The Hidden Hybrid Within

Chapter 6: First Day of School

Sin’s POV

       “Get up sleepy head, the buses will be here in an hour, we go to school today!” I covered my head as Claire screeched.

        How anyone could be so happy for school was beyond me.

        I had managed to pretty much stay to my room or training routine for the last two days and dodged everyone, well everyone except Claire and Eva who stopped by all the time to see us. I admit they were both growing on me.

       The door flew open and I was immediately tackled off the bed, “Sin look, open invitation to tryouts!” Eva screamed at me while shoving a paper in my hand, while I tried to collect myself from the floor and her laying across me.

       I held the paper up to my squinted eyes as I read, “This is an open invitation to all, male or female, who would like to try out for the Warrior Training Club. The club has many benefits as to training you for future opportunities, such as professional bodyguard, military, and more. There will be tryouts on Saturday beginning at six am. The last man or woman standing will be sworn into the Warrior Training Club. This is not for the faint of heart, so be prepared. The Warrior Training Club is harsh and there may be injuries, tryout at your own risk.” I smiled from ear to ear, but then sudden realization set into my dad’s words again, never start anything and only use your strength and skills to protect or defend.  

      “Are you really going to do that Sin?” Claire asked.

      “Right now, I would love to say yes, however I am not a violent person, stubborn, fearless, I am but not violent. My dad only taught me these things to protect and defend when needed, not to go around flaunting what I have for the benefit of hurting others.” I didn't want to argue with them, so after my rant I quickly jumped up and ran to get ready for school quick. A little disappointed in myself because out of all the things to do around here that was the only thing that I really wanted to do, but I know my dad would not be happy in me doing it.

       Twenty minutes later we were all standing downstairs waiting in line to catch the buses to take us to school. They pulled up and there had to be twenty of them. I followed close to Eva and Claire and we boarded the first bus, they pulled me to the back of the bus, and I noticed the glares Xander gave me when he boarded, however his friend Jake sent us a heartfelt smile and I could practically feel the heat from Eva’s blushing radiating off her body.

      “Have you told him you have a crush?” I whispered in Eva’s ear.

       “I have but he only says we will talk about it when I am eighteen, until then we are both free to flirt with whomever.” Smart man I thought to myself. Maybe they could make it work if they were both in agreement with all of it.

       “I thought this bus was for only the non-delinquents,” my eyes shot up to meet a blonde headed bimbo in her overly priced shoes and short skirt. Xander’s Jessica I assumed, the way she was fondling him, and behind her were her replicas, I also assumed, the goon squad.

      "Great!" I thought to myself, as I rolled my eyes.

       “Nope it is only for the innocent and bitchy,” I snapped back, causing her to roll her eyes and I am pretty sure she was pissed enough I saw steam rolling out of her ears. And I didn’t miss the daggers that Xander sent me, but two can play that game, I thought as I sent them right back.

        The ride to school was quick, ten minutes tops. I didn't realize I was so thankful it wasn't far from the facility.

        “Our facility not only houses juveniles that have gotten in trouble, but it is also a boarding facility for the rich and privileged, so there is a big group that goes here. Mom and Dad say education is the most important part of your life. And the more knowledge you learn and retain, the more power you will have.” I just chuckled at Eva’s statement as we climbed off the bus, her parents seemed pretty cool, but I didn't know about power and knowledge going together. 

      Memories of my old life in my old school flashed back in my head. I was always the quiet kid, but I had many friends. I was never the object of bullying, well no one really was in my old school, everyone always seemed to have a healthy respect for others. I was always a straight A student, never got in trouble and was in a couple of different clubs, track and gymnastics being two of my favorites, cheer leading was never one of them, and as I looked around, I could see that cheer leading was one of the favorite things here. I counted probably thirty girls with uniforms on hangers draped across their backs and pom poms tied to their duffel bags.

         There were two buildings before me, one to the right with a big sign out front that read chemistry of nature. It was a tall, three-story building built in red brick. There were many windows on each floor to let in lots of natural light. I wondered why they had a building for just chemistry, it really didn't make any difference, I had already made a mental note to sign up for some of those classes, back home it was one of my favorite classes. I noticed several kids entering the purple door of the building with their white lab coats and looked like coffee cups. None of them seem to notice anything going on around them.

         Hearing some boys hollering quickly grabbed my attention to the other building. The building was quite large and there were students everywhere, some walking in the building, some sitting under the large trees, some standing around in groups talking and of course the boys that were throwing a football around carelessly while other students walked around oblivious to the point that there is jumping giants and hard balls flying around their heads.

      “Hey Eva, how do I get my classes changed where I can take some chemistry?” I asked as we were walking toward the main brick building where the majority of the students were.

