Academy

Chapter One : Cool Kids

‘She sees them walking in a straight line,

That’s not really her style

And they all got the same heartbeat

But hers is falling behind

Nothing in this world could

Ever bring them down

Yeah, they’re invincible, and she’s just in the background’

Echo Smith, Cool Kids

A tiny blonde head immersed in a sea of people. A bounce in her step and wonder warping her expression. Hurrying along beside her older sister Pandora just couldn't keep her mouth shut, her jaw hung to the floor. She knew she probably looked a little bit like a fish. With her wide silver eyes and rosy pink cheeks, she felt - in fact she was - impossibly small amongst the crowd. Small and young and insignificant among people who had been training for years.

Small and young and insignificant beside her tall and confident older sister.

Pan, who had left her trunks and cases in check in, still carried her backpack which made walking at Bella's pace somewhat uncomfortable. She had to practically skip to keep up with Bella's longer strides. Because Bella was going into her fourth year, she was a whole three years older than Pan and a head taller at least. She was lean with muscle and always kept her shoulders back and her chin high.

Pan on the other hand was short and scrawny, all bones. Her shoulders curved forward, partially to balance the weight of her backpack and partially because she hadn't the confidence to even keep her chin up. With her eyes on the ground, scanning hurriedly to ensure she didn't trip and embarrass herself, she still managed to take in as much of the Placement Hall as she could.

Her Primary School had halls and grand buildings but nothing so grand and extravagant as this. Nothing quite so open. The Placement Hall began as a series of check-in ports and row after row of lockers in open grassy fields. From check-in Pan and Bella had crossed through grand courtyards with paths of cobblestone and fountains from which water burst in unbelievable shapes; twisting and twirling like a ribbon, defying gravity. The courtyard reach a staircase that down into the colosseum, a big stone arena of seats and steps down into the centre where a podium sat. The ceiling was a glass dome on which a projector hung.

"This way," Bella called, weaving off the staircase and into a row of seats labelled R.

Pan took note of the names glowing on the headboard of each seat. Radcliffe, B. Rais, L. and on and on. Alphabetic order until they came to Read, B. and Read, P.

Bella took her seat but Pan stood a moment longer to turn in a slow circle and take in the crowd filling the seats of the massive stadium. To stare just a moment longer at the podium on the ground. It was all so surreal.

Six hundred people filed in, fifteen to twenty one, first to sixth year. This was it, she'd actually made it. Ashbourne Academy only accepted one hundred students into each year group. Of the thousands of kids who had applied she had been picked. God this was really it.

In just a few minutes the Placement would begin. Of those six hundred students one hundred Squads were formed, six students in each squad from any year level. There were always the top teams though, each year they were the same people. Pan could already bet who would be in the top team because once you'd risen there you stayed there really. And it was very difficult to rise in the Squad ranks, Bella had been sitting somewhere in the middle since her first year at Ashbourne. This year, her fourth year, Bella was praying that all her hard work from the previous year had earned her a raise, even just the slightest. Pan, on the other hand, was just praying that she wasn't stuck with the very worst team.

She would have brought it on herself if she was. Her Primary test results left much to be desired, her dad honestly thought she wouldn't have made the Academy at all after how poorly she'd performed in school.

Bella was a hard worker, she put a hundred and ten percent into everything she did and absolutely hated to fail. Pan just liked to live in the moment, so school work never was her favourite task, she had too much energy, to much on her mind to sit and stare at a textbook for hours on end, it bored her to tears. Bella could never move on from one hobby until she'd absolutely mastered it, Pan liked to try things out, to see what the best fit for her was.

Bella was the perfect daughter and Pan was the trouble maker. She hated letting her dad down, nothing felt worse than the sting of his disappointment, but at the same time she couldn't change who she was and she never understood why she should change herself to meet someone else's standards.

As she collapsed in her seat beside her sister, Pan couldn't help but regret that though. She wished she could have done better at school but it was too late now, what was done was done. If the consequence was that she made a terrible Squad this Placement then so be it. She'd ride the wind wherever it took her and just try and make the best of the opportunities she'd been given.

Pan curled into her seat, trying to make herself even smaller as though that could freeze the disappointment curling in her chest. Beside her Bella bounced with anticipation. "This is it Dora," she grinned broadly at her little sister. "Your new life is beginning."

Pan winced. "Hey Bell," She murmured, her voice nearly lost amongst the raucous crowd. "What if we don't make the same team?"

It was an idea they'd entertained since they were little, making the same Squad. Their dad told them that he and Uncle Emmett had been in the same Squad even though Emmett was three years younger than Finnian. When they were little the girls used to dream of what it would be like to work together, not just at the Academy but in their life beyond that. It hadn't occurred to Pan until that moment just how scared she was that she would be the one to kill that dream.

