“I’m impressed.” JiSoo raised both eyebrows and nodded.
“Me too,” Ava agreed. “But I should go see what Levine wants. She’s never called for me like this.”
“Or James,” Sabra quipped, trepidation rising inside. It was days after they had the fight about the new school. He’d worn that ridiculous outfit to placate her. It worked, but it still left holes in the conversation, like, would he stay or leave?
“Right. I’ll meet you guys in the lunchroom. I hope it doesn’t take too long.”
They hugged and dispersed. Ava went in the direction of Levine’s office. At that time, there were no classes—everyone was in centennial preparation mode.
On her way, she saw Elaine and her crew talking heatedly, but they barely spared Ava a glance. Fine by her. But if Tarun hadn’t been in his room recuperating, she would’ve rushed over to talk and wink at him just to get the point across that he was hers.
“I want it done now!” Elaine yelled and stormed out, swishing her hips as she went.
Rolling her eyes at the bird shifter, Ava wondered for the umpteenth time why Levine wanted to see her. She was dressed appropriately, right? She gave herself a once-over, everything looked clean and pressed. Even her black Converse.
It was her regular go-to uniform. Other years, she’d tried to fit in by putting on makeup, heels, jewelry, and by styling her hair meticulously.
Focused on her thoughts, Ava missed the snide, secretive stares Elaine sneaked her way.
“Please come in,” Levine called.
Ava stepped in; the office was open for once, dark heavy drapes and all. Levine sat on her tall chair, dressed in her usual trim pantsuit, this time black. Ava made eye contact with the…one, two, three…ten students standing opposite Levine’s desk.
Crap. Ava was late. Even James was already there.
Levine wasted no time. “I asked you here today because I received letters from your parents,” the headmistress began after acknowledging her greeting. “Most of you have heard about the new shifter school. Your parents”—she bent and retrieved a bunch of colorful brochures and passed them around—“would like you to take a tour of the school.”
Mixed mumblings rose, “You may have also heard of the accident we had with a student. One of you took the liberty of informing your parents—as a result, they want to explore new options.”
Oh no!
James tossed a confused glance at her.
How did anyone find out? Ava firmly believed none of her friends would try to expose what had happened to Tarun. Maybe they’d been a little careless talking so openly…
“Not that I should have to remind you, but Animage Academy is one of the best schools for shifters albeit traditional, and we strive to make the environment conducive for everyone.”
Excluding the fact that they were so concerned about being discovered that they had to be underground. Ava missed being in a city, walking with throngs of people, shopping, running along the street in the morning.
Sure, she ran along the beach here sometimes, but it wasn’t the same as the populated beaches in Miami. It hit her that a lot of students were going to take the other school’s tantalizing offer just for the promise of a little freedom and modern convenience.
She scanned the brochure in her hand—it was situated close to their school, in the midst of humans, and there was real combat training on top of the freedom of going wherever they pleased after classes.
Best of all, modern technology was not restricted to the speaker system in Levine’s office.
Now word had gotten out fast, and somehow the parents had begun to circulate Tarun’s little mishap.
Levine’s argument wouldn’t hold against the other school.
“You will be going on a short tour to the school tomorrow. Then you relay what you’ve learned to your parents. That will be all.” She waved her hand once, dismissing them.
Ava filed out with the students behind James. He had his head in the brochure, painstakingly going through the fine print. On the front page, pictures of students happily playing outside, under a real sky, dominated by an intimidating silver-plated building as though mocking Animage.
“Are you actually considering transferring to the new school?” Ava questioned her friend.
James shook his head slightly, still reading the brochure. “You have to admit, they are really good. Look, it says they’re free to visit home on weekends. See, they can help dyads attain secondary transformations, too. If someone like me went there…”
“This is bad,” Ava interrupted. “I mean for Animage. Especially with Tarun’s—uh—mishap out there. Parents are going to freak. You know why my mom pushed for me to come here? Because it’s safe. Having a monster like the Feeder—or a hydra dragon—in the basement upsets that.”
