Please note that what you’re reading is a first draft and hasn’t been fully edited yet. I’m sharing it with you to give a sneak peek into my creative process. I hope you enjoy the journey, imperfections and all!
Chapter One
Babette Watson’s back was rigid. Tears balanced on the rims of her eyes. She clenched her fists to try to calm the trembling in her arms. Her legs were weak but she tried her best to stay strong.
“Did you do it?” Aaron glared at her through the small slits his eyes had become. His arms were folded in front of his chest and he stood so close to her that she could feel his breath heating the sides of her wavy brown hair.
“No,” she mumbled. It was the only thing she thought she might be able to croak out without releasing a flood of tears.
“Tell us the truth! We all need to know because we’ll all get kicked out if you’re found guilty!” Spit flew off of Aaron’s teeth, almost hitting her.
“I didn’t!” Babette could no longer hold back the tears. They streamed down her cheeks, one after another in an endless parade.
“Aaron, think about it a sec.” Dacey wedged herself in between her teammates. “With ‘the eye’ everywhere we go. Do ya think she’d risk it?”
The four of them glanced up to the round silver camera hanging in the corner of the classroom.
“Not if she tried when she thought it was inactive!” Aaron stepped around Dacey and glowered again at Babette.
“Man lay off.” Cabe wrapped an arm around Babette’s shoulder and shielded her from Aaron’s burning stare. “No fret, Babs. I know you wouldn’t do it.”
Babette rested her head on his shoulder and nodded. Her breath hitched as she settled into the comfort that Cabe always brought her.
The door opened and Professor Milch marched in. His heals slammed across the floor as though he were mad at it. He tugged at the bottom of his crisp white lab coat as he stood to face the class. “To your stations.”
Cabe gave Babette a pat on the back before taking his place. Aaron glared at Babette on his way around to his station before snapping to attention with sharp precision. Dacey drifted away, smiling and floating concerned eyes to Babette before coming to attention.
“And sit,” Professor Milch said.
Everyone sat at attention. Eyes forward. Palms flat on the desktop. Feet flat on the floor—shoulder width apart. Backs straight. Butts perched on the edge of the seat.
Though only a few short moments passed by, time seemed to drift on a cloud of eternity. Sweat beaded on Babette’s forehead. Her stomach churned and her eyes refilled with tears.
Professor Milch stood still as a wax figure. His white lab coat was buttoned all the way up. A thin slice of the white button-down shirt and the black and white swirled tie peeked over the top. His black slacks had crisp iron marks down the center. His black hair was salt and peppered at the temples, closely shaved around the sides, and a tad longer on the top.
His arms were crossed. The lab coat stretched taut over his muscles. His head remained still though his laser-beam blue eyes scanned back and forth over the four teammates.
The pressure sat heavy on Babette as though an anvil balanced on her head. She couldn’t help but squirm minutely in her seat —just enough to release the unease that raked up her spine. Her watery topaz-brown eyes glued to the top button of his lab coat. She couldn’t bear to look in his eyes.
“At ease,” Professor Milch said.
With those words, Babette’s back curled like a parchment finally released after being rolled out against is will. A tear landed on the edge of her lab coat, leaving an oval circle drip. Another tear caught on the apple of her high, round cheek. Quickly, she wiped it away and sniffed the moisture that was threatening to escape her nose.
Babette slowly tucked her curly brown hair behind her left ear to try and get a better look at Aaron. He was sitting with his back still straight in the chair and his hands resting on the desk. She couldn’t tell if he looked worried or angry. She knew better than to turn her head to look at him. Sliding her eyes back to the front, she dropped them quickly to the desktop when she realized Professor Milch’s laser gaze locked on her. He paused another excruciating moment before speaking.
“Professor Calloway and I stood in front of the teaching team tribunal early this morning. As you well know, Babette was accused of practicing powers outside the classroom.”
Babette’s breaths halted and her heart began to pound so hard she could barely hear what he said. He head swirled. She felt weightless as though floating underwater.
Dacey raised her hand.
“Yes, Dacey,” Professor Milch said with pressed words. One raised eyebrow at her.
“Sir, what exactly is she accused of. I mean, I think we have a right to know since it affects all of us.”
“You think you have the right to know,” he said. Babette couldn’t tell if it was a question or a statement. He drummed his fingers on his forearm and pursed his lips. “Fair enough. Babette’s been accused of attempting binding in her barracks.”
“Wha—,” Babette mumbled. One sharp glance from Aaron quieted her.
Dacey raised her hand so hard it nearly lifted her off the seat.
“Dacey, yes,” Professor Milch sighed.
“If she did anything like that, I would’ve seen. I would’ve told.” She glanced at Babette. “Sorry, Babs.”
Professor Milch uncrossed his arms and tugged at the sleeves of his lab coat. “She did it in the bathroom behind closed doors. You wouldn’t have seen.”
“Seriously!” Cabe said. “How could they tell that? And I thought the eye was supposed to turn off when we’re in the bathroom.”
“Only when using the toilet or entering the changing stall,” the professor said. “And I don’t recall you raising your hand. I also don’t recall ever saying this was a discussion. You will sit and you will listen—quietly. Do I need to put you at attention?”
“No, Sir,” Cabe said. “Sorry, Sir.”
“Class, rise and stand at ease,” Professor Milch said.
Everyone stood. Babette rubbery legs didn’t feel capable of lifting her, but she drifted to her feet. The fate of her team pressed on her shoulders.
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