The halls were quieter now, with only a few students looking for their rooms. I didn’t recognize any of them. We made eye contact but neither of us said anything. Phylicia walked with her eyes straight ahead and I followed her. If the students of the west campus were as bad ass as she said, I thought it best to stick with someone who could hold her own.
The girl with the brown hair was still standing at the end of the hall. She stepped in front of us as we tried to pass. “Where are you going?” She demanded.
Heat bristled around Phylicia. “Excuse me? I didn’t think we were prisoners here.”
“Tight security this year. All guests must stay in the dormitories until the opening ceremony this tonight.”
Oh right, when we jumped across the continent, we had also been sent back 3 hours. No wonder I was starving.
“We weren’t going outside,” Phylicia lied. “We were meeting someone in the lobby.”
The girl gave her a suspicious look and stepped aside. “Fine, but just remember no one is allowed out until sixteen hundred hours.”
Phylicia stormed down the stairs and I followed her silently.
The lobby was still buzzing with activity as more students were ushered to their rooms. There were seating areas, several wide-screen televisions mounted on the walls, a concierge desk manned by an older woman with a tablet in her hands. I could see a door leading to a computer lab and small library, but I doubted I’d be allowed in there either.
“Bianca,” Ryland’s voice came from the stairs.
I looked up.
Ryland slipped between two other students and jumped the last two stairs. “Are they giving everyone a hard time or is it just me?”
“I think it’s all of us.” I shook my head and then remembered Phylicia was standing beside me. “Oh, this is Phylicia, have you two met?” I asked as I introduced them.
“No not formally,” Ryland said. “Nice to meet you.”
“Hey,” Phylicia said.
“I’ve seen you around campus. You’re the fire girl, right?”
“Pyrokinetic. Yeah, that’s me.” Phylicia’s voice was flat.
I sensed the awkwardness building. “Anyways!” I laughed nervously. “I was hoping you could show us around.”
Ryland frowned. “We’re not suppose to leave the dorms,” He said. “And I really don’t need to draw any more negative attention to myself.”
Phylicia opened her mouth to argue, but was cut off by a shout.
“Holy shit, it’s him!”
We turned around to see a tall, muscular red-haired guy. He was dressed in training gear, his fiery hair pulled into a short ponytail. He was flanked by two other meat-headed jocks. “It’s Ryland Williams. The prodigal son returns.” The red haired guy sneered.
Ryland’s jaw flexed as he clenched his teeth. He stood straight and silent, not looking away from the trio.
“Who’s that?” I whispered.
Phylicia grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. “Trouble, that’s who.”
The smallest of the trio had shaggy blond hair and a fire burning behind his eyes. “You have some nerve showing up here after what you did to my brother.” He spat.
The lobby was deathly quiet. Everyone was watching to see what would happen next.
“I’m not here for trouble,” Ryland said evenly. His body was tense, ready to fight if the situation didn’t diffuse immediately.
“You know how fucked up Kevin is now?” The red haired guy said, stepping into Ryland’s personal space. He jabbed his finger into Ryland’s chest. “I think we outta teach you a lesson.”
The blond grinned and nodded. “Let me do the honors. It’s my family that suffered the most.” He reached out to grab Ryland by the collar of his shirt.
Ryland easily dodged and took a few steps back. “I’m not looking for trouble.” He repeated, holding his hands up. “I’m here for the National Competition, that’s all.”
I held my breath. I had no doubt that Ryland could easily out fight these goons, but getting into a fight would surely get him a one-way ticket back to Detroit and an instant disqualification from the competition.
The trio stared him down, but no one moved. It was the most tense waiting game I had ever seen. All eyes were on them, whispers began to float around the lobby.
“I’m not going to fight you,” Ryland said firmly.
The blond guy twitched angrily. “You’re mine!” He shouted and lunged. Suddenly he stopped as if he had been frozen in midair.
“That is enough!” Ms. Blackwell emerged through the crowd and separated the boys with a flick off her wrist. They stood still and stiff under her power. “Save the fighting for the ring, gentlemen.”
The trio glared at Ryland before slinking off to the common rooms. The lobby was silent for a moment and then the whispering rose up again.
“Go on, back to your rooms,” Ms. Blackwell waved everyone away.
Where was the west campus faculty? I couldn’t believe that they trusted a bunch of power-hungry students to play nice in such close quarters. I breathed a sigh a relief, at least Ryland was out of danger, for now.
“I really put my neck out for you, Ryland. Please refrain from making me regret convincing the Major to let you compete.” Ms. Blackwell said with a frown.
Ryland’s shoulders slumped as he was released from her psychic hold. “Ms. Blackwell, I didn’t start it, please believe me.”
The teacher raised her hand for silence. “I know,” She said. Her voice went low and cold. “But, Mr. Williams, I do expect you to finish it. Teach them a lesson that the west campus won’t forget.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Our meal was served in a mess hall twice the size of the dining hall back home. The recreation building looked like an hold airplane hangar, separated into lounge areas, a media center, and the long narrow hall for communal meals. The more time I spent on campus, the more I could see why Ryland hadn’t wanted to leave. Everything was immaculate and modern.
