Area Alpha 101

SHAY’S POV

“I expect that homework on my desk when you walk in Monday morning,” Mrs Roberts said sternly. Everyone groaned since she wanted seven pages worth of trigonometry during the weekend.

“Groan all you want kids! I want my homework! Miss Montgomery, I’d like to see you please,” Mrs Roberts announced. A lot of my classmates turned my way and sniggered. 

Wonderful!

I shyly made my way down to Mrs Roberts as my classmates filed out the classroom. As usual, Pixie was the last one out of the class. She sent me a pleading look, which I returned a head shake to. I didn’t want her to wait for me. She sighed but eventually left the class before I was left with the only staff member who actually sees me.

“Shay, how are you today?” she asked in concern.

“Same as always,” I replied lowly.

“You didn’t do so great on your last test,” she sighed.

AKA I failed!

“I probably deserved the grade I got,” I shrugged, my voice still low. I couldn’t look her in the eyes.

“Shay, have you tried talking to your parents about this?” she asked curiously.

“They wouldn’t care,” I replied.

“Surely you’re mistaken about them. I’m su-” she started before I cut her off. I didn’t need this speech honestly.

“Look Mrs Roberts, can I go?” I asked, a little louder than I intended to. Since I was still looking at the ground, I didn’t see her reaction to my outburst.

“Alright! Enjoy your weekend ok?” she said warmly.

“Thanks! You too!” I said before rushing out of the classroom.

The hallways were less crowded as I approached my locker. The whispering didn’t stop, and I’d learned to tune it out. I just wanted to get my stuff and leave. Pixie was waiting for me at my locker. I wanted badly to ignore her, but of course she wouldn’t have it that way.

“Hey,” she said softly. I nodded in acknowledgement.

“So, I was wondering if you’d like me to come over this weekend?” she smiled. I shook my head.

“Come on Shay! I miss you,” she whispered the last part.

Pixie Giuliani has been my best friend since we were both babies, or at least she was my best friend until my life took a turn for the worst two years ago. Since then, I’ve shut the world out of my life, including my best friend. I’m already seen as the social pariah and I can’t afford to pull her down with me.

The blonde hair, blue eyed girl is the most popular girl at Water Stone Academy. With a GPA of 4.0, she’s the girl every girl looks up to. She’s the captain of the softball team. She’s super friendly, so everyone likes her, except they all don’t understand one thing about her – why she insists being friends with the freak. 

Honestly, I don’t get it either.

My name is Shay Montgomery for the record. I turned eighteen just yesterday and I spent the day home alone. I ditched school because I just didn’t want to be around anyone. Pixie, of course, left my gift from her at the doorstep of my house. 

I don’t know why security still lets her in.

My parents are very well known around here. My mother is a world renowned motivational speaker and talk-show host. My dad is an Army General of the highest honour or something like that. They’re both never home, so I’m forever home alone, save for the live-in staff. I have no relationship with my mother whatsoever. I haven’t even seen her in over eighteen months. 

She didn’t even wish me a happy birthday.

My relationship with my dad isn’t all that great either, but at least he actually talks to me. Granted that it’s always awkward, he at least tries to be a parent when he can. He calls me every day to check up on me, and he’s home at least three days of the week. 

He dropped by to say happy birthday and give me my present – a diamond necklace with my initials, and HER initials. I think it’s the most valuable thing my dad’s ever given me. He even hugged me. We held onto each other for minutes as I broke down in his arms. I love my dad, despite him not being the best dad in the world. 

At least he tries.

The look in Pixie’s eyes almost made me cave, but I couldn’t afford to. Caving would mean she would have to be around me and I couldn’t have that. She’s better off without me. I shut my locker and walked away from her. The tears were burning my eyes as I hurried my pace. 

When I got outside, the limo was waiting for me, with my driver Harold waiting to open the door for me. I rushed in as soon as the door opened and my tears sprang free. Pixie followed me and when our eyes locked, being the wonderful person she is, she mouthed the words ‘it’s ok’ and made her hands form a heart.

