(The New) Power of the 8 Elements: Part One

Chapter Three: School

"Life teaches you a new lesson every day, if you are attentive enough in the class of life" - Invayi
PRESENT DAY
TERRY

The day Terri and I got accepted into Diamond Hills High School was one of the best days of our lives. I remember vividly the letter coming in from the mail and saying we would join the class of 2020 freshmen. Today is the first day of school. I'm always nervous about things, whereas Terri manages to find the silver lining in that everything will be okay and nothing bad can possibly happen because it's Diamond Hills High School we're talking about! The best as well as the most bougiest and expensive for gifted wizards there is. People in our neighborhood would always talk about it: wanting to go there, so it was a big surprise when people found out that we got to go. We pack our bags and have our parents drive us to school since we can't drive ourselves (obviously).

"Smell that new school scent!" Terri says at the car doors close, and Mom and Dad drive off.

"Smells so much better than a public elementary school with monsters," I say, reminding myself of not only the bullies but the poorly made lunch.

We walk inside. As of course, students of all kinds, colors, and races stand in the hallways talking, gossiping, hugging, kissing, packing, setting up their lockers, and bracing themselves for a new school year. My first class is mythology. The woman who teaches seems perfect for the job. She's upbeat about everything and always stimulates the students who look halfway asleep. Her name was Mrs. Curran. The classes were good. However, it was the one right before lunch in which I met Amaya.

Before lunch, I have healing. The teacher had us pair up with someone and the first person I noticed was a young tiger sitting at her desk alone, writing, while everyone continued to pair up with people whom they knew the most. I walk over to her. She looks lonely. WIth a tap on her shoulder, I clear my throat.

"I'm Terry. Do you want to be partners, or are you busy?"

"Hold on. Wait just a minute." She finishes up with the notes on the board before standing up. "Now, did you just seriously ask to partner up with me?"

"Uh...yes?" I have a feeling that I'll regret this.

She wears a blue sweater shirt with ripped jeans and red tennis shoes along with a multicolored beaded bracelet that looked to be made by her.

"Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Amaya. Amaya Teen. Aquarius."

"Terry Perry. Glacier."

"Cool." She looks me up and down. "You from here?."

"Yeah, I've lived here all my life."

"Interesting. I moved recently from Florida just 'cause I got accepted. Well, it's nice to get to know you, Terry. I know we'll be good friends in the future."

I smile, and we begin to work on the group project. Lunch comes along quickly. I, of course, sit next to Amaya—my first and only friend of the day.

"Ah...who's the new girl?" Terri asks, finally finding me.

"This is my friend, Amaya," I say. Amaya waves eagerly. "Is this your brother?"

"We're twins, but clearly I'm the older sibling."

Amaya laughs. "I've been talking to him all day. You guys are the nicest people I've met so far."

At that, the doors open suddenly. Three girls entered the cafeteria.

"I didn't realize this was Disney channel," I joke, realizing they must be walking cliches—they looked like them, too.

"That's Celeste, Gia, and Jessica. I saw them during my tour of the school. Celeste is the principal's daughter. The one with the pink and purple hair."

"Looks like a brat."

"We should befriend her," Terri suggests.

"I doubt it. She has very high standards."

"B*tch," I mutter under my breath, watching as the freshman who I recognize from my class were practically cowering beneath her.