We entered two-by-two; Phylicia was to my right. Luke and Ryland were behind us. I was relieved when Luke finally came to the dormitory. He was tired and cranky from shipping all the students across the country, but he could at least intervene if Ryland’s presence stirred up more trouble. Their friendship was a tangled and confusing one, but I couldn’t judge, especially when I thought about my love life.
Warmth was radiating from the dining hall; it was large and simple in design. Long metal tables stood in rows, with metal benches for seating. Dinner was waiting for us in covered metal dishes.
We were ushered in by a volunteer student from the west campus. Each campus was required to sit together. West campus took up two long rows of seating, with the other three only taking up one. Thankfully, we were directed to a seat closer to the front, where a temporary stage had been erected.
Once we were seated, the east and south campuses were let in one by one. I was impressed by the discipline. Everything here went as smooth as clockwork.
My stomach cramped at the smell of food. I stared at the covered dinners, feeling more like an animal than a human. Breakfast had been hours ago and the added three hours only made my gnawing hunger worse.
Luke sat across from me and I noticed his hands were shaking.
“You ok?” I asked.
Luke met my eyes. “Exhausted. Don’t worry about me.” He forced a smile.
“Well I’m starving,” Phylicia added. She was watching the last of the south campus walk in, drumming her fingernails on the metal tabletop. A small flame flicked across her knuckles.
Finally, once everyone was seated, a tall man in a gray suit took his place at the podium. “Good evening everyone,” He said. His voice boomed, amplified by the microphone on his lapel. His eyes were cold and his face looked like it was made out of stone. “On behalf of the Federal Psychic Academy, I am pleased to welcome you to West Campus.” He gestured to the rows one by one. “If the representatives from each campus could stand for recognition?”
A woman stood up at the tables closest to the door. “Good evening. I am Dean Brier, and on behalf of the east campus, thank you for having us.” She spoke with a Boston accent. She was beautiful and fit for her age and her salt-and-pepper gray hair was cut short. The east campus students wore black training uniforms with a golden stripe across the chest.
The south campus stood out the most, dressed in shades of gray and army green. A man stood up, looking a bit too young to be in charge of the second largest campus in the country. “I am Dean Freeman. On behalf of the south campus, I would like to thank you for having us here.” His voice had the perfect Texan twang.
Major Griffiths stood up at the end of our table. “I am Dean Griffiths. It is my honor to be here. On behalf of the north campus, thank you.” I had never heard him not use his military title before.
“And I am Tim Kennedy, Dean of the west campus for the past decade. On behalf of the west campus, welcome and make yourself at home. Thank you for attending the most anticipated event of the year.” The dean said.
Kennedy snapped his fingers and rubber bracelets appeared in front of every student. “These bands will help us discern who is from where at a quick glance. They also have codes for the security system and will open any door that you are permitted to enter. While you are here, please enjoy the use of our library, media room, fitness center, or cafeteria.”
“So that’s his skill,” Luke whispered. “Apportation.”
I turned the bracelet over in my hand. It sort of looked like a fitness tracker made of bright blue rubber. There was a small bump at the center, probably where the computer chip was located. I slipped it onto my left wrist.
“After dinner, the opening ceremony will be held in the auditorium. I won’t keep your from your meals any longer. Enjoy!” He stepped down from the podium. He and the other deans went to a special table near the front, where the teachers were sitting.
The metal covers were telekinetically raised and moved out of the way. My mouth watered at the sight of roasted vegetables, meat, creamy pasta, and mashed potatoes. If there was one thing that connected all of the students, it was their hunger. Using our powers drained our bodies and a nutritious diet combined with plenty of sleep were essential.
Everything was delicious. For a moment, we were able to forget about the looming competition and the ignore the fiery glances that some of the west campus students would shoot in Ryland’s direction every now and then.
After dinner, there was a crackle and a woman’s voice echoed over the intercom system “The opening ceremony will begin at eighteen-hundred hours. Please stay with your campus group and make your way to the auditorium.” Her voice was robotic and cold, she sounded like AI.
I looked around; no one could hide their nervousness. A little further down the table I saw Katie with her small group of goth friends. She met my eyes and her lips arched in a small smile.
“This is going to be great,” Phylicia said. Her pink acrylic fingernails clicked on the metal table.
Luke nodded. “The opening ceremony is always my favorite part.”
Ryland and I exchanged glances. The stress weighing down on him was visible. He wasn’t sitting tall and defiant like usual. “Hey,” I said and held his hand under the table. “Don’t let them get to you.”
Ryland’s expression hardened. “I wont. I’ll show those dicks what real power looks like. They’ll regret the shit they said to me.”
His voice was icy enough to send a chill down my spine.
The bell rang to mark the end of dinner. One by one the tables of students were guided out of the mess hall and towards the auditorium. All of the teachers from the west campus wore crisp black and gray uniforms. They stood tall and proud, looking like soldiers at attention. The Dean commanded enormous respect and it showed.
When it was our turn, we followed the other students towards the auditorium.
