Looking For Angels

Natalia is just going into high school. A new one. She's been kicked out of all the others. She knows a lot but perhaps she doesn't know herself as well as she thought she did. Rated PG 13, I think. TATN / Thalia! 04:50, February 28, 2010 (UTC)

Chapter One.
I hastily tied my black hair in a ponytail, clipping or bobby-pinning up the stray hairs. My layered hair was sometimes quite annoying.

I looked... moderate today. Not that I ever looked pretty.

Unless I had tonnes of make-up one. And that was a really rare occasion.

I threw on my black hoodie and ran out the door, late for floor-hockey practice.

My school was about a block away but pedestrian traffic was a nightmare.

When I finally got changed and into the practice, everyone was scowling at me. I explained that my alarm hadn't gone off.

The coach told me this was my last warning. I nodded and understood.

After practice, when I was brushing my hair from it's messy ponytail, Amanda (a bitch) confronted me.

"Poor you little Natalia Roberts." She mocked, rubbing under her eyes with fists like she was crying. "But get the f*ck over your alarm and get to practice on time."

I glared at her with my light-brown eyes. "Maybe I don't want to come to practice because of you." I spat. "But alas, my bitch mother makes me."

Amanda opened her mouth to say something when another girl, from my history class. "Stop arguing!"

We both shut up. Even though May, the girl was small and calm and really patient and bubbly, she was pretty persuasive.

May was also really short even though she was a month older than me.

I finished getting changed and walked out of the change-room.

Looking at the sky told me one thing as I hurried to math. More storms. I sighed and opened the door to math class.

I heard the crackle of thunder outside.

Told'ya there'd be storms. I peeked out the window to see rain coming down in sheets and lightning flash across the sky.

This held my attention for some time until Mrs Barnette caught me.

"Natalia Roberts!" She hissed, folding her arms over her bosom angrily. "What is so much more interesting than learning about multiplying integers?"

Was she speaking English any more? "Uh, just heard some thunder and I wondered what was going on." I tried, voice shaky and small.

"You could have checked this after class young miss. Detention. After school."

I sighed and looked out the window again. The rain had already caused mud and puddles.

After school, I tried to sneak past Mrs Barnette's room but she caught me.

"Natalia! Get back here you have a detention to serve!" She screeched.

I sighed and followed her back into the math room.

She sat me down right in the front row and picked up her white chalk. She started to write on the board. I could hardly read it until I realized it was in... A different language.

I finally made it out, somehow, though. It said: ''Say your prayers to the gods, child. It'll your last chance.''

The gods? My last? Was this woman insane? I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, drumming my fingers on my thigh.

I was dying to get out of here and take a shower.

I cleared my throat and coughed once.

"Shh!" Mrs Barnette ordered.

I stayed quiet, looking around the again-silent room. I looked down at my iTouch for the time. 3:10.

I was late for my floor-hockey game. Poor me. I'd be killed tomorrow by them, the girls on my team.

There was a shy, hesitant knock on the door and in walked May. She was wearing really bright clothing that hurt my eyes. She was like my opposite.

Somehow, May always managed to wear full-legged clothing. Like, long jeans and stuff. She'd never worn shorts or skirts.

"H-hi, Mrs Barnette." May stammered.

"What are you doing here, May Stanlees?" She hissed, turning her head with such a jerk it was surprising it didn't fall off.

May chuckled nervously and grinned bashfully.

"Out!"

May left, limping. See, May has a leg problem and is always limping. I don't know why though.

Mrs Barnette turned to me and grinned wickedly. I smiled uncomfortably, holding my breath. Her gait was tedious and slow as she walked towards me.

"Now, child. It's your turn to see how well you can do." She crooned, grabbing something from her pocket.

"Wh-what?" I asked, scooting back in my chair a little.

"I am what you are. But a daughter of Ares. Take my spare sword and fight me, coward!"

She thrust a real, bronze pencil into my hand. She told me to press on the eraser. I did so.

It immediately elongated into a bronze sword that was the size of my torso. I gasped and nearly dropped it when I saw my math teacher holding an identical one.

She swung at me, grazing my arm and giving me a gash. Better than floor hockey? I think so.

I screamed but swung my sword as well. It nipped her arm and left a small bloody cut.

This was not going so well.

"I know what it's like, Natalia!" She screamed. "To never meet your father!"

"I know my dad!" I shot back. I did. His name was Alfred.

Our swords clashed together. I could feel a bead of sweat on my forehead, crawling down. I focused, gathering all my strength until...

Finally, I was stronger than her and brought my sword down on her shoulder. Blood seeped out quickly and fell down her blue cardigan.

Mrs Barnette screamed in pain and dropped her sword. I'd gotten her dominant arm. I stood there, sword being held in both hands until I realized there was May standing in the doorway.

Busted. I thought, panting.

May's jaw was agape. I looked down at Mrs Barnette who glared back at me.

"Stupid hero. Finish me and prove you're strong." She hissed.

I brought my sword across her throat and watched her die.

"Nat..." May whispered, walking in and shutting the door. "There's a lot of explaining to do."