed, would I have kept pranking people? No. So watch your mouth,” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He sighed, “Look, I don’t have time for your pity arguments. Good luck with life, you’ll need it,” </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He turned around and started walking, “I hate you!” I hollered. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Love you too, Foster!” </font>
  +
----
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">'''FOXFIRE, STUDY HALL''' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I groaned and placed my head on the table in front of me, “Why is life so boring?” I wondered out loud. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">“Maybe it’s because you’re in it,” Kenric whispered to me.
  +
I would have come up with a retort, but I was too bored. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">That boy from earlier gave me an unsettling feeling. There was something off about him. I needed to find out what it was. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Do you know of a boy in the gold tower with dark hair, midnight blue eyes, and is considerably tall?'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">I transmitted to Kenric. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Yeah.'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">He answered. </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">Well? </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Well what?'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''I rolled my eyes at his stupidity. What’s his name, idiot.'' </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">''Well, you didn’t ask what his name was before. Kayden Black.'' </font>
  +
  +
==<font face="Georgia" size="4">Chapter Nine</font>==
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''FOXFIRE, STUDY HALL'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Kayden Black. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I chewed on my lip; who was this guy?Time to find out.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I transmitted to Kenric, ''Cover for me''.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''He looked at me with confusion, ''Why?'''''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''''Don’t ask questions, just do it would you?'''''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''His gaze turned sceptical, but he finally gave in. ''You owe me.'' He reminded.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''''Actually no, this is you paying me back for last Thursday.'''''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''''He recalled the memory, I thought you called it even then?'''''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''''Get a new memory Kenric, I never did that.'''''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''He rolled his eyes, ''Fine, I’ll do it anyways.'' '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''''Like you had a choice.'''''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''''Just do it before I change my mind.'' '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I could hear the distaste in his voice.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''My steps were barely audible;; an advantage if you were in my situation. Kenric was within the room and trying to divert the mentor’s attention. However, you could hear my footsteps as I made my down the labyrinth of halls. Good thing mentors didn’t check the halls too often. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I stood in front of the large amber doors. Once again, I was at the Magnate’s office. Though this time it was for a different reason. Being the Queen of Pranks meant knowing exactly where the Magnate would be. Everything needed to be timed perfectly.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I placed my palm on the wall to the left. Three crystal bricks appeared above my hand. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Left, right, up, right, right, left.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''The order of the bricks I had to press. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''The wall opened, revealing a dark passage way. I entered the passage and the door close behind me right away.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I was left in darkness. An unsettling chill pricked my spine. A metallic taste entered my mouth. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Blood.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''This always happened when I came here. Blood would start flowing out of my lips. A little at first, gradually growing into larger amounts. It was as if I had a time limit. If I pasted the time limit I would die. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I continued my short trail. There was a fork in the road. I never went left, always right. One day I would go left. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I didn’t need a light. My feet had walked these steps so many times, they left marks. This tunnel had become fluid movement. It was dark to the rest the world, but to me it was one of the brightest lights.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Most people thought that the Magnate’s office held all the answers, but they were wrong. It was under his office that did. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I began my descent down a hundred plus stairs. My motions were fluid; I didn’t miss a single step. When I reached the bottom, a light flickered on. It revealed an open common. Every single wall was lined with bookshelves from the floor to the roof. The books contained everything: information on the school, the world, general literature, maybe even a few human books. The levels of the room shifted. The part closer to me was a little shorter. The back was higher than a three story building. The roof was littered with golden lights, giving the room a mystical aura. In the centre was a large table covered surrounded by seats. The table had a large map of the world on it. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''My feet moved toward the table. The map wasn’t what I was looking for. I pressed the icon of a elf in the corner. It replaced the map with a registry. The Elvin registry. I clicked the search bar and typed Kayden Black.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Nothing.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''There was absolutely nothing on the screen. There was no one named Kayden Black.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I typed in his name again. I tried it in every variation possible. I spelt it differently, I tried with all lowercase, all uppercase. Still no results. As far as the world was concerned, Kayden Black ceased to exist.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''————————————————————————————————————————'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''SUNGLADE, LIVING ROOM'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''It had been two-and-a-half weeks since we found out mom’s secret. Two weeks since I found out that Kayden Black was not a real person. Three weeks since I denied being cognates with Abben. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I was beginning to doubt my decisions. I knew they were already made, but if I could go back, would I change anything?'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Today was mom’s birthday. I never really understood why we celebrated it, but dad said it was important to her. If it was important to mom, then that was a good enough reason for me. In a few short hours, people would start filing into our house. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I knew exactly what we had planned for today, but something told everything was going to be unexpected.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''————————————————————————————————————————'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''SUNGLADE, KITCHEN'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''It had been two hours since I entered the living room. I was not going back in anytime soon. There were people there who I didn’t want to see. Lots of them. So instead of hanging out with anyone my age, I chose to stick around the adults. “No way! Keefe told me that was a mistake!” Fitz exclaimed. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I could see mom’s eyes widen in surprise, “Why would he do that?”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“Because he was trying to be helpful,”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Dad answered from behind. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“He was also madly in love with you,”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Uncle Dex added in. “Yeah! Keefe was a love sick puppy,”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Biana added with a grin.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Ew. I did not need to hear that. Mom must have noticed, because her gaze flickered to me. “Calla, why aren’t you with your friends? Our conversations must bore you to death.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Dad ruffled my hair, “Nah, Cal is loving this, right?”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I gave him a flat look. Mom moved over to us, “Why don’t you go into the lounge upstairs? That’s where everyone else your age is.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I was about to protest, but she practically shoved me out of the room.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I frowned, I didn’t think normal parents were this rude.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I walked into the lounge to see something hilariously terrifying. Damon was pushing away all the furniture, Kenric was whacking Abben with a pillow who was squirting what looked like Lushberry juice at a laughing Adri. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Adri was Dex and Marella’s daughter. Her ice blue eyes went perfectly with her strawberry blonde hair. Her petite frame was athletically built. It was hard to take the little ball of furry seriously when she was rolling around on the ground in laugher. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Maxon, their other son was spraying the roof with foam. A splotch fell onto Kenric’s hair and everyone stopped for a few moments. There was no noise. Before Adri started giggling. Abben joined in, and so did Maxon. Soon, their giggles turned into full blown laughs. Kenric stood still still watching them with no expression. “I am going to kill you!”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''He sprang at Maxon, who scrambled backwards. The fourteen-year-old’s periwinkle eyes were full of fear. Kenric tackled him and began whacking him with a pillow. “Adri help me! Your only brother can’t die this soon!” He called out.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I was friends with morons.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Suddenly, I felt something cold seeping down my back.  I turned to find a grinning Damon. I grabbed the can that Maxon had dropped, “Oh it’s on.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''The rest was a blur of foam, laughter, and threats noone took seriously. I was in the middle of wrestling Kenric when the doorbell rang. I already knew who I hoped was there. Ardelle still had not arrived. Tam had said she had somewhere she needed to be before here and was going to be late. I was tempted to ask where she was going, but something told me it had to do with her secret project. There was an unsettling chill in the air. The door seemed a lot colder.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''The others must have sensed it too, because we all stood up as fast as possible and raced down the stairs. We dashed to the door, curious to see who was there. It was a race, who would win? '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''None of us.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''My mom won. By the time we reached the door, she was talking to the person at the golden gates. It was a boy’s voice. A voice I recognized.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Mom glanced over at me with a smile, “Calla! One of your friends came, isn’t that nice of him?”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“Very nice,” I grumbled. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Those mysterious midnight eyes met mine. His lips quirked into a smirk, “Hi Foster.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Mom’s eyebrows raised. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I plastered a smile onto my face, “Kayden, always a pleasure.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''He walked in, “Thanks for inviting me, Mrs. Foster. It’s an honour to be in your presence.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''That brat is trying to get on her good side…'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Mom smiled, “It’s awesome to meet you too. I’m surprised Calla hasn’t  told me about you.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Kayden grinned, “I guess you’ll get to know me personally then.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Mom nodded, “That I will.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Mom turned to me. “Calla, introduce him to the others.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I glanced at my friends, who were all studying Kayden. “Kayden, this is Kenric, Damon, Adri, Maxon, and Abben,” I introduced. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''One by one, they shook hands with him. All until Abben, who made no move to introduce himself personally. The two spoke no words of acknowledgment. It seemed they spoke all the words they needed to with their eyes. It was intense. Even I could tell that much. There were no words let out, no actions made, but it was as if I were being yelled at. The silence screamed. I couldn’t tell what message it was trying to send, but I could tell there was something I was missing. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''They finally broke eye contact, it was as if the world took a deep breath after holding out on breathing. “Abben.” he said. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“Kayden,” was his reply. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Mom cleared her throat, “So uh, Kayden, how about we introduce you to everyone else?”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Kayden nodded in agreement. Mom lead him into the kitchen. She called for everyone’s attention. Every adult in the room turned their attention to her. “Everyone, this is Kayden.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Dad broke into a grin, “He has nice hair, I like him.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I could see Tam not-so-discreetly giving Dad a high five. Kayden ran a hand through his hair, “From one hair lover to another, I’m sorry for your loss. You only have one.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Keefe nodded, “It’s sad. Kenric is the only one who really knows the wonders of The Hair.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Mom rolled her eyes, “It’s always about the hair isn’t it?”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“Tell me about it!”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Biana added in, “The first thing I hear every morning is “Biana! I ran of Fluff Stuff! There is no more Silky Soak!””'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Tam gave her an offended look, “Hey! You never told me that you found it annoying!”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“Yeah, well you-”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I stopped paying attention to the conversation. Auntie Marella, Uncle Dex, Fitz, Shadea, Mom, Linh, Tam, Biana, Wylie, and dad all had a lot to say. Instead, I turned my attention to Kayden, who was watching the adults with amusement and sadness. Weirdo.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“Kayden!”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''He’s gaze flickered to me, “What?”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I looked into those confusing eyes, “Who invited you?”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“Your dad,” he answered. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I narrowed my eyes, “My dad doesn’t even know you.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“Hey, I never asked why he was inviting me, he just did. Besides, how could I mess the legendary Sophie Foster’s birthday?”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I stood up, dad had a lot of explaining to do. I tapped his shoulder, “Why did you invite him?” I hissed. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Dad glanced over at Kayden, who flashed a grin, “Kenric said it would be a good idea, so I figured why not?”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Kenric was the one who would face the wrath of Calla Amy Foster. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I stalked over to him and whacked his head. He yelped and turned to me. “Hey! What did I ever do to you?”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''''You told dad to invite that jerk! Seriously Kenric, that was a prank gone too far. You shouldn’t have done that!'''''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''He rolled his eyes and pulled me into the library. He pushed the button that closed the entrance. ''Calm down, not everything revolves around you.'''''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''This was one of those times that transmitting wouldn’t work. The spoken word would always be stronger than the mental connection. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“Then why is he here?”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“I was told there’s something fishy about him. Something completely messed up. I don’t know what it is yet, but I need to observe him to figure it out. You were the perfect excuse to invite him, since you bumped into him.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I narrowed my eyes, “Who told you about this?”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''His eyes widened with what looked like… pain? What was up with that? “N-no one. It doesn’t matter.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''He tilted his head down and scurried out of the room. Why was my brother acting like this? Why was everyone keeping secrets? Mom, Dad, Ardelle, and now Kenric? I shook my head in disbelief and walked out of the room. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''SUNGLADE, CALLA’S ROOM'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I sat on the ice blue love seat that was in room with my knees up. I had been her for the past half-an-hour, thinking over everything. The door creaked open, but I didn’t bother looking over to see who it was. I already knew. The black haired boy sat beside me. Why was he here? He was never here. I didn’t even think he had set foot into my room for two years.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''For a few moments, we sat in the thick silence. “Why are you staying here all alone?” He finally asked.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“Because I have a reason to,” I answered.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''He rolled his teal orbs, “A real reason, Calla.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“Because people keep hiding things,” I admitted. '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''He nodded, “That’s a good reason to be hiding in your room.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''I cracked a grin at that, “I know, I’m awesome that way. I always know what to do.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''His face remained emotionless. I cleared my throat, “So I have a favour to ask of you.” '''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''Cobalt sparks flashed in his eyes.'''</font></p>
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
  +
<p dir="ltr"><font face="Georgia" size="4">'''“I need you to be my secret cognate.”'''</font></p>
  +
  +
==<font face="Georgia" size="4">Chapter Ten</font>==
  +
  +
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size=6>TEASER</font> </font>
  +
  +
  +
  +
  +
  +
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4">
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size=4>
  +
''A vulnerable boy: that’s what I was. A sad boy: that’s what I am. She knew that, she still does. But she doesn’t know why. No one ever will. She never cared. She never thought that I was worth it. And that is what crushed me.''</font> </font>
  +
  +
  +
  +
  +
<font face="Georgia" size="4"> </font>
   
