The Only Way

The beginning

I brushed my hair. Blue as the summer sky. It was naturally like that. I hated it. It made me so strange, so, so different. The only one who made me feel normal about it had been my mother. I remember when I had come crying from school because I was being bullied by kids for my hair color. She simply smiled and took me to her garden. It was beautiful all over. But the true attraction was a huge rose. She asked me what I liked most in the whole garden. I answered that the obvious choice was the rose. She told me then, that the rose was the most beautiful as it was the most unique. We watered plants and played in the mud for some time. But she saw the good in everyone. She had ended up horribly. She was so spontaneous, and original. But she shouldn't have been so. Just to honor her memory, I decided to get into the academy. It wasn't just for her, though. It was a challenge, and I loved a challenge. Millions of people tried out for the academy every year. I was lucky to have achieved an interview. I also had a severe social awkwardness.

It was frightening at times. But it couldn't be denied that I had a ruthless efficiency. I was dangerous when I had a goal. The social awkwardness made fighting hard. Hard, though. Not impossible. I was a dangerous enemy to have. I smirked into the mirror. My door opened suddenly and I winced in shock. I didn't like things surprising me. "Oh, sorry, Liv." My best friend, Jen, said as she noticed my face grimacing. She was loud and strong, much like her brother, Daniel. They lived in New York, far away from my London. But they visited often for our families were nothing if not close. Both of them were blonde like their mother, Enile.

"Your dad asked me to call you for breakfast before the interview. That ok ?"

"Yeah." I called out.

She smirked at me. "You're gonna do great."

"I don't have a doubt."

As I walked down the stairs, I thought about all I could do to impress the interview taker. I had stayed in silence throughout the breakfast. I was nervous. There was no denying that. So I thought about what I enjoyed. Reading. Writing. Fashion.

"What do you think, Scarlet ?" Dan asked.

"Huh?" I replied.

"Did you hear anything I said ?" He laughed good naturedly.

"Uhh...."

"Never mind. That's a totally unexpected twist. That's a crazy expectation from you." He hadn't meant to make me feel so, but I felt bad. Bad that I was so shy, bad that I couldn't fight back or even point out that what he said made me sad. I closed my eyes to recollect my thoughts and realized I was late. I hugged my dad. "Goodbye, daddy." He stared blankly into space. He had these blackouts lately and now more than ever. I hugged Jen and pecked Dan on his cheek. He blushed and I smiled magnanimously.

Soon, we left for the airport. The academy had provided my ticket for Hawaii. It was awesome. We had packed already as we had no assurance if I had to stay immediately or not. The letter had been vague. Anyway,with luck, by the end of the day, I would be assured that I had entered into the academy. I was traveling alone as my dad had to see off Enile and her family. I hugged my dad. "Goodbye, Anne." He said. I was puzzled. Who was Anne? But I couldn't be bothered by that right now. I had an interview to get to. I hugged Dan and Jen and left in the cab waiting to take me to Hawaii. I knew why my dad wasn't coming with me. He didn't belive I could actually get in. He knew I'd come back. The thought of being so underestimated by my own family hurt me. But the less I depended on people, the better off I was. The plane trip was a blur. I checked my phone a couple times. I was fluent in all I had tried to learn. I couldn't be more ready. On second thought, I could.. No. I wouldn't overthink and ruin everything. I'd prepared well. I would succeed. But dad doesn't think so. An annoying voice confirmed my doubts. I'll just have to prove him wrong. And go it solo. When I reached the academy, I was in awe. It was ginormous, much like a castle. The emblem of the school shone everywhere. It was red and blue with two palm trees crossed in the middle. Below it was written, 'beauty is in diversity.' I shook my head. Uniquess wasn't beautiful, it was hated. I could see my hair drawing negative attention. Blue. Why blue? Couldn't it be red, or black ? Taking a deep breath, I walked inside the castle like structure. The interior was as, if not more, beautiful as the exterior. Vintage styles everywhere made me feel it was regal. I checked the letter. I looked around and saw children being smothered by their parents. Cuddled and loved. It made me angry. Perhaps that is the wrong word for it. Not angry, I felt jealous. Jealous that those kids could easily depend on people while I had to fend for myself.

Room 13. That was my destination. I walked forward, passing 10, 11, 12. When I reached I saw the doorway was blocked by a boy who was my age. "Excuse me." I almost whispered but he didn't seem to hear. I wasn't good at social confrontations, especially with new people. I had to work on it. "Excuse me, please." He looked at me. He was gorgeous. His chiseled features only added to his glittering blue eyes and brown hair. I felt scared. Couldn't he just move aside? Instead, he gave me a crooked grin.

"Hello there, little blue." I winced. My short stature was another thing I didn't like about myself. He didn't need to bring it up. "H... he.." I stammered.

