Hidden Paradise

The ACADEMY

I miss my grandma’s smile.

Peppermint mixed with a bit of lemon lingered in the air as I rested my head by the window. Flowers were everywhere on the road, happily greeting a bus full of sleeping students. That was the best part of it all. The beginning.

My friends had already arrived a week ago at The Academy, but I wanted to be with my grandma for a little longer. My grandmother has always been the one raising me and for the past few years, she fell sick, and nobody could take care of her. A sigh came out as I stared into the scenery. Everyone else was sleeping, probably tired from the 5-hour long boat ride just to get here.

Beside me was my grandmother’s old leather bag that she also used to bring to The Academy. “A. Fallons” was written, meaning Amilia Fallons. She thought it would be a good fit for me since my name also starts with an A.

Athena Fallons.

I’m a Yelo, well a blue one to be exact- like my grandmother. My mom wasn’t with me a few hours after I was born, but I got named Athena because she was obsessed with Greek mythology and wanted to name her child after the Goddess of Wisdom.

We finally passed by the old clock that was in the middle of the whole island. If you look at it from afar, it makes the island look so small- it’s really big, I swear. Moss and vines were covering the old cobblestone clock. Behind that was “The Academy”, a very prestigious school on an island, isolated from the whole world.

Back then, when the planets Jupiter and Saturn both aligned (aka the Great Conjunction), a portal or dimension was opened at the same time. That dimension was where people or species from other planets could meet without consequences. It was called Paraiso and it was given as a “gift” to us all.

Not long after, war broke out. Nothing was written in the history books about how the war happened, but the people soon got divided. Apoy and Yelo. Fire and Ice.

Blue, Yellow, and Green are Yelo, while Red, Orange, and Purple are Apoy.

Yellow gave sunlight, Purple created darkness.

Green harvested food, Blue was responsible for all types of liquid.

Red created fire, and Orange controlled it.

The gift soon became limited to people.

I internally groaned before I saw a tunnel on the road. Back then, I used to be so curious about why I would always pass off every time we went through this tunnel and why it wouldn't even show up on google maps. I guess some things are better left unknown, huh?

"AHHHH" a loud pitched scream echoed throughout my head as I woke up in pain. "Look! We're finally here". To my surprise, it was just a bunch of new middle schoolers that just got enrolled. If not, then I don't know why they're so excited about school because let's be honest here, The Academy isn't just an Academy. It's basically one of the first academies here on earth and it's literally hot like hell or cold like the Antarctic here, since they mostly use solar panels for electricity and, well, it rains here, so most of the time there are no fans or heaters.

Flowers seem to be in season. They bloomed perfectly on the small bushes outside of the classrooms and on the small cracks of the pathway. Vines also scattered and hugged the main building tightly, almost covering the entire building with it.

School would have been better if I wasn't a Yelo. I mean imagine actually being able to go out after school and seeing your parents. Wouldn’t that be great? Oh yeah, except I don’t have parents.

I mean, who actually enjoys learning this stuff in this environment? “ATHENA!” Except, of course, Amaris King. Her perfectly dark silky hair was flying behind her as she ran up to me and wrapped me in a hug. Amaris is closely known for her beauty and brains. “Perfect” is a word that describes her well.

“How are you?” She smiles at me before pulling me into a hug again. Hugs really aren’t my thing but hers always feel warm. “I’ve been doing well, yeah” I replied, adjusting the strap of my bag that clings to my shoulders. “How’s your grandmother? Is she doing alright?” Amaris is about 5’3 AND a half- she can’t accept the fact she’s just 5’3, while I was about 5’6. Her eyes were sparkling as they looked into mine.

“She’s receiving better treatment now.” “That’s great to hear, now come on”. She grabbed my hand as we both ran fast towards the school. Amaris and I have been friends even before we were at The Academy. I clutched my bag as we made a hard stop in front of the school garden.

“I didn’t wash mine since I wanted to do it with you” she smiled before pulling me in. We pushed the hanging vines that were covering the entrance as we went in. The small fountain stood there elegantly, surrounded by bushes and vines with the small hole behind it the only source of light in the entire garden.

The garden of colors was like a cave except with plants. I placed my bag on the bench while Amaris tied her hair in a low ponytail. On top of the fountain was a young girl who held an hourglass up high as its glass reflected a rainbow that landed in the water.

I come here once every year, and only once, but it’s my favorite place in the whole school. It’s so peaceful. If I was to die, I wanted to get buried in this place. “Do you wanna go first?” Amaris turns to me and hands me a towel while I nod my head. Slowly, I knelt before the fountain and leaned towards it while gathering some water that reflected the light of the rainbow.

I closed my eyes and washed my face. For the next few seconds, I felt my whole face burning, my eyes stinging hard as I rushed to dry it with the towel.

The sting in my eyes only lasted for a couple of seconds but my vision was still a bit blurry. “Are you alright? Does it still sting?” Amaris guided me to sit on the bench. “It doesn’t anymore but I’m still blind”, I heard a small laugh.