 
<div style="margin:1em auto 0; width:91%; border:4px outset #240c02; background-color:#AD6B36; color:#000000; background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0, #E7FEFF), color-stop(1, #A3E3ED)); background-image: -moz-linear-gradient(top, #C0C0C0 0%, #C0C0C0 100%); -webkit-border-radius: 5px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px;">
 
<div style="margin:1em auto 0; width:91%; border:4px outset #240c02; background-color:#AD6B36; color:#000000; background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0, #E7FEFF), color-stop(1, #A3E3ED)); background-image: -moz-linear-gradient(top, #C0C0C0 0%, #C0C0C0 100%); -webkit-border-radius: 5px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px;">
 
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|<div style="font-size:200%; font-family:'Harrington'; text-shadow: 2px 2px #888; text-align:center; padding:3px; -moz-border-radius:3ex; border-radius:3ex;">
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">Most Viewed Fanfiction</font></div><div style="font-size:125%; font-family:'Ariel'; text-shadow: 1px 1px #888; text-align:center; padding:3px; -moz-border-radius:3ex; border-radius:3ex;">
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">This is the most viewed fanfiction on the whole wiki! Congratulations to [[User:Book Beliefs|Book Beliefs]] for having such a fabulous story!</font></div>
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|}
   
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<font face="Georgia" size="4">__FORCETOC__</font>
|
 
<div style="font-size:200%; font-family:'Harrington'; text-shadow: 2px 2px #888; text-align:center; padding:3px; -moz-border-radius:3ex; border-radius:3ex;">Most Viewed Fanfiction</div>
 
<div style="font-size:125%; font-family:'Ariel'; text-shadow: 1px 1px #888; text-align:center; padding:3px; -moz-border-radius:3ex; border-radius:3ex;">This is the most viewed fanfiction on the whole wiki! Congratulations to Book Beliefs for having such a fabulous story!
 
 
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</div>
|}
 
__FORCETOC__
 
 
[[Category:Original Characters]]
 
[[Category:Original Characters]]
 
[[Category:Fanfiction]]
 
[[Category:Fanfiction]]
[[Category:Calla & Kenric]]
 
[[Category:Future]]
 
[[Category:Cliffhangers]]
 
[[Category:Plot Twists]]
 
 
[[Category:Award Winning Fanfiction]]
 
[[Category:Award Winning Fanfiction]]
  +
[[Category:Future]]

Latest revision as of 22:14, 22 April 2020

Archived Fanfiction This is an archived fan fiction, meaning that its content has not been edited in over a year, or it was a user request. It is not to be edited anymore unless specified otherwise.


LINKED

By: Book Beliefs

New Cover!
LINKED


LINKED IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TURNED FROM PRESENT TENSE TO PAST TENSE. FOR ALL OF YOU THAT MAY BE WONDERING, NO IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE STORY, BUT I WILL BE ABLE TO WRITE FASTER IF IT IS IN PAST TENSE.



Feature: June (Votes are casted!)

All of the votes for the Alternate point of view chapter have been casted!

Below are the results:

CHARACTER: Kenric Foster with 8 votes.

CHAPTER: Chapter Seven with 7 votes.

The POV will be up soon, some point next week. Thank you everyone for voting!

== Synopsis

==

It has been 24 years since the defeat of the Neverseen. Sophie and Keefe Foster, who are still battling their inner demons, started their life together and are facing the challenges of parenthood.

***

Calla Foster, daughter of the most powerful elf in the the world and the most powerful empath is facing the challenges of not only a normal teenager but also something beyond what most have faced. When she finds out that her parents are keeping their dark history away from her, she does what any Foster would do, find out what it is. Now she and her brother are searching for answers to these secrets, but what they don’t realize is that the truth can change everything. It doesn’t help that she has started developing feelings for a certain boy, or a certain two, one of them having a very special, very rare connection to her. Calla faces challenges like never before, and in the end, will it be worth it?

Characters

Okay, before you all see this portrait, I would like to thank Luna Di Angelo for creating these. You have no idea how grateful I am and how much I appreciate that she created these masterpieces. Thank you soo sooo soooooooooooooooooooo much Luna. Now let's see these beautiful portraits!

I will be uploading these one at a time, whenever they are completed.

B0056C41-6FC6-4A1B-9058-1C831484B440

Kenric! Our first portrait! Isn’t he amazing!?

KenricFoster1
CallaFoster1

Chapter One

“CALLA FOSTER!

Go to my office right now!”

I turned around to find a red Magnate Leto seething with anger. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his face which earned me a hard glare.

I told you to hold off on that plan until next week!

I scanned the prodigies who stood around me, and then I spotted Kenric, my brother, and I looked at him as I transmitted, I couldn’t, the gulons were getting restless.

He looked at me and replied, You could have told me, we were supposed to put a purple hair elixir in Volta’s lushberry juice and you were supposed to be the distraction!

I internally rolled my eyes. I loved my brother but sometimes he was so pushy. Before I could reply, Magnate Leto yelled, “Miss Foster, I told you to go to my office, not stand there on the spot!”

I make my way to his office while trying to avoid eye contact with prodigies who gave me questioning glances. Even though I pulled pranks, I didn’t like attention. Just like my mother.

I turned the handle on the door and I found the Magnate sitting in his chair behind the desk. The back of the room was all glass and looked over the fields of purple grass and trees in every colour and shape you could imagine. On the sides, there were rows of bookshelves from the crystal floor, to the roof which was at least 10 feet tall. The ceiling was crystal and seemed to be brighter where ever I stepped, mocking me for getting in trouble, too bad I’ve been here so many times it stopped bothering me. “Sit down please.” I listen and sit down, he sighs and says, "Calla, how many times have I told you the consequences of your pranks? You and Kenric are so much like your father. Keefe and Sophie were quite the trouble-making duo.”

We get compared a lot, especially with appearances were similar to them. I had my mom’s shoulder length blonde hair and brown eyes with ice blue flecks. My nose was exactly like hers but my skin tone leaned more towards my father's, and they said I smirked like dad but smiled like mom. Kenric had dad’s hair and spent just as much time styling it as him. They said, “When you are born with such a gift, you take full advantage of it.” Kenric’s eyes, however, were ice blue with a brown ring around the pupil. Magnate Leto smiled as he thoughtfully told me, “Keefe was always pulling pranks and Sophie was always almost dying. They somehow managed to have Elwin visits every other day.” My eyes widened before I asked, “Why was mom almost dying?”

He looked at me and his face went ashen. “You mean they haven’t told you?”

My eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. “What did they not tell me?”

