Talent Storm (12 page)

☼☼☼

Today, we would have our first of three major head-to-head competitions. It would be nice to see what I could do against Sid. I was bound to beat him at least once with all my potential. Sid often talked about how much he practiced. I couldn’t imagine putting in all that time. If I could beat him today without training, I’d really put him in his place. I walked into class and sat, shortly before we began our Mantra and Oath.

After we finished, Deo said, “Today you face the first of the three head-to-head challenges. Up until now, you all know which student in your group has been excelling. Now it’s time to prove yourselves in some real challenges. Gather your things and let’s go.”

I stood and noticed Lilly across the room, talking to a female student. She glanced over and our eyes met. I smiled. She scowled and turned away. My heart sank from her look of disdain. I needed to make things right. I couldn’t take it anymore.

Her conversation continued. “You’re right. What kind of jerk would break my mailbox?” she asked.

Catching Sid’s glare out of the corner of my eye, I turned away from Lilly. Why couldn’t he just leave me alone? Talent, I hated him. If I lost to him today, I’d know he was definitely better.

“We’ll begin with the telekinetics in The Bar competition. Follow me,” said Deo.

We walked behind the training facilities to an open field. In the center was a long row of ten steel bars attached to the ground at a pivot point. Each five-foot bar stood vertically. On our way out, I inadvertently scowled as Sid approached me.

He sneered at me. “I hope you’re prepared to be destroyed,” he said. “It looks like you’ve been scuttling your time like a filthy Wilder.”

“Please. Wilders don’t even brush their teeth. I brush and floss twice a day. Besides, I’ve been doing tons... I’ve been socializing, hiking, drinking, and the list goes on and on.”

Sid furrowed his brow and frowned. “You clearly misread my meaning. I meant you’re not fulfilling your take-home responsibilities. You’ll have to put your nose to the grind stone if you want to defeat me.”

I stopped and grabbed his arm facing him squarely. “I don’t need to train. I have the most potential ever recorded. You have no chance.” I wanted to crush him even more now.

Sid tugged his chubby arm away and glowered at me. “I’ll await the conclusion of our challenge.”

He spun around, then paused looking to his left. His hand lit up blue. I raised my own hand, readying my talent. Did he want to fight? I followed his gaze. A bumpy toad was hopping along the bushes. Sid’s hand shot open and the toad’s limbs ripped off.

I gasped. “Why did you do that?”

He shrugged. “It was amusing.”

“Don’t you care that it was alive?”

“No. Not really.” He turned and ambled away. I followed, sticking my tongue at him. What a bastard he was.

When we reached the testing grounds, Instructor Deo said, “The goal of this challenge is to telekinetically push each bar down to your opponent’s side while he’s opposing you. The Bar tests both your power and endurance. If you use all your talent on the first few bars, your opponent will easily defeat you on the remaining ones.”

Good point, I’d have to pace myself. Standing before Sid, ready for the competition, I caught Lilly’s eye. She frowned before rolling her eyes and turning away.

“Begin,” said Deo.

My attention snapped back to the first bar, and I pushed with about half my talent strength. It sprung to life, whipping in Sid’s direction before suddenly freezing as Sid began to resist. The sudden strain on my mind caused me to stumble before I caught my balance. Standing tall again, my eyes widened as the bar slowly began to push toward me. He was stronger than I thought. Now, pushing with my full talent, the bar slowed before reversing directions. Finally, the bar slammed into the metal base on Sid’s side with a resounding clang. Sid gasped, then shook his head, his greasy hair falling over his glasses. I beat him on one!

The second bar sprung toward me quicker than I anticipated. I focused on it and strained against the push, but it still came. Sweating, I released my mental grip, knowing that I was doomed to lose. The bar smashed into my side. Damn.

One to one, I thought as I set my jaw before focusing on the third bar. Once again, the power that resisted me was a massive unbeatable force. Releasing my reserves, I struggled against his might and grunted. I couldn’t reverse the bar. He had to be close to fatiguing though. If I could just hold on a little longer— Suddenly, fatigue set on me like a tempest, rocking my mind. The bar banged down on my side. Students in the class murmured as I collapsed to the ground, defeated. Cradling my head, I heard Sid laugh before he slammed down the remaining seven bars unopposed. The class cheered for him. Had I fallen so far? I couldn’t believe he was that much stronger than me. Maybe training did pay off.

