8.70 – It’s out of my control

Warning: PG Some subtly implied possibly sensitive material

To the point where I hesitated even putting a warning

This is not late. Tis the holidays! Y’all are too busy having fun to read my chapers *cough*>_> *cough*

Nikita’s POV

Joel glared daggers at his twin sister’s homework, but the questions remained unanswered. I say his sister’s homework, but it’s essentially the same as his own homework since they’re in the same class. My cousins amuse me. They don’t look anything alike, but they dress like twins who do.

It’s always interesting having them over for a sleepover.

“You’re doing it again.” Joel noticed as I twirled.

I stopped dancing, and managed to see the slivers of magic this time before it dissolved.

It’s not common knowledge, but I’m a witch! And I can never seem to cast magic when I want to. It’s only when I’m not looking!

“What did it look like this time Joel?” I asked, skipping over to him.

He shrugged. “Just like…I dunno something pink.”

I pursed my lips and then sighed.

“You really can’t control it?” Joel asked.

“No! It just happens! It’s not like it does anything. It’s just sparkly light. Daddy says with practice I should be able to control it. But I can’t even feel it when it happens.” I pouted. There wasn’t anything I could do if dad started the lesson with ‘You have to feel it in your fingers, in your veins.’

“Don’t worry Nikita. You’re amazing! You’ll figure it out eventually I’m sure.” Joel said.

I smiled and hugged him. “You’re sweet Joel.”

Joel was always sweet to me! Especially if you compared it to how he was with Veronica and Maxwell. It’s like he knew I’d just get angry and really pissed at him if he talked to me the same way.

The door to the room flew open and Veronica stuck her head in, casting us a suspicious look.

“Whachu doing?” She asked.

Joel shrugged and rolled his eyes.

“What are you doing Vero?” I asked, my hands on my hips.

“Well since I finished my homework…” Veronica said casting Joel a teasing look. “I was trying to play the video game Maxwell kept talking to us about, but I’m STUCK on level 5!”

“You can do the homework, but you can’t pass an easy peasy skateboard level?” Joel teased and his twin stuck his tongue out at him.

“Don’t pick on me cause you can’t do simple math homework!” She shot back.

The moment I saw Joel inhale to talk again, I knew they’d start picking on each other again, so I high tailed it out of there.

Sometimes those two were the most conniving troublemakers to the point where aunt Erin came over to get away from them for a few hours, and then other times they were just simply at each other’s throats.

I headed for the shower and closed the door, just as I heard the doorbell ring.

I managed to catch papa on his way to check up on Nikolas just as I was hopping out of the shower, now sweat free.

“Papa! Who was at the door?”

“That was your father’s uncle, Alec.” Papa explained.

I frowned at him.

Papa tried to help me out. “That blue haired vampire…I think you just saw him once when you were younger.”

“Oh…yeah I think I remember him. What does he want with daddy?” I asked.

Papa smiled. “He just came for a visit, where are Joel and Veronica?”

I gestured vaguely at the dancing room. “Probably in there working on Joel’s homework.”

I cast a look down the stairs as papa went inside my and Niko’s room.

Daddy had a hand on the doorknob of the front door and was shaking his head at the vampire named Alec.

“Ah come on Xavvie. What do you want in exchange?”

“I said no Alec. I can’t believe you and Aliska are still on this.”

“Not Aliska so much anymore…old age caught up with her.” Alec said with a shrug.

“Stop chasing after a myth.” Daddy said as he opened the door. He had to go to work today.

“It’s not a myth! And either way what do you care? I’m just asking you to ask James to hand over the apple he doesn’t even use. He leaves it to rot in his bag.” Alec said.

“What makes you think he’ll say yes to me, if he so blatantly told you to-” Daddy’s eyes caught me at the top of the stairs. “to go away?”

“Won’t know till you try!”

“Bye Alec.” Daddy said. He gave me a smile and then headed out. Alec stared at the heavens with an exasperated sigh.

I skipped down the steps.

“Hello Mr.Alec.” I said with a full-toothed smile.

He raised an eyebrow. “You sure grew since I last saw you squirt. What’s your name again?”

I gave him a quick glare. “Nikita. You ought to remember it this time.”

He chuckled. “I just might this time.”

“I’m a dancer. Want to see what I can do? I’m aiming to be a professional dancer.” I said proudly.

He shrugged. “Not really.”

My proud feeling dissipated.

“But hey,” He said as he noticed the lack of a smile on my face. “I’ll be a cool uncle and show you a cool trick kay?”

I tilted my head to the side, before slowly nodding. “Sure…”

With that Alec motioned for me to follow him into my kitchen, towards papa’s study.

Alec peeked his head inside, making sure there was only the computer alive in there.

“No one. Good.” He said with a short nod.

“Course there’s no one.” I said. “It’s papa’s study and he’s upstairs with Niko.”

“That means we don’t have a lot of time. Come on now!” He said, skipping over to the computer.

He plopped himself down in front of the computer, leaving me feeling a little nervous.

It was papa’s computer after all. He’d be so mad if an accident caused him to lose all his stories.