He gulped and said, “It’s not my place to tell you and I’ve already said enough. You have detention for three days, now go to your next class.”

I frowned. There were a million questions running through my head, but I knew that now was not the time to ask. I would have to consult Kenric on this.


I get home to see mom waiting for me. She wrinkles her nose as she asks, “Why do you smell like a gulon?” 

I smirk as I tell her, “I may have put a couple of gulons in Magnate Leto’s office.”

Dad, who walks in from behind with a twinkle in his eyes says and a proud grin says, “Really I’m so pr-“ 

But he gets cut off when he see’s mom glaring at him, he turns back to me, trying to suppress the smile on his face as he says, “I’m so disappointed in you Calla, how could you?”

But then he winks and I could tell that mom saw when she huffed and rolled her eyes, “Calla, how many times have I told you to be careful? And I know you’re not going to stop with the pranks, but at least don’t let people catch you.”

She smiles the smile that made all of the boys fall for her when she was younger. I turn to see dad with a look of pure love and awe directed to mom. He wraps an arm around her waist and mom grabs his hand.

They love each other, anyone could see that, and you could see how mom’s smile always brightens when he was around; how dad always perks up when people talked about her; how even on the toughest days they always have each other by their side; how dad’s hand always seemed to find mom’s; how mom was always happier when dad was with her. It was as if they were one soul in two bodies--they are soulmates. I want the relationship that they have. I want to have someone that has so much love and care in their eyes directed towards me, someone that would instantly brighten up because of my voice, someone that I could protect and they would protect me until the sun stopped rising. I want a soulmate.

“I’m home!” hollered Kenric from the Leapmaster. He runs into the living room and starts telling dad about the purple hair elixir he put in Volta’s lushberry juice and dad enthusiastically replies. I tune out and get lost in my thoughts until I hear, “and we were supposed to put the gulon in Magnate Leto’s office next week but Calla did it today and got caught!” Mom interrupts and questions, “Where did Calla even get the gulons?”

He smirks and replies, “Grandma gave them to us from the batch at Havenfield.”

Mom mutters about how she would have to talk to Edaline about helping with pranks. I transmit to Kenric,

Can I talk to you later?

His eyebrows furrow,

Sure, I’ll come to your room after mom and dad fall asleep.

Hey guys! How was that chapter? Oh boy, I can’t wait for the next chapter, you're going to meet someone special! I try to update every 3 to 4 days but the schedule could change. Bye for now!

== Chapter Two

==

It is 10:00 pm when Kenric knocks on my door,

Tap tap tap-tap-tap tap

That is our signal. It’s how we know that the other person is there. We have used it since Kenric was four and I was three. When one of us had nightmares or was scared, we would go to the other person’s room and spend the night there. As we got older, we would go if we had a problem at school. If we're in a fight, we always resolved it in each other's rooms.

I usher him in and softly close the door. I sit across him on my bed and ask, “Do you know anything about Mom and Dad’s past?” 

The confusion is evident on his face, but he still says, “No, mom and dad told us that they met when mom exploded something in Alchemy and dad met her when she was walking to the healing center.”

That doesn’t explain why mom was almost dying, but it shows that they are hiding something from us, and I am going to find out what it is. I am so lost in my thoughts, Kenric has to transmit to me to get my attention,

Calla! 

I jerk backwards due to surprise, and he asks me, “What are you thinking about?” 

I shake my head, ‘“Nothing important.”

He narrows his eyes at me, “You know that you and a Dad aren’t the only empaths in our family right? I can feel your guilt, so spill.”

My brother and I both inherited empathy from our dad. Not only that, our ability is super strong like his as well. We could feel emotions without touching people. We could also feel emotions from animals, but the alicorns and mom seem to have very strong emotions, they never told us why. 

Another thing that they are hiding. 

But then I turn to my brother and find that he deserves to find out as well, our parents are hiding things from both of us. I sigh, “When I was in the Magnate’s office he said that mom had a lot of near deaths when she was younger, they never told us about that and paired with what you said, I know that they are hiding something.”

Kenric stares at me for a few seconds then whispers, “You're right,” He blinks, “They are hiding something from us and we have to figure out what that thing is.”


“Calla, wake up!”

I groan, “Just five more minutes.”

I turn to look at dad who says, “You’re already five minutes late. I wouldn’t care but you know what your mother will say.”

Kenric and I had stayed up all night brainstorming ways to find out about our parents past. We concluded that we would ask Vertina, mom’s spectral mirror, and find out what she knows. As much as I hated it, we would have to monitor mom and dad, seeing if they slip up and give us a clue. Kenric casually asks, “Hey mom, how long have you had Vertina for?” Mom looks at Kenric, surprise on her face, and replies, “I’ve had her since I was thirteen, why?” Kenric smoothly explains, “You’ve had yours for a while now and I just wanted to know how long.”

He didn’t lie, he changed the meaning of his words. Kenric is the one good at lying while I am the one that can divert the topic. This is what made us such s good team when pulling pranks, the person we are pulling it on never knows and if they suspect we easily make them stop. I knew we succeeded when dad didn’t say anything about it, only complained that I took away time for him to style The Hair by waking up late. Mom and I roll our eyes, but Kenric takes his side, lecturing me about the importance of proper Hair styling. The speech is more boring then Elvin History and I am eternally grateful when it ends. Mom shares the same expression and dad sits there nodding his head at everything Kenric says. We move to our Leapmaster and Kenric and I get whisked off to Foxfire. I enter the crowded halls, making my way to orientation, and behind me, I could sense giddy emotions and I immediately know who it is. “Ardelle, you can make yourself visible, I know it's you that’s trying to scare me.”

My best friend appears and a grin spreads across her face. Ardelle is pretty, no, she’s beautiful. With her mom’s brown hair that cascades down to her shoulder blades in thick, luscious locks, plump, pink heart-shaped lips, her father’s silvery blue eyes and a pale complexion she is what most girls want to look like. Not me though, appearances never mattered that much to me, as long as I was comfortable I was happy. My brother cares about how his hair looks but that’s all. Ardelle is a vanisher, taking after her mother, Biana Song. Her brother, Abben Song, takes after their dad, Tam Song by being a shade and their uncle and grandfather Fitz Vacker and Alden Vacker by being a telepath.

She see’s something behind me and her grin disappears and she vanishes, I turn to see what she was looking at to come face to face with Lady Flayia. She asks me, “Have you seen Ardelle Song?” I shake my head as she walks away. I turn back to Ardelle and she reappears, she explains, “I forgot the hand in my vanishing homework yesterday she’s looking for me to give me detention.” 

I raise my eyebrow, Ardelle never forgot her homework, she was always telling others to not forget. She saw my question look and said, “You’ll find out soon enough, it’s just if you agree.”

The rest of the day consists of me begging her to tell me, but her telling me no and going to our classes. 


I get home and find mom sitting in the kitchen with jittery energy radiating off of her. She turns around to face me with a nervous smile. She asks me how my day was and I rant about the secret Ardelle is keeping from me. When I finish I see her smile wavering and her expression unsure. She takes a deep breath and says, “Calla, I need to talk to you about something.” I nod, signaling to keep talking, “There is this really powerful Telepath and he is a year older then you, he manifested when he was eight, only a year later then you, he can transmit from what is supposed to be impossible distances and only one other person that is not me can get past his blocking.” 

I give her a worried look before saying, “Mom, why are you telling me this?”

She takes a shaky breath and slowly says, “His name is Abben Song, and I want you to consider being cognates with him.”

Soo... how was that? I ended it with a cliffhanger and I feel bad but it is a good spot to end it at. I’m working on the next chapter as fast as I can and I’ll try to have it up by Sunday but no promises. Who here likes Ardelle, I know I do! In the next chapter, you will hopefully learn more about Abben; it depends on how long I make the chapter. Bye!

Chapter Three

I blink,

Then I blink again, by now I’ve blinked so many times that mom reaches up to pull out an itchy eyelash. But that snaps me out of my daze and I reach up and swat mom’s hand away from her eye. Her eyelash picking habit has mostly stopped, but she still does it in stressful or nerve-racking situations.

I already know the answer to the question but it doesn’t stop me from asking, “Abben Song, as in Ardelle’s brother?”

Mom nods her head but then I said, “Why can’t he be Kenric’s cognate, they’re both in level six.”

She counter-argues, “You know how hard it is for Kenric to trust someone, the only person that he is comfortable with sharing all of his secrets is you.” 

I hate that she has a valid reason but I still fire questions and she seems to have answers to all of them, “If Kenric only trust’s me then why don’t I become his cognate?”

Mom swiftly replies, “You and your brother have a special bond and if you are cognates the bond may be ruined.”

I finally go to my last resort, “I don’t even know Abben, my mind is not going to automatically trust him.”

Mom sighs, “His mind won’t trust you right away either, that’s what we need to do exercises and hopefully your minds will trust each other soon.”

She squeezes my shoulder as she tells me, “Just think about it.”


Later that night, while we are eating dinner, Kenric transmits to me,

Meet me in my room.

Dad complains about how we never eat Mallowmelt anymore and how he is running out of his soft hair elixir. Mom rolled her eyes and promises to make some Mallowmelt over the weekend. They seem to notice how quiet we are and give each other questioning glances. Dad finally asks, “So, anything new going on with you two?” 

You two hiding something about your past from me, mom is trying to convince me to become cognates with a guy I know nothing about except for his ability and name and my best friend is hiding something from me.

“Nope.”

My reply clearly didn’t convince them so they ask Kenric again, and he replies with the same vagueness. Everyone is quiet for a few minutes, the only sound being the chewing of our food. Mom attempts to fill the silence by saying, “Calla, have you made your decision on Abben yet?”