“Congratulations to Sid, the victor,” Instructor Deo said

“Yeah, me,” said Sid.

“And, in a distant second place is Jaden,” said Deo.

I frowned as the class laughed. Hearing footsteps, I looked up. Sid stood over me with a smug smile.

“Wow, that was quite embarrassing. You fatigued on the first two bars.” He giggled, his stomach jiggling. “I paced myself, only using half of my total power. You’re going to have to train relentlessly to rival me.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. I lowered my head, unable to respond. What could I say? He was better than me. After I heard him walk away, I looked up at the class. With a raised upper lip and a wrinkled nose, Lilly met my eyes before shaking her head. What a complete failure I was. Lilly hated me and Sid was better than me. I lay down on my back, unwilling to get up while the rest of the class departed.

☼☼☼

Back in my room, I laid in my bed, disgusted with myself. I was so pathetic. I hated losing to Sid, so much that I almost wanted to train harder. I didn’t like the way Lilly looked at me either. Now she was mad and disgusted with me. She trained hard all the time and always won her competitions. People like her resented those who preferred leisure. I had two choices. I could train hard like the Instructor and everybody wanted, or I could continue enjoying my relaxed life. If I trained, Lilly might respect me more. It would also be nice to get revenge on Sid. It would just take so much work and it was great to be stress free.

My placement afterwards would also be determined by how I did in advanced. If I continued to take it easy, maybe I’d land a cushy job afterward, instead of some life-threatening mission like my parents were sent on. Damn the military. I hated to think of my future as one of their minions. It was decided then. I nodded, feeling more resolute. I wouldn’t work hard for them. There were just too many negative outcomes of training hard. I hoped I’d still be able to win over Lilly without training. Hopefully my grand gesture would succeed. Paradise would be a relaxed life with Lilly’s affection. I smiled, imagining what it would be like.

☼☼☼

The next morning I arrived at Lilly’s house, ready to start phase one of my apology. Removing a large burlap sack from my shoulder, I dropped it with a huff. I opened it and removed pine boards, paint, and tools. She would surely forgive me if I rebuilt her mailbox. I’d have plenty of time while she was at advanced today. Setting my mind to the project, I began to sketch designs. I settled on a two-story mailbox house, one floor for the mail and one for the newspaper.

“What are you doing at my mailbox?”

I jumped, inhaling sharply. I whirled, heart pounding, to see a chubby, balding man. He didn’t look like Lilly at all.

“Nothing sir. I was just fixing it.”

His eyebrows lowered. “Were you the one that broke it?”

“No sir. I just heard that it was broken and I’m trying to help out the community.” I didn’t want to mention that I wanted his daughter.

He squinted at me for a few breaths, then nodded. “Okay. Make sure it’s nice, you nut.”

Exhaling fully, I returned to work. After long hours, including several breaks, I finally finished. I opened both doors to admire my handiwork. The green and white paint job matched the house. It was a masterpiece.

“What are you doing here?” Lilly asked, startling me.

Turning, I watched her scrunch up her face.

“Why weren’t you at advanced today?”

“I had something more important to do,” I said and beamed a smile.

She frowned, shaking her head. “There’s nothing more important than improving your talent to protect the Coalition. Besides you have an obligation.”

Now I’d done it. Great start. I should have known she’d be pro-attendance since she was so studious. “You’re right. I just wanted to apologize again. I’m really sorry. I made a huge mistake when I got mad at you a few weeks ago.”

“You sure did. I was going to forgive you. I know lifting my skirt was an accident, but you were a real jerk when you yelled at me. I can’t believe you would accuse me of rubbing my high quiz grade in your face.”

I shook my head. “I know. That was really stupid. I wasn’t thinking right.”

She rolled her eyes. “Then, you didn’t talk to me for nearly a month. Why should I forgive you now?”

I swallowed hard, hoping that my gesture was enough to gain her forgiveness. “I heard that someone broke your mailbox.”

She squinted. “Yeah, what does that have to do with anything?”

“Well, I came here to fix it as my apology.”

Biting her lip, she looked over her shoulder before looking back at me. “Why are you standing over here then?”