Bella took her hand and squeezed in lightly. "Then I guess I'll see you in the holidays kiddo," she joked with a wink. When Pan only glowered in response Bella laughed. "Don't worry bub, it's not that big a deal, it's only your first year after all."

Pan took a long deep breath and drew her attention to the podium. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, fighting the pit of despair chewing at her nerves. "And what if we do make the same team?"

Out of the corner of her eye Pan saw her sister roll her eyes. "Then I guess I'm stuck with you for the next few years," she teased. "Now shhh!"

A hologram lit up in the centre of the stadium and the podium began to rise, to levitate. The Ashbourne emblem, a burning Phoenix, glowed above the man in the centre of the podium. Headmaster Abrahim.

"Welcome," his deep voice boomed across the stadium and the crowd hushed in anticipation. "New students and old to another year at Ashbourne Academy."

The wave of cheering that rippled through the stadium made Pan wince, her shoulders lifted as if they could protect her ears. Bella glowered at her and raised her eyebrows, a warning to behave. Pan dropped her shoulders as the cheering hushed and sat tall to better see the lanky old man on the podium.

"Before we begin," The Headmaster's voice was amplified to ring around them and though some students flinched Pan found his tone somewhat comforting. "I would like to inform all new students and remind the old; after placement you are to converge at your squad designated pods for transportation to your dormitories. The new year festivities will begin after sunset, leaving each of you a few hours of recreational time this afternoon."

The boy on her other side leaned forward to high five a boy sitting in front of them, the crowd was abuzz with excitement once more.

"And of course," Continued the Headmaster. "Before we announce this year's Placement, last year's results."

Another wave of cheering but Pan didn't notice this time, her eyes flitted from the old man on the podium to the hologram above him. Her heart hammering with excitement, the despair and disappointment forgotten as the screen lit up with six faces.

"In third place," Said the Headmaster. "was Lotus squad including team captain Milo Eide, who graduated but has returned to see you all through placement." Applause erupted when the tall, gangly boy stood from the crowd and waved, his face beamed on the hologram and was joined by five more. Each face flashed in turn as the person was introduced by the headmaster. "Congratulations to Lotus team on third place."

A lengthy pause while the chatter died down. "Second place," the screen changed again. "Squad Diemmo led by team captain, now in his sixth year, Landon Emerton and his former teammates Connor Daryen, Rylan Firestone, Kalia Harrowland, Jax Hirsche, and Gabriella Jaro." Two of the six had graduated but the other four all stood to wave and smile at the crowd from their alphabetised seats. Their faces on the hologram moving with them. "Diemmo Squad made it to the world championship semi-finals, an extraordinary feat for Ashbourne Academy's students. Congratulations Diemmo Squad." Applause drowned Pan's thoughts as she watched the Squad Leader smile. Landon Emerton was a tall, broad shoulders guy with and broad, toothy grin that sent chills up Pan's spine despite the elation of the crowd.

Even as they sat and silence slowly reclaimed the stadium, Pan kept staring at the hologram where Landon Emerton's face had been frozen. Staring and staring and staring, until it changed. It was replaced by a girl. Unlike everyone else's pictures, this girl didn't smile. Her big, dark,9 eyes stared coldly out over the crowd, her face was set in a picture that Pan could have sworn was disinterest. Or she would have guessed so if half the girl's face wasn't covered by a curtain of black hair.

"And last years winners," The Headmaster boomed. "Kalypso Squad, lead by a record breaking young captain who was in her second year at the time and is easily one of our most impressive students; Raven Elex." The girl who stood did so begrudgingly, she was tall and skinny, bony even under that big black cloak, with dead straight hair that reached over her shoulders and down to her waist in glossy black tresses. She was beautiful in an intimidating, rough way. She didn't smile, nor did she wave. Instead of hair covering her face it was the shadow of her hood that hid her.

Raven Elex was famous. She was record breaking. She was young and strong and fierce and everyone had thought she was unbeatable, until the world semi-finals anyway.

Pan still thought she was unbeatable. No matter what happened in the semis, Raven Elex was practically a god. Even Bella couldn't hide the awe on her face, a hungry sort of expression.

That was who Bella wanted this year, the team she wanted to make. After everything Raven Elex accomplished last year everyone wanted her. She was a whole year younger than Bella but even that didn't mattered, Bella admired her.

Pan felt a pang of jealousy. Her sister had never - would never - look at her like that or think of her like that. She'd never be that kind of special, the kind that drew people's stares, the kind that made people like Bella sick with envy.

The Headmaster, seemingly oblivious to the murmurs that broke across the crowd as they all stared at Raven, went on. "Kalypso squad included five graduates all of whom join us today; welcome to Dayn Claye, Mya Jadetree, Adeline Myers, Bryce Oakly and Kai Oldman." the five of them stood and the crowd roared but Pan didn't even notice. She just kept staring at Raven.

