E.G.S.A by Katie spellman (ap literature book list TXT) 📕

In my hands I hold a picture, a picture of my family. My family contains of two sisters’ and both my parents everything is normal. We all share our naturally pale skin, and good qualities. So, we all are identical in those ways only. They all share black hair and dark brown eyes, each one of them, but I am an outcast within my own family with silver-blonde hair and grey eyes. The reason is unknown to all of my classmates, but my parents and I both know I’m not their child no matter what they plant in my head. I am still there family though. Lightly placing the picture back on the mantel I walked away to the couch. A knock on the door sent me zooming out of the living and hiding behind the wall. My parents ran to the door and opened it.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Westwood, we would like to meet your daughters,” a heavy and manly voice announced. My sister’s came running out of their room giggling making their way to the living room. Looking around the corner I saw that the man and women came into the house and sat on the couch where my two sisters’ stood in front. Also, their was a boy, our age perhaps.

“You have another daughter don’t you, I heard that there are three girls leaving here,” the lady asked, looking around. I, instead of going into the living room, just backed away and leaned into the wall. As if I would get chosen anyways.

“Um, no we don’t, she is our maid,” one of my sisters proclaimed feverishly quick. Looking at the floor I felt alone, they never did like me. It was as if I was a pet they had to keep nothing more but a burden.

“Mattie,” my other sister exclaimed with a high pitched squeal then she continued, “of course we have another sister, not by blood of course. But she is part of this family.” My lips lifted a bit into a barely noticeable smile, at least she thinks so. Then I heard her murmur something like ‘I’ll go get her’ causing me to quickly move away down the hall. She came into the hall grabbing for my waist but with my fast movement I dodged it shaking my head.

“Madison. Come back,” my father said but it had no effect on my sister. Looking at her I grabbed her hand carefully.

“Its fine Maddie,” I told her softly. She nodded as I released her hand. Silently I waited for her to leave but instead of leaving she took my arm and forcefully pulled me into the living room where everyone was waiting for her. Everyone turned to look at us, more Maddie than me. Looking at the floor my sliver-blonde hair draped around my face and hid it.

“Why is she hiding,” the boy asked, well I believe it was him at least, because unlike his fathers it wasn’t as heavy just colder as if he was scolding someone. Me, of course.

“She, um, how do I put this,” Maddie started but I only continued to look down at the off white carpet.

“She is an embarrassment to all people,” Mattie stated as if it were a regular topic.

“Gee thanks,” I murmured delicately. Looking up from the door I waited for their reaction, either sudden love or hate.

“Oh my, I didn’t think anyone could resemble an angel as much as you do,” the mother implied. The father on the other hand was eye rapping me and it was uncomfortable so I moved behind Maddie and hid like always. When I was younger I would always be watched, by people who love me or hate me, by everyone. When I was adopted into the Westwood Family Maddie was like a shield and I would always hide behind her. She is my best friend and I’m hers. Maddie and I have that special bond which Mattie dislikes, causing a hateful grudge towards me.

“Ivan I think we found three young ladies who are going to be in the special program with you,” Ivan’s father exclaimed at Ivan but all of his attention was still behind Maddie at me. What does he mean ‘the special program’?

“We will send the tickets and uniforms right away, please enjoy yourselves at your new academy,” Ivan’s mother informed.

~The new academy two days latter.

Pulling the edge of my skirt I tried to lower it but it only would bounce back up which is worst. This is horrible.

“Maddie, I don’t like the uniforms, it’s like they want us to show our skin and other stuff,” I complained softly hoping no one was listening. Maddie numbly agree and looked around the front gate where all the other students were. How come they have a different uniform then us, I questioned myself. Then suddenly Ivan’s father’s words rang in my head, special program. Wonderful.

“Are you kidding, I love this uniform,” Mattie joyfully cried out dancing into the crowd of people who were watching her like she was some movie star. Holding the back of Maddie’s uniform I walked behind her hoping not to be spotted by the vultures.

“Valerie, please let go and walk beside me,” Maddie asked knowing my discomfort. Sighing in frustration I released her uniform and walked beside her. Once I was in pace beside her an eruption of gasp and awe’s and oh’s exploded. My hair was pulled half up and curled so even if I tried to hide it wouldn’t work. I gave Maddie my death glare for doing my hair this morning.

“Can you be my girlfriend,” a scrawny boy my age asked breaking everyone into silence. I stopped walking dragging Maddie to a stop with me.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know you, please ask me when you might know something about me,” I suggested softly but because of the remote silence it wasn’t as quiet.

