A/N: Hey. You're here. Reading my book. Thanks for that. This is the first draft of Mortals, so I'm seriously happy that you're here reading this. Just a warning though: because this is the first draft there are some spelling/grammar mistakes. There shouldn't be a ton. But they're there, I know. But yeah- have fun.

xoxo, divvyrora (sorry I've been watching a ton of Gossip Girl promo lately)

P.S. No taking my work. It's mine. So absolutely no stealing, or plagiarizing. And definitely no publishing this book on any other platform without my permission.

I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.

I hate this more than you can imagine.

The way every brooding figure here flashes their eyes in my direction before looking up the stage. The way my parents are looking down at me through their glasses, shooting daggers at me. But mostly, I hate the humid heat stuck in this room, sweat pouring down everyone's foreheads as they all meet the eyes of our superintendent, smiling at us from the stage.

There's just something about his smile that makes my stomach do a flip.

I hate it.

I fold my skirt underneath my legs as I sit in a seat in the auditorium, my eyes staring into the void of the stage. Sweaty bodies surround me, sitting in seats around me... but no one sits next to me.

A shuffling noise disrupts my chaotic silence, and where an empty seat was, my best friend sits.

"Hey dummy," Naya calls, elbowing me.

Turning slightly towards her, I heave a sigh as she looks down at her phone. I return my attention back to the weary-looking stage.

"Hey," I respond, without much enthusiasm as I scan my parents again. They're talking with the school's superintendent, Mr. Harolds in hushed voices. I can't tell if there's excitement or fear in their faces, but whatever it is, it causes a lump in my throat.

Especially after this morning.

Regardless of the fear sitting in my throat, I force myself to look forward straight at the stage.

"Your parents are up there," Naya says, stating the obvious without looking up from her phone. I simply nod in response, afraid to talk about them despite the hatred filled inside me. I want to explode.

As bodies fill up the auditorium, Mr. Harolds steps away from my parents, walking to the center of the stage towards the microphone. He puts a fake smile on his puffy face, tapping the base of the microphone, silencing the room.

I steal one last glance at my parents. They're happily smiling until their eyes meet mine. I could swear that they grit their teeth, but all I do in return is swivel my head away from them, refocusing on Mr. Harolds.

Why are they here? Why didn't they tell me that they would be here?

"Good morning staff and students of Rosemary High. Today's quite the day. It's rainy outside. Personally, I think it's quite depressing. But no fear- today, with Dr. Solace and Dr. Solace, I have some fabulous news to share with you all. It's life-changing, revolutionary, and will definitely change how you'll develop throughout your adulthood," Harolds announces before stopping to scan the faces of the audience. 

"To get a little more into this, I'd like to call both Dr. Solaces to the microphone," he says before motioning my parents forward. During the transition, awkward applause fills the room, and I find myself confused because I still have no idea what's going on. 

"Good morning everyone," mom starts off, turning briefly to dad and then again to look at the pool of students. "I'm Dr. Solace, and with me, I have my husband, also known as Dr. Solace. I'd like to take the time to say a quick thank you to Mr. Harolds for allowing us to share our latest research with the school. It truly is revolutionary. And know that this exact information is being told to every student in America," she continues, taking a pause of breath. 

I catch her eye, holding her gaze as I look at her in confusion. 

What the hell is she talking about? 

It can't be that revolutionary. If it was, I would've known about it. Mom and dad always share these sorts of things with me. It's how we are... it's how we're supposed to be. 

But the fight seems to have changed everything. 

"Please sit back and relax while we present our latest research," she ends off as a projector screen makes its way down from behind her. 

Both my parents step to either side of the screen as a PowerPoint appears on the white canvas. 

"Again, as my wife said, every kid in America is learning this right now. It is crucial for each and every one of you to listen to what's going on here. Because not only will this change the rest of your lives, but it will also change how you survive. Understand?" dad asks the audience. 

Worried nods scatter the crowd and the presentation begins. 

"So we've been doing research on genes since forever. It's our passion- it's what we do. And not so long ago, we came across the discovery that everyone has a hidden factor in their genes. Something that makes them more powerful," mom explains while pacing back and forth in her spot. 

I turn my head to Naya just as she turns to me knitting her eyebrow in confusion. 

"What is she talking about? Is she trying to tell us that we have pre-made steroids in us or something?" she asks me. 

In response, I bite my nails, shrugging my shoulders. 

"I don't know," is the only thing I can say. 

"You should, they're your parents," Naya emphasizes. 

Mild frustration swims over me at her comment. 

"They don't tell me everything," I cooly state, refusing for my anger from this morning to resurface. 

"Let me clarify- after years of research, my colleague and I have discovered that each and every one of you is special. Your fantasies about becoming a greater person are about to come true," dad says in awe, picking up from where mom left off. "You all have the opportunity to be better. Because as of now, you all are no longer considered humans, no. You're supernaturals."

A/N: And that's chapter one! I know I ended things on quite the cliffhanger, but if you know me, you know that I like to end things on a rather dramatic note. Aside from that, thanks for reading through the first chapter!! I hope it lived up to your expectations and that you continue on with the novel :) As for my updating schedule- I'm not entirely sure how often I'll be able to update. I'm still finishing up Vicious Romance, so I guess we'll see when I'm feeling most inspired. But anyway, have fun. 

-divvyrora