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The Odd Ones

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adventure
dark
student
mystery
campus
highschool
special ability
dystopian
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Blurb

Jacob never wanted to go to Faircastle High School - it was his mother who wanted it.

But when Jacob thought that staying in the school was all he had to endure, he manages to top a certain placement exam. Through it, he becomes a member of the Paramount - the group of Faircastle's best eight students that represent the intelligence division they are from.

Little did he know that behind the after-school activities and supplemental classes, a secret about themselves will be discovered and awakened. Their lives are about to change, when great power come from the peculiarity and intelligence they all possess.

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Prologue
Why me? It is the exact question that kept on popping inside Jacob’s head ever since he received the notification that he topped the placement test for the Interpersonal Intelligence Division, and is now among the selected few to comprise the Paramount. Two weeks after passing the entrance exam and getting into Faircastle High School, he managed to top the placement examination and become a member of a special group of students that will receive exclusive privileges and supplemental classes. Using his fingers, he traced his name etched on the name plate given to him at the school registrar’s office this morning upon receiving the notice. It was his first day in the Paramount Class, weeks after he started school at Faircastle High School, and it felt weird rather than exciting.     He heaved a sigh of frustration before looking outside the window, feeling envious of the other students that are starting to leave their classes and go back to their dormitories. Since he is now a part of the special class for certain selected students, he has to stay for supplemental classes for reasons he still can’t understand. He doesn’t want any after-school activities, and he would rather stay inside his dorm and play video games than waste his time in an additional class he did not ask for.     As their Mr. William Hemming, their school adviser, discussed some things regarding their new class, Jacob just can’t seem to focus. He roamed his eyes all over the room, and felt exasperated knowing that he doesn’t belong there. The other seven students – all selected from their own divisions after topping their respective placements tests – are either well-known because of their achievements or their family names. He was the odd one – the ordinary guy from a middle-class family whose performance in academics and extra-curricular activities are close to abysmal than impressive. But there he is, selected from hundreds and placed in a group of students that are way deserving and interesting than him.     To tell the truth, he doesn’t even want to be a part of The Paramount. He just took the placement test knowing that he wouldn’t pass, but he was wrong. He doesn’t know what kind of miracle happened, but he passed and eventually became a part of the exclusive group in Faircastle High School.     As he pinned his name plate on his uniform, he looked at the brooch that was attached on the knot of the royal blue necktie he is wearing. Its design is the phoenix – the school’s emblem and is made of gold.      He felt every ridge and curve of the brooch with his fingertips, before sighing in defeat.     I guess there’s no turning back now…     When he looked towards the front, he felt a pair of eyes piercing right through him from his right. He was positioned by the window which is at the leftmost part of the room. Jacob looked to his right, and saw a guy with silver-colored hair looking at him. He doesn’t look mad, but he doesn’t look pleased either. His purple eyes, pale skin, and cynical expression made Jacob aware that the student seemed to not like him or his presence.     Jacob did not show any reaction so the other student will not think that he is intimidated. Instead, his eyes headed towards Mr. Hemming who is still explaining some details regarding the special program they are in.     “…Of course, there are certain rules to follow. They are listed in the booklets that we gave you,” the class adviser said, pertaining to the small black books with the symbol of the school etched on the cover in gold-colored ink. “But the most important rule that you have to remember is to keep everything a secret. All the things that you learn from this class, all the activities we do, are considered confidential. If any of you tries to leak these important information, you are going to be expelled.”     All the students’ eyes shot up and are now focused on Mr. Hemming’s face. A mix of confusion and uneasiness are now on their eyes, including Jacob’s. He just can’t understand why everything in the Paramount Program should be kept clandestine. What’s the big deal with these stupid supplemental classes? I don’t get it.     Mr. Hemming was still talking when the school’s head administrator, Miss Helga Flynn, knocked and opened the door. Despite looking so beautiful, she appears to be scary because of her austerity and cold personality. She is already in her mid-30s, just like Mr. Hemming, but looked older for her age because of her taciturn approach towards everyone.     “The director is now waiting, Mr. Hemming,” she said, before leaving the room calmly.     Mr. Hemming nodded, before facing us with a bright smile. “Alright… We have to go down now. The director is waiting for us.”     Though confused, Jacob and the others went out of the classroom and walked down the stairs to go to the campus grounds. Jacob let the other students go out first, before following suit. He walked next to Gwen, the other ‘odd’ student that was selected to be a part of the Paramount. She is from the Intrapersonal Intelligence Division, and is his classmate in certain subjects.     As they passed the hallways with Mr. Hemming and Miss Flynn, the other students looked at them in awe and envy. Everyone at Faircastle High School knew what it meant to be a part of the Paramount Class. Aside from being considered as the best students from their respective intelligence divisions, they are also given the best attention and the most privileges – from food, dormitories, to wi-fi connection. They can also request for things or equipment that are necessary for their education, since the Paramount Program is given its own budget.     Wearing the phoenix brooch is a way for everyone to know that a student is a member of the Paramount Class, and is entitled to special treatment and freedoms not all students at Faircastle High School can partake in.      When Jacob was notified about becoming a member of the Paramount Class, he thought it was a joke. Everyone in his class who heard about it thought it was a stupid mistake. But when he passed by the group of male students from his division that constantly bully him, he tried to suppress a smirk while they watched him walk with the best students of the school.     He chuckled inwardly. No one expected him to get into the Paramount Class, or to achieve anything of that sort. But fate seemed to play its funny game and now, the joke is on them.     When they reached the campus grounds, School Director Benjamin Gallagher is talking to a man holding a DSLR camera. There were four seats in front of the statue of Faircastle High School’s founder, Dr. Robert Edwards.     “Mr. Hemming, Miss Flynn…” The school director was smiling as he approached them. He then focused his eyes on the eight students, but averted his gaze quickly as to not intimidate them, “Interesting set of students… I am looking forward to witnessing their growth in the Paramount Program.”     “From what I see,” Mr. Hemming replied with pride, “They’re indeed going to be a remarkable bunch. It’s totally diverse – from their personalities to their strengths, aside from the intelligences they excel in.”     Mr. Gallagher nodded, then motioned all of them towards the chairs. The man holding a camera, who is a photographer, positioned himself away from them as they get ready. That was when Jacob realized that they went down from class to take a picture with the school director. Jacob almost sneered, thinking it was funny and unnecessary.     Miss Flynn then took out a sheet of paper and positioned herself in front of the eight students. “Vladimir Hightower, you’re ranked first after the placement exam so you’re going to sit on the school director’s left side. Gwen Rowland, since you’re on the second place, your seat is going to be on the right side of Director Gallagher.”     The school director is already seated, and Jacob watched Vladimir and Gwen settled on their designated seats. The guy with silver hair and purple eyes, who happens to be Vladimir, looked sarcastic and proud as he enjoyed his seat. Gwen, on the other hand, looked confused and frustrated. Even though they are not close, Jacob knew that she is known to be carefree, and refuses to constrain to any hierarchy or ranking.     “Sketch Yamamoto, ranked third… You’re going to sit beside Hightower,” Miss Flynn continued with the arrangement, “Emma Nystrom, the fourth one, is going to sit beside Rowland. The others will be standing behind, following their rankings.”     As the top four students settled on their seats, Jacob and the other three stood behind the seated ones. The fifth student, the one with her ash blonde hair tied in a bun, was standing beside Miss Flynn and behind the fourth student. Right next to her is a guy with many piercings, followed by a student with golden hair and athletic build.     Jacob, being the eight student in the rankings, is standing on the other end of the line, right beside Mr. Hemming. As he moved to place himself right behind the seated third student, he bumped the class adviser. He was startled and embarrassed, so he immediately apologized.     “I’m sorry… I wasn’t looking, Sir.”     Mr. Hemming chuckled at him before shaking his head and tapping his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, Jacob. Now face the front… The photographer is waiting.”     Jacob smiled slightly as he followed the instruction, and faced the front. He looked directly at the photographer’s camera lens as he waited for the cue. He was debating if he should smile or not, but settled on a grin before the man holding the camera can even take the picture.     When the flash goes off, he sees the other students watching them, their gazes a mix of amazement and malice.     At that moment, Jacob was unaware that a lot of things are going to change, and everything will never be the same again.

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