Narrator: Anna and Mariah sigh in unison then snort. For about an hour, they read and talk with each other. Then, they head down with Corrie and Lilac to the main lobby in hopes of meeting fellow students. Nora: What are you doing hanging around this… trash? I was hoping we could hang out after lunch and I was gonna ask you, but you ditched me! Corrie: I have a dorm with ‘em! Hey, wanna hang out now? Nora: Sure. Narrator: Corrie and Nora exit the main lobby. Anna: Jeez, what’s her problem? Mariah: I don’t know. But if you ask me, it really seems like Nora is being kind of toxic to Corrie. Did you notice how she kind of bosses Corrie around and tells her what to do. Even though Corrie is kind of… rude and clueless, I sort of- feel bad for her. Anna: Even after she pushed you? Lilac: Pushed? Mariah: Um, yeah. I guess you have a point, but I still think I have a right to feel a little bit upset for Corrie. Lilac: Understandable. Anna: Not! Mariah: Stop being so petty, Anna! Narrator: Lilac gives out a small laugh as Anna leans her arms around her chest with an annoyed humph. Narrator: Afterwards, the trio walks towards the cafeteria, as it is time for dinner. Meanwhile, Jacob, Ollie, and Liam are having a conversation over dinner. Jacob: So guys, how have you liked Hilton so far? Liam: It’s been fine, Jacob. Ollie: Oh guys! It’s been so fun! I’m so excited to see how everything is going to work out and I can’t wait to join more activities! I hear they have a killer science club! Liam: Ollie… Jacob: Only you would like science. For me, sports are gonna be so fun! Narrator: The continue to keep talking [VAs for the males, just do some light chatter that I can alter to be part of the background, random stuff] Ollie: Um you guys can I ask a question? I mean I don’t want anybody to feel uncomfortable or anything but I’m just curious if you… know what element you think you will get? Liam: No… Jacob: You guys are complete opposites. Liam is so quiet and Ollie is so talkative. Ollie: Classic you, pointing out the obvious. Some people are just different, I love to talk and communicate with my friends, and I guess being quiet runs in Liam’s family! Your twin sister is also so quiet, from what I’ve heard. Narrator: Mariah, Lilac, and Anna walk into the cafeteria and grab their lunch. Lilac: Yum! Anna: It looks ok. Mariah: Stop being such a downer! Anna: Mariah, stop telling me everything I am! Narrator: Mariah holds down a giggle. Narrator: They walk towards the boy’s lunch table. Lilac: Hey. Liam: Hey. Mariah: Huh? You guys know each other? How? Anna: Hey you look familiar… Same brown eyes and black hair… hmm… Wait! Are you guys siblings? Lilac: Twins. Anna: Oh! Interesting! Mariah: That’s so awesome! Hey, is it ok if we sit here, we kind of really don’t know anyone right now, haha! Jacob: Go ahead! Ollie was just asking us a question. Ollie: That’s me! Narrator: The girls sit down and begin to eat the food on their tray. Jacob: So, Ollie was asking if you guys think you know what element you will get. Mariah: What do you mean? Jacob: What do /you/ mean? Ollie: Guys, guys, guys! Um, girl whatever your name is we- Mariah: -Mariah. Ollie: Wait what? Lilac: Her name is Mariah. Ollie: Oh ok! So /Mariah/ do you know what element you will get? Mariah: Um can you predict that? Anna: I don’t think so… Narrator: All of a sudden, Nora and Corrie enter the cafeteria, and walk to their table. Corrie: Oh hey! Nora: Stop being so stupid. These people are /way/ below us. Jacob: Stop being so mean. Nora: Ooh, a jock sitting with these nerds? Jacob: These “nerds” are my friends. Nora: Sorry, sorry, gee I’m scared! But once they don’t manifest, you can hang with me and my friends, ok? Jacob: What friends? Mariah: -Wait what? What do you mean… “don’t manifest”? Nora: You seriously don’t know? Well… Anna: What? Nora: You’ll find out soon enough. Narrator: Nora and Corrie stomp off, Corrie giving Mariah an apologetic look. She leaves Mariah and Anna staring there, eyes wide open. Mariah: What if we… don’t manifest? Anna: What if… something is wrong with us? About- Mariah: Not now. Later. Anna: I’m scared… Mariah: So am I. Narrator: After dinner, Mariah and Anna slowly trudge towards their dorm, but run into Nora. Nora: Hello… girls… Mariah: What do you want? Nora: I want to know what you’re hiding. Anna: What? Mariah: Stop being such a bully. You’re so mean, I bet that’s why you have no friends! Um- except for Corrie. And you’re so toxic to her! Nora: She’s my friend and I can hang out with her. What’s wrong with that? Mariah: No, you’re controlling her. Nora: Stop being so jealous. Mariah: Jealous? What do you mean? Corrie isn’t- she isn’t even- I- Nora: So you’re faking? Who’s the bully now? Anna: Who’s the toxic one? Nora: Oh, it talks. Mariah: Stop it! Nora: Why are you defending Corrie? Mariah: I-I- It’s not ok, no matter who you are! Nora: I never do anything “ok”! And you /will/ show me everything you are hiding!
