Page 137 of Drama Queen

Freak Among Freaks – Nya Storm

Past

GABRIELLA

The streetsat night are eerie, but it’s not like I have a choice. Every passing car makes the dim lighting from the street lamps seem far too dim by comparison. I duck my head against the rain as it begins to fall in heavier sheets. “Of all the nights to try this, I just had to pick the one night it decides to rain.” My growl is snatched away by the howling of the wind as the storm increases. I know I have to find shelter soon or I’m going to end up spending the next week with a cold.

Ducking down an alley, I bring my hand up to the wall, feeling more than looking for a dry patch. Finally, I locate a spot, just behind a huge dumpster with the worst smell wafting out from it. With a sigh I sink to my knees and squeeze myself in behind the offensive item. The open lid leans against the wall creating a barrier against the down pour, while also preventing anyone from seeing me huddled here. I’m not sure how much time passes but eventually I drift off into a fitful sleep that is plagued with nightmares.

I’m jolted awake by the feel of something skittering across my bare foot. I learned a long time ago not to scream or make a sound, so the only reaction I have is to brush my hand across my foot, rubbing the already raw skin.

At some point while I slept, the storm had passed, leaving in its wake a feeling of renewed life. It gives me hope that today might just be better than yesterday.

My hopes are dashed the second I leave the alley and walk head first into a policeman. Without a word he grabs my too-thin arm and begins marching me towards a squad car. “Found another one.” Is all he says as he pushes my head down and then practically shoves me into the car.

I sit up in bed, my heart pounding out a rhythm that matches the thunderous rain that’s pouring down outside my window. I hate when my dreams turn out to be replayed memories. As if messed up dreams aren’t bad enough, I have to live through some of the worst moments in my life over and over and over again.

Not that this particular dream was a good example of the worst parts of my life, but the events after it are enough to make me shudder in dread. I spent the following seven years bouncing from foster home to foster home, every second of which was scarier than even the darkest of nights spent in those dirty alleyways.

It’s all in the past though, because I was finally adopted by a wonderful woman who I call Aunt April. She’s the best. Despite my only being seventeen, she treats me like an adult, takes me to clubs on her nights off and even lets me sneak the occasional drink on special occasions. Last night being one of those.

We celebrated late into the night because not only did she finally quit her job at the run-down diner, but she also managed to score a gig at the school I’m going to be attending. Her job comes with a nice little bonus, a cute cottage on campus. Notthat the school was my choice, it was court appointed after the last time I got into trouble, but I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. The judge paid for a whole year’s worth of tuition.

Lucky me.

A new school

GABRIELLA

The buildingin front of me is like something out of a gothic magazine for castle like homes, it’s impossible not to feel awed over the massive structure. My thoughts on the look of the building are shoved aside as the girl who was introduced to me as my student liaison, a bubbly girl with almost purple hair in a pixie cut, begins talking again, “Welcome to Dane Academy, two things you should know, Parker Walker is off limits, Drew and Jamie Emeralds are notorious for making the girls do the walk of shame, so steer clear.” She takes a big breath then all in a rush with her pale cheeks turning the brightest shade of red, she blurts, “The second thing is stay away from Mr Brightwood, he’s got hands that wander if you know what I mean.” She shakes herself and I do a double take at her face as she smiles brightly, practically blinding me as the sun glints off her impossibly white teeth. I swallow a groan and force a smile before cocking my head like a curious puppy.

My curiosity is a cop out, I don’t care but this is the most animated I’ve seen her in the last half hour and its entertainingas fuck. “That’s some welcome speech, who’s Parker, Drew and James?”

“Jamie.” The girl says emphasising the name like it’s some prayer. “Parker is the most popular guy,” Her grey-green eyes take on this creepy dreamy look before she shakes her head and whispers, “He’s also on his off again break with his girlfriend, they do this once every few weeks and stupid girls try to snag him before Melody gets her claws back into him again.” The sigh she emits leads me to believe she’s one of those girls that try. “It’s not worth the heartache though because Parkeralwaysgoes back to her.”

“And the other two?” I hedge wondering if the poor girl is going to swoon.

“Drew and Jamie are twins,” She sighs dramatically and I frown, open my mouth, then close it again as she continues, “They’re both players who shame the girls they sleep with.” If I hadn’t been watching her face, I’d say she’s hoping to be one of those girls too. Just for shits and giggles, I lean right in close and whisper, “You’d think the girls would clue in and avoid them at all costs then.”

Her face is dead serious as she looks me in the eye and says, “You’d think, but no, every other day there’s some dumb bitch who thinks they can change the two of them and that they’ll be the one to finally make them settle down.”

Woah, down girl. Talk about needing to reign in the green monster. This girl has got it bad for not one guy, but three.

“It’s going to be worse this year though, what with it being the final year here and all.” Again, she sighs. I almost feel sorry for her, but then she shakes it off and plasters that same fake smile she greeted me with an hour ago and like magic, she’s back to being the creepy happy go lucky girl.

My eyes scan the expanse of buildings and land around us once more, taking note of the two smaller buildings on eitherside of the main castle-like structure. “I’m still not sure what exactly we’re expected to do here, I’d never heard of this place before a week ago.”

Her grey-green eyes go wider than I’ve ever seen anyone’s go, add her jaw dropping a good inch and a half and my laughter is bubbling up and out before I can stop it. This girl has a seriously expressive face and shock is not a good look for her.

“Are you serious?” She rasps as she finally snaps out of it.

“Yeah.”

“This is a school of magic….” She looks at me as though that’s supposed to mean something to me. I just roll my eyes. The judge who sentenced me to attend here for my senior year said the same thing but come on, there’s no such thing as magic. I seriously expect they’re all just aspiring magicians with fake parlour tricks that they learn while attending here. After all, that’s how I ended up here, for pulling a trick that got me caught while shop lifting.

“Well anyway, we really should get going, the tour begins in ten minutes and I hate being late.” She doesn’t even wait for me, just simply walks off, expecting me to follow along behind her.

The bet

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