"I have been at this for the past half an hour!" Jackson yelled.

"Well, then you're not trying hard enough!" Willia yelled back.

"Are you kidding me right now?" Jackson spat.

"You need to open that darned window! It's the only one here, our only way out!" Willia shot back.

I took my eyes off the two in an attempt to distract me from it. So, I decided to look for Argenta. She was sitting on the floor beside the telescope. Her forehead was resting on her hand, her brows furrowed. The constant wrangling upstairs was getting on her nerves too.

"You know what? I can't take this anymore!" Jackson shouted as he started to walk away from the window.

"How in hell are we gonna get out then? I am telling you to open that window because you are the only one tall enough to reach it,"

"Who made you the leader anyway, huh?"

Willia was taken aback by his words. But quite honestly, I did not feel bad for her. She had been giving orders to everyone for the past 30 minutes, and everyone was annoyed at this point.

"Well, I did," Willia yelled at Jackson.

"And who do you think you are?" Jackson retaliated.

"I-"

"Guys, STOP IT!" Argenta yelled, standing up, "Just shut it, both of you."

"Ar-" Jackson tried to speak, but she stopped him before he could say anything.

"No, let me finish, J," She said, "I am sick and tired of all this quarrelling."

She turned to face Jackson.

"You, Jackson, need to cooperate. We have to support each other's ideas if we ever wanna get out of here. And Willia, no one likes being bossed around, so please stop that. You can't just order someone to do what you want them to. That's not how things work in a team."

This shut them both up.

Oh. My. Damn. God. I am soooooo impressed!

She is... WOW!

"What's your plan?" Willia asked after a few seconds of dead silence and many amused/shocked glares from everyone towards Argenta.

"I don't have a plan. But that is precisely what a team is for, to discuss ideas and come up with a plan collectively."

"And how do we start?" Asked Jackson.

"Well, we can start by telling everyone what we're best at,"

Argenta suggested, "Why don't you start, J?"

"Sure, well, um, I'm tall, and I am awesome at mechanics," said Jackson.

"I have knowledge of a lot of topics. And a killer memory," Willia said.

"I'm brilliant with tech," said Cleo.

"I'm a master of disguise and a linguist," said Nick.

"I'm great at formulating lowest risk plans and damage control." Yara chimed in.

"I've got speed, endurance, and I can sketch," Reyna said.

"I'm a charm-talker or persuader," said Adam.

"I've studied medicine, and I'm hella flexible," Brittney spoke up.

"Can you fit into a suitcase?" Cleo asked, making all of us laugh.

"Yes, I can, Cleo," Brittney replied.

"What about you, Lory?" Argenta asked me.

"I'm..."

What the hell am I good at?! I can do a bunch of stuff, but what am I perfect at...?

...Nothing

Oh dear god! I'm not good at anything!

"...observational?" I said, "And I'm okay at chemistry and mechanics,"

"Okay," Argenta said, "I'm agile and good at disguise. And I'm a combat specialist."

"Now that we know what our strengths are, we can make a plan, using them the best," she continued, "Lory and Jackson, can you two make a tool to open the window? A lever or something like that, and I think you can find a lubricant up there." She pointed at the top of the staircase that led to the mezzanine.

"Yeah, we can do that," Jackson said as his energy and enthusiasm returned. He then looked at me to say yes. But I was still shaken that I am not the best at anything.

Do I even belong here?

They are all perfect.

They know their strengths and weaknesses.

They all have things they are perfect at. What do I have?

"Earth to Lory," Jackson said as he waved his hands in my face.

"Yeah, let's... let's... um, do it," I said.

"What happens when the window is opened?" Nick asked.

"I guess that's where I come in," said Yara, "the window is very high above the ground, so we need someone who can jump without getting themselves hurt."

"I can do that," Argenta suggested, "the next step would be to figure out the combination for the lock on the gate. Cleo, that's where you come in."

"I can hack into the system, but it can take time," Cleo said.

"Weren't you brilliant with tech? It hardly takes any time in movies..." Nick commented. But I think he instantly regretted it because of the killer glare that Cleo was shooting in his direction. Cleo's face went from an innocent kid who didn't care about anything to a raging vampire/werewolf who was out for blood in 0.02 seconds.

That's probably his trigger...

Uh oh

Explosion in 3...

2...

1...

"THE MOVIES ARE UNREALISTIC!!!!!!!!!!!"

Knew it!

"THEY JUST GO GFCHJNJNDCWBHDLHHGWADGVCDSXFBHVFXS, SPACE BAR, ENTER KEY, AND 'I'M IN' !!!!! HACKING DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT!!!!!!!!! IT TAKES TIIIIIME!!!!" Cleo yelled.

