KOTLC Grady Fanfic Ch.3

Instructions

Chapter 3: <> <> <> <> <> Around 6:00—I don’t have a clock in my room, but I could tell from the sunset that it was getting late—a knock sounded at my door. “Grady?” Mom called. “Can I come in?” “Uh…” I stall. “Why?” “I need to check on you, honey,” she said, still speaking from outside the door. “I’m worried about you. You barely said a word to me or Dad earlier, and you haven’t come out of your room for five hours.” “I’m just resting, like you told me to,” I retort, trying (and failing) not to sound sassy. “Well, can I come in?” Mom presses. I sigh. “Fine.” “So, what’s wrong?” Mom asks as she sits on my bed. “And don’t tell me it’s nothing. I know something’s up. Mom sense.” She taps the side of her head with a smile. “Well…” I hesitate. Sir Agen is probably going to hail Mom sooner or later to tell her about my being a Mesmer. I should just say it, really fast. “I manifested today.” The excitement in Mom’s face is clear. “You did? Oh, how exciting! What are you?” I hesitate for a minute, starting to chicken out. “Grady?” Mom asks. “I’m…” Okay, may as well just say it really quick. “I’m a Mesmer.” Mom raises an eyebrow. “The newly discovered ability?” she asks. I nod. “Oh, that’s great, Grady!” A grin spreads across Mom’s face. “I’m so proud of you. Have you told Dad yet?” I shake my head. “Well, come on! Let’s tell him!” Mom grins and rushes out of my room, saying she’ll go get him. I sigh and stare down at my tear-stained pillow. Mom sure seems excited about my ability. That makes one of us. <> <> <> <> My mom and dad congratulated me all night on manifesting. But I couldn’t help noticing that they both looked a little fearful, like I was going to accidentally mesmerize them right then and there. Thankfully, I didn’t. The next day at school was a little bit…harder. I’m walking through Foxfire, on my way to Elementism, when I feel something exploding in my hair. It feels cold and slimy. Reaching up to touch it, I confirm that it’s pink goo. I slowly get up and turn to face the culprit. It’s Juren, the kid I mesmerized the other day. “What’s the big idea?” I protest. “The big idea is that my nose is sprained,” Juren replies. “All because of you.” The only smart reply I can think of is, “I didn’t punch you in the nose—you punched yourself.” “Because of your stupid mind tricks!” Juren yells in my face. “Now get out of the way.” He shoves me into a locker and stalks off, with his group of followers trailing behind him. But…wait. I see something that makes my heart stop cold. There’s a new addition to Juren’s friend group…and he looks super familiar. Terik.