CHAPTER-
"Someone snuck into our room!!?" Thalia gasped.
"Um, yeah, it seems like they wanted my gem?" I touched the gem.
"Well, that's bad, if they want it, then my guess is someone knows about it. Or they just wanted to torment you" Ravi placed his hand on his chin. "This is dangerous, Nerina."
"I know… how can I hide something I don't even understand" I sighed. "Ever since we got to silverdust, we haven't tried to find the other gems as well."
"Well, we all have been too engrossed in our studies." Ravi said.
"We can go exploring again? Or maybe we aren't looking hard enough, they could be in this school" Thalia said.
"Yeah, you might be right, there's a strong possibility, for now, we don't know how old any of the users are, so there is a strong possibility," Ravi walked to the study room.
"It's not like we can go up to everyone and ask if they have a diamond looking gem" thalia exclaimed.
"True, but won't I feel a connection? I don't know how the gem works though" I said lying on my bed.
"We shouldn't be focusing on the other people for now guys" Ravi said holding a book. "If people found out about the gem, then we need to find out how to hide it!"
"Hmm. you're right, the other wielder can just show themselves, later." I replied. "Now to think about it…" my mind wandered towards the test, when i heard that voice, telling me it knew my powers.
Should I share? Should I tell them about my powers?... Will they hate me?- my thoughts flooded once more. With a sigh I opened my mouth again "guys, I have something to-" I was interrupted by an announcement that pierced through the hallway.
"Nerina, the head teacher requests you in his office, I repeat, Nerina, the head teacher requests you in his office." A voice scratched.
"What? Does he know about the stealing already?" Ravi jumped. "He freaks me out," Ravi shivered."
"No kidding, I feel like he hates me though" Thalia sighed. "What does he want now?"
"How am I supposed to know?" I groaned. "Well, I guess I'll see you guys at break?" I looked at them.
"Yeah, see you at break Rina" Thalia waved her hands.
"Aw guys, I had a book on how to hide gems as well" Ravi frowned "I guess, I have to show you later. Oh yeah, by Nerina"
I nodded before closing the door. With every step I took, I felt eyes glancing in my direction. My head was hung low, too scared and embarrassed to look up.
After an embarrassing walk to the head office, I opened the door, just to see the head sat in his chair expectantly.
"Nerina is it?" he questioned. I just nodded in response. "I heard a group of students stole something in your room" he stared.
I stammered nervously. "Well… I don't know what happened…and.."
"Did they steal anything precious from you?"
"No…" I replied… "my earrings moved a bit though, but they didn't steal it"
"Can I see this earring?" he spoke.
I gulped, it wasn't an earring , if he sees the "earring" he'll see the gem.
"When they took the earring, they broke it, sadly, I couldn't show you the earring, you see because it's broken" I could feel the sweat popping around my body as I spoke.
"That's okay, we can trail and find who broke it, so they can buy you a new one" he smiled.
"It's okay… it was just an earring…"
"Just an earring? You're rich aren't you? So it isn't just "an earring" however, if you insist that it isn't important, I shall leave you then" he held a paper. "I will start an investigation to locate who did it, so I can exclude them," he smiled. "You may leave."
"Thanks…" I closed the door.
"What happened!?" a group of students hogged around me. "Are you excluded!?" a boy said.
"I can't believe the first person to get excluded is a girl," a boy scoffed.
"I-I'm not excluded…" I tried to reply.
"Tell us!" the group forced.
"Enough, all of you." Kieth appeared with a bag wrapped on one arm.
"Shoo, leave her alone, you're making her uncomfortable" he brushed.
"Urgh, not him, let's go guys." the crowd dissipated
"Hey" he smirked
"Hi." I replied. "Thanks" a pink hue plastered on my cheeks. "This is embarrassing"
"It's nothing really, you just looked like you needed help" he shrugged.
"Yeah… always to the rescue I guess." I joked.
"Of course!" he chuckled. "Are you off to lessons too?" his eyes gazed at me with interest.
"Yeah"
"Well, a real man, like me, would gladly walk you to your class." He ruffled his hair.
"Well thanks, Mr. Gentleman," I giggled.
"Yeah!" he exclaimed. "How's your brother? Last time I saw you, you were with him"
"He's okay, energetic as usual," I replied.
"Yeah, he's a little bubbly bee," he smiled. "Well, here you are, your class"
"Oh thanks! That was quick"
"Time flies when you're having fun," he replied.
"I guess so, I'll see you later?" I walked towards the door. "Thanks." I looked back before opening the door.
—-----
"I'm seeing my mommy today!" Kian jumped.
"Lucky I want to see my mommy too," Kian's friend pouted.
"You all can see my mommy!" he jumped.
"Okay Kian, your sister is here!" the teacher's voice echoed.
"Mommy!!" Kian said, running to the door.
"Yeah, I'm here," Nerina spoke nervously.
"Where are we going today!?" Kian jumped
"The beach, I feel my gills starting to form…" I said, touching my face.
"Yay!!" he jumped.
I quietly led him to the beach, we walked through the willow trees, glassy sands and sinking sands.
I took in the salty smell of the sea. My body trembled with excitement. Feeling at home, I washed my face with the salty water.
"Mommy! I learnt to do magic!" Kian buzzed.
My body froze suddenly, magic? At three? That's impossible? "Really?" My voice surprisingly quiet.
"Yeah mommy look!" his hands glowed as he pulled a handful of water into the air. "And I can make shapes!" he said, changing the shape into a star. His face changed into a proud smile.
"Nice" I complimented. "Powerful man now aren't you!" my hand ruffled against his head.
"Yeah! I'm not a boy, I'm a man!" he said smugly.
"Oh? No longer a baby, you're a man, I'm sure even men are jealous of you!" I laughed.
Drip… drip… drip… the water slowly grew closer.
"Nerina?" a soft voice appeared from behind me.
I could feel my body move before my mind, my arms shoved Kian behind my body. "Who's!?-"
"Don't worry, it's me, teacher Xiang," she smiled.
It was weird seeing her without her umbrella. I didn't realise she had such… fair skin.
"Teacher Xiang." I relaxed.
She chuckled. "Is he your brother?" she glanced at Kian's head, which popped out slightly"
"Yes… please, don't mind him"
"Don't worry, I know how children are. What are you doing here? Outside the school?"
My body flinched "well, you know, I wanted to see my brother, and…" I moved my arms "and he likes water. I like water so we decided to come and train!"
"Fascinating" she played with her hair. "I saw you earlier, cute family. His powers are strong" her eyes trailed to Kian.
"So is yours" she continued.
"My power?" my teeth clattered.
"You're pretty strong… who are your parents?" a smile bounced from her lips.
"Um… well… my parents…" I gulped.
"Yes, your parents! They must have some pretty powerful genes" she trailed.
"Well… my parents are-"
"My apologies, I'm probably bringing painful memories" she walked across the water. "How about I tell you more about magic?"
"Oh… okay…" I followed her, with Kian waddling behind me.
"My type is like your brothers" she started. How long was she out here for? "I can turn a person's blood into a jelly like substance" she touched the water softly. "I can't show you, I'll risk hurting you"
"That's a cool power to have," I responded.
"Yes indeed, a useful water. I project things as jelly, especially in the body."
"So she can control a person in a different way… I wonder if she was treated differently?" I thought.
"I should head back to school. I'm quite a busy bee" she laughed softly.
"Wait… teacher Xiang? Why did you tell me this?" my voice came out desperate.
"Just curious about something" she responded before walking away.
"Bye bye teacher" Kian waved his hands.