Mariah: We’re not hiding anything. Good. Bye. Nora: I’m sure I will be seeing you again soon! Narrator: Nora stomps off past Mariah and Anna as they relieve a sigh. Anna: That sure was scary. Mariah: It was. Now come on, we have to get upstairs fast! Narrator: Mariah pulls Anna behind her. Mariah: We have things we need to discuss. Narrator: They run upstairs to their dorm room, and shut the door behind them. Anna collapses on a couch, while Mariah sits on a bed. Mariah gives out a small sigh, and smiles weakly at Anna. Mariah: So… how have you liked the Academy so far? Anna: It’s been… Mariah: What? Anna: Hectic. So much has happened. It’s been… a whirlwind. Mariah: Completely understandable. Anna: Ok, we need to face the elephant of the room. Mariah: The whole “manifestation thing”... Mariah: It’s just… I can’t help thinking that this is too strange! Magic, and all of this piled on top of each other? How did this all just happen in the first place? Why were we invited, why are we learning all of this in one day? It’s too weird. Anna: Mariah! Mariah: Yeah, yeah, sorry. Anna: But I agree. It’s been so much. Narrator: The door opens and Lilac walks in, quiet as ever. Mariah: Hey Lilac! Lilac: Um, hey. Mariah: Lilac, hey, why are you so shy? Lilac: Just my… personality. Anna: Ok! Lilac: I’m heading to bed after changing. Anna: Sounds good! Narrator: After Lilac heads to bed, Anna and Mariah begin talking again. Mariah: Do you think… I’ll manifest? Do you think you will? Anna: Of course! Don’t you remember, we can do anything together? We can prove to the world and this Academy that we will manifest! Mariah: This is magic we’re playing with. Wouldn’t this be dangerous? Anna: Nothing is too dangerous for us! Mariah: I--Ok. Narrator: Mariah doesn’t say anything to Anna, as she wants to keep her sister safe. Mariah lets out another sigh and closes her eyes for a second before opening them again. Narrator: Mariah and Anna get ready for bed, then practically pass out on the bed, as they are so tired. A couple of minutes after falling asleep, the door cracks open, and light slowly peeps through. And footsteps are heard, coming closer towards the door. Anna rubs the sleep from her eyes slowly and says groggily: Anna: M-mom? Narrator: The door quickly shuts quietly, and Anna thinks what she saw was a dream. Anna: Mariah…? Narrator: Mariah wakes up sleepy. Mariah: Yeah? Anna: I love you, sis. Mariah: I love you too… Anna: Hey, random question… Mariah: Yeah? Anna: Ever since we got here, have you ever wished… This was kind of all a dream? I know most kids would be so excited, but reality has dawned and this… this is really scary, and I don’t think I’m cut out for this kind of stuff. Sorry, random… Mariah: I understand where you are coming from Anna, and I think that you really are cut out for this. You mean so much to me and Mom, and we both have seen how brave you can be. This does seem scary, but remember what you said earlier? We can be brave together. Anna: Yeah, sorry that was kind of random. Mariah: Sorry? I love how you opened up to me. Anna: Stop being such a- such a- big sister! Mariah: Well, isn’t that what I am? I am a big sister to you! That doesn’t make you view you any less, so don’t you worry. I know you sometimes think that I am overprotective, but I care for you a lot. I want you to know that. Sorry if this got a little- Anna: -Cheesy. Mariah: Don’t interrupt! So as I was saying… I love you so much and I think you’re the greatest big sister ever! Anna: You were basically done. Mariah: Sure. Stella: What are you up to, Nora? Nora: What do you mean? Stella: Don’t play dumb with me. You clearly have something going on. Nora: What? Stella: I said, don’t play dumb with me! Nora: I’m not doing anything to you or with you. And I don’t have something “going on” as you say. I’m not sure I understand what you’re doing. Stella: You’re disgusting. Nora: I’m anything /but/. Trust me. Hey… what is your name, anyway? Stella: Stella. Nora: Good to know. And I will be seeing you soon! Stella: I hope not. Nora: Goodbye Stella! Stella: Good. Bye. Narrator: Somewhere else… [ he’s like communicating with headphones ] Boss: Is it all set? Boss: Good, good. Boss: What?! Boss: Well, finish it as soon as possible. We don’t want them finding out. Narrator: Back in Mariah's dorm room, Anna and Mariah are lying in their beds, almost asleep. Mariah: Today has been crazy. We even made friends pretty quickly. Anna: Yeah, very crazy. Mariah: But I just have this ominous feeling… It feels like everything is a bit too good to be true. I don’t know why I feel this way, or why I even think that things might get worse. Mom always taught us to be on the lookout, and she also told me too… protect you! Anna: It’s just the dark. You’ll feel better in the morning. Mariah: I hope so… Narrator: When they fall asleep, the door creaks open again, and someone enters the room quietly. Nora: *VERY QUIET MUMBLING >:(*
