The Dragon's mate

The New Guy

Emily

When will I get a chance to spread my wings and soar?

When will I get a chance to be happy and express my joy?

When will I get a chance to meet the one?

When will I be loved......

"What are you writing?"

My best friend Rita interrupted me in the library. It was a free lesson. Unlike my other class mates, I did not spend the time with friends gossiping about trivia. I never had any friends. One could say that, I had Rita, but, I gave her the space to be friends with others. If I went around with her everywhere then she might be boycotted. I did not want her to become an outcast like I was. Another fact was that, if she stayed with me she might be bullied like I was.

However, Rita still managed to cheer me up at school as well as the orphanage.

"Earth to Emily..."

An involuntary giggle escaped my mouth. She was being over dramatic. She tried to snatch my personal journal but, I managed to keep it away, due to my quick reflexes.

"You never show me your journal. I want to read what you write." Her pout made me smile.

"You said that you had news.” I tried to divert her attention.

"Oh! Yes, yes. I totally forgot. A very handsome guy took admission in our school today. He is in our class."

I wanted to go back to my books. Rita was being, Rita again. She always fantasized that, some hot hunk, would come and take her away. As for me, I was never under, any such delusion. I looked average. I knew that, I had to work hard if I hoped to move up in life. As an orphan, it was not easy. Many orphans at our orphanage had a relative or a sponsor. I had neither. At the moment, I was busy studying. There were still nine months before the examination but, I could not waste my time here. At the orphanage I barely got any time. I suspected that the warden wanted me to fail.

I did not wake up on time today. Last night there was a lot of work. As such, I was very tired. By the time I reached down for breakfast, only four slices of bread were left. With no milk, egg or fruit, I simply swallowed the bread and gulped down a cup of water. I was still hungry but, I had become used to this treatment.

After that, I had rushed for school. I was perspiring when I reached school. I had run all the way from the orphanage to school as I had missed the bus. It took me only ten minutes. It was a little surprising as, I was sure that, all the other kids of my class, would take, at least half an hour.

Since I avoided attention and purposefully played dumb, none of my class mates, including my best friend, or my warden were aware of my strong physical abilities. I had discovered my unusual qualities nearly ten years ago. Ling had pushed me from the third floor. She had wanted me to die, even then. Miraculously, I did not know how or why, but, my hands had moved in a weird manner in the air. It seemed as if, some unknown power was guiding it. After that, I literally flew and was able to land on the ground.

Ling's expression was priceless when, she saw me alive. Gradually, as I grew up, I discovered more fascinating things about myself. I could speak to birds. They cheered me up on a gloomy day. To my delight I was able to befriend a phoenix. I kept these and many other things to myself. I wanted to avoid attention. I was just two years from turning eighteen. I looked forward to joining the university and leaving the orphanage for good.

"Where are you lost today?"

Rita's words broke my reverie.

"How do you plan to seduce the handsome hunk?"

I teased my best friend. She looked shy but, became serious suddenly.

"I cannot do anything now. It seems that, the queen b***h, 'Ling' has already become friends with him. She was showing him around."

"Don't worry. I'm sure you that you would find someone better," I tried to console her.

"There's no one better than him. I can never find someone more good looking than him in my life."

"Looks may not always matter Rita. You might find a better person….a better human being.”

“I have never been lucky.”

“Never think that never will define your destiny Rita. There might be the right person for you just round the corner."

The bell rang and the two of us left the library for our English lesson. Needless to say, when I arrived, I saw that my seat was already taken.

"Move on duffer..." One of the queen b***h's sidekicks said.

I quietly went and sat at the back. My best friend wanted to retort but, I stopped her. I did not want a fight. Many could consider me a coward. But, I knew that, for me, it was best to avoid confrontation. I did not want to add any more troubles in my life. As it is, the warden at the orphanage seemed to have a beef against me. If, I picked up a fight with Ling, her favorite, I was sure to suffer later.

Luckily, our teacher arrived shortly afterwards. The queen b***h followed behind and a tall guy entered the class room as well. I could not see his face as he had his back to us. From his contours, I could say that, he had an impressive physique. All the girls were already drooling. The boys too, sat upright.

I looked down and opened "The Merchant of Venice". We would be beginning a new play today.

"Class, please let me introduce you to your new classmate."

I looked up when Mrs. James spoke. I was curious.

The boy turned. It happened in slow motion. The brown of my eyes met the blue of his. I felt a weird current travelling between us. He too, seemed to have felt something as, his eyes widened.

"Hello, I'm Jake," said the boy to the class.

Time seemed to have stopped as I stared at him a little longer, than, I usually would. He too smiled and, I could swear that, the blue of his eyes had turned green when he looked towards me. . Those eyes seemed to have bewitched me. I was able to collect myself and break the eye contact. I made a mental note to "stay away from Jake."

He was trouble and I, Emily, avoided anything that caused trouble. Even as Jake looked towards my direction again; I was sure that Jake and I would never be friends. I did not dislike him but, I did not feel like mingling with him either. He was the new guy, I intended to avoid, during the remainder of my school days.