Then again, pretty sure he has a lot of backups! So I suppose it wouldn’t be that big of a deal.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Something I’ve been doing since I was just a little younger than you…however old you are.” Alec said as his fingers started running across the keyboard. “Okay come see.”

I leaned over as weird programs I’d never seen before started appearing on the screen.

“I don’t get it.”

“It’s called hacking. Or programming. Some people have called it being a nerd.” Alec said. It didn’t really help me much. “Basically, it’s a skill that lets you access stuff people don’t want you to see…among other things.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Let me show you how it’s done…” He said as he opened up a google search.

He typed James Whitelight in it. My grandpa’s name.

And the page came up completely blank.

“Woah…did you do that? Google never does that.” I said.

“No, I’m not the one who did this. See on the bottom right?” He said, pointing to a small inscription. “It’s my sister. She had fun with this one.” He said with a smirk. “Now let me show you my skills. I’m going to hack her program, just for a few moments.”

So for the next few minutes I watched as his fingers sped around and as a ton of random weird programs I couldn’t read popped up on screen.

Eventually, Alec refreshed the google search page and this time the screen was filled with random articles and mentions of my grandpa.

“So what do you think?” Alec asked. “Pretty neat huh?”

I shrugged. “Looks boring and complicated.”

Alec sighed.

“Geez, kids these days. No taste.”

***

Later that night…

 

Joel shivered in his sleeping bag.

“Do you really need to have those things in your room?” He asked me from his place on the ground. I glanced at my kit of ants at the foot of my bed. It was a gift from Tina and Charlie, daddy’s adoptive parents.

“It’s not like they’re going to come out and snuggle with you while you sleep.” I whispered, making Veronica giggle.

Joel groaned at the thought and hid his head under his sleeping bag.

“It’s this Tuesday right Niki?” Veronica asked from her own spot on the floor.

I leaned over my bed to look at her. I nodded with a grin. “Yup! I’m so excited…I wonder who else is going to be there.”

“Maybe that guy…what was his name? Devon?” Veronica asked.

I plunged my face in my pillow. “Noooooo I doubt it….He doesn’t seem like the dancing type…”

“It’s so adorable! Have you talked to him yet?” Veronica asked, causing Joel to shift and groan.

“A few times.” I admitted. “Actually I was thinking of talking to him on Tuesday.”

“Oohh a good kind of talk?”

“Possibly…”

“Heehee, you have to call me when you get home!” Veronica insisted.

“Oh my GOD, shut up!” Joel snapped, shoving himself deeper into his sleeping bag.

“Stop listening to our conversation Joel!” His twin snapped back.

“It’s kind of hard when you’re squealing in my ear!”

I glanced worriedly at the door. “Guys…”

Nikolas, who was supposed to be sleeping at this point, decided to join in.

“Squea! Ling!” He said, rocking back and forth.

“Niko, shh.” The twins said at the same time.

Niko put his finger on his mouth and repeated loudly. “SHHHHHH”

And then the door creaked open and we all looked over with wide eyes to see Daddy leaning on the doorway.

“Get to sleep you four.”

***

Tuesday, after school

I walked down the eerily quiet school corridors. It was weird walking them after classes…it felt like I had the whole place to myself.

I was feeling nervous for my first meeting for the dance show, but also a little giddy. And not just because I’d asked Devon out and gotten a yes moments earlier.

Also because I was about to meet people who maybe had about as much passion as I did when it came to dancing. I’d been training with only adults so far, and being able to meet other kids who danced as well was exciting.

I opened the door to the small gym and what I saw inside was…a little disappointing I admit.

It’s not that the two other students looked boring or sloppy or anything. On the contrary they both had looks with vivid color! I just knew I’d get along with them well too when they both grinned at me.

No. It was the lack of students. There were only two! I’d expected a bigger amount.

But once I got over the initial disappointment, the excitement came rushing back to me.

So I hurried over to meet the two girls.

The one with the bright orangish hair was called Carrie. Apart from basic skills in dancing, she also had a peculiar talent for singing.

She gave me a demonstration and I vaguely remembered her from last year’s show. At the same time, I also remembered there being more than two people on stage then too. Apparently most of the group graduated so there was only these two left.

Theodora, the girl with purple hair, had a preference for break-dancing, but what she prided herself in was telling jokes. Something she was more than eager to show me an example of.

When they were done introducing themselves, I, of course, jumped on the opportunity to show off my talent.

To which Mrs.Bolain and Mr.Lysan clapped.

Once we were all done introducing ourselves, Mrs.Bolain told us the plan for the end of the year.

She told us about the group choreography that she had planned, and, considering our individual talents, she was planning on slipping in our own solos!

The rest of that day was mostly spent practicing and testing out things we could do for our solos, and having fun.

It would be next week that we really started on the group choreography.

The atmosphere was fun and relax, and the music easily pulled me into a trance and before I knew it I was dancing like I did at home.

So I’m not surprised that I released some magic like I did at home. It’s become part of my dancing routine.

I didn’t think it’d be a problem, it’s not like I was hurting anybody!

But moments after, Mrs.Bolain was suddenly yelling at me, her face puffed red with rage.

