A week post the assembly, Gladys looked more like a battleground than a school. Students hustled and bustled all day long, training, fighting, preparing and defending. The attacks of memorisutira had also increased. They attacked almost every day now.

Two squads were assigned to fight every attack. Today, we were given this task, along with Octane.

A chill ran down my spine as I took in my surroundings. The simulation sphere that we once used to help us find our crystals was assisting us get an idea of what it would be like to fight a memorisutira; or a clan of theirs.

We were all standing in the simulation room with Octane and our mentors. Willia, Adam, Ethan and Tessa stepped out of the sphere. They were trying to act indifferent, but I could see Willia fidgeting, Adam's feet shaking slightly, Tessa puncturing her skin with her nails balled into her fists, and Ethan, well, this guy wasn't trying very hard to hide it. He was terrified. I could see it without even trying with his chattering teeth and widened, horrified eyes, shaking hands or his constricted speech.

They had taken thirty minutes to come out. That was the least time anyone had taken till now. It was our turn next. Our being me, Cupcake, Sean and Atria.

They were still dating, and it was killing me. Cupcake and Sean went on their second date yesterday. Horseriding. It was my suggestion; Sean had come to me to ask where he should take her. Now, I could have been mean and told him to go to a bar for drinks or something, but the thought of Cupcake being sad made it impossible for me to go through with it. So I suggested he do the one thing I knew she loved and something that was there in Gladys.

Now there they were, holding hands, ready to step into the sphere. I had never felt this crushed. So crushed that my heart burned when I saw Sean smiling at her when she wasn't looking; it made my eyes prick when she held his hand, and it made my chest heavy to know that she didn't want me.

Of course, she likes him.

He's perfect.

God, I hate him!

"Okay, kids, step in now," Ms Lily said.

"Can we die-"

"No, you won't die in there, Lorca," Ms Lily chuckled, and so did a few of my other team members. This was something I did for them. Try to make them smile during this stressful time.

"I'm trusting you two," I joked.

"You shouldn't," Mr Daniel joked back, or maybe he didn't.

A few chuckles rang out in the room upon the change in my expression to a slightly terrified one.

"You-you're joking, right?" I chuckled nervously.

"Whatever makes you go in there," He shrugged with a smile. That's how I knew he was indeed kidding.

"You're evil, sir," I squinted my eyes playfully.

"I learnt from the best," He gave Ms Lily a not so sly look.

"I am not evil!" She gasped and slapped him on the shoulder.

"Are you sure, Lil?" He laughed, making almost everyone laugh with him.

You already know what I did next; look at Cupcake to see her laughing. I knew I shouldn't've because she liked someone else bla bla bla. But I could not stop myself; it was like my eyes had a mind of their own. They just seemed to follow her everywhere.

When I did look at her, though, I found her looking at me. She was smiling that contagious smile of hers, and before I knew it, I was smiling too.

"Okay, go on now," Ms Stacy said as she practically pushed us into the sphere.

As soon as we four were in, they started the simulation. It was the same as last time, the floating, the pins and needles, but the only new thing was this feeling of uncertainty and anxiety. Knowing that we had to succeed.

The simulation began with us at the gates of Gladys with swords made out of clementine iridium, one of the only metal alloys that could kill a memorisutira.

"So how long do you think we'll have to wai-" Sean was interrupted by a growl.

"Not very long," I said and got ready, adjusting my grip on my sword.

Let's do this!

A/N:

Okay, I know there was a LONG gap. Life is crazy right now, I hardly have the time or energy to do anything. But if you're still here and reading this story, thank you so much! Honestly, you are very special and important to me, just like this book. 

I hope you have an awesome week!

Also, updates might be irregular the next two months, but I will try my level best to stay on schedule.

See you next time <3