“I thought it was because you’re a rare mythical legend?”
Ava shook her head. “I gotta tell you. I’m pretty pissed about that Feeder; do you realize your best friend could’ve died?”
“I try not to think about it.”
“Now, imagine you were a parent from the US or Africa...Korea. So far away and unsure about security.”
James took a step back. “Why are we even talking about this? None of us are leaving, right?”
Ava shook her head. “I’d like to go on the tour though. Imagine, all this stuff could be fake. You know, say one thing and do another.”
“Yeah, but Winta…”
“Oh, just talk to her, she’ll understand that you had to go—at least on tour.”
James bit his lip anxiously. “You hungry?”
“Boys.” Ava rolled her eyes. “Why does it always begin and end with food? However, this got out, we can’t let it break us. We need to stick up for Tarun, okay?”
“Easy for you to say, you’re a unicorn. I am stuck with my hummingbird.”
“You will get into it soon, James. You will.”
“Yeah, but when? Levine doesn’t even act like I exist. She doesn’t give us any extra training,” James groused.
“Do you have any idea what it could be? Your second form?”
“Not really. Pretty much everyone in my family is a hummingbird, too. Birds dating back as far as I know.”
Ava shrugged. “Maybe you’re some kind of bird of prey then. Levine’s not perfect, but she wouldn’t have admitted you if you didn’t have a second form.”
“I guess,” he didn’t look convinced. “So, about that food…”
11
James blocked Winta’s way to her separate large-shifter training. She was beautiful—it still struck him as odd that she chose to date him. With that dark gaze, the curly, bouncy hair, her rounded cheeks.
Her trim-but-curvy figure reminded him of a model. The diamond studs in her ears revealed the kind of family she came from. He learned that her father was one of the most influential men in Kenya. And, even though he had grown significantly taller over the summer, he still looked eye to eye with her jawline, and she was taller than most girls at the school.
“You want to do what?” Winta exploded when he told her why he wanted to talk.
“Just to look around, nothing more,” James explained, silently begging her to understand.
“Slowly,” she wagged her finger at him, “you will slip away.”
James groaned deep in his throat. She was glaring at him as though daring him to say something even dumber than the last. “What are you talking about? It’s just a tour. Ava will be there with me. At least she can keep me grounded, right?”
“James, I don’t want to sound selfish, but Animage is the best out of everywhere, you know that. We’re about to celebrate our fifteenth centennial! If we lasted that long, we’re doing something right. I want to make something clear: the new one is touting incentives only to attract more students.”
“Babe—”
Her shoulders sagged. “You’ve already decided, haven’t you?”
“No, left to me, I’d stay. But it’s my
parents’ call, you know. Not mine.”
"I have to get back to class. My trainer is not very patient." She hid what she was feeling behind her long lashes and walked away again, leaving him slack-jawed.
“Aarrgh!” He wanted to punch something, but he thought better.
Ahead, he spotted Ava and Tarun probably having the same conversation. Tarun looked like he was taking it better than Winta. Then again, he practically had nothing to worry about—Ava wouldn't leave.
Ava’s letter said her mother gave her permission to see the new school, not transfer. His parents wanted him to take the tour and report back. He strolled down to them just as Ava reached up to kiss him. “I will see you the minute I come back.”
“You better,” Tarun mumbled in her hair, loud enough for James to overhear. He hadn’t even acknowledged his friend and roommate, buried deep in Ava's purple hair.
She broke away first. “I have to go nooow.”
Two things were difficult to acquire in Animage: junk food and permission to see the outside world. As Ava, James, and the other permitted students trooped from the double-door entrance, they were met with open and thinly veiled jealousy.
Tarun was by Ava’s side until they reached the entrance. Like a bad dream, Elaine appeared from nowhere. Ava stumbled as she watched her slip her manicured hand into Tarun’s inner elbow. He made no move to shift from her. Just like a guy, she thought darkly. Just before James swung her around, Ava saw Elaine snidely give her the finger.