Kenric’s head snaps up and he swiftly questions, “Isn’t Abben Ardelle’s brother?” I nod my head and he states fiercely, “If this is about matchmaking don’t gun for Abben, I know you can fill out your forms and I’m sure he’s a nice guy but if you two get together and aren’t on each other’s list it will break your heart and I will break his bones.”

My cheeks heat up and I can feel myself turning red, dad snickers and I blurt out, “N-no this isn’t about matchmaking and I don’t want Abben on my list, I barely know him! Mom is talking about becoming cognates.”

His face forms into a grin but then it drops into a frown and a look of hurt flashes on his face, “Why didn’t you tell me?” 

Mom quickly explains, “She only found out when she came back to school.”

He nods but still frowns so I transmit,

I was going to tell you tonight.

That seems to cheer him up because he has a small smile and transmits,

Have you decided if Abben is lucky enough to have my sister?

I roll my eyes, it was natural for Kenric to be overprotective about something like this, even when we were younger he would glare other kids into being nice to me. I don’t know why he does that but it started when a boy named Aden Elton can to our house so I could tutor him for midterms, I was in level one and Aden was a level two. Classes are easy for me because of my photographic memory. Aden was a person Kenric would occasionally talk to but after Aden came to my house Kenric glared at him whenever he passed by for a month. I tried asking him why he does this, but he brushes me off saying that I wouldn’t understand.

He will only be my cognate, and that’s if we are even cognates in the first place. You know that I know that the world knows that.

He narrows his eyes and transmits, 

Yes, I know that. Besides, if he ever wants to be more he is going to meet my standards.

Dad seems to realize that we are transmitting so he rolls his eyes and says, “Not you guys as well, when your mom and Fitz transmitted, it was bad enough.”

Kenric and I release small grins and I say, “You were only annoyed by them because they could have secret conversations.”

Kenric seems to be thinking of what I just had said because his grin widens and he says, “You were jealous.” 

A light pink spreads on dad’s cheeks. Mom seems to find this funny and starts teasing him, “Oh, is that the great Keefe Foster blushing, I think I’m hallucinating. If that was all it took to get you blushing I would have done it a long time ago, it would be great payback for all the times when we were kids and you would make me blush.”

Dad recovers from the teasing, he smirks and leans in towards mom, “I can still make you blush Foster.”

As if on cue, red spread on mom’s cheeks. Kenric scrunches up his nose and says, “Eww! Guys, there are innocent minds in the room.”

Dad turns towards Kenric with a raised eyebrow and says, “Neither of you is innocent; I’ve seen the number of crushcuffs you get on midterms and finals.”

That causes me to blush but Kenric to say, “Yes, the ladies always want a piece this.” He points at himself and I can hear mom murmuring to herself about how dad would say the same thing when he was younger. Dad turns his focus to me, and says, “What about you? Anyone you find… interesting?” I give him a look that says, 

Seriously?

Dad raises his arms in defence and claims, “You are a level 5 now, and a teenager, your opinion on this stuff could have changed.”

I scoff, “Dad, you asked me the same question not even a month ago, and I only started level 5 last week. You know what my option on the male population is.”

He fondly smiles, “Maybe Abben will change your mind.”

Mom gasps and stares at dad with big eyes, “Don’t tell me you're doing that.”

Dad’s forehead creases, “Doing what?”

She shakes her head, “You are pairing Abben and Calla up!”

Kenric’s face turns protective, “Calla is not getting with anyone until she is at least 150 years old.”

Dad starts nodding and says, “You play the protective older brother role well.”

He and mom start bickering over what we were going to be called, mom declared, “They will be called Cabben.”

Dad argues, “No it will be Calben.”

Kenric sits in his chair with his arms crossed and a mad look on his face.

Finally, when my brain can’t take any more I stand up and announce, “Enough! I haven’t even agreed to be cognates! Much less have an interest in him! You guys are supposed to be giving me lectures and saying how you have to approve of him, not come up with names for us!” I point to Kenric, “And you, you're supposed to be teasing me and making fun of me, not sitting there with a ticked off look! And... ugh.” I collapse in my chair.

There is a silence for a couple of seconds and then dad starts softy chuckling soon mom and Kenric join in and they are full blown laughing. I sit there confused and ask what is so funny and dad manages to explain though laughs “Your... face... when you... said that... you looked... like a... mad chimpanzee.” Once they finish laughing, we finish eating without bringing up the topic again.


I tap the back of my hand softly twice and the time appears on the wall across from me,

11:30 pm

Mom and dad should be asleep by now, so I sneak out of bed and slowly walk out the door. Me, mom and dad’s and Kenric’s bedroom make one floor of our house, of course, all the bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms and extended walk-in closets but besides that, it was just bedrooms. I quietly walk to Kenric’s room and did the tap. He opened the door and ushers me in. We sit on his bed and face each other.

So have you found anything?

I reply,

No, but I think that mom and dad know we are planning something.

He nods and says,

I agree. We will have to be more cautious around them and maybe more cautious around some other adults. I think grandma and grandpa know since they grew up with mom, and by listening to dad’s stories he was around them a lot as well.

I think about that, Kenric is right, but a lot of dad’s stories included Fitz, Dex, Biana, Marella, Linh and Tam. We will have to be more cautious around all adults. I transmit my thought to Kenric and he agrees. He questions,

So what are we going to do now?

We still have to ask Vertina about what she knows. In order to do that mom and dad have to be out of the house. How are we going to get them out?

He thinks for a second before replying,

I can hide some of dad’s hair elixirs, for some reason mom always goes with him when he gets new ones. Plus, there is this one elixir that I have been dying to buy and he has one but never gives it to me.

I grin. Kenric seems to always have some excuse that has to do with his hair, sometimes it is helpful, but others not so much. I was about to say goodnight when he transmits,

So do you know what you are going to do about the whole cognate thing?

My grin falters and I transmit,

I don’t know, I barely even know the guy.

Kenric tilts my chin up so I look into his eyes and transmits,

No matter what you choose I will always support your decision, for anything.

I tackle him in a hug and softly whisper, “Thank you. I will always be there for you no matter what the situation is.”

He quietly says, “Thanks, I’ll need it in the future.”

I’m confused by his words but I know it is not the time to ask.

We trade our goodbyes and I walk back to my room. As I lay down in bed I realize that I may know what my decision about cognates will be.

I feel like this chapter isn’t as good as the other ones, there is a lot more dialogue then what I normally write, maybe that’s why. This chapter was definitely longer than the other ones, three whole pages of writing, do you prefer longer chapters or shorter ones? This one took 5 days whereas the other ones take three to four. There will definitely be more Abben stuff in the next one. I hope you enjoyed it!

Chapter Four

Food,

The glorious substance my stomach didn’t get this morning. By the time I fell asleep, it was probably 1:30 am. My body is tired, my brain is tired, and my will to prank is tired too, Kenric also had bags under his eyes, proving that he didn’t sleep much either.

As I trudge through the hallways to my locker, I walk into a wall, that wall being Myra Shold. She is the meanest, most annoying girl at Foxfire. Her mother being Stina Shold and her father Landon Shold. Uncle Dex told us how Stina was the bully in his time at Foxfire, though mom never talked about her. Myra has her mother’s stringy brown hair and tall frame, with her father’s pale complexion and midnight blue, almost black eyes. I’m tall for my age, at five foot eight, but Myra was still a few inches above me. She sneers at me and says, “Watch where your going, mommy and daddy aren’t always going to be there to save you. Though you wouldn’t know, you’re too busy tripping over air and hitting your head that anything in that pathetic excuse of a brain has disappeared, if there was anything there in the first place.”

I narrow my eyes at her and am about to knock her off of the high horse she’s on when a voice from behind me says, “You know, that’s really rich coming from someone that barely passed finals, I bet this year will be a nightmare for you.”

I whip my head around to see Abben leaning on a wall. His white uniform complements his skin tone, which is exactly like Biana’s, and his bright teal eyes shine like diamonds. He has his father’s nose and black hair, which is styled to perfection.

Just like Tam, dad, and Kenric.

He wears this smirk and raised an eyebrow, has this calming mischievous aura coming off of him and is tall, at about five foot ten. Then it hits me, this is the guy that might be my cognate, the guy that I might share all of my secrets with, the guy that is my best friend’s brother. 

Myra glares at him and says, “What do you care, you’re just like her,” She looks at me. “Always hiding behind your parents.”

Abben rolls his eyes, “Is that really the best you’ve got? You just said that to her, I mean, at least come up with a good insult.”

Myra huffs and storms away. I look at Abben and say, “I could have handled that myself, you know.”

A small smile plays on his lips when he says, “I know you could have, but Myra wouldn’t have listened if her victim was opposing her.”

I sigh, Myra is always mean, according to uncle Dex it runs in her family. But what is odd is that Abben is in level five atrium, he had no reason to be here so why is he? I ask him, “Why are you here anyway?”

He shrugs, “I felt like taking a different way to the cafeteria.” I give him a confused look, the level six atrium is closer to the cafeteria then this one, why take a longer route, but more importantly, why would he delay when he eats?  Maybe that's the part of me that skipped breakfast that speaking but the food is very important and you shouldn’t delay it. I put my books in my locker and am in the middle of my lecture on the importance of eating when you can, but I turn around to find a blank red wall with no white uniform in sight. The students that are still here give me weird looks.

Great, they think I was talking to myself.

I grumpily make my way to the cafeteria. No food, people think I belong in the loony bin and very little sleep, definitely not a good combination. I enter it and quickly walk to the lunch line, they were serving mushy purple stuff and yellow leaves. Mom never uses names when she cooks and the habit grew on dad so I know only know a few names to things. I take my tray and walk off to detention.