I could hear the faint sound of a splash as I tried to open my eyes again. They should be blue by now. “Well, how does it look?” Amaris turns to me as her eyes quickly turned from dark brown into emeralds. “They’re green already”, letting out a laugh, I wiped my eyes as they water. “How come yours are always so quick?” She sits next to me and wipes her face.

“Can I use it now?” we both turned to see Alex Cash by the entrance. His hair was a bit curlier, eyes still light blue, and I think he looks a bit taller than before? “Sure, why not?” Amaris continued to wipe her face. “Then please get out. His voice was stern and cold.

“If that’s the case, then…you can’t use the fountain of colors just yet.” I threw my head back while staring at the bushy ceiling, waiting for my eyes to fully recover. While Amaris was taking her time, I tilted my head to the left as my vision became 20/20 again.

Alex had a huge smile on his face; his eyes met mine and that smile dropped into a frown. “Come on, let’s go”, I grabbed both my bag and Amaris’ hand. “is your vision better now?” I nodded my head as we both went outside. Using the Fountain of Colors should be done at least twice a year: when you’ve just arrived and when you’re leaving. Rumor has it that if you go on with your Yelo eyes into the mainland- or simply outside of the island, you'll be practically blind, since these eyes are sensitive to the 'outside world'. And Hannah Jackson from last year proved that some rumors ARE actually true.

"Is it really blue?" I asked Amaris as we sat down on the bench outside. "Yup, it might take a while since your eyes were Hazel" she said before sighing and leaning back on the bench with her eyes closed.

Sometimes, I wish I had her features. High nose with plump lips and feline eyes. And now, her eyes were like orbs of emeralds. “Come on”. Alex comes out with green eyes that make him look more fierce and handsome than before. “Finally…” I heard Amaris mumble “They’ve been waiting for you, by the way”, he turns to me before swinging his bag. “Oh, you mean- “

He nods his head before I could even finish and starts to walk ahead.

“Woah…”

“Look”

“That’s them”

People were turning their heads, pointing, and diverting their attention from whatever they were doing and turned towards us while we walked our way to the field. Both Alex and Amaris are known for their beauty and brain. Many have tried to ask them out but got rejected on the spot. Plus, the only people who know how to tolerate others' behavior are themselves.

“For once, they’re getting along during their first week”, I heard one teacher whisper to another. They’re also known for being competitive with each other in almost all extracurricular activities this school has.

They both belong to the TOP students where they’re treated like royalty in exchange for their souls. I’m kidding.

But really, they study like 4 hours a day- not including class hours, they need to have a sport and an instrument to play with. Sitting for almost 13 hours straight with barely any breaks…you could consider it as them trying to sell their soul.

Amaris encouraged me to join the TOP students once, back when we were like 10. The whole day was filled with studying, coffee, music, and going to the gym. There weren’t any breaks, we ate our meals standing up, and we had to go straight to bed after everything.

It’s not like I’d got out and play after an exhausting day, but wow… The only privilege of being a TOP student is that you have access to finish school early and go to Paraiso before us. After the great war there, they decided it would be better to send only educated people there.

"H-hey", one of the girls I saw on the bus earlier slowly approaches us while she fidgets with the hem of her skirt. We three looked at each other "Is there anything you need?" Alex broke the small silence while she looked up. If I'm going to be honest, I think we're only a year older than her.

"Y-yeah...uhm...can you please help me find my dorm? The guard told me to ask for your help" I could feel she was intimidated asking them as she could only look at me from time to time.

A small smile formed on Alex's face as he leaned towards the small girl “I don't know, can- ouch" Amaris slaps his back, he made a face before trying to rub the spot. She glares at him that said "Spare the child"

"Okay, we could try to help. Where's your dorm card?" The girl quickly pulls out a card and hands it over with two hands.

"Eh?" Amaris turns to me and hands it over "Blue 3 R, Flr. 17th, 209" Ah yes, the complicated dorm stuff here. "I think your dorm is around on the 3rd square to the right on the blue building" I point out the direction which was a 15-minute walk away from the Academy.

"Thank you! May I ask what's your name?" A smile was on her face "Athena Fallons"

As soon as the girl thanked us and left, Amaris slaps Alex on his left arm once again. "What was that for?" he complains "Be serious about helping someone next time. We're not on 9th grade anymore, stop being so immature."

“At least she used the right modal for asking your name” Alex shrugs at me “What? You expected her to say, 'may you please help me find my dorm?’ is that right?” Amaris scans his face “I guess not” he sighs.

"s**t flew by so fast, huh?" Another slap lands on his arm "Language" Amaris warns. Sometimes, I feel left out by these two. As if they're on they're on their own universe and everything revolves around them. But then again, I would hate to be the Main character who has tons of problems in life and ends up dying.

More stares were upon us while we walked across the field.

"YO!" Alex yells and raises his arms. "HEYY" this year, she was slightly taller than me along with another boy who has the sweetest smile.

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