• Chapter 1


    I woke up to a steady beeping and groaned as my alarm clock increased in volume. “It’s time to get up Catherine.” She said in an irritated voice. I hit the snooze button and said “Five more minutes Mom…” in a sleepy voice. I rolled back over and closed my eyes. “That’s what you said five minutes ago.” I could tell she was starting to get annoyed. She left the room and I looked at the clock. “Great I woke up too late…..” I groaned. I hurriedly got dressed and raced down the stairs. I decided to take an orange and headed out the door. “Don’t forget your lunch!” My mom yelled. I ran back inside and grabbed the plain paper bag then ran back out the door.

    ~*~


    The clamor in the classroom was much louder than it was at my old school. I wonder if I’ll ever get over that. The school bell rang and quickly distracted me from my thoughts. I looked up to the front of the class and watched the teacher. It was a young woman in her twenties with dark black hair. I would have probably noticed more had my name not been at the back of the classroom. If there was anything I hated it had to be the fact the teacher ALWAYS put me in the back of the class. It’s not that I can't see it’s just... annoying.

    She called up a student who had gone to school with me last year. If I remember right I think his father had to get a new job in this area… Also I think he was shy I didn’t remember him a lot even though he had been in my class. I couldn’t hear what the teacher said to him but I figured it out. He picked up a stack of books and began passing them out. When he finally reached my row he dropped one and jumped. Well he’s jumpy today I wonder what his problem is. I grabbed the book off the floor and set it on my desk waiting for the teacher I looked out the window. A cat caught my eye and I watched it as another leaped up next to it. I liked cats I don’t know why, because I had never had one. One of the cats opened his mouth and I turned around as the teacher called role. She quickly finished and said “Class turn to page thirty-two please.” I opened the book and turned to the page. I quickly read the title and stopped paying attention. I had read this before at my old school it was dreadfully boring. I pretended to listen and started to daydream. I was jolted out of them as I heard someone say “Raven have you heard about mystic? They say things aren’t going well.” “I know I have a relative named Nomi back there.” Another voice responded. I looked around me confused and I spotted the cats by the window. I stared intently and watched them continue to speak. “I think I heard you talk about her being born a while back. Too bad we cats here rarely here any news from mystic I think things would be better. At least I wouldn’t spend my time worrying my fur off.” The one said. All of a sudden I saw the teacher block my view and I realized I hadn’t heard her approach. She opened the window and yelled at the cats “Scat you fur balls!” I blushed and hid my head in my book as she walked back to the front and continued to speak.

    ~*~


    I walked out of the room confused of what I had just seen and heard. THUD I ran into someone. I scooped up all my stuff and stood back up. It was a girl with an oddly natural looking green hair the color of a maple leaf in the spring. She looked embarrassed and said “I’m sorry!” I tried to convince her it was my fault for not paying attention but she wouldn’t listen. “Is it ok if I ask you a question?” she said suddenly. “You just did” I pointed out with a smile. She brightened up and said “I couldn’t help but notice how intently you were looking out the window, what where you doing?” “You would laugh if I tried to explain…” I said. “No I wouldn’t.” She said. I sighed. Now I’m going to be a nutcase too… “Well, I could have sworn I heard those cats talking…”That’s odd this morning I could have sworn my fish were screaming ‘FOOD!!!’ when I fed them.” She said then started to giggle. I snapped “Don’t do that!” I hissed. Her smile faded and she glared at me and said calmly “I wasn’t joking.” My stomach did an odd flip flop and I said “Sorry…” She began to walk away then turned back suddenly and said “Names Aura, what’s yours?” “Catherine” I responded eagerly glad to have a friend in the sea of strangers.