"Okay, let's calm down," Argenta said as she patted Cleo on the back, and Nick hid behind me to protect himself from Cleo's wrath.

"Cleo, can you get the code?" Argenta continued, hoping to change the subject.

"Yes, I can, Argenta. But I need time," He said through gritted teeth and glared at Nick when he was at the last part.

"Perfect!"

"But what if there is a physical lock?" Reyna asked.

"That is a brilliant question, Reyna. You're so smart," Nick said, making Reyna blush and earning amused looks from the rest of us.

"Willia, do you know how to pick a lock?" Argenta asked.

"Yeah, I'll teach you, "Willia replied.

"Great, so I guess we're done. Time to execute the plan,"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jackson and I were at the top of the staircase and making our way to the tool cupboard. Willia was teaching Argenta how to pick a lock. Cleo was trying to hack into the system with his phone. Nick was carefully observing him do so while Reyna, Brittney, Yara and Adam were just chatting.

"You ready?" Jax asked me.

"Yeah, I am," I said.

"Let's see what tools we've got,"

He bent down to open the doors of the cupboard to reveal not a lot of tools.

"We have lubricant and a few other basic tools, great!" I remarked.

"Hey, we also have this piece of metal. We can make the lever out of this." He said, holding out a thick piece of iron about 60 centimetres in length.

"Only if we can somehow bend it,"

"Let's try,"

A piece of friendly advice: Never try to bend a 5 cm thick piece of iron if you're not friggin' hulk because it can take you several decades to do it. And give you sore palms and some bruises here and there.

"This is impossible without smelting it!" Jax groaned as he tried to hammer the iron into shape for the millionth time.

"Well, we can't get a furnace in here, so we have to try," I sighed, frustrated out of my mind.

I stood up from the wooded floor of the mezzanine when I noticed Argenta walking towards us.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"We can't get a furnace in here, but we can't bend this iron without smelting it," Jax answered.

"Maybe we can make a furnace..." She trailed off in thought then turned swiftly to look at Willia sitting downstairs.

"Hey Willia!" She shouted, to which Willia looked up and waited for her to continue.

"What's the power of the objective of that one?" She pointed to the giant telescope in the very centre of the observatory.

Willia got up from where she was sitting and looked at the sides of the telescope.

"1 D," She shouted back.

"And what about the eyepiece?"

"80 D"

"That should work," Argenta said, turning back to face us, "Do you see that glass box over there?"

Jax and I turned our heads in the direction of her finger to see a glass box filled with old pale yellow sheets.

I could've just said, "yeah, I see it," but where's the fun in that.

"Oh no, I can't see it. I've gone blind! Help!" I screeched out just to annoy her.

She scrunched her eyebrows and looked at me as if to say, 'really?'. Then she shook her head to dismiss my annoying behaviour and told us to bring the box downstairs.

It took her about half an hour. During this time, she placed the lens at a calculated position in the glass box, found curved mirrors, positioned them inside carefully and calculated where the iron, lens and the mirrors needed to be placed so that the sunlight could be concentrated on one point. Half an hour; that's all it took her to make a furnace out of thin air. I had never been this impressed with anyone ever before.

"I hope this works," She said just before putting the piece of iron in the commuted place in the glass box solar furnace.

"It will take some time because it isn't an actual furnace. I think we all should take a break till then," Said Willia.

We all nodded and went to find stuff to do. I didn't really want to talk to anyone because I needed to be alone for some time. So, I went to the place on the mezzanine where the window was and sat down. I was still a little shook that I didn't have anything that I was the best at.

You're a loser, Lorcan. Everyone here has spectacular achievements, but what have you accomplished so far?

Nothing.

Do I even belong here?

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realise when Argenta came and sat beside me.

"What's up?" She asked.

"Birds? Clouds? The sky?" I replied in hopes to annoy her. It gave me unexplainable pleasure. And I had no idea why.

"Haha. Very funny." She spat just before she started chuckling.

"But seriously, what's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing's wrong," I replied, trying to smile as wide as I could and played innocent so she couldn't see that I'm doubting if I even belong at Gladys.

"You're not fooling anyone. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't push you. But if you ever want to talk, I'm always here. Okay?" She said with a look in her eyes that words just can't explain. Her eyes were full of worry and pain, and she had a heart-warming smile gracing her face.

How can someone be this fabulous?

"Okay," I said, smiling involuntarily.

She smiled back and turned her head to look straight ahead in thought.

She was probably one of the only people who had ever looked through the mask that I wore to hide my emotions.

It bugged me sometimes. Was I so good at putting on this mask that no one could see through it? No one ever noticed the pain or sadness in my eyes?

But she did.

She looked right through it.

"You stare a lot, Lory." She chuckled, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I was staring agaaaaaiiiiin?! Ugh!