I enter the room and everyone looks at me, Lady Galvin says, “Miss Foster, you’re late.” I mutter an apology and walk to a desk and sit down. Detention seems to never end and to make matters worse I have to sit in my seat with nothing to do because Lady Galvin doesn’t trust me with her capes, and goes off muttering ‘just like Sophie’.

When detention finally ends, I walk to my locker to gather my books for the Universe with Lady Renda. I cantankerously walk to the classroom and sit in my chair, I won’t have to focus in this class, thanks to my photographic memory I memorized all of the stars. In her squeaky voice, Lady Renda said, “What are the stars that make up the constellation Vexle?”

With a bored tone, I replied, “Malox, Tentin, Rodeus, Waver, Fedon, Giac and Arel.”

She narrows her eyes at me, she has never liked that I already know everything, so she hates when I answer every question with no struggle. She sighs and says, “I want you to learn the uses of all the stars in the Northern part of the sky in the next two weeks.”

Great, I have homework that I actually need to pay attention to, my day just keeps getting worse. The rest of the class goes by with me answering all of her questions and her shooting me glares. 

I walk out of the classroom and make my way to study hall like a sloth, and I end up being five minutes late but I sneak in before anyone notices.

Write the fifteen steps to catching a whirlpool with in-depth explanations and illustrations.

Elementalism is fun, all of the classes are fun but this is just a drag, whirlpools are one of the hardest things to catch, you have to go in the water to get them and when you are in it you have to be careful of being sucked in. Even if you do get it when you come out you are soaking wet and if you are like me you somehow trip and end up breaking the bottle releasing the whirlpool anyways.

I am halfway through my homework when some taps my shoulder, I turn around to see Ardelle facing me she points to the door signalling for me to get out of the classroom. I ask to go to the bathroom and I meet her there. “What is it, I have Elementalism homework that I need to do.”

She rolls her eyes and says, “Your homework can wait, I overheard Abben talking to my parents and he agreed.”

I don’t what to say to that, when I talked to mom she made it seem like he already agreed. Again, for the second time in the last two days, my only reply was blinking. “Why are you telling me this?”

She stares at me and finally when she sees that I’m being serious she replies, “Because that only leaves you to decide.”

I shake my head, “I thought that he already agreed so this doesn’t affect me, but do you know what does? You keep secrets from me but you told that you are keeping a secret, you could at least not have told me that!”

She slightly frowns, “I want to tell you but I promised I wouldn’t until they said so.”

I press forward, “Who are they?” 

She pales at her mistake, “They are some people, it’s not important.”

I sigh in frustration, “Fine don’t tell me but when you realize that whoever these people are don’t control your life then- then know that I’m here for you.”

I turn around to go back to study hall when she grabs my arm and I look at her. She pulls me into a hug and whispers, “Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me. I promise the second I can I will tell you, even if that means leaping to your house in the middle of the night.”

I squeeze her harder and softly say, “We are best friends and best friends look out for each other, no matter what happens you will always be my best friend.”

With that, we walk back into study hall and finish my dreadful day at school.


I am in line for the leap master and suddenly realize that I have forgotten my star maps in my locker. Normally I leave them it there but I actually need to use the maps today. I quickly tell Kenric about my predicament and race to my locker. I get there in record time and quickly grab my maps and shut the door. As I make my way back I hear something fall, and a person yell “Ow!” I turn behind me to see a girl on the ground and all of her books around her. Before I can help her Abben walks by and sees her, he helps her get up and collect her books, he asks, “Are you okay?”

She nods her head, unable to speak, and scurries away.

Abben wasn’t someone that often shows that he cares about someone, he is always distancing himself from people unless he knows them well. He stays with his group of friends and never really socialized with others, the exact opposite of Ardelle. But here he was showing that he does care, that he does think about others, it was a different side of him, one that many people don’t get to see, but here I am watching it in action. Maybe, if he has a side to him that willingly helps, that cares I would be his cognate, just maybe. I walk back to the Leap Master with my decision made.

Well....... how was it? Yeah, I know it’s late sorry about that. My motivation is running low. WELL, FINALLY YOU ARE IN THE STORY, ABBEN, IT TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH. In the comments please put in ways to improve the story. I really could use your feedback.

Chapter Five

I walked into the living room finding Kenric lazily doing his homework,

It was obvious that he was bored, anyone with a pair of eyes could notice it. 

Did you hide the elixirs?

He glances at me before looking back at his homework,

I’m going to do it right before dinner, but I need you to distract them, can you do that?

I think, what would be a good distraction? Suddenly an idea dawns on me, I was going to tell them this anyways, but now a little bit earlier than expected. 

I’ve got the perfect thing, speaking of which, I need to talk to you tonight.

He nods his head,

We will do it in your room. I’m coming earlier than usual, I am dead tired.

He is not the only one, today was a bad day for me and that was partly because of my sleepiness. If I didn’t get enough sleep tonight then I would end up falling asleep in the middle of a session. 

I took my satchel off of me and sat beside Kenric. I pulled out my Elementalism homework and try to finish it, the drawings of the steps were not hard, I’m not bad at art but I’m not anywhere near as good as dad. Mom has tons of abilities so it’s obvious that she is talented. Kenric can design and build anything, and while the best I can do is a box, he could build Lumenaria. I, however, had a rubbish talent. I’ve been told that I have a beautiful voice, but, in the Elvin world, music wasn’t a big thing. That’s why I would sometimes sing with the gnomes and help them with the gardening. 

I was so engrossed in my homework I didn’t realize that it’s dinner time and mom was calling for me. I look at Kenric and he nodded, showing that it’s time for our plan to take action. I walked into the kitchen with a nervous energy and said, “Hey mom, there is something I need to tell you and dad.”

In reality, I didn’t actually have to tell dad, but he had to be distracted as well, “Okay, your dad will be down soon, he has to organize his hair care products.”

I panicked because Kenric was in the room full of the products. If dad caught him he would have to lie and dad would be able to tell. I raced up to the room and warned Kenric on the way. When I got there, dad was about to open the door, but due to my fast speed, I ran right into him. His body was pressed against the door because he wasn’t prepared for the impact and my body was slammed against his back. He groans in pain and says, “Calla, that hurt why were you running at me?” 

I got off of him and he faced me, “I have something really important to tell you and well, we all know that once you are with your hair products it will take a long time for you to get out of that room.”

He rolled his eyes and we both said in unison, “When you are born with such a gift you take full advantage of it.”

I stick my tongue out and he glared at me while trying to suppress a grin. “What about Kenric, don’t you want to tell him too?” 

I said, “I want to tell him in private.” 

It wasn’t a lie, I truly do want to tell him in private, but this way we can also distract our parents. He ruffled my hair and started walking down the stairs. I let out a breath that I didn’t know I was holding.

We sit down to eat and mom asked, “Where is Kenric?”

I freeze, thinking what I am supposed to say. I can’t tell the truth, but I can’t tell a lie either, “He is fixing his hair.”

In technical terms, he is fixing his hair. When mom and dad go to Atlantis he will tell them to bring a hair product that will help him ‘fix it’. Mom believed me but dad was suspicious. He didn’t say anything but I know by the look on his face that he is onto me. I transmitted to Kenric,

If anyone asks, tell them you were fixing your hair.

He replied,

Got it.

Mom, doesn’t seem to notice dad’s facial expression and says, “So what is it that you wanted to tell us, Calla?”

I nervously smile, “I’ve decided.”

She raised an eyebrow, “Decided what?”

I was certain that she knew what I was talking about and I was pretty confident in this but nevertheless, my voice came in a whisper when I said, “I’ve decided what I’m going to do about the cognate thing.”

This chapter has, like, a million errors because my editing app isn’t working, but once is figure out what’s wrong I will fix it. Also, the poll has spoken and there WILL BE TEASERS IN EVERY CHAPTER

== Chapter Six

==

This was it,

This was where I was supposed to say yes, Abben and I became cognates and live happily ever after. But, this being the reality that was not going to happen. I take a deep breath, “I have decided that I will not be cognates with Abben.”

Mom’s playful smile disappeared and dad’s questioning look vanished with his attention fully on me. I was about to sit down when mom asked with a quiet voice, “Why?” 

I sighed in frustration, “I barely know the guy when you and uncle Fitz started cognate training you had some trust, something to base off of. You are asking me to become cognates with a complete stranger, someone I know nothing about, someone I don’t talk to.” 

Mom shook her head, “You don’t get it, Calla, do you think I would try to make you cognates with a complete stranger if it wasn’t the best decision? Do you think I want you, my daughter to share all of her secrets? Believe me, if I had a better choice I would have taken it in a heartbeat.”

I stared at her in shock, I knew she wasn’t lying, if she was I would have felt the guilt. What was she hiding, what was so important at the couldn’t even tell her children? This was a clue, maybe a major one or maybe not. But, there was obviously a connection between the Songs and my family. If cognate’s were an important thing to my mother, then there must be something related to her and uncle Fitz’s cognate relationship and this. I was going to find out what that thing was.

The rest of dinner was quiet: when Kenric came down he noticed it. Before he could mention it, I transmitted that I would explain later. Soon, later came and dinner ended. We went to his room and I told him the whole story, as well as what mom said. At first, he didn’t say anything, but soon enough the questions were asked, “Are you sure that’s the only reason?” I give him a confused look, “The only reason you denied the cognate thing.”

I thought, “No it’s not, I already have enough to deal with, Mom and Dad’s past, school, cognates would never fit into my schedule.”

He insisted, “But if you become cognate’s with him it may help with all of that other stuff.”

I gave him a frown before saying, “It’s not just that Kenric. If I become cognates with him I’m letting him in. He will know every single thing about me, my deepest fears, my darkest secrets. I-I’m not ready for someone else to be let in. It won’t be good, for you, me, him, everyone.”

His gaze softened and he said, “But how will you know if you don’t take the risk?”