“Did you see that? She couldn’t wait for me to leave. That girl is pure evil.”
“Ava, relax. It’s Tarun we’re talking about here. He—I’m not supposed to tell you this...that photo you gave him? He kisses it every night before bed. Believe me, no guy will do that if he’s not all in. It’s adorable and nauseating all the same time.” James laughed, but Ava pursed her lips, crossed her arms, and stomped away from him.
“Ava…wait.”
She walked faster—by then the crowd of students going out were far ahead. “You’re laughing at me.” She couldn’t help herself or the building of warm pleasure in her belly. “He really kisses my photo? How corny.”
“It’s sweet…”
“You’re lying,” she giggled, jostling him.
James grinned, relieved that she was out of her huff, “No, It’s funny as hell.”
“I’m gonna hold it over him when we get back,” she said, kicking a rock to James. He shaded his eyes from the burning sun and kicked it back.
“You do that and I will never return to school. The guy will kill me for telling you.”
Ava’s laughter chimed as she kicked the smooth rock to him. “Now, I’m definitely telling him.”
“Fine, then you break the news of my transfer to Winta—oh, and tell her why, too.”
“Coward.”
“Agreed. Have you met Tarun? He’s scary.”
“Ava! Hi, you want to transfer, too?” a first-year girl, Lena, asked. She was standing right outside the hole when Ava pulled herself up and stood to wait for the other students.
The girl looked so young, with her fresh, chubby face, pigtails, and a brown and white pinafore. “My mom says it’s falling apart. But the new school is supposed to be really good.”
Ava just rolled her eyes as she waited for James to extract himself and join her once again at her side. Together they traipsed through the woods. Tall, leafy green trees, hiding the glare of the sun. On both sides, untended grass sprouted. The air was crisp and fresh, no smog or pollution or any of that. Ava had forgotten what it was like to breathe air without a hint of metallic flavor from the magical barrier. She let the cool, fresh breeze wash over her and inhaled deeply to take it all in. It was like being let out of a cage. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw James doing the same.
He and all the other students.
“Feels so good,” she crooned, and James heartily agreed.
Pictures had done this impressive specimen no justice. First, there was the three-story, sparkling-gold water fountain set in the middle, then the cold, metallic beauty of the almost space-age-style building was jaw-dropping. Ava could clearly see that Animage was losing the fight by a landslide.
Even though she preferred the homey feel of her ancient academy any time, any day, she had to admit there was an alluring quality about this sparkly art piece in front of her. But, with an admirable stoic resolve, she tried and failed to steel her heart against it.
"Welcome to Bravura Shifter Academy," a huge man in a sweeping white robe said to them just after appearing in the doorway. He sported a long ponytail and—to Ava's horror—stood barefoot. Was this school run by hippies?
As Ava was trying to process the smiling, biblical-looking man in front of her, she then realized he was followed by a squad of Tengu birds!
"Do you see what I'm seeing"? James whispered into her ear as he nudged her arm with his elbow.
Ava nodded but didn't respond otherwise.
"I've read about those," James continued. “They’re Japanese demons of some sort, basically like mini gods. I wonder how Bravura got so many of them?"
This time Ava simply shook her head. Those Tengu birds were terrifying.
Behind them appeared an enormous, pearly eyed faun. Interesting. Cue the theme music and slow motion and the whole entrance would've been perfect. However, in the absence of the Disney-movie setting, it really just looked like a bunch of weird monsters and a crazy guy dressed like Zeus standing in front of a futuristic space command center.
"We've been expecting you. Come in. Your parents are inside as well." The barefoot man beckoned them all toward the entrance.
The entrance turned out to be a revolving door—a good idea. It was big enough to bring several students through at a time, and probably even some of the larger shifters in their animal forms. And it slowed down their entrance, probably increasing security.
Inside, Ava blinked at the bright lights and the stunning dark-haired receptionist behind a desk. Behind her, huge chrome letters, B.S.A., were engraved on the wall at least twenty feet high. So far, their name suited them to a tee.