I turned my head swiftly and mumbled a sorry.

We sat there for a few minutes quietly. Sitting in silence with Argenta was not awkward at all, for some reason. But I wanted to keep talking to her.

Come on! Say something!

"Soooo, what's your favourite colour?"

What?!

Colour?!

Seriously!

She chuckled and said, "Blue,"

"Cool," I said.

After a few more minutes of silence, she spoke up.

"I figured out a few methods to torture our lovebirds," She said, smirking as she looked at Nick and Reyna chatting( more like flirting) with each other downstairs.

We discussed ways to torment our buddies until Jax called out to everyone, telling them the iron was ready to be shaped.

We all gathered around the furnace, and Jax started to hammer the iron. It bent!

We could finally make our lever!

After about 20 minutes, our lever was ready. We were all standing around the window as Jax put the lever in position and started applying force.

The moment of truth...

All pairs of eyes were gaping at Jax and the lever with hope, and then it happened.

The window opened!

Jackson pushed it up completely and interlaced his fingers as he bent a little to give Argenta help in climbing up to the window. She stepped on it and swarmed up with ease, and before we knew it, she jumped out.

We now turned our heads towards Cleo's phone, showing the live surveillance footage from the CCTVs outside the observatory. Reyna called Argenta so that we could talk to her. She paced to the door of the observatory without wasting any time.

"Okay, I'm here," She said, through the phone, "Cleo, what is the combination?"

"356331"

"Wrong code..."

"No need to thank- WHAT!" Cleo exclaimed.

"How is that possible? I know this is the code. Are you sure you typed it correctly? 356331" He started rambling frantically.

"Cleo, are you sure it's the correct code?" Argenta said.

"Yes, I'm 100% sure, Argenta,"

"Cleo, check again!" said Willia.

"I am sure, Willia! Argenta, trust me, the code is 356331,"

"Okay, Cleo, let me check,"

She examined the gate for a few seconds.

"Hold on...this one's a fake!"

A series of whats filled the air when she said that.

"Yeah, It's fake. Jax throw me the lever from the window."

Jax did as she said, and she took the lever and attacked the metal pad.

Just as she predicted, it fell off and revealed the real one.

"Now put in the code, Argenta," Nick said.

"Thank you for telling me what to do next, Nick. What would I have done if you weren't there?!"She said sarcastically, which made all of us chuckle.

She typed the code and unlocked the door.

Finally, we're outta here!

We all ran to the door and stepped out into the lawn in front of the observatory.

Our mentors were sitting on a bench on the other side. They both stood up as soon as they saw us and started walking towards us. It was evident from their faces that they were shocked.

"Armada," said Mr Daniel, "I have to say, I'm impressed,"

"It's 5:20 right now, and honestly, I assumed you wouldn't be back before 6," said Ms Lily.

"So, did you all figure out the answer to our question?"

Oh no

I looked around to see that the others also looked blank and confused.

"Let's start with you," Said Mr Daniel as he pointed at Cleo, who was standing at the far left.

"So, who is he?" Ms Lily asked us.

"Cleo: The techy," I said, and the others chuckled and nodded their heads in agreement.

"Okay, next,"

"Willia Wikipedia," I said, almost instantly, making everyone break into sniggers. Even Ms Lily and Mr Daniel chuckled.

"Who is he, everyone?" Mr Daniel said, pointing at Nick this time.

"Nick: The joker. Like the one in a deck of playing cards, he can become anyone," I said, and everyone seemed to agree with me.

"Next," He continued, looking amused.

I looked around to see if anyone else wanted to speak up, but they were all looking at me.

"Reyna: The Racer, coz she's got speed,"

"You know what?" I continued, "I'll just go ahead and introduce everyone since no one wants to say anything,"

I looked around to see if this would motivate the others to speak up, but they just waited for me to continue.

Pathetic!

"Well, we've got Brittney: the gothy doctor; Adam: the witch,"

A few snickers left the group, "because he's supposed to be able to make people do whatever he wants them to; Jackson: the handyman, because he's the mechanic; Yara: the mastermind, she's the one with the lowest risk plans; and Argenta: the leader,"

As soon as I said that, Argenta's cheeks went red, and her eyes widened. I could see both pride and shock in them.

She looks soo cute!

Lorcan, you can't let yourself be distracted.

Look away. Ignore this feeling till it goes away.

Hmmm, that sounds like a good plan. Just look away.

"Do you all agree with whatever he said?" Ms Lily asked everyone.

All of them started saying yes and yeah and nodded.

"100%," Jackson said.

"Very well. Now, introduce him," Ms Lily said as she pointed at me.

I was excited, but looking around, all I could see were blank faces.

Come on! Say something, people!