He got me there, I wouldn’t know, but I may mess up and I wasn’t ready to take the risk, I may never be. As if he can read my mind, he gave me an understanding look, he probably did read my mind.

After that, he leaves me be, saying that we will talk more the next day. I was sitting on my bed thinking when I heard a light knocking on my door. I tell the elf to come in and dad enters. “If you ‘re here to try and convince me you can leave, mom and Kenric already tried and failed.” 

He sat quietly beside me on the bed for a few minutes. “I was never good at the serious thing.” I gave him a confused look but he kept going, “But I’m going to say one thing, your mom is one of the strongest people you will find, she may be the strongest you will ever find. She knows what it feels like to be pushed into something, she would never ask you to do something so big if it weren’t necessary.”

I knew he was right, I know that she would never ask me if it wasn’t her last, the best choice she could make. Still, I couldn’t accept, if I did I would be giving my trust to a complete stranger, it would be me breaking down my borders. I turned to tell dad, but he already knew, he could tell by my emotions, he understood, “You can wait, you’re not ready to trust someone else, but will you ever be ready to trust someone besides Kenric?”

I fall back onto the bed, “I don’t know. I’ve never had to trust anyone besides him, I know one day I will but... I may not anyways.”

Dad asked again, “Do you trust mom and me?”

I stared at him, wondering if he was kidding, “Of course I trust you guys! But Kenric and I have a different type of trust.”

After that, we talked about the most random things. Before we knew it, it was time for me to go to sleep. Dad left the room and I was left to my thoughts.

Dad always understood, no matter what the problem was, he understood. He would know exactly what to say, knew exactly how I felt, he knew exactly how to get me to talk. When I was younger, dad would come into my room and we would have pillow fights for hours straight. But as I got older, the games came less and less, until one day, we stopped completely. I know that I’m a teenager, and I’m not sick, but I missed playing with dad. I had to do something special with him, something meaningful. As I thought, I dozed off into a state of sleep.


I woke up to someone shaking me, I opened my eyes to find Kenric perched over me while fixing his hair. He didn’t seem to realize that I was awake. Finally, when he finds me gazing at his so-called beauty, he gives me the dazzling smile that seems to make people fall to their knees. 

Not me.

“Morning Callie!”

If looks could kill, we would find a lifeless boy in a closet. “I told you to stop calling me that.”

He grinned at the fact that he got a reaction out of me and said, “No can do Callie.”

I didn’t fail to notice that he acted as if last night didn’t happen, I wonder why. I groggily made my way to the bathroom. There, I find a girl with hair that looked like a bird’s nest, a drool line running down from her mouth almost to her chin, her clothes we wrinkled and her skin as paler then what should be healthy. That girl was me. I sighed and made my way to the shower, me, a person that is more clueless about appearances, thought that she needed to improve her appearance. It was bad. Really. Really. Bad.

After spending who knows how long in the shower and trying to get a comb through the mess that was, unfortunately, my hair, I went down to eat breakfast. There, I met mom and dad who in the middle of a thumb war. Okay, let’s get one thing straight, my parents were still children at the heart. Not in front of others, (Although dad does act like one in public) but at home or people they are comfortable with, they are kids in a grown-up body. I didn’t know if it was because of each other that they had childish hearts or something else entirely. Something told me that deserved to be free-willed, something that I couldn’t put my fingers on.

I sat at the table watching my parents compete in the battle of the thumbs while eating the food in front of me. A few seconds later dad’s thumb had mom’s pinned down and he was pumping his fist in the air, gloating about his win. Mom sent him the harshest glare known to Elvin kind and stated, “That wasn’t fair! You tickled me!”

Dad rolled his eyes and shot back, “Really, tickling? If I tickled you, why didn’t you start laughing?”

Mom, having nothing else to say claimed, “I would tell you, but right now we need Kenric to get here.”

He still didn’t come when mom continuously called for him. But I heard a voice in my head.

I’m in mom and dad’s room, I found a clue and need to see if there are any more here. Stall them.

I quickly said, “Uh... mom, I have something to tell you.”

She turned towards me and raised an eyebrow. I had her attention.

Oh no, I have her attention.

I had to think of something, anything. I blurted out, “Kenric is getting his Match Making forms.”

Mom seemed to buy it but dad, the empath may I remind you, said, “That’s not possible, he told me yesterday that he wasn’t going to do it until he is older.”

My palms started sweating and my heart started speeding up. Dad narrowed his eyes and asked, “Why are you lying?”

I unintentionally took a step back, “I-I’m not.”

Again, dad was an empath, he could feel me lying. He didn’t look mad, he looked hurt, sad, and disappointed. I would have taken mad over this any day. I turned towards mom, she bears the same look, the look that sends a sharp pain into my heart. That doesn’t stop mom from yelling, ”Kenric Tam Foster, get down here this instant!”

Mom’s voice was so loud that a ringing started in my ears. Kenric hurried down the stairs to find Mom giving him ‘The Look.’ This look made all children aware of their bad doings and admit right away, even if they didn’t do it. The look I have never got and hoped I never would. “What is this your sister is telling me about?”

More like not telling her about.

Kenric glanced at me. We were caught, and there was no getting out. 

Chapter Seven

Kenric groaned,

“Fine, we’ll tell you.”

I shot him a glare before turning back to mom. Mom was looking at Kenric waiting for an explanation. He sighed and said, “I was in your room to talk to Vertina; she has had some thoughts on a project we are doing that involves you guys.”

Mom crossed her arms and said, “What is the project exactly?”

Oh no, he has to tell her now.

“We were going over some details of something we were going to do while you and dad are at Atlantis.”

Dad’s eyebrows raised, “How do you know that we were going to go to Atlantis?”

Loophole

“I was in the hair supply room. I saw you were running low on some things.”

Dad nodded his head in understanding, but still asked, “What is this project you are working on?”

“Information on your past.” I blurted out. I met the slightly panicked looks of my parents and Kenric shaking his head. “For a project Kenric and I are doing, we wanted to find out about your past on our own. We want to learn about our family history. Also about mom’s birthday parties, so we could throw you one. Why do you have them in the first place?”

The topic was diverted, but for how long? Mom smiled fondly, “It was important in part of the time I was growing up. Your dad decided that we should bring back that part of my childhood.”

Before they could get a chance to question us more, Kenric said, “So, uh, Calla and I have to get to school. Bye!”

We practically sprinted to he Leapmaster and leaped to Foxfire. When we got there, Kenric turned towards me and asked, “How did you come up with birthday thing?”

I shrugged, “I’ve been thinking about doing it for a while.”

We started walking towards the atriums, Kenric pointed out, “You do realize that we will have to top all of her past parties right?”

I grinned. “Oh, we will.”


The day went off without a hitch until PE. I wasn’t exactly bad at the subject—definitely not as bad as mom was, though I can’t picture her being bad at anything. I wasn’t exactly good at it either. After the grades were gathered together, a mentor announced that we were practicing channeling energy into parts of our body,  something I was good at.

Ardelle and I broke off to a part of the field and started practicing. “So my mom told me that you rejected being cognates with Abben.” 

I jumped into the air and landed, “Yup.” 

She waited a few minutes before saying, “So why did you do that?” 

I turned and gave her a blank look, “You know exactly why I did it.” 

I turned back to a wall of metal placed for this activity as Ardelle said, “I just think you may have made the wrong choice.”

I channeled energy into my arm and my hand and punch the wall creating a large indent, “Who are you to tell me what I did right and wrong?” 

Punch.  

“This isn’t your place to interfere, and also, I’ve already had this conversation with Kenric and my mom.” 

This time I punched it so hard a hole formed on the other side and the wall falls over. A loud crash causes everyone to look at me with shocked eyes and, slowly, everyone starts clapping. It was hesitant at first, but gradually built up, people start whistling and a mentor walked over to me, “Amazing work Miss Foster, we are going to need to give you a harder task next time.” 

I nodded and turned toward Ardelle, “I made my decision. I know its consequences.”


Before I knew it, the weekend had come around. After that PE session, no one had tried to make me change my mind. Mom and dad had left for Atlantis and Kenric and I were about to go into their room to talk to Vertina. When I opened the door, I levitated Vertina so she was facing the wall. Kenric had used telekinesis to close the curtains. We walked into the room hearing Vertina’s calls for help. In order for her to not figure out our identities, we used voice changing elixirs from our pranking equipment. In a voice that was much deeper then mine I said, “Vertina, you have some answers we need.”

“What? There is more than one creature here? Yeah well, you aren’t getting anything out of me, you answer seeking freaks. Sophie is so going to hear ab-“ 

“Would you just let the other person finish?” Kenric’s fake voice interrupted. 

“We need you to tell us about Keefe and Sophie Foster’s past.”

“As if I would tell you.”

“Yes, you will.”

“No, I won’t.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Would you to shut up!” Kenric exclaimed. He sighed, “What if we made you a deal?”

This definitely sparked Vertina’s interest, “If you answer our questions, we will transfer you to a room with someone that will have to take your fashion advice. Calla Foster’s room.”

Yeah, no, definitely not happening,

I glared at Kenric, he shrugged, I could not believe I was agreeing to this. Vertina said, “Hmm, good deal. But I am staying loyal to Sophie.”

I sighed, “I guess we will have to go.”

As we were about to walk out of the door, Vertina said, “Wait, why do you want to know?” 

I turned to Kenric again, he nodded, “Sophie and Keefe are hiding their past from us, something we deserve to know.”

Vertina thought for a second, “I may tell you one thing if I know your identities.” 

Kenric and I came to a silent agreement that we would let her see us.

I turned her around and she took a look at us. She inhaled sharply, “They still haven’t told you?” 

When we shook our heads, she took a deep breath, “Sophie used to live with humans.”