Stepping to the side, I held my hand out, “Ta-da!”

Her hard face suddenly melted as she giggled. I frowned. Maybe she didn’t like the design. I supposed it was a bit much.

Continuing to giggle, she barely managed to say, “This is my neighbor’s mailbox.”

My mouth dropped. “What?” I glanced at the broken mailbox next door. Smacking my forehead, I couldn’t believe how stupid I was.

She still laughed, now gasping for breath. “My neighbors will be happy at least. Someone broke their mailbox too.”

What a failure I was; I blew it. Lowering my head into my hands, I shook it. At least there were other women out there, even if they weren’t as perfect as the girl at the park was.

She tilted her head. “Don’t look so upset. I forgive you. I probably shouldn’t, but this was a really nice apology.”

The sun suddenly seemed brighter, the birds’ songs more cheerful. I’d done it! After believing I’d failed, her forgiveness warmed my spirit. Now I’d have to get her to like me.

“You shouldn’t have waited so long to apologize.”

“I know. It was stupid. I just wanted to show you how sorry I was.”

She smiled, becoming the beautiful, kind girl from the park all over again. I couldn’t believe I ever doubted it was worth fighting for her.

“It was really sweet to try to fix my mailbox. And I know you didn’t mean to raise my skirt. It seems like you really owed Danessa anyway. Maybe I’ll help you get her back next time, so you don’t mistake us.”

“It’s a date.”

She raised her palms in front of me. “Whoa, don’t get ahead of yourself.”

I frowned, feeling a little deflated.

“Play your cards right though and who knows.”

“I’m great at cards,” I said, with a big smile.

She laughed. “We’ll see about that.”

I nodded. We will. “Thanks for accepting my apology. I really felt bad about everything.”

“It’s nothing. Besides, now I have a hilarious story to tell my friends,” she said, playfully punching my arm.

I shook my head. Great. What would they think of me? “I’ve been meaning to ask you. How did you graduate early?”

She shrugged. “I skipped a grade.”

“What? I’ve never heard of anyone skipping.”

“Yeah, I guess I was the first.”

Wow, was she that smart? First the quiz and now this. I was even more impressed with her. How could she get any better? “Impressive.”

She glanced down, blushing. “It was nothing.” She met my eyes again, smiling. “Want to come in for quick drink?”

“I’d love to.”

She grinned, her rosy cheeks dimpling. “Okay, let’s go.”

I felt her smooth hand clasp mine and nearly froze. I’d waited four years to feel her touch. She pulled me toward her house. I followed with a big dumb smile on my face, suddenly very excited about life.

☼☼☼

I sat in class, drawing Lilly’s face in my notebook. I couldn’t seem to do her beauty justice. Instructor Deo lectured on how to control your anger and the importance of it. I glanced up to see Sid passing a note to Clayne, his new friend. He’d been doing it all class. What could he possibly have to say?

While Deo droned on, Danessa's voice popped into my head.
Hey, Cutie. What ya thinking about?

I met her eyes and she winked. It was still odd to communicate with her telepathically.
I’m just worried about Ben. It seems like he’s been getting more depressed, not less like I thought he would. I’m going to talk to his dad about it,
I thought to her.

Good thinking. For now, you should get your mind off of it. Let’s prank Sid.

I frowned and shook my head.
I don’t know if that's a good idea. I'm trying to keep a low profile. The last thing I need is the Instructor breathing down my neck
.

Danessa faced me, her smile devious.
Aww come on. I know you want to get him back for destroying you at The Bar. That must have been embarrassing.

I cringed as I remembered how badly he beat me.
You're right. I should get him back. What's the plan?

After she outlined the plot, she smiled from across the classroom. I nodded, smiling slightly before eyeing Sid.
I can't wait to see what you'll come up with,
I thought.

She smiled wickedly before ripping off a small sheet of paper from her notebook. After a few minutes, her voice sounded in my mind again.
I’m done. It’s your turn
.

Sid finished writing another note. Seeing my opportunity, I telekinetically tapped him on the shoulder. The second he looked around with raised eyebrows, I mentally whisked his note away. Then, I replaced it with the now folded scrap of paper from Danessa’s desk. Sid turned forward again before passing the note.