“I’ll be really glad once this stuffy formality is over,” Phylicia said as we walked.
“It’s not going to be like this the whole time?” I asked.
“Oh my god, no!” Phylicia laughed. “At least, I hope. Last year, after the opening ceremonies we were able to explore however we wanted.” She added.
“Yeah, but that wasn’t at the west campus,” Ryland said as he looked over his shoulder. “Dean Kennedy is something else.”
I really didn’t want to walk around like I was in a military parade all week, so I hoped he was wrong.
The auditorium was as grand as I expected it to be. We filed in and took our seats quietly. The initial energy that radiated from the groups of students was gone. Even the east and south campuses’ students looked serious. Not as serious as the west campus, but enough to put me edge.
I sat between Ryland and Phylicia, gently touching Ryland’s knee to reassure him.
He looked over and forced a smile. “Don’t worry about me,” He whispered.
Truth was, I wasn’t worried about him. He had shown that he could take care of himself just fine. It was me that I was scared for. I had a fraction of the training that other students had. I couldn’t compare to them, no matter what my teacher’s said.
As if sensing my anxiety, Ryland leaned over to me. “Hey, don’t be nervous. Once the rules get explained, I think you’ll realize that you really do belong here. Trust me. You’re more powerful than you think.”
I smiled. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought he was reading my mind; too bad my mind was blocked from his powers for a reason we both hadn’t discovered.
The lights dimmed and the whispering stopped. All four deans took the stage, along with a professor from each campus. Ms. Blackwell stood beside the Major looking as proud and flawless as ever. There were some men in suits at the back of the stage. I didn’t know who they were, but they looked important. The government crest was projected onto the curtains behind them. The same pair of eagles that was on the flag at the north campus.
“Good evening students. I hope dinner was too your liking.” Dean Kennedy spoke loudly, addressing each campus in turn. “I am very proud to be hosting the twenty-third annual National Competition. The National Competition is a time for the newest generation of psychics to showcase their talents for future employers in both the public and private sector. The list of employers is heavily classified, so the only way to know who is watching is to be hired.” His lips twitched with a smile. “As is tradition, the students who are coming to the end of the training will be assessed first. Everyone else, this is your chance to hone your skills and meet your peers.”
The speech dragged on. I sank back in the surprisingly comfortable chair and stifled a yawn.
“Each talent will be divided into active or passive groups. You will be paired with those with similar talents and those who might be more challenging. You will show how you use your skills in battle, in problem-solving, and in every day tasks.”
Finally, when Kennedy stopped talking, the excitement began.
Each dean called a student forward from their campus. I didn’t recognize the girl who stood next to Major Griffiths. I must have seen her in the cafeteria at some point, but I didn’t have any classes with her.
“How long do students normally stay here, anyways?” I asked.
Ryland glanced over. “Depends on the student and the skill. Some stay for one year and some stay for four. I don’t think anyone has been here longer than that, unless their powers manifested very young.”
When I enrolled I was convinced that it would only be a year. I knew now that I’d probably need more time to hone my skills before I was considered in control and employable. The Federal Psychic Academy didn’t play by the rules like a traditional school. Every single path was different, but that was probably for the best. How could each skill be shoved in a simple box anyways? It would be impossible.
“Who is that?” I asked, meaning the girl who stood by Major Griffiths. She was tall and thin, with long blond hair and a sun-kissed tan. She stoo
d proudly on the stage as the representatives from the other campuses made their way down the aisle.
“Zoe McMahon,” Phylicia said with a slight edge. “One of our resident mean girls. If you don’t know her, consider yourself lucky.”
Once all four students were at the center of the stage, Kennedy approached them all with a stony expression. “As the key holders for your campuses, do you swear to uphold the rules of the competition and to act with dignity and compassion?”
“Yes, sir.” The four students said in unison.
“Show me your talents.” The dean demanded. He held out a rubber ball like the ones I used to train with.
Zoe stepped forward. She raised her hand and focused. There was a hum in the air as her psychic powers awoke and suddenly the ball flew up into the air, hovered and then lowered itself back into the dean’s hand. She stepped back and bowed her head.
The next student stepped forward. He was from the east campus, the gold stripe on his uniform glittered in the stage lights. He gave a curt nod to the dean and took the ball from his hand. A fire erupted in his hand, shooting flames high up over the stage. Then, it vanished in a curl of smoke. The ball was singed, but unharmed.
A wave of whispers rolled through the auditorium.
Phylicia took a sharp inhale beside me. Her hands were gripping her seat and the upholstery was smoking.
I nudged her. “Are you ok?”
She snapped out of her shock and pulled her hands away from the seat, crossing her arms over her chest. “Yeah,” She said. “Just, never seen another pyrokinetic my age before.” She added.
I was so distracted that I didn’t see the talents of the other two students being displayed. All of the students were whispering. Pyrokinesis was a very rare talent. Phylicia sat beside me utterly speechless. I’d never seen her like this before.
“What, uh, what campus is that boy from?” She asked.
“East,” I said.
Psychic Lies: An Urban Fantasy Academy Romance (Psychic Academy Book 2) Page 8
