The Academy

Chapter Two: The silhouette

We sat in the back of the class. I had the window seat, and she sat to my left. The bell rang again, signaling the start of class. Our teacher, Mrs. Swink, started saying her good mornings. Then she introduced our next lab. It was a partner project, so everyone immediately started pairing themselves off.

Just then, a shiver ran down my spine, the hairs on my neck standing at attention. I couldn’t pinpoint what brought this feeling until the door of the classroom swung open. I recognised him immediately despite seeing him from quite a distance for only a minute before. He handed Mrs. Swink a white slip of paper. She looked down, reading it as he scanned the room, eyes landing on me. The boy from the field.

His face was exactly as I remembered, completely void of all emotion. His eyes were jet black to match his hair and clothing.

He’s like a living shadow.

“Looks like we have a new student!” Mrs. Swink started. Something deep inside ‌me told me that this boy was dangerous. Powerful. Angry. He was looking at me with so much intensity and suspicion, as if I didn’t belong.

“Scar?” I gazed over to a worried Mystic. Her hand on my now bouncing leg. Taking deep breaths, I tried to stop the insistent movement of my limb.

“You good?” Mystic asked, throwing a hesitant glance at the shadow still looking my way. I nod my head.

“Yeah, fine.” My voice was quiet, almost a whisper. I knew she could tell something was up, but I’m happy she chose not to push.

The boy sat in the back, the same row as me on the other side of the room. Mystic left to get everything we needed for our project. While she was gone, I urged myself to keep my eyes away from the other side of the room, although I could feel eyes on me. I stared out the window at the trees dancing in the wind. It was warm out around this time of year and it smelled of freshly bloomed flowers. I could hear the birds chirping; even the squirrels were out and running around the tree trunks.

After finishing the project in second place and ignoring all of Mystic’s attempts to get information about my conversation with Sam. I went through the rest of my day on edge, partially thanks to the silhouette watching me in every class.

Yes, every single class. I didn’t even know two students could have every single class together.

My leg was bouncing out of control; my hands were shaking. I repeatedly ran them through my hair to stop the insufferable movement, but it did little to help.

Sitting in Algebra watching the clock, I tried to prevent myself from leaping out of my seat and running out of the room.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see a girl with dark hair. She nodded her head toward the front of the class where my teacher stood, arms crossed, foot tapping, looking at me.

“Y-yes?” I assumed he asked some question, but I was too far in my head to have heard it.

“I said: would you come up and answer the question on the board?”

“Actually, I’d prefer not to if you don’t mind.” My voice was polite as can be. I really didn’t have the brainpower to answer the question at that moment.

The class snickered at my reply, though I wasn’t trying to be funny. With just one look from Mr. Harris, I sighed, stood from my seat, and made my way to the front of the class. The question itself was pretty easy. I solved for x, which was ‌negative one.

After writing the answer, I placed the marker on the teacher’s desk and made my way back to mine.

“Thank you,” he said. He checked my work and, after announcing it was correct, he asked if anyone had questions. No one raised their hand, and he handed out the homework papers.

Finally, the bell rang, and I damn near flew out of my seat. I stopped by my locker to drop off my books before leaving. Shooting a quick text to Mystic, telling her I was off, I walked out the front door of my school.

After walking for 10 minutes, I was entering the small dessert shop I worked at. The woman at the counter, Ada, looked up at the sound of the bell.

“Hiya, Sugar pie. Well, ain't you a lil’ early?” I smiled at the nickname.

“Yeah, kind of skipping last period.” I admitted, sliding into a seat and plopping my elbows on the counter, resting my chin in my hands.

“Well, you ain’t gon learn nuttin’ skippin. Without a full mind you’ll wind up fallin’ flat like unleavened bread.”

“Just making s**t up” I jokingly mumbled under my breath. Just then she plucked me on the top of my head.

Ugh, I swear that woman has the ears of a bat.

I rubbed my head to nullify the pain and looked around the room.

That’s when I saw him. The silhouette. Standing there. Across the street. Watching.

“Screw this!”