Our way of telling each other that we love each other and we’d be best friends forever.

In that moment, I forgot all about all the bad things in my life and flashed her the heart back. She beamed and broke out into her happy dance while I giggled, before Harold drove away. I wiped away my tears and smiled. I don’t giggle or smile a lot. 

My life just didn’t allow for me to have such luxury since that day.

The drive to my house was a silent one, and I was grateful for that. This is what I love about Harold. The old man cares about me, but he also knows when I don’t want to be bothered. We reached the Victorian styled mansion most people would think I’m lucky to call home, but I’d rather live in a small house with a loving family, than a big house by myself. The security let us in and we drove up the long driveway before the house came into view.

I let myself out of the car before Harold could and ran to my room, passing by the people who were working in the house. My mother was having something installed, which I don’t understand since she’s never home in any case. 

I dumped my bag on my bed and went to my closet to change out of my school uniform. While the uniform is beautiful, it’s not comfortable. I changed into workout gear and then headed to the bathroom to take out the bothersome contact lenses I had on.

I know that I’m beautiful, but I’m not vain about it. My mother is Egyptian, and I happened to inherit her somewhat Nubian and exotic features. I have long and rich black hair that reaches just passed my waist. It’s magnificent when it shines and looks all glossy in the light. 

The only thing I probably inherited from my dad is his nose and his killer smile. My eyes I didn’t inherit from either of my parents since my eyes are so rare and unique. My mother has bright blue eyes, while my dad has dark gray eyes.

I on the other hand, have fiery eyes. They came out of nowhere since they were gray until two years ago. They have an amber glow at night, but during the day they’re a cross between a light orange, red, and amber. 

Because I lived with the human civilization, of course there were different reactions to them. Some people found them enchanting, while some thought I was a freak, hence why I finally decided to hide them behind gray contact lenses. 

I don’t actually need the contacts.

I’m pretty short, often being called a midget, which is offensive to both me and midgets. I have a fit body from regular exercise and healthy eating. Yes, I am a bit of a health freak, but not the kind who bans themselves from enjoying the good stuff. I love food, just not an overdose of junk. Loving food doesn’t mean you have to eat junk food only.

I’m also a bit of a fighting junkie. My personal trainer, who happened to be assigned to me by my dad, is an ex Marine. His name is Claude, and he specializes in many things; all of which I’ve been taught. He’s taught me kickboxing, martial arts, self defence, taekwondo, boxing, and anything else that you could think of. My dad thought it would be great for me to train with him and I gladly agreed.

I admire my dad, in case you haven’t noticed, so when Claude wanted to teach me how to use weapons, my dad was against it. It took us five months to convince him before he finally agreed. He only had one condition – that he be present for all the weapons training. 

After a whole year of training with guns and knives, he left me in Claude’s care. From then on, Claude secretly trained me with swords, bows and arrows, sticks, metal rods, whips, and chains. It’s safe to say that this tiny person is a dangerous surprise.

I fluffed my hair and got ready for my session. Claude would be coming within two hours. He’s one of the only people who don’t have a problem with my eyes. Pixie’s never seen my new eyes. I hid them away as soon as people started to get freaked out by them, which was five hours after they came. They did, after all, appear while I was far from home. The gray contacts help with keeping things normal because that’s the colour everyone knows them as.

I walked out of the bathroom and walked over to my laptop. My room is pretty huge. In fact, it could be an apartment more than anything. I fired up my laptop before heading to my radio. I love different genres of music, with my motto being ‘if it’s good, then I’m listening’. 

I danced around as I made myself a sandwich. As I mentioned, my room is big enough to be an apartment. I don’t like the idea of people doing things for me (aka the live-in staff), so my dad had a fridge installed into my room, together with a cupboard and a microwave. 

The only thing I don’t have is a stove, so I can only prepare sandwiches and meals that can be cooked via the microwave. This setup guarantees fewer interactions with people since I just stay in my room the entire time.