"Well, clearly, I'm the only one who can give one-word introductions!" I scoffed and rolled my eyes which made everyone chuckle.

Hold on...

They can't describe me because I don't have any significant strength...

I'm not good at anything, how in the world can they introduce me in one word if even I can't do it?!

I don't think I belong here.

"Lorcan, the soul of Armada" Argenta's words interrupted my thoughts.

Everyone's heads turned to face her, but no one seemed to disagree. She looked at me, so I smiled, letting her know that I appreciated what she said. But it still bugged me that I had no talent.

Ms Lily and Mr Daniel said that that was it and that we were free to look around.

I decided to postpone my introspection and wear my mask again, so I looked happy.

"Can we please go and eat something?" Nick groaned, and as if on cue, his stomach rumbled.

"Sure, Nicky boy, lead the way," I said, only for the pleasure of watching him being annoyed.

"If I knew the way, I wouldn't have been hungry, smarty pants!"

"It was sarcasm, smarty pants,"

"I knew that," He said after a short pause, which was enough to let me know that his hungry self was dumb beyond compare.

"Unlike the two of you, I know the way," Jax intervened, "so, follow me,"

After a 5-min walk, we found ourselves standing in front of the dining hall.

Oh, finally!

We walked into the most beautiful dining hall that I had ever seen. It was almost an exact replica of the assembly hall. The things differentiating them being the enormous dining tables spread across the floor and the food counters at the very front.

We all sat down, talking and chatting for a while.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nick and I were in our dorm, sitting on our beds. The clock was showing 3 minutes to 8.

"I am horribly sleepy," Nick yawned.

"Then sleep," I chuckled.

"Goodnight!" He said as he turned off the lights and pulled up his duvet to go to sleep, and I turned on my lamp.

"Goodnight,"

I rested my back on the wall behind me and took out my phone.

I was strolling through aimlessly when it buzzed, showing Billy as the caller.

I answered the phone and was overjoyed to hear my brother on the other side.

"So, how was the first day, champ?" He asked.

"It was great. I made a lot of new friends, and all of them are awesome,"

"That's wonderful! How's the campus?"

"One word? Beautiful!"

"Wow!" he chuckled, "You're happy, right?"

Well, apart from the fact that I don't belong here, I think I am. Or am I?

"I don't know, Billy. I feel like I don't belong here. Everyone else is perfect, and I don't even know my biggest strength. Maybe because I don't have any,"

"Hey, don't say that! You're insanely talented, okay? Gladys doesn't just accept anyone. If they gave you an admission, then that means that they have seen that you are capable of wonders."

"But that still doesn't make me as good as the others, does it?"

"Well, work on that! No one is born perfect! Find out what you like, explore your talents, work hard! Don't just get disheartened, dumbface! Get motivated!"

Yeah, he's right! I just have to find what I love!

That's good.

"How do you always know what to say?"

"It's a gift," He said, and I could see him beaming.

"How's your dorm?" He asked.

Given that Argenta is in the one right beside mine, I'd say...

"It's perfect,"

I didn't even realise when a giant grin took over my face, leaving me all smiles for no apparent reason.

Yeah, you're going nuts. Get yourself checked.

"What was that?"

"What?"

"You paused, and I can literally hear you smiling. What are you hiding from me, little brother?" He sang through the phone.

"Nothing?"

"Oh no, it's a girl, isn't it?"

"Wha- How could you possibly know that?!"

"I've told you countless times, Lorcan, it's a damn gift. So, who's she?"

"I'm not telling you,"

"Why?!"

"Because you'll annoy me,"

"I promise I won't," He pleaded.

"No,"

"Fine, if that's how you want to play it, I'll tell mom about the time you sneaked out of the house when you were grounded to go to the amusement park with your friend,"

Oh no, he didn't!

"Really, Billy? You're going to blackmail me now?"

"Yes, I am. Mom's on my speed dial. Want me to add her to this call?"

"Noooo! Fine, you win."

"Good. Now give me some details, stat,"

"Well, Her name is Argenta Silva,"

"Ooh, nice name,"

"Yeah, it means silver," I smiled, remembering what she looked like when she told me this.

"Are you blushing right now?!"

Blushing? No, I don't think so?

I was just smiling.

Heck, why was I even smiling?

This is not normal, is it?

"I'm not blushing!" I retorted.

"I don't believe you, but go on,"

"I'm not going on. I have to sleep!"

"Heyyy, that's not fair," He whined.

"Well, I don't care. I have classes tomorrow, and I need rest. Goodnight, William,"

"Goodnight, Lorcan,"

"Also, shecallsmeLory," I said in one breath.

"OHMYG-"

I hung up the call, knowing that he would be super annoyed that I hung up just after telling him that.

Switching off my lamp, I lay on my bed, letting sweet slumber engulf me.