      “You have to take and entrance exam, it shows that you can handle the workload for the classes. See here at this school, they want you to succeed so they try not to set you up for failure if you are not prepared, they won’t put you in it.” Eva never batted an eye and kept walking. I thought it was strange. This was my freshman year and I thought certain classes were mandatory to graduate, but maybe things are different here.

     We were almost up to the front steps when I heard Claire holler watch out, quick reflexes, is all I can say, I turned around just in time to catch the brown football headed toward my face. I heard Claire gasp and I turned to see who was responsible for launching it at my head. I was too close to the doors for it to have accidentally been thrown my way.

       “Hey, I am so sorry about that, my stupid friend has a bad aim.” And in the blink of an eye there stood the guy I had saw with Xander standing in front of me. He was kind of cute, much taller than me and built much like Xander with muscles begging to rip out of his shirt. His curly brown hair and amber eyes and golden skin made him look kind of cute, did I mention his cute smile. “Sin, right? I’m Jake.” He stuck his hand out, so this was the notorious Jake that made Eva's heart do all kind of weird things, up close and personal, I could see the appeal.

     “Nice to meet you Jake, but I don’t think your friends aim is off, he just didn’t expect a girl to be able to catch it.” I shook his hand and handed him the ball back. “You know you can tell him I am not here to cause problems. I am just here till I get a reprieve or till my time is up and I will walk away graciously.”

      “Come on Sin, I have to get you to registration, you too Claire.” Eva grabbed my hand to pull me away.

     “Keep your balls to yourself, you and your friend both." I smiled as I watched his dropped jaw and flushed cheeks and we laughed at him and turned to enter the building. I also didn’t miss the angry glare of Xander standing not too far from him. either.

       After standing in line for thirty minutes at the reception desk we were headed to our lockers. Claire and Eva had lockers down the hall away from mine. I watched them walk away as I opened my locker and put my bag in it, when suddenly it was slammed in my face, and almost caught my hand in the door. I turned to my left and there stood the blonde bimbo with her minions, “Can I help you?” I snarled.

      “You can stay out of my way.” Jess snarled back at me.

      “Last I checked I am not in yours or anyone else’s way, so please move along.” I tried to walk by, and she grabbed me by my wrist and pushed me against the locker. I didn’t stand down, she stared me down and I stared back. Closing my eyes for a moment and taking a deep breath, I grabbed her arms and applied just enough pressure to her pressure points on her wrist that she winced in pain and pulled away immediately letting me go. I straightened my shirt and pushed her away where I could step around, while she was holding her wrists. “Now you would do best by staying out of mine and leaving me alone. I have no use for you or anyone else in this school except for my friends, you leave me alone I will leave you alone.” And with that I left her and her minions standing their awe struck.

      “You alright Sin?” Eva rushed to me with Claire lagging behind her. “I saw what happened, I am sorry about her.”

     “No need for you to apologize, now let’s get to class.” We looped our arms together and we headed toward our first class. Arriving at our first class and realizing Eva was joining us, I was really surprised how smart she was, she was younger than us, but she had advanced in grades to put her as a freshman as well.

      The rest of the day went by uneventful which I was very thankful for. I had even taken the chemistry exam and passed with a perfect score which evidently is unheard of. They said I could start in two weeks after a few students transferred out. That was no problem with me, hopefully it would give me time to get settled in.

       After my last class I found a sweet shady spot beneath one of the trees on the front lawn, while waiting on the buses. I finished classes early, so I was alone, and I loved the fact that I had a few minutes to myself. Staring above me I noticed that the thick foliage on the tree completely blocked the light from the sun. I let the thought of how strange it is that trees could flourish this well in the desert flow through my mind.

       I finally stood up and I looked around to make sure that no one was watching me, and I made my way up the tree, I climbed about twelve feet up and found a nice strong limb with a perfect crook for my butt in it. Securing myself and stretching my legs out I propped my back against the tree and leaned my head back. There was a slight breeze blowing that I could hear rustle through the leaves and feel it whip against my face. I found comfort in the dry summer desert heat.

      “Well, someone has stolen my spot,” I heard a deep voice from behind me. My eyes shot open and I turned quickly to see Jake sitting on a limb on the other side of the tree.

     “Sorry I didn’t see anyone’s name on it.” I replied sarcastically.

     He laughed at me, “No biggie, I usually finish class early and this is where I come to be alone for a few minutes. Seems no one else enjoys people’s privacy.”

     I wasn’t sure if he was insulting me or trying to make conversation somehow, I felt comfort in him though. He didn’t seem like he was trying to be mean or bully me, “So why would you need to get away. Seems you aren’t here because you got into any trouble.”

