Suns rose and moons slumbered, and a year passed by. The trees around the orphanage became bigger, and just as our numbers reduced for awhile. It increased again. The boy with the fire magic had to leave in the month of Florentis, since he was going to turn 11 this year.
But currently speaking, four other kids came to join, and we became 21.
There is always going to be a situation in life where you have someone consistently competing against you. That, is who I term a nemesis.
And my first nemesis ended up being the ten year old Emily. She had acquired water magic as well, and, well, she wasn't letting us have it.
For instance, upon her arrival, Madame commissioned Avery and her on water duty, and I volunteered to join. This was because Avery was helping me figure out what exactly my magic was.
"Get out of the way!", she yelled at Avery and pushed her. Normally I wouldn't react because it wasn't me that was offended, but a sudden spark of rage prompted me to help her to her feet, grab a nearby bucket and pour the water out on Emily.
"Argh!". "Emily, let me tell you this. I don't know why I'm doing this to you, but only I can worry Avery. Heck, she didn't even do anything wrong to you. You have abilities. So what? We have too. You're no better than us!", I raced at her.
She only chuckled and waved her hands in a circular motion, making the water that had drenched her squeeze out of her dress. "And why do you think I'm not better than you?", she asked.
And suddenly, I had this mischievous grin. People in Aberdeen knew this grin. She asked for it, and I delivered the blow. "If your parents really wanted you, you won't be here. You're stuck with us, whether you like it or not", I laughed.
This girl decided that she would get us right there and then. So she cried, ran inside, and the next thing I knew, Madame Dupont was scolding me to and fro about how she expected much better from me. Avery tried to diffuse the situation, but it only convinced Madame that she was siding with me.
As a result, I had to mop the whole kitchen and wash all the dishes when everyone was done.
"I'm sorry about it", Avery said as I washed the dishes. She offered me a hand and I gladly accepted. I informed her later on that I'm going to be by her side no matter what. I wasn't going to let anyone bully us and get away with it. She shrugged, suggesting a sign of defeat.
So began my constant quarrels with Emily the Usurper(I had named her that). Sometimes we'd actually win over the situation, and sometimes we didn't. Other times too we'd both be let off the hook and sometimes we'd all be punished.
"What did you do this time?", Avery asked me on one occasion. I had recently cut off a chunk of Emily's hair, and she was frantically trying to glue it back. Madame had to send her to the salon to trim it down, so the end result was a bob cut.
I had been punished to set up the kitchenware and was made instructor of the day.
Fun fact: Instructor of the day are usually reserved for the older kids, and they are grouped with other instructors, usually like 4 or 5 others, to instruct the other students on their daily rounds.
My situation was different however, as Emily was the head of the instructors, and Madame had warned the others to let me do everything today.
"Avery please can you tell the 8 year olds that they have to start laying the beds for the evening?". "But I'm scared". "Avery, it's high time you learnt how to speak up for yourself and act authoritative".
She pouted her lips and frowned. "You know I'm right", I said, "Please for my sake, as a fellow sister, please".
She ignored me and walked away. Now this isn't the first time I have told her this, so I had begun to suspect that it was getting to her.
Upon Emily's arrival, our quarrels became worse, and before long, Madame set up therapy sessions for she and I to try and understand why we argued a lot.
"Madame Dupont", she started, clearing her 'tears', "I was trying to make friends with her". I rolled my eyes and sighed. "What do you have to say Aria?", Madame asked. I looked at her dead on the eyes, rolled my eyes again, and said, "Ma'am this life we're living people have decided that because they have abilities they assume to be better than others. They are usurpers. And as for people like me, my responsibility is to put them in place".
I requested to leave afterwards, which was denied, and Madame proceeded to call Avery.
I flared at her when she was told to recount my arguments with Emily from her perspective. To my utmost surprise, she said, "Emily is a sore pus. She never learns her lesson. In fact, she is the root of all the arguments". She walked up to me, gestured for me to get up, and added, "Until Emily leaves, Aria will fight. And I will support her, even if it means I have to get punished soon".
Madame and Emily gaped as Avery curtsied and dragged me out of the office.
"What made you talk?", I asked her later on after we had finished taking our baths. She shrugged. Keeping to herself I see, I thought and decided to let it slip by for the time being.
Still, the arguments didn't stop, but Madame decided she would go by another approach: if we don't see each other, then no arguments would occur. It did work for awhile, and then it didn't.
Why?
Because apparently someone thought it was rather effective to give Avery and I extra jobs. And for once, in this swell life I've lived in this world, I actually didn't have to stand up for myself.
Avery took matters into her own hands. "Avery", Emily sang her name out, "Can you add John's job to your tab please?". "No". "What?". "I said no, dummy".
I glared at her, signalling for her not to cause a commotion. Emily flared up and grabbed her by the shoulders, "I said take his job". "Why can't you take it? What you think you're special or what?", she yelled back.
"Avery.....", I tried to avert the situation but she slapped my hands away. "Don't touch me. If I have to beat this girl with my bare small hands, I will!", she yelled and pulled Emily's hair.
I had to run and search for Madame Dupont. What a great day, I thought after finding out that she was out of the orphanage for awhile. Having no other choice, I stretched out my hands at both of them and whispered, "Stop".
Suddenly, they went into a trance. I did my best to find out whatever I did wrong, then they froze in place. "Marlon", I cried out. I didn't want anyone finding out what I did. "Oh Aria what happened?", he asked, poking Emily's cheek. "I whispered 'Stop', they started moving weirdly and suddenly stopped moving. I'm scared Marlon", I said and started to cry.
"You haven't cried in awhile. Then it's quite serious". "Marlon, not funny". "I know".
From nowhere, my eyes started to blur. "Marlon.....". "You're getting dizzy. Quick! SAY REVERSE". I tried to stretch out my hands, but the only thing I could remember I said was 'Forget everything'.
"You have risked yourself again", the Primordial One said as I appeared before him. I feigned ignorance and only surveyed my surroundings. This time we weren't in the clouds, we were in a garden. Flowers of all kinds were being swayed by an unknown wind. "You choose to ignore me. Very well. Don't come crying when you die before your time". I quickly shook my hands, "Hey hey hey, I was just kidding. Please revive me", I begged in a baby-like time.
This hasn't been the first time he has replenished my health. Unknown to Avery and the others, during midnight, I sneak out with Marlon to a nearby cave, trying to figure out the mechanics of the magic system, and every time, the One rushes to replenish my health and revived me before I'm gobbled up by some unknown creatures, and this was no different.
"What have I been telling you about this ability? You're young it would drain you quickly. You're not ready". Then why give it to me huh?", I asked. My question was ignored. I didn't mind really, so I shifted my focus to the flowers. "I'm doing my best to look out for you. I don't like it when you hurt yourself ", he said and patted my hair, "Please promise me that you won't use them until they're required". "I needed to stop them from fighting". "You like Avery don't you?".
The question came as a shock to me. Fine I liked worrying the girl every now and then, but as a close friend. I started to smile.
"Can you hear that?", he asked. I concentrated and heard a faint sound.
Aria, Aria please come back to me, it called out. "That's her", he said, "she needs you". I nodded in agreement and bid farewell.
Soon, there I was, partially being strangled by a teary Avery. Apparently, Marlon had called for help, and when he arrived, Emily was shaking in one corner of the kitchen, whiles Avery was shaking me out of fear.