The girl stood tall and strong, like Bella, but Pan couldn't help but feel like she too would like to curl in on herself - make herself smaller so no one would notice her.

"He's about to announce Placement," Bella's voice dragged Pan from her trance. "God I'd kill to be in Raven Elex's squad."

Pan grinned at her. "I'm sure you'll be in a great Squad, don't even worry about it."

Bella just rolled her eyes.

It took far too long for the quiet to settle. So long that nerves began chewing at Pan's insides again and that pit of despair started to open back up. God… Bella had to make a good Squad, after all the effort she'd put it. But Pan - oh god - she was so screwed. Her heart hammered so loudly that she hardly heard the Headmaster as he ordered silence. She hardly noticed as quiet came once more.

Bella took her hand and squeezed it hard, whether it was for Eden's comfort or her own Pan could not tell. But it didn't matter. She squeezed back and bit hard on her bottom lip.

"So, without further delay, I will announce first the placement of last year's winning captain Raven Elex," The headmaster's words seemed to echo in the tense silence. He paused, letting the suspense build, no one dared to breathe. "The Squad Jupiter," He called across the audience. Words flashed over the hologram reading 'The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.'

"What does that mean?" Pan asked, leaning over to Bella and pointing up at the hologram.

"It's their squad motto," She whispered, "It doesn't really mean anything, they change every year. They're supposed to be inspirational or something. Now shush!" She insisted as the Headmaster spoke again.

"And joining Miss Elex will be…"

"Please be me, oh please be me." Bella whispered over and over, her voice strained. Though Pan suspected every person seated here was wishing to be in that squad, muttering that same mantra to themselves in that moment.

"Sixth year, Connor Daryen. Fifth year, Gabriella Jaro. Fifth year, Maximus Marcomb. Fourth year, Rowan Camdon. And lastly" there was yet another pause as the headmaster looked out across the crowd and Bella squeezed Pan's hand so tightly it went cold. "First year…" he paused again and the entire hall gasped, beside Pan Bella's jaw dropped in shock and disappointment. "Pandora Read."

Pan froze.

Bella released her hand quickly, as though it had burned her. She was staring at Pan but Pan was staring at the Headmaster, certain he was mistaken. The room shuffled, people began to murmur and Pan's cheeks burned with embarrassment. Because it was wrong. It was all wrong.

A mistake.

And they'd all laugh at her when he corrected himself.

But when his booming voice silenced the crowd again all he said was; "Good luck to Jupiter Squad."

Pan was shaking when she finally rose from her seat. Bella wouldn't look at her but people around them were glancing her way, horrified, confused. She hadn't listened to the rest of the Placement, it'd had gone right over her head. None of it mattered because she couldn't even wrap her head around her own Placement.

Bella turned to face her, despite the people bustling to get past. But she wouldn't look at Pan, instead she stared up at the ceiling and Pan tried to pretend as though that didn't hurt.

"I uh…" Pan whispered. "I wasn't really listening past my… my placement. How'd you go?"

Slowly, Bella's gaze dropped down to her sister and a grin spread across her face. "Regulus Squad with Landon Emerton."

Pan feigned excitement, she clapped her hands and smiled brightly at her sister. "Bells that's so great!"

Bella's smile faltered for just a moment, the only sign that she too wasn't as happy as she seemed. "Look Dora, we've gotta get to our pods," she murmured, looking over her shoulder as people clambered back out to the courtyard. "but uh… I'll see you at the festival tonight I promise."

"Yeah - hey wait!" Pan stumbled forward but Bella was already disappearing in the crowd battling for the exit.

"That's her," Hissed a voice among the crowd. "That first year…"

"What her?!" Somebody else demanded incredulously. "But she's so small."

Pan froze by her seat. There were too many people. Too many people who now knew who she was because of some stupid mistake in Placement. What was she supposed to do now?

The crowd began to thin.

She'd have to go on. She'd have to take the Jupiter Squad transport over the Ashbourne and then be resorted once there. She'd just have to. They would fix the mistake later right? Put her where she was meant to be - Or would they kick her out of the school entirely? Oh gods… what if they kicked her out?

No they wouldn't do that. They couldn't.

If she had to she'd become the best - prove to them that she belonged, that she could be in Raven Elex's squad.

If she stood around the Placement Hall forever they'd leave her behind and then she'd have no Squad, no Academy, no nothing.

She had to go find her transport, her things would be on that transport. She to find it before it left.

She hopped up the stairs amongst the few stragglers who hung behind.

She had to go find her transport, her things would be on that transport. She had to find it before it left.

But first - that damned backpack.

She’d brought it in with her - she remembered that much at least. She must have kicked it under her seat during the Placement.