     “Nope not at all, just here for academics and training. And of course, being Xander’s second, I pretty much must go where he is. My parents live in town and sent me here to stay with Mr. Russell, he has always been family, like an Uncle.” He started chuckling, “So I told you my story, want to tell me yours?”

     I knew this would come out eventually, everyone always needs to know why you are in trouble and pretty much locked up in juvenile jail, but I always hate getting into it, they either look at you with pity or look at you like you are monster. Might as well get it over with anyway, “Well Jacob if I tell you, can you promise that you won’t go blabbing my story to the entire population. I am not a monster and do not wish to receive anyone’s pity.”

     “I am not like that Sin. To be honest I genuinely like you. There is just something about you.” He smiled at me.

      “Yea about that, friends we could be, anything further will never happen, I have just recently made friends with a very special girl who happens to think you hung the moon and I would never hurt her in anyway.” I gave him a stern look.

     “Aw I see, well if I can keep a secret than I expect you will too. Eva is complicated, but in six years if she still feels the same way, I know she is the one for me. So, I will patiently wait, and I would never do anything to hurt her in anyway if I can keep from it. And as far as you, friends. You seem like an honest genuine person, which is so hard to come by these days.” He laid his head back against the trunk and closed his eyes leaving me dumbstruck. “Now about you?” He asked again.

      Taking a deep breath and leaning my head back as well I told him my story much like I had told Mr. Russell the day I arrived. He was quiet when I was done and I was waiting for him to tell me how awful I was, but oh well, I knew I could take whatever he dished out to me, I had already heard it all. 

      “How old are you again?” He blurted out.

      “Why does everyone always ask me that?” I laughed. “I mean seriously, I tell them about what happened and the first thing anyone says is, how old are you?” I continued to rant a few more minutes about people asking me about my age before I decided to answer. “I am fourteen by the way.”

      I could literally hear the wheels turning in his head as he thought about it and seemed like he was quiet for hours,and I started feeling awkward, “Wow, just wow. You are kind of awesome. I see why Alpha Russell has taken a liking to you.” I just turned to look at him and slapped him on the shoulder. “Ouch what was that for. I was just saying.”

      “I know what you were saying, and no one has taken a liking to me. I did what I did and nothing I can do would ever change that, so I have to live with what I have done and pay the consequences.”

      “You know why people ask your age?” He turned to look at me and I just raised my brow, “You do not talk like a teenager. You have what one would call an old soul. I seriously have never met someone so mature in my life.”

      Thinking about his response, I could see what he was saying. I was never a normal kid, I never back talked, I always did as I was told and stayed out of trouble. I would not argue with anyone unless I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was right. And the old soul thing, I had heard from my brother and my dad since I was small. “Well, I guess that makes sense. But please again don’t go spreading my story. It really is no one’s business.”

      “You can trust me I won’t say a word. So, onto my next question, are you going to try out for the Warrior Training Club?” That kind of threw me for a loop. I knew he was second in command in the club and I was sure he would not want a girl on the team.

      “Nope.” I made sure to pop the p so he understood what I was saying.

     “Why the hell not, from the sounds of it you would be awesome.” He gave me a goofy smile and it felt like he was disappointed.

      “I only did what I did to protect and defend my family. The years I trained, it was instilled in me that I was to never initiate aggression and use what I had been taught to never inflict harm to others unless I was protecting the innocent and less fortunate, or I had to defend myself.” I wanted him to understand, I really wanted to be a part of the club, but I couldn’t let my dad down either.

      “Well, it truly is a shame. What you possess would be an asset in any situation, whether defensive or offensive. You are the whole package Ms. Sin. Brains, beauty, and theoretical balls.” He laughed out loud as he stood up and started to descend from the tree.

       I watched as he effortlessly jumped from limb to limb grabbing the last one and swinging down to his feet on the ground. He looked up at me with a smile. “Well, are you coming or not, buses will be here in a few minutes, the kids are starting to come out.”

       Smirking at him I stood on my feet and judged the limbs around me, dad didn’t call me a spider monkey for no reason; I jumped and swung and about six feet or so up, I let go landing on my feet in front of Jake with a smile.

       “Whoa girl, have I told you, you are kind of awesome.” He shoved me on the shoulder a bit and we walked to the bus line, waiting to load while the other kids joined us.

        It wasn’t long before Claire and Eva found me, and I couldn’t help but laugh at Eva as she turned as red as a tomato realizing Jake was standing there with me. He never missed a beat though, he pulled her in and gave her a big hug. I smiled while I watched them talk and act like the best of friends.

      This life might not be so bad, and I think Jake will be a great friend, I told myself.