Two parts of a whole

"So I guess this our last 'free night' right?" Alice joked bitterly. I reached over and hugged her close. We were in my room on my bed, staring at the wall because we were stressed out. "I'm sure its not our last, we'll have less but we can still have free nights." She nuzzled her face into my chest and sighed. For the past three weeks we've thrived off of each other's company. But now that we have the semester starting soon, She's worried that she won't be seeing me and that her bullies will take advantage of it.

I slipped my finger underneath her chin and pulled her lips up to meet mine. It was a short and sweet kiss but it still had the same effects on both of us: utter silence and happiness. "You can stay with me on the weekends if you want to and during the breaks." I said as I grinned with my best winning smile. I don't know what women see in me but it works every time. She smiled and nodded. "Perfect but can you make an exception for tonight?" I jokingly looked around as if I was thinking about it then smiling. "Of course silly, I'd be a horrible boyfriend if I didn't say yes." She pushed me over and laid on top of me. " I doubt it, you're already the hottest on campus. " I pulled the blankets over us and felt the warmth go to my cheeks. Alice made herself comfortable on my chest and went to sleep.

I kissed the top of her head and stared at the ceiling before going to sleep for once in my life. No nightmares came to me that night, just a dream of Alice and me on the porch of a small two story house and me proposing to her later on in the night. Before I could get the answer I had woken up to someone teasing my lips. "Ah, why must you wake me up in that cruel manner?" I asked Alice, who was wearing a denim jacket with a white shirt underneath and jeans. She simply giggled and pulled me up. "Get ready, you're going to have to address the whole clan and the entire school at the gathering." I groaned and put on gloves and a trenchcoat with black jeans.

"Goodie, I have to talk to a whole crowd." I said sarcastically. Alice pouted mockingly. "Are you telling me that you're a nervous speaker?" I mumbled under my breath. "Taking out a small army and speaking in front of one are two different things. " She nodded. "True but you still have to do it and you'll do just fine." She fixed my collar and smiled. "Your family would've been proud." I smiled and hugged her. "Thank you. " I walked downstairs to see the full clan looking towards me, I turned a light shade of pink before smiling and nodding my head at them. The oddest thing happened though, they all saluted me then exited the room. If that wasn't a confidence boost I dont know what one is.

A limo pulled up to me as soon as I got outside and gestured for Alice and I to get in. We rode in silence as I stared at the crowds of other Gifted students and a few mentors, who were being carried by their clan in an egotistical manner. Alice stared blankly outside and sighed. "It'll be fine." She turned to me and looked flustered. "No it wont, I'll be lucky if I get murdered this year. Nevermind, you wouldn't understand. " She immediately had guilt written across her face and looked at her feet. "Actually I do, I've been callled far worse than what you have and most of my skin is scar tissue. Believe me, I know. I will protect you. " She smiled and held my hand. "Sorry, that was rude of me." I shrugged. "It's ok."

The gathering area looked like an outdoor debating area for mayors, a platform for Council and Mentors to speak was lightly decorated in Red, White, Green, Purple, and Blue. Cherry blossoms were in full bloom and dotted the area along with purple tulips. Our chauffeur opened the door for us and escorted us to our seats next to the Council which had one missing, Fayard. "Jason! I almost didn't recognize you and Alice you look gorgeous. " Ms. Thompson had covered her injuries with makeup and looked more chipper and rested. "You look great too!" Alice smiled and leaned on me while we waited for the event to begin.

Jared tapped the microphone and cleared his throat. "Before we begin, I'd like to mention that we have a new member of the fifth clan and a new mentor. I'd also like to mention that our Councilor Fayard Johnson is absent for this semester until the tournament in six months." Whispering filled the air, frantic, inquisitive, and worried. Jared pounded his fist on the podium and shouted. "Ahem, now without further interruption. Welcome students to Guardian Academy!"

The crowd cheered and went crazy. "Now, you know that since you are going to be putting your lives on the line that laws hereare breakable but we recently had an incident of forced injection of Blood Red. I'm not mentioning specifics but the second clan is now under watch until punishments are dealt out. A firm reminder to all of you, there is no murdering, unlawful maiming, injection of any drugs, and absolutely no ganging up on any students. If I hear of any of this, it will be up to your mentors to deal out punishments which is anything they deem necessary except for blatant abuse after a one time physical punishment or assignment. Now, for those of you who don't know me I am General Anthony and I command everyone in times of crisis and the guard force that act as our first responders and army. Now let me introduce to..." His voice faded out of my hearing as he and the councilors introduced themselves and blabbed on. Finally, they called up mentors.