“Damn,” Pan grumbled, dropping to her knees. She lowered until her cheek was pressed flat to the somewhat-sticky floor, wedged between two rows of seats.

Her cropped hair fell in her eyes but Pan could see her dark grey bag, it was shoved right at the back of the seat, caught awkwardly beneath it. Pan curled her fingers around one of the straps and tugged but it wouldn’t budge. she pulled and yanked until she heard it tear against the under-side of the seat and come flying free. The movement so sudden her hand flew back and whacked right into her nose.

“Blah!” She cried, shoving her herself upright. “Damn,” she grumbled, fiddling with the torn arm strap.

“Uhhmmm,” A throat clearing rippled close to Pan’s ear. in shock she jolted and slammed the back of her head against the seat behind her. “Sorry,” Mused a soft, feminine voice.

Pan groaned, rubbing the back of her head and twisting on the the ground to peer up at a tall slender woman in a pencil skirt. The woman was at least mid to late twenties - not a student then - with her mousy brown hair swept up in a twist and appropriate black heels. She clutched a folder and a day planner to her chest. Most importantly, Pan noted uncomfortably, she wore a rather disdained expression, her mouth form a thin line, one eyebrow arched, staring down at Pan with narrow eyes.

“Pandora Read?”

“Uhm,” Pan stuttered, swinging her bag over her shoulder and bustling to her feet. Whoops! broken strap, of course. She hurried to scoop it back up and swing the unbroken strap over her shoulder this time. “Ye- Yeah I, uh, I’m Pandora - Pan, people call me Pan - or like, not, i mean Pandora’s fine but-“

“This way please Miss Read,” The woman interrupted flatly, turning to gesture at the stairs. “The Headmaster has requested that you travel with him.”

Without waiting for a response the woman spun on her respectably tall heels and stalked down the aisle, toward the stairs.

“The - The Headmaster? Me- Why me?” Pan squeaked stumbling after the woman.

“The Headmaster wishes to speak with you,” The woman replied, her heels click clacking as the two of the strode up the now deserted stairs. “About what,” She continued sharply, as if anticipating Pan’s next question. “I have no idea. It hardly matters, when the Headmaster requests you, you go.”

“Riiiiiiight,” Pan muttered under her breath, bouncing up the steps two at a time until they reached the top of the colosseum and strode into the surrounding courtyard.

“Quickly please,” The woman said curtly.

They hurried across the courtyard, wound through another, followed a cobblestone path across the fields that Pan could have sworn were lined with lockers before the Placement.

“All my things?” Pan wondered more loudly than she’d meant to.

The woman didn’t miss a beat before reciting, “Your personal belongings will be waiting for you when you arrive at your dorm room.”

Across the field, in the soft summer sunlight, they approached the edge of the field, the docking port for all transports. Pan stumbled a step at the sight.

Arriving at Haven Mountain, home of the Ashbourne Placement Hall, Pan had been so awed by the mountain top itself. At the time she hadn’t taken notice of the docking bay or the incredible view of the city below.

Where the mountain ledge dropped off and blue sky stretched across the horizon a hundred silver transport pods whirred into the distance, glittering orbs with expansive windows. The dock itself was a series of glass platforms overhanging the steep cliff edge and the dense forest floor.

“Wow,” Pan whispered, her chest swelling with pride - never would she tire of seeing such spectacular landscapes.

At the far end of the glass platform in the centre of the docks was a transport larger than an Arcadian standard pod, likely twice as large as the student pods that Ashbourne’s Squads had loaded into. It was the Headmaster’s pod, a giant orb of revolving glass, in the centre of which was a glass floor, furnished to the Headmaster’s comfort.

Pan’s father still told stories of his journey in the Headmaster’s pod when he was a student at Ashbourne.

“Wait!” Pan squeaked, screeching to a halt. Her bag, hanging by on strap, swung into the back of her knee making her stumble even as the woman turned, arms crossed, to glower at her. Pan stuttered, “Am I- I’m not… Travelling in… I mean the pod is-“

“You will indeed be travelling to the Academy in the Headmaster’s transport. Do you have a problem with that Miss Read?”

Sputtering wordlessly, Pan managed to shake her head. Her sparkly silver-grey eyes were so wide they might pop right out of her head.

They reached the massive glass pod and the woman inserted a code. The doors slid open, the sound of them sliding smoothly was drowned by Pan’s own rampant heartbeat.

Her stomach was in knots, her fingers tapping restlessly against her thighs. She was about to meet the Headmaster.

“Headmaster,” The woman called, ushering Pan inside. “Pandora Read is here.”

She stood atop a glass stair case that wound down to a glass floor. she was staring right through the transport to the forest below.

“Thank you Miss Belliveaux,” Replied the silvery voice of Headmaster Abrahim.