Chapter Eight

  SUNGLADE, SOPHIE & KEEFE’S ROOM

I stumbled back, “What?” Vertina rolled her eyes, “I told you, Sophie Elizabeth Foster used to live with humans,”

My mind grasped at all the points of denial.

I missed.

Despite the fact that I didn’t want to believe Vertina, what she was saying fit. Mom had brown eyes; elves were supposed to be blue-eyed beings. Grandma and Grandpa Ruewen both had blue eyes, and as far as I knew, so did everyone before them. Unless… mom was never related to them.

Anger flared through every inch of my body. It was coursing through my veins, it was pumping my muscles, it was clouding my vision. My hands were itching for something to throw. My feet were longing for something to kick. Why would they never tell us? Why keep something so important from your children? What did we ever do to deserve this type of punishment?

We didn’t.

The hand that laid on my shoulder blade reminded me that.

Kenric’s eyes met mine. His weren’t full of anger. They were full of determination. The determination to find out what else our parents were hiding. That was something that I envied Kenric for. His ability to be calm in even the toughest situations. His ability to not get angry until he has no other emotion left to feel. His ability to see the good in people despite everything they have done to prove they are anything but.

”You’re going to fail this year, Foster!” I rolled her eyes, “We’ll see who fails Myra. After all, wasn’t it you who barely passed midterms?” I shot back. Myra turned a couple shades paler, “W-whatever. Just wait Foster, you’ll be the one failing,”

I hated that she got the last word. Footsteps were coming my way, “Calla, how many times do I have to tell you? Lay off Myra,” Kenric instructed.

I turned and gave him an unbelieving look, “How do you even know I was talking to her?”

Kenric’s expression turned from serious to playful, “Have a little faith in me, would you? I’m your brother, of course I know,”

I gave him a look that said, ‘seriously?’ Kenric rolled his eyes at my expression, “Fine, I could hear you guys. I’m pretty sure the whole world could.”

A suppressed sigh left my lips, “So what were you saying earlier?”

“That she could have been a lot worse. You shouldn’t waste your energy on something like a bully,”

I turned back to him, “Dude, when did you ever get the experience to tell me this?”

He shrugged, but his eyes wouldn’t quite meet mine, “I’m old Calla. I’ve met people, and seen things.”

I whacked his head, “You’re not old, you dolt. You’re sixteen! If you’re old, I am too!”

His face turned lighter and his shoulders lifted from the slump they were in. “You are old, sister. Just wait, soon you’ll be getting pointy ears and great-great-great-great-great grandchildren.”

Something hit my head. It was a book. I loved books. Why would someone assault me with something I treasure?

Before I could give the assaulter a piece of my mind, an urgent voice said, “Calla! Mom and dad are here! Go pretend to be normal in your room!”

The lecture would have to come later. A shame.

The voice altering elixir would wear off soon, all we had to do was avoid our parents until then.

I raced to my room, locking the door behind me. I slid my back against the wall while falling into a sitting position with my knees up.

I may have not realized it before, but Kenric was the strongest of us all.


FOXFIRE, CAFETERIA

I plopped my tray of food down beside Ardelle. She looked over at my food, “You have a real knack for choosing gross stuff; what did you get today?”

I rolled my eyes at that, “Excuse you, I chose amazing stuff!”

She gave me a flat look, “You don’t even know the names of any of these things,” She pointed out.

“Whatever,” Was my reply. I took a bite of my food, soaking in all the flavours. That should not have been done. I spat it all out, “Eww! That was vile, terrible, horrible! The most disgusting thing to have ever entered my mouth! Curse that food! It’ll die and burn! We’ll burn the ashes as well! Ki-“

My rant had stopped when I heard laughter behind me. I recognized that laughter. My whole body froze. A furious blush crept up my neck and to my cheeks.

I slowly turned my head to face the elf. A pair of amused teal eyes met mine. Soft blonde hair aid on his head. You could tell he took pride in it. What was with boys and thier hair?

Why do boys love their hair so much?

His perfectly shaped lips were pulled up into a grin which showed his perfectly white teeth.

Ardelle nudged, but I couldn’t turn my head. His grin widened, “Hey Calla!”

My eyes widened at that, “Hey Damon,”

Damon Vacker, son of Fitz and Shadea Vacker.

His bio was simple. He was a level six, just like my brother. He was an only child. He was handsome. He knew how to make people laugh. He was simply perfect.

He was also my first and only crush. Let’s just say level two a complicated year. The feelings had gone away by now, it was just a shock to see him here. Damon started drifting away from us when I was in level three. My feelings for him became purely platonic after that.


FOXFIRE, SOME RANDOM HALLWAY

I was late.

My mentor was going to have my head. There was no doubt in my mind. Not a single one. I could imagine the look on his face. That cold, calculated look that would haunt my dreams for days…

My body slammed into a wall. I knew I should have looked where I was going! “Watch where you’re going!”

That was definitely not a wall.

I narrowed my eyes, “Who are you to tell me what to do?”

Last I checked, this boy had no authority over what I did. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he changed his words, “And why do you want to know?”

Was this boy mad? “Why wouldn’t I want to know the name of my assaulter?”

He rolled his eyes at that, “Look, lady, you’re the only who ran into me. If anyone got assaulted, it’s me. Not you,”

“What’s your name?”

He gave me an untrusting look, “Why do you want to know?”

“So I can report you to the authorities for child abuse,” I answered sarcastically.

He rolled his eyes again. Those things were going to get stuck at the back of his head, “If you want to use sarcasm, at least do it properly,”

I raised an eyebrow at that, “If you want to use your brain properly, you need to get a new one,” I retorted.

“That sentence only proves that you’re the one who needs a brain transplant,”

For once, I studied the boy properly. His dark hair was what would call ‘artfully messy’. His eyes gleamed like the sun on the desert sand. In other words, they didn’t gleam.

They burned.

The fire in them was overwhelming. You could see the passion in them, the flame, the hope, and the sadness.

The key to this boy was through his eyes.

You couldn’t tell what he was feeling. What any of the emotions that played in those midnight blue eyes were. They held a story, a story that had yet to be told. They say to look for the light, but you wouldn’t be able to see the light without darkness. So what did the darkness in this boy do to the light?

His voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Huh?”

“Don’t you have a class to attend?”

He was wearing a cape, he was in the elite levels. “Aren’t you supposed to be in your fancy gold tower?”

His eyes flashed, as if he forgot why he was here, “I have to go meet with the Magnate,” He explained.

“Ooh, so pretty boy got in trouble? No way!” I teased.

He scoffed, “You’re not one to talk. How many types have you been to that room? 50 give or take?”

I flushed at that, “Well… just shut up!”

He smirked, “Aww, are you embarrassed? My, I never thought I’d see this day!”

I looked up at him, which was saying something being that I was considered tall. He was at least 5’11. “Listen, if I was embarrassed, would I have kept pranking people? No. So watch your mouth,”

He sighed, “Look, I don’t have time for your pity arguments. Good luck with life, you’ll need it,”

He turned around and started walking, “I hate you!” I hollered.

“Love you too, Foster!”


FOXFIRE, STUDY HALL

I groaned and placed my head on the table in front of me, “Why is life so boring?” I wondered out loud.

“Maybe it’s because you’re in it,” Kenric whispered to me. I would have come up with a retort, but I was too bored.

That boy from earlier gave me an unsettling feeling. There was something off about him. I needed to find out what it was.

Do you know of a boy in the gold tower with dark hair, midnight blue eyes, and is considerably tall?

I transmitted to Kenric.

Yeah.

He answered.

Well?

Well what?

I rolled my eyes at his stupidity. What’s his name, idiot.

Well, you didn’t ask what his name was before. Kayden Black.

Chapter Nine

 

FOXFIRE, STUDY HALL

 

 

Kayden Black.

 

 

I chewed on my lip; who was this guy?Time to find out.

 

 

I transmitted to Kenric, Cover for me.

 

 

He looked at me with confusion, Why?

 

 

Don’t ask questions, just do it would you?

 

 

His gaze turned sceptical, but he finally gave in. You owe me. He reminded.

 

 

Actually no, this is you paying me back for last Thursday.

 

 

He recalled the memory, I thought you called it even then?

 

 

Get a new memory Kenric, I never did that.

 

 

He rolled his eyes, Fine, I’ll do it anyways.

 

 

Like you had a choice.

 

 

Just do it before I change my mind.

 

 

I could hear the distaste in his voice.

 

 

My steps were barely audible;; an advantage if you were in my situation. Kenric was within the room and trying to divert the mentor’s attention. However, you could hear my footsteps as I made my down the labyrinth of halls. Good thing mentors didn’t check the halls too often.

 

I stood in front of the large amber doors. Once again, I was at the Magnate’s office. Though this time it was for a different reason. Being the Queen of Pranks meant knowing exactly where the Magnate would be. Everything needed to be timed perfectly.

 

I placed my palm on the wall to the left. Three crystal bricks appeared above my hand.

 

Left, right, up, right, right, left.

 

The order of the bricks I had to press.

 

The wall opened, revealing a dark passage way. I entered the passage and the door close behind me right away.

 

I was left in darkness. An unsettling chill pricked my spine. A metallic taste entered my mouth.

 

Blood.

 

This always happened when I came here. Blood would start flowing out of my lips. A little at first, gradually growing into larger amounts. It was as if I had a time limit. If I pasted the time limit I would die.

 

I continued my short trail. There was a fork in the road. I never went left, always right. One day I would go left.

 

I didn’t need a light. My feet had walked these steps so many times, they left marks. This tunnel had become fluid movement. It was dark to the rest the world, but to me it was one of the brightest lights.

 

Most people thought that the Magnate’s office held all the answers, but they were wrong. It was under his office that did.