Everything looked shiny, new, and pristine. Cold white lights gleamed overhead from the transparent ceiling. Ava blinked as she looked up but couldn't find the source of the lights themselves. The entire ceiling just seemed to emanate it. It reminded Ava of a space-age version of the dome back in Animage. The dome, which had previously always astounded Ava for its impressive beauty and size, could easily fit into this reception area alone.
"This place is way too perfect," James murmured.
Everyone else possibly felt the same. All the Animage students were packed tightly to one side of the reception area, sticking together. Then a glass door Ava hadn't even seen hissed open, and a bunch of harried parents rushed forward.
“Kaelan!”
Kaelan? Ava checked to confirm—yep, he was there, poking out between his parents. She wondered if JiSoo knew he was contemplating changing schools.
“Oh, my baby. You made it!”
“I’m so glad to see you're okay!”
“I’ve been so worried about Animage!”
And on and on. Animage students ran to greet their parents, including James, and he just had to drag her along.
“Mom, Dad…this is Ava Carrington, my friend.”
His mother, a chic woman in a form-fitting blue dress, peered at her, a suggestive smile on her red lips. “Is she the one you’ve been talking about? She’s so beautiful.”
“Mom!” James exclaimed, flushing hotly.
His father, a blond-haired man with a droopy chin and wide-set intelligent brown eyes, attired in a dark-brown one-piece suit, said, amusement evident in his voice, “Linda, you’re making the poor girl uncomfortable.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
The man tapped his clean-shaven double chin and pursed his lips, “But she is very beautiful, Son. Way to go.” He punched him lightly on the shoulder, winking.
“Da
d,” James grumbled, hiding his face behind his palms.
Ava was thoroughly enjoying herself—she almost hated correcting their impression. Who didn’t like to be fawned over from time to time? It was flattering.
Reluctantly, she stretched a hand to his mother. “I’m Ava. His girlfriend is Winta. I hope you get to meet her someday; she’s great.”
Linda’s smile only widened, revealing small pointy white teeth, “Oh? James, is this true? Are you trying to confuse your old mother?” She said ‘old’ in the manner that instantly warned a person that she was the only one allowed to address her with that.
James rolled his eyes, perhaps for the first time since Ava knew him. Clearly his parents brought out hidden sides of him.
“Ava, meet my dad. Dr. Eddie Watson, my mom Dr. Linda Watson.”
These clowns were doctors?
Out loud she said, “It’s nice to meet you.” After a beat, “Doctors.” Linda placed her palm atop hers.
“Where are your parents?”
“Oh, my mom couldn’t make it, and I just came for the tour anyway. I’m not transferring.” Ava smiled as sweetly as she could. “She wanted me to review my options, I guess, but I’m gonna stick to Animage.”
“You sure about that, Miss?” someone—a boy—said in the softest, warmest, yet rich, voice she’d ever heard, coated in a yummy Aussie accent.
Ava’s head turned on its own to see him clearly, “Oh, I am.” Yes, his voice matched the face. A pair of smoky, emerald gems for eyes, finely shaped lips, proud cheek bones. When he smiled, his eyes crinkled nicely.
“Hello, Sir, Madam…” He turned to greet James who just scowled at him. “I’m Jack, your guide for today. Ask me questions anywhere you need clarification.”
Linda introduced her family, even including Ava, and Jack set off. Peripherally, Ava could see other students and parents breaking out into groups.
“Shall we begin?”
He sure could. We can do anything you want, Ava screamed in her mind. Outwardly, she nodded calmly. No guy impressed her as much as Tarun, but this guy was too pretty to ignore.
Those emerald gems focused intensely on her. “Come, I’ll show you why you may decide not to stick to Animage.” Then he turned to a skulking James and very nosy parents. “This way, please.”
Animage Academy: Year Three ~ The Shifter Academy Down Under (The Shifter School Down Under Book 3) Page 8