"Hey, don't worry about it. I make a lot of people nervous. My natural charms just are so." Immediatley the looks I had earlier thought of as beautiful, turned to something else. His snobbishness, the air of superiority he gave.

"P..please... please move." I almost whispered.

"Oh.. oh I will." He mocked me. It was just impulsiveness, what happened next. I pushed him aside roughly. My heart rate increased. I shouldn't have done that. I should not have done that. As I moved his eyes fixed on me. But I moved ahead. A lady sitting at a table waved me over. " I believe you are young Ms. Liberine?" I tried for a winning smile, but I believe just landed onto a pained grimace. "Guilty."

"Lovely."

She asked me a few general questions and some aptitude ones. Finally came the toughest question. The personal one.

"Why should we take you? Why is this important?"

"I.. am a dedicated student. I believe that hard work apcannot be replaced, and I'm willing to put in the work. I.. My mother used to go here. She was good. I wanted to live up to her legacy, since she isn't... here...." I couldn't choke up now.

"I-" I was interrupted.

"OK, you can leave now. I'm sorry, but you just didn't make the cut. Please stay at the registration center until we come to call you. Thank you."

Tears welled up in my eyes. Dad was right, I didn't, make it. How could I? I was a loser. I couldn't cry though. Failures happened to everyone. But not to me.. No. What I needed right now, was to get away. I got up off the chair slowly to see the boy at the door. He grinned at me as if to say something. I hoped he would not because if he did, I would not be able to hold the tears in. I brushed past him, surprisingly hearing no sharp retort. I walked swiftly as I had seen a sign towards the garden of the school. I walked to there. Plants calmed me down.

Not because I was good with them. Oh no. They calmed me down because my mother was good with them. They reminded me of her. It was rare that I managed not to kill a plant. I looked at the rose in center of the garden, once I had reached. The center of attention. At the sides there were poppies and daisies and sunflowers and hibiscus and so many I could not name. At the corner I saw Sun Robispies. They were very rare and were a hybrid breed. They were used to make dangerous drugs and too much could easily kill you. They were hybrids, a mixture of poppies and hibiscus and sunflowers, and roses. They were deadlier than black roses, which again, were a hybrid breed. Black dahlias and roses. What were these flowers doing here ? I didn't know. They needed very special care and attention, so they couldn't have grown on their own. This took my mind off of my defeat. Perhaps, just perhaps... they would enter me next year ? I could pass off as younger. I could.. I shook my head, knowing these were the thoughts of a loser. I walked back down in defeat to the registration center. I stayed there. I could hear people whispering.

Don't ever get hair like that. She probably just wants to look cool. Of course, papa. It is quite ugly too.

Oh, do you know her? She's so strange thinking she's pretty with her ugly blue hair. If she's so cute she should try being nice. I bet she has tattoos and piercings and is undisciplined. I'd be embarrassed to have a daughter like her.

I was used this by now. People assuming I was rude and confident, assuming I was always surrounded by people, perhaps even spoilt. I wasn't, not really. My dad had money to waste but not enough to throw away without thinking. A couple hours passed by. I realized my plane was about to leave soon. I wanted to sit and sulk some more but I decided not to. I was leaving towards the exit. Dejectedly, I sighed.

"Hey, blue!" A familiar voice yelled. I shut my eyes and walked faster. "HEY, BLUE!" He yelled again. I was walking at a very speedy pace now. I heard rushed footsteps, as if someone was running. A panting person jumped in front of me.

"Hey, blue." He gave me a crooked smile. I gave him a forced smile but didn't reply. "The way you were shuffling away... one would almost think you were trying to avoid me. Why, I can't imagine."

"Unthinkable." I muttered under my breath.

"Could that be sass?" He gasped loudly. I rolled my eyes.

"W-w-why are y-you here?"

"I-I see you are still stammering." He laughed.

I blushed. He could just go now and that be ok. Couldn't he?

I hadn't the guts to ask. He stared at me for a minute with his intense blue eyes. "Aren't you in the least curious about why I'm here?" I nodded as if he was guessing. He fortunately took the hint. He pulled out an envelope and handed it to me. I waited for him to explain what this was. He stayed quiet, apparently done talking. I opened the letter.

Dear Olivia Liberine,

We are proud to say that despite all your hardships, we have selected you to be our pupil. You are extremely talented, despite your social anxiety and other problems. You are invited to study at our academy. We are even more proud to announce you have achieved second position out of the 24 students. You have set a record, and would be honored in first position if you had earned barely 0.39 more marks. Rest of your doubts will be clarified in the orientation. Thank you for your consideration.

With hope of teaching you,

Mrs. Alana Brown

My eyes widened further as I read. I squealed loudly as I finished.

I looked at him questioningly, asking if this was a joke. He shook his head.

Oh. My. God. Yes!

So I guess we all know what this means. I was in. The academy was mine to conquer.