 

I began my descent down a hundred plus stairs. My motions were fluid; I didn’t miss a single step. When I reached the bottom, a light flickered on. It revealed an open common. Every single wall was lined with bookshelves from the floor to the roof. The books contained everything: information on the school, the world, general literature, maybe even a few human books. The levels of the room shifted. The part closer to me was a little shorter. The back was higher than a three story building. The roof was littered with golden lights, giving the room a mystical aura. In the centre was a large table covered surrounded by seats. The table had a large map of the world on it.

 

My feet moved toward the table. The map wasn’t what I was looking for. I pressed the icon of a elf in the corner. It replaced the map with a registry. The Elvin registry. I clicked the search bar and typed Kayden Black.

 

Nothing.

 

There was absolutely nothing on the screen. There was no one named Kayden Black.

 

I typed in his name again. I tried it in every variation possible. I spelt it differently, I tried with all lowercase, all uppercase. Still no results. As far as the world was concerned, Kayden Black ceased to exist.

 

 

————————————————————————————————————————

SUNGLADE, LIVING ROOM

 

It had been two-and-a-half weeks since we found out mom’s secret. Two weeks since I found out that Kayden Black was not a real person. Three weeks since I denied being cognates with Abben.

 

I was beginning to doubt my decisions. I knew they were already made, but if I could go back, would I change anything?

 

Today was mom’s birthday. I never really understood why we celebrated it, but dad said it was important to her. If it was important to mom, then that was a good enough reason for me. In a few short hours, people would start filing into our house.

 

I knew exactly what we had planned for today, but something told everything was going to be unexpected.

 

————————————————————————————————————————

SUNGLADE, KITCHEN

 

It had been two hours since I entered the living room. I was not going back in anytime soon. There were people there who I didn’t want to see. Lots of them. So instead of hanging out with anyone my age, I chose to stick around the adults. “No way! Keefe told me that was a mistake!” Fitz exclaimed.

I could see mom’s eyes widen in surprise, “Why would he do that?”

“Because he was trying to be helpful,”

Dad answered from behind.

“He was also madly in love with you,”

Uncle Dex added in. “Yeah! Keefe was a love sick puppy,”

Biana added with a grin.

Ew. I did not need to hear that. Mom must have noticed, because her gaze flickered to me. “Calla, why aren’t you with your friends? Our conversations must bore you to death.”

Dad ruffled my hair, “Nah, Cal is loving this, right?”

I gave him a flat look. Mom moved over to us, “Why don’t you go into the lounge upstairs? That’s where everyone else your age is.”

I was about to protest, but she practically shoved me out of the room.

I frowned, I didn’t think normal parents were this rude.

I walked into the lounge to see something hilariously terrifying. Damon was pushing away all the furniture, Kenric was whacking Abben with a pillow who was squirting what looked like Lushberry juice at a laughing Adri.

 

Adri was Dex and Marella’s daughter. Her ice blue eyes went perfectly with her strawberry blonde hair. Her petite frame was athletically built. It was hard to take the little ball of furry seriously when she was rolling around on the ground in laugher.

 

Maxon, their other son was spraying the roof with foam. A splotch fell onto Kenric’s hair and everyone stopped for a few moments. There was no noise. Before Adri started giggling. Abben joined in, and so did Maxon. Soon, their giggles turned into full blown laughs. Kenric stood still still watching them with no expression. “I am going to kill you!”

 

He sprang at Maxon, who scrambled backwards. The fourteen-year-old’s periwinkle eyes were full of fear. Kenric tackled him and began whacking him with a pillow. “Adri help me! Your only brother can’t die this soon!” He called out.

 

I was friends with morons.

 

Suddenly, I felt something cold seeping down my back.  I turned to find a grinning Damon. I grabbed the can that Maxon had dropped, “Oh it’s on.”

 

The rest was a blur of foam, laughter, and threats noone took seriously. I was in the middle of wrestling Kenric when the doorbell rang. I already knew who I hoped was there. Ardelle still had not arrived. Tam had said she had somewhere she needed to be before here and was going to be late. I was tempted to ask where she was going, but something told me it had to do with her secret project. There was an unsettling chill in the air. The door seemed a lot colder.

 

The others must have sensed it too, because we all stood up as fast as possible and raced down the stairs. We dashed to the door, curious to see who was there. It was a race, who would win?

 

None of us.

 

My mom won. By the time we reached the door, she was talking to the person at the golden gates. It was a boy’s voice. A voice I recognized.

 

Mom glanced over at me with a smile, “Calla! One of your friends came, isn’t that nice of him?”

 

“Very nice,” I grumbled.

Those mysterious midnight eyes met mine. His lips quirked into a smirk, “Hi Foster.”

 

Mom’s eyebrows raised.

 

I plastered a smile onto my face, “Kayden, always a pleasure.”

 

He walked in, “Thanks for inviting me, Mrs. Foster. It’s an honour to be in your presence.”

 

That brat is trying to get on her good side…

 

Mom smiled, “It’s awesome to meet you too. I’m surprised Calla hasn’t  told me about you.”

 

Kayden grinned, “I guess you’ll get to know me personally then.”

 

Mom nodded, “That I will.”

 

Mom turned to me. “Calla, introduce him to the others.”

 

I glanced at my friends, who were all studying Kayden. “Kayden, this is Kenric, Damon, Adri, Maxon, and Abben,” I introduced.

 

One by one, they shook hands with him. All until Abben, who made no move to introduce himself personally. The two spoke no words of acknowledgment. It seemed they spoke all the words they needed to with their eyes. It was intense. Even I could tell that much. There were no words let out, no actions made, but it was as if I were being yelled at. The silence screamed. I couldn’t tell what message it was trying to send, but I could tell there was something I was missing.

 

They finally broke eye contact, it was as if the world took a deep breath after holding out on breathing. “Abben.” he said.

 

“Kayden,” was his reply.

 

Mom cleared her throat, “So uh, Kayden, how about we introduce you to everyone else?”

Kayden nodded in agreement. Mom lead him into the kitchen. She called for everyone’s attention. Every adult in the room turned their attention to her. “Everyone, this is Kayden.”

Dad broke into a grin, “He has nice hair, I like him.”

I could see Tam not-so-discreetly giving Dad a high five. Kayden ran a hand through his hair, “From one hair lover to another, I’m sorry for your loss. You only have one.”

Keefe nodded, “It’s sad. Kenric is the only one who really knows the wonders of The Hair.”

 

Mom rolled her eyes, “It’s always about the hair isn’t it?”

“Tell me about it!”

 

Biana added in, “The first thing I hear every morning is “Biana! I ran of Fluff Stuff! There is no more Silky Soak!””

Tam gave her an offended look, “Hey! You never told me that you found it annoying!”

“Yeah, well you-”

 

I stopped paying attention to the conversation. Auntie Marella, Uncle Dex, Fitz, Shadea, Mom, Linh, Tam, Biana, Wylie, and dad all had a lot to say. Instead, I turned my attention to Kayden, who was watching the adults with amusement and sadness. Weirdo.

 

“Kayden!”

 

He’s gaze flickered to me, “What?”

I looked into those confusing eyes, “Who invited you?”

“Your dad,” he answered.

I narrowed my eyes, “My dad doesn’t even know you.”

“Hey, I never asked why he was inviting me, he just did. Besides, how could I mess the legendary Sophie Foster’s birthday?”

I stood up, dad had a lot of explaining to do. I tapped his shoulder, “Why did you invite him?” I hissed.

Dad glanced over at Kayden, who flashed a grin, “Kenric said it would be a good idea, so I figured why not?”

Kenric was the one who would face the wrath of Calla Amy Foster.

I stalked over to him and whacked his head. He yelped and turned to me. “Hey! What did I ever do to you?”

You told dad to invite that jerk! Seriously Kenric, that was a prank gone too far. You shouldn’t have done that!

He rolled his eyes and pulled me into the library. He pushed the button that closed the entrance. Calm down, not everything revolves around you.

 

This was one of those times that transmitting wouldn’t work. The spoken word would always be stronger than the mental connection.

 

“Then why is he here?”

 

“I was told there’s something fishy about him. Something completely messed up. I don’t know what it is yet, but I need to observe him to figure it out. You were the perfect excuse to invite him, since you bumped into him.”

 

I narrowed my eyes, “Who told you about this?”

His eyes widened with what looked like… pain? What was up with that? “N-no one. It doesn’t matter.”

 

He tilted his head down and scurried out of the room. Why was my brother acting like this? Why was everyone keeping secrets? Mom, Dad, Ardelle, and now Kenric? I shook my head in disbelief and walked out of the room.

 

SUNGLADE, CALLA’S ROOM

 

I sat on the ice blue love seat that was in room with my knees up. I had been her for the past half-an-hour, thinking over everything. The door creaked open, but I didn’t bother looking over to see who it was. I already knew. The black haired boy sat beside me. Why was he here? He was never here. I didn’t even think he had set foot into my room for two years.

 

For a few moments, we sat in the thick silence. “Why are you staying here all alone?” He finally asked.

“Because I have a reason to,” I answered.

He rolled his teal orbs, “A real reason, Calla.”

“Because people keep hiding things,” I admitted.

He nodded, “That’s a good reason to be hiding in your room.”

I cracked a grin at that, “I know, I’m awesome that way. I always know what to do.”

 

His face remained emotionless. I cleared my throat, “So I have a favour to ask of you.”

 

Cobalt sparks flashed in his eyes.

 

“I need you to be my secret cognate.”

Chapter Ten

TEASER




A vulnerable boy: that’s what I was. A sad boy: that’s what I am. She knew that, she still does. But she doesn’t know why. No one ever will. She never cared. She never thought that I was worth it. And that is what crushed me.



 

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