"I am Ian Paul Majors, mentor to the first clan...the clan of war! We deliver some of the absolute best warri-." A student from the second clan cut him off with a spitball. "Yeah, Yeah! Get it on with Ares." Ian wiped his face and glared at the kid. "Fine, our clan is about brute strength and durability, we have mostly builders and brutes with a few geeks to think about our strategies so we can attack with a plan and not blindly. Recruits that join will receive training in combat tactics and physical training, a standard bedroom, and a private trainer or training partner if you cannot catch up. That is all I have to say." He bowed and everyone clapped for him and out of courtesy since about everyone hated him in the crowd except for a few. Next, was a skinny kid who looked like he came out of a moshpit. His black hair had purple highlights and was seriously juiced up, he held a EnergyX in his hand and was twitching and sparking.

"Welcome dudes and dudettes! I am Liam George Adams and a proud mentor to the second clan, we offer recruits a special place for those feeling inferior and just need to let loose with their powers! We're also the party clan and rave at all hours after training classes. Thank you for your time! " The crowd clapped and whistled. The next mentor approached the microphone. "Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I am Jasper Hayes, leader of the third clan. We're mostly composed of telepaths and energy users and we offer a quiet and dark training place and tranquility. That is all, I rather not waste time." Jasper floated off the stage. He wore a cloak that covered his face and body, looking very suspicious.

I sunk a little in my seat before getting up and approaching the microphone. I looked at the council, then Alice. They just smiled and nodded at me, gesturing for me to start.

"To be honest, I'd never thought I'd be here. I have been on my own in Jacksonville for awhile and before somewhere terrible. But today I speak for the fifth clan house, who welcomes all. I don't want one type of recruit, I want all sorts of recruits! I want to train in all aspects of your abilites and hone your skills for battle, for when we're on the battlefield five years from now. I know discipline, I know how to train you, I know how to do it. I was caught by the Republic and tortured till I was almost dead and they trained me to be their star soldier, well what they forgot was I was a rebel. I eventually destroyed a large part of their headquarters in South America, planned an escape with three friends, and yet I was the only one to escape. Fourty percent scar tissue, being able to hold up a semi with one arm, I can blast myself fourty feet in the air and shoot myself through a city in five minutes, I can move cars and destroy buildings with my mind and take a butterknife and knock a gun out of someone's hand. I offer you all the best training, acceptance, and companionship. You are not pawns or enemies to me, but comrades. I am Jason Jasper Wood, leader to the fifth."

The crowd was silent for a second, murmuring and eyeying me. I thought they would boo me off the stage but suddenly the other mentors stood and started clapping and cheering, then the others followed their lead and started chanting. "Ja-son! Ja-son! Ja-son!" I smiled and bowed to them and sat down, but they weren't done, Thompson and the councilors stood on stage and saluted me. "To Jason, survivor of the Republic's wrath and responsible for being very close to killing their leader!" I looked at them with begging eyes to stop. They smiled and stepped out into the crowd. I sighed and walked through the crowd with Alice accompanying me and felt eyes on me. I got compliments and praise as I waded through the masses of newbies and returning members.

"See everyone loves you." Alice said, putting in little positive emotion and seeming distracted by something troubling her. "What's up?" She clenched her teeth and looked at me, irritation, fear, jealousy, and overall despair. "Someone walked past me and caused a small scene while you walked up there to give your speech, calling me freak, psychotic demon, and saying they hated people like me. How can people love you? Not to be rude I mean. It's so odd to me, I feel so out of place without you or Grace. Others look at me with so much fear and hate." She looked utterly defeated and upset. I smiled sympathetically and gently lifted her chin up, leading her face to look at me.

"Alice, there's no need to feel like you are out of place. I love you and Grace loves you and Zack and Shauna, you don't need everyone to like you and so what if they hated you? You are as normal as they are. If I, so as see a scratch on you, whoever does it gets a beating like no other they have experienced." She just smiled and dumped herself in my arms to cry her eyes out.

"I'm so happy I have you." She said softly through sobs. I rubbed her back and smiled. "I'm so happy I have you." She looked at me with confusion. "I love you and everything but why me? Besides my personality, habits, and looks." I laughed and held her close to my chest. "You're my other half, the only part of me that keeps me going, alive and fighting."

"Two parts of a whole cannot be without each other. "

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