Rita's P.O.V.

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I sighed as I lay in the bathtub. My tail still wanted to pop out whenever I touched water. Last year, I'd asked Mrs. Huff if she had anything that could stop it for the whole summer and restart it once school started up again.

She gave me a shell with some blue liquid and told me to drink it. I did, and expected that I would be fine. Wrong! All that it did was change my tail color and shape. I liked my new tail, but my tail popped out constantly. Sometimes, it popped even when I wasn't in contact with water!

I shook the thought out of my head and attempted my wind power for the thousandth time. I floated out of the tub and carefully landed on the tile floor. I heated my tail off and stood. Quickly, I draped my white robe onto my shoulders. I opened my bathroom door and stared at my dorm room.

My friends were sitting on their beds, socializing. I walked up to them. They noticed me and went into their separate sections of the room. Each section had their bed, desk, walk in closet, dresser, hamper, trash can, bookshelf, couch, bathroom, window seat, and other things. Their walls were painted to their liking. Curtains divided the sections. Both sides drew their curtains, giving me privacy.

I went to my closet and walked inside. I grabbed a navy shirt with small, dark pink dots. Then, I got black boot cut jeans. My dark pink flip-flops were next. I took some other things and walked out of the closet.

I used my heating power once more to "blow dry" my straight blond hair. After my clothes were on, I told my friends that they could open their curtains. They did, complimenting me on my outfit. I smiled. The Talent Academy dorms were the best.

"5th year, everyone?" I asked.

"5TH YEAR!!!!!"

---

Rosali's P.O.V.

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I continued to stare at the ceiling.  My third letter was supposed to come today, and it hadn't arrived. Then again, my mom had to get ready for the incoming students. Seeing as she's the principal...

That was when I heard the click-clack of heels on pavement. I leaped off of my bed and darted to the couch near the door. A key was inserted into the lock, and the door opened. My mom stood at the entrance.

Her dark brown hair was pinned up in a bun. As she walked in, her piercing dark blue eyes stared at me. I stroked my wavy almost-white-blond hair.

"Here, Rosali," she said, tossing a letter at me, "your third and final letter." I picked it up and tore it open. Giving me a look of disapproval, my mom walked off.

I read the letter as I walked upstairs.

Dear Rosali Zinnia Huff,

This letter has academy supplies. Your planner, ID, trick bag, and other supplies are in a box. It should be given to you.

That is your third and final letter. You will go to The Talent Academy on August 6th, 2014. Since today is July 24th, you have two weeks to gather up your belongings. Have fun!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Brittany Huff, Principal

I sat on my bed. My mom walked in, handing me the box. "Mom?" I asked.

"Yes, Rosali?"

"What's the trick bag?"

"You can put huge things in it, like your bed, and it won't affect the bag. You can keep it in your pocket, and once you get to your dorm room, your items will go right into place!" she answered.

"Woah, that's so cool!"

My mom smiled. "Quite."

Before I opened the box, I stared at it. It was absolutely beautiful on the  outside. It was teal with gold swirls. The top of the box had my full name. A golden keyhole sat between the two halves of the box. A golden key with teal jewels rested in a small case at the top. The only way to open it was with your  fingerprint. I placed my right index finger on the scanner and watched the case open. I took the key, inserted it into the keyhole, and turned it.

The box opened to reveal a dark blue velvet lining. A small, teal bag lay inside, along with my ID, planner, and countless other items.

My ID was plain and simple. It had my name, year, card number, picture, and a white background. My planner was the same way. I sifted through the other contents.

Soon, I had gone through everything. My mom had helped me along the way. It almost felt like she had left the past behind.

Almost.

---

Jake's P.O.V.

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I ached for it. I wanted to go there now. Why did my mom say that I couldn't do it? Why was she so hard on me? Why couldn't I go to the sea?

A knock, short and swift, came from the door. I walked towards it. As I opened the door, I heard a shrill scream, followed by a dark cackle.

Viona, I thought.

My heart raced, and I found myself rushing towards the panicked yelp of my mother. Once I found her, being held down by Viona, I felt my instincts kick in. My cougar instincts.

I leapt onto Viona, letting out a growl. Her super long, black hair whipped me away. That didn't stop me. I tried again.

She jumped away from my mom. She changed into a dark violet cougar with a black tint. I changed into my cougar form. I was a dark blue cougar with a white tint.

Viona smirked. That made me angrier. I leaped onto her and extended my claws. I was ready to kill.

---

I woke up. My eyes flashed, changing from dark brown to sea blue to navy to a flaming orange. They flickered back to brown right as Tris walked in.

Her hair was styled into a braid. She wore a black Downeast Wonder Tee with some black Vigoss jeans. Along with that, she had black combat boots. I sighed and rolled my eyes. Of course, like always, she wore all black and only let her hair out in dire circumstances.

I threw back my thick, brown covers. I gave Tris a look that said, Out, Tris. Changing.

Tris walked out. I scratched the back of my head and stretched. That dream... It was so weird. Viona was not like us at all. Right? Sure, she had endless black hair and loved the color violet, but she couldn't do cruel things to any of us.

You see, Viona is one of my best friends. My mom and her mom worked together at The Talent Academy. She could have powers, but...

I shook my head and snatched a black shirt with a cougar on it. I got some blue jeans and black Converse. As I started to put my clothes on, my phone buzzed.

I slipped the rest of my clothes on and turned on my phone. Viona had sent me a text.

Viona: Hey, Jake! Have you gotten your TTA letters yet?

I stared at the text in shock. She was going there too? I typed a response swiftly.

Jake: Yup. I didn't know you were going! Do you know who Audra Lake is?

Her response came quickly.

Viona: Well, I've heard of her. My mom wants me to be as mean as possible to her.

Jake: Same! Who is this person? She's probably super nice!

Viona: IKR? Well, we'll know soon enough. :) G2G. Bye, Jake!

Jake: Bye, Vi! See u @ TTA! ;)

I ruffled my dark brown hair and smiled. That dream meant nothing.

---

Viona's P.O.V.

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I sat and watched her type responses to Jake. The ropes grew tighter with each struggle. My mouth had silver duct tape on it, silencing my screams. The chair I was tied to was nailed to the floor.

I felt a tear slip down my face. She saw it.

"Don't worry, my darling. Remember, it's for the best," my mom cackled.

"Viona, you have a task to complete. Be as cruel as possible to Audra, or we send your deepest, darkest thoughts to your... friend," the principal sighed.

"Mmmph! Mmmmmph!" I screamed as they laughed together.

"Oh, and you can't say a word to anyone about this. If you do, you and whoever you tell will be taken here. Tied up, gagged, tortured. The usual. So, don't tell anyone. Got it?" Mrs. Huff asked. I nodded, knowing that, no matter the consequences, I would tell anyway.

This little "secret" of theirs was about to be revealed.