Akolan, The Academy, Classroom B; Ten years Before the Death of King Jupiter at Jupiter's Crossing

"Hey, pssst."

"Shut up, Will. I'm trying to focus," Lexi said, hardly glancing at her younger brother as she wrote down test answers.

"I didn't study," Will persisted, staring at his sister with wide amber eyes. "Help a brother out?"

"Shut up, you're going to get in trouble," Lexi said, glancing up quickly at the bored teacher. The teacher was staring out the window, almost morosely. There wasn't much too look at, to be honest, just drab grey buildings and ash floating around.

"Ugh, fine," Will whispered back, sinking into his seat. He stayed there for a few seconds before turning around and facing Lexi's friend, Alexander, who was doodling on the edge of his sheet. "Answers?" he asked.

Alexander glanced up, ignored Lexi's disapproving glance, and passed Will a sheet of paper. "You owe me now."

"Mhm," Will said, scribbling down answers. "I only owe you if I get a 100 on this test."

Lexi rolled her eyes. "You aren't going-"

"Excuse me," the teacher said loudly, rapping her knuckles on her desk. "Seat 2B, are you talking with someone? Cheating, perhaps?"

"No ma'am," Lexi said stiffly, resisting the sudden urge to look at Will and Alexander.

"Hm," the teacher said, glancing around suspiciously at Will. He was attempting to muffle his giggles. Her gaze passed from him to Alexander, who was hunched over his sheet, the epitome of a studious student absorbed in his test.

The teacher finally looked away. The students around Lexi shot her glares, returning back to their tests.

Lexi, however, was more annoyed about the fact she hadn't been referred to by her name. She shouldn't have been surprised-it was an Akolan academy, after all-but she felt angry whenever she was dehumanized into a seat number. It didn't sit right with her.

A clamorous bell echoed around the room, jolting Will out of his reverie.

"Hm," the teacher said. "Well, students, I'll see you in two days. Please put the tests on my desk, and get out of here." Her brisk tone left no room for question, ignoring the few groanings of the students who didn't complete their test.

Lexi quickly scribbled her name on the top of the sheet and went up to the desk, followed by most of the students.

She stepped outside of the classroom, waiting for Alexander and Will to leave.

"So, how well do you think you did?" Will asked, arms crossed when a cold draft hit them particularly hard.

"Well, seeing as I did it without cheating," Lexi said, leading the way to the dorms so they could pick up their bags. "I think I did pretty well."

"It was all useless information anyways," Alexander said cynically, opening the door to his dorm. He leaned in, grabbed his bag, nodded to his roommate stiffly, and turned to the two siblings. "Just dates and some garbled history facts."

"History facts that may be true," Will said sourly.

"Doubt it," scoffed Alexander. "Some of it doesn't even line up."

Lexi scowled. "You could get dragged off for that kind of talk, Alex. Shut up." She too grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder.

"Well," Will said, spinning a pencil in his fingers. He must've nicked it from the classroom, Lexi thought, mildly impressed. "I don't really care 'bout history anyway. What's it gonna do? Save my life?"

"It could," Lexi said, not willing to admit defeat.

"Yes, because if I ever get dragged away, they'll definitely ask me exactly what year Akolan was made and what the name of the first Commandant was," Will said sarcastically, lowering his voice as they walked past a group of Command Guards.

It was late afternoon. The sun's light was barely visible through the heavy clouds. Will, always prone to disaster, immediately inhaled some ash and started hacking, which was joined by Alexander's snickering. A few people were in the streets, attempting to clear them of ash or simply wandering aimlessly until curfew. The potato fields were in the distance, a few farmers still hard at work.

The small group turned down a corner, to their houses. Alexander lived right next to them with his rarely-ever present father. Lexi considered him a childhood friend, even though they'd only started speaking when Will started school a few years ago.

"See you tomorrow?" Alexander said, unlocking the door. The auburn buck smiled at Lexi.

"Sure," Lexi said, raising an eyebrow. "We live right next to each other, idiot."

Alexander laughed and went in his house.

"Lovebirds," muttered Will, already halfway into the house.

"What'd you just say, shortie?" demanded Lexi.

"I'm not short!" Will retorted.

"Yeah, you are!" Lexi said teasingly. "Mom, we're home!"

"Hello," their mother said, smiling from the small kitchen. She looked worried. She was always worried these days.

Lexi and Will went to their respective rooms, small barely livable spaces that Lexi was sure used to be closets, but she couldn't complain. The orphanage was known to be worse.

She stared out her tiny window, almost longingly.

It was no secret to anyone that King Jupiter reigned beyond the walls of Akolan. While the slaves of Akolan were forbidden to speak of him and his goals, it was well known that he was a kind and benevolent ruler, who strived to defeat Morbin and free Akolan.

Lexi often dreamed of meeting him, of him freeing her and her family. She didn't exactly hate the Command, but she detested the Birds of Prey and the lurking, occasional wolf. She smiled, staring off into the distance.

Maybe one day...one day she could see King Jupiter himself.

"Hey, Lexiiii," Will's voice broke her out of her daydreaming. Her younger brother spun into her room, reading a book. He held it up for her to see. "D'you think this will burn well?"

"You're burning a book?" demanded Lexi, incredulity bleeding into her tone. "Are you crazy?!"

"Maybe!" Will said in a sing-song voice, already moving away. "It's not even your book, relax!"

Lexi stared at the open door, chuckling slightly. She had no doubt that the smell of burning paper would soon permeate the household, and Will would get a stern talking to from their mother.

That was something she wouldn't miss.

heyooooo I'm alive

do i have any clue if i'll continue this? no, but it's a fun idea lol

hope you enjoyed :D