“Awe she is so cute, just because you are the student council pres. doesn't mean you can ask her out,” one of the students yelled. Tugging on Maddie’s hand I continued forwards towards the main office.

“Awe, why is she holding her hand,” and “that girl is so lucky to be holding hands with her,” sounded about the crowd. Stepping into the main office I felt better.

“Maddie next time hide me please,” I asked softly still scared of the students outside who looked like hungry dogs at the doors.

“Valerie, if you always hide how are you going to get a man or live without me,” Maddie explained then dragged me into the headmaster’s office unannounced. The headmaster stood up and gracefully joined us at the door.

“Hello Valerie Prince and Madison Westwood,” the headmaster politely said as she pulled us further into her office. Valeria Prince, is that my real last name?

“Prince,” I asked her softly, she barely heard it but still turned to look at me with a bright smile.

“You’re engaged with Ivan Prince,” she exclaimed dramatically and then looked from my head to my toes approvingly. This is horrible, I thought to myself.

“You mean Madison Prince… right?” Both the headmaster and Maddie shook their heads. This is going to be a long year, I thought to myself hopelessly then heard banging on the door so I quickly jumped behind Maddie. The door opened and 5 others walked in then the last one a blonde guy closed the door. Mattie was one of those 5 people so I guess this isn’t a fan club. Sighing in relief I stepped to the side of Maddie.

“Valerie I’m sorry I told you when you didn’t know yet, will you ever forgive me,” the headmaster cried then hugged me tightly.

“Please stop headmaster, I’ll forgive you,” I spoke softly hoping only she heard. She released her tight grip and walked over to her desk acting as if nothing happened.

“My god Valerie, speak up,” Mattie complained in her usual ‘get-on-with-it’ voice.

“My god Mattie, shut up,” I complained using her voice. Both Maddie and Mattie gasp.

“Valerie, are you okay, I mean has something happened? You never ever said something like that,” Maddie asked then patted her hand on my forehead.

“I think Mattie deserves it, the way she talks to Val,” a familiar voice suggested. That voice, I remember now.

“Taylor,” I murmured under my breath and looked at the 4 others for Taylor. His usual bright green eyes shined out in the crowd. Running to him I quickly flung my arms around his neck and hugged him joyously. My second best friend, who am I kidding this is going to be the best year ever. He was like Maddie’s sick kick when it came to keeping me happy.

“Maddie I will win,” Taylor insisted. Giggling I continued to hug him.

“Yeah right, I always win,” Maddie retorted. Taylor hugged me closer to him and stuck his tongue out at Maddie. Just like when we’re kids, I thought to myself happily.

“Win what,” the blonde dude asked confused. Ivan entered the room looked at Mattie only. Shrugging I tried to get out of the hug, but Taylor didn’t let go. Trying again nothing happened except everyone was starring at us. Maddie laughed at Taylor and hugged her sides.

“So much for winning, just watch,” she mused, then started to walk towards us. Sighing I calmed down and quickly got out of Taylor’s hold. Everyone in the room looked at me like I was a mastermind.

“How’d you do that,” a girl unknown to me asked in admiration.

“Practice, also, it’s Taylor’s habit to hug me none stop,” I explained quietly and got that feeling Mattie was going to say something along the lines of ‘talk louder or shut up.’ But instead of anything like that she stayed quiet.

“Anyways, my young students you guys belong to the special progr--- Taylor put Valerie down,” the headmaster started but ended on the wrong note. I waved her off and she continued,

“program called the E.G.S.A elite group special A. this is because of your natural abilities and grades,” she explained but kept an eye on Taylor the whole time.

“The whole school will take an amplitude test if you 8 do not get within the top 8 scores you will be kicked out of the E.G.S.A and be replaced by someone who is,” she continued but completely serious causing Taylor to put me down. When my feet hit the floor I felt over joyed, solid ground how nice. I wonder what rank I will get, I usual get ranked in the low scores because of everyone watching me and causing me to be uncomfortable. Pulling my brows together I raised my hand awkwardly.

“Yes my Valerie,” the headmaster asked dreamily, ignoring it I mastered up the words in my head.

“We aren’t going to be with the other students while taking the test are we,” I asked causing both Taylor and Maddie to hug me.

“We’re sorry for your horrible life where all those creeps gather around you causing you to fail miserably. Taylor won’t help any though so I win,” Maddie tried to sound sad