“Don’t use magic! That’s dangerous! Don’t your parents teach you anything!?” She yelled this over and over, and I just kept flinching with every new phrase because I had no idea that my magic would generate this kind of reaction.

And having a teacher yell at me for doing something I didn’t even know was bad was making tears begin to prick my eyes, because she wouldn’t even let me put one word in to try and calm her down and explain myself! Or at least tell her this was normal and I’d never hurt anyone.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Mr.Lysan had walked over.

“Jessica! You do not yell at the children like that!” He snapped, making her step back in shock.

“But-”

“No! You’re scaring her!” He said gesturing at me, as I was wiping my eyes.

I’m not scared just a little shocked…

“She shouldn’t be using magic at school!” She snapped, motioning at me and almost hitting me in the face with the swing of her hand.

“I’m sorry, I’ll try not to-”

“You better not, or I’ll refuse to have you on this show!” She shouted, and the tears came back on my eyes.

“Jessica!”

With a loud sigh Mrs.Bolain retreated to the side. It was clear even for her now that she was losing her cool.

I sniffled softly, rubbing my eyes again.

Seeing this, Mr.Lysan dropped to his knees and pulled me into a hug, catching me completely off guard.

“It’s okay.” He murmured in my ear, making it tickle.

I frowned as he hugged me tight, rubbing small circles in my back.

“Mr.Lysan I’m okay,” I tried to say, but my voice ended up getting muffled in his shirt. I mentally shrugged and let him hug me, as weird as it was, until he’d considered me ‘recovered’.

After that Mrs.Bolain said she was going home. Today’s meeting was pretty much over anyways.

“Well aren’t YOU the lucky one.” Carrie said, intercepting me as we all left the small gym.

“What?”

“I’ve been here the longest now, but from what I can see you’ll probably end up being his protégée.” She said with an exasperated eye roll.

“I’m not understanding anything you’re saying here.”

“Being Mr.Lysan’s protégée is only the best possible thing in this group.” Carrie said.

Theodora shrugged. “I’m happy not to be.”

“Protégée? What does that mean?” I asked.

“Every year Mr.Lysan picks a talented student. That girl gets to stay even longer after school with him to train even more. He gives his protégée extra training and experience so she ends up being the star of the show. You know that one girl who always seems to be in the spotlight? Who’s always seems like the best of the best? Well it’s Mr.Lysan’s protégée. It’s an honor, and it seems whatever I do, he never picks me. Instead he picks the new girl.” Carrie explained.

My eyes lit up. Boy did I like that idea.

“And you really think I could end up filling in that role?” I asked.

“Well he keeps looking at you and making sure you’re doing well and stuff. It’s usually the first sign. Even Theodora noticed it.” Carrie said.

Theodora nodded. “If that’s the case congratulations Nikita.”

“You guys can just call me Niki.” I corrected with a grin.

Carrie sighed. “If you do get picked, I won’t hold it against you or anything. It’s not like it’s your fault.”

Oh boy, if so my dancing career was really starting to pick off!

***

“Daddy?” I said, sitting down beside him.

“Yup?”

I stared blankly at the tv screen.

“Is using magic bad?”

I could feel my dad turn to me in surprise.

“What brings about this question?” He asked.

“Well I accidently let some magic out and someone reacted really badly and told me I shouldn’t do that.” I explained.

“Using magic isn’t bad, it’s a part of you. It’s how you use it that’s important. If you hurt people with it than it’s bad, or else it isn’t.” Daddy said. “Did your magic do something?”

“No, it wasn’t bad at all. It was just some light like normal. But the lady reacted really bad.” I said.

Daddy inhaled slowly. “Well some people don’t have the best views of supernaturals.”

“Why?”

“Some of them did some very bad things. It made the naturals afraid.” Dad explained.

“Oh.”

“If someone reacts like that again, tell me okay?”

“Okay dad.” I said.

“Oh and daddy? Is there something wrong with Niko?”

Daddy narrowed his eyes with an uncertain smile. “I don’t think so…”

“But you said he was a witch and he hasn’t done anything magic related at all yet! And you said I started using magic when I was just a baby!”

Daddy laughed. “That’s because you’re an early bloomer Niki. And on top of that you have magic hands. I’m pretty sure Niko needs a wand to use magic.”

“Magic hands…” I frowned looking at my hands.

“Yes like me.” Daddy said, wiggling his fingers and making little sparks fly out. “It’s pretty rare. I’ve only met one other person like this. Other witches need a wand to control their magic.”

I stared at my hands. What I’m doing can’t really be called control…I never realize it when I let loose some magic. And it’s only on rare occasions that I actually feel like a witch (which tends to coincide with when I can tell that Niko is one too). Most of the time, if daddy and papa didn’t tell me it was so, I’d be sure I was a natural.

“Doesn’t really feel like I have control of mine…” I mumbled.

Dad reached over and pulled me close for a sideways hug.

“It’ll come Niki. Don’t worry.”

 

 

 

 

Now, just as warning, there are still a lot of things I want to do with Nikita and Nikolas, so there are still going to be quite a few chapters before we head into their respective parts and then the heir vote. I’ll let you guys know when I have a better idea of when things are going to end.