This is really good Star! I honestly really like the part where Zoey got really mad, it fet really original to me, and good job on the prophecy. It really seems like an accurate adn somewhat detailed premonition, not just something vague that could mean anything.

I really like it! Like I said before, it is super well written. Please post more!

This is what happens when I try to write but my friends keep texting me...

Me: "LIFE GOALS"

Friends: "YISSSSS"

Me: "SOMEDAY Y'ALL CAN BE AN ALL-KNOWING OUTHOUSE LIKE ME"

~Starseeker 

This is what I have so far of the second chapter.

~~~

Chapter 2

Snoring.

Whispering.

Bedsheets rustling.

I try to sleep, but the dorm is full of noise at night. Now that the C Squad has finally fallen asleep-- they stayed up way past curfew, on their phones and whispering-- I can finally begin to calm down and try to sleep. I learned the hard way, when I first came, that you never, EVER fall asleep before the C Squad, unless you want to wake up with Sharpie all over your face.

But sleep is eluding me. The farther I chase it, the farther it flees from my begging body.

With a sigh, I get up, step over a loudly-snoring Kelsey, and go to the door. I peer carefully both ways down the hallway, but there was no one there. Of course. They were probably sleeping, like any sane person would be at-- I checked my watch-- midnight.

I crept down the hallway to the front door, where I quickly unlocked the lock with a bobby pin I kept in my pocket just for that purpose. I felt a momentary flash of guilt for sneaking out, then pushed it down. All I was going to do was sit on the stoop and look at the stars, like I did when I was worried. Well, what little amount of stars could be seen in downtown Boston, anyway.

I eased through the door-- it tended to squeak sometimes-- and then sat on the stoop and stared at the sky. I was lucky. It was a new moon, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. I looked for my favorite constellations and spotted a few. There was Orion, the Hunter, bravely facing Taurus the Bull. Near him trotted Canis Major and Canis Minor. Gemini, the Twin constellation, looked on. I shivered in the chilly February air. I knew I should go back inside, but I wanted to stay out here in the fresh air for a bit longer before going back to stale air and snoring.

Finally, I stood up, stretched, and went inside. I carefully re-locked the door behind me.

I snuck back down the hallway and into my room, stepping over a still-snoring Kelsey once again. As I nestled into bed, I idly considered the fact that I had a new friend.

A friend. I’d never had a friend before-- not a real one, anyway. I’d had a few allies on the streets, but they always left me when someone bigger or better came along. Same with the Northbrook kids. A few had tried to befriend me in the beginning, but they had quickly lost interest once they realized there were no advantages to being friends with me.

I guess, despite their different situations and bravados, street kids and rich kids aren’t so different after all.

✧✧✧

I woke up the next morning, recalling a vague sense of contentment and belonging from the night before, but not remembering anything more.

I rolled over, and the source was revealed.

Kelsey was conked out on the floor beside my bed, tangled up in her blue sleeping bag and pillow. Her arms were skewed around her head, and her mouth was open. She was drooling, and her reddish hair looked like a rat had taken up residence in the night.

I smiled at her, my one true friend.

As if she sensed my smile, Kelsey’s lips stretched in a faint smile as she rolled over.

“Five more minutes,” she murmured. “Just five more. Then maybe I can face the day.”

Then she was snoring once again.

I sat up and rolled myself out of bed, groaning at my sore shoulder. One of the students-- I don’t know who-- had thought it would be a good idea to spill water right in front of where I was walking. Not being very agile on the best of days, I had promptly slipped and fallen flat on my face. Everyone who saw had laughed. The worst part was, my uniform got wet, and so I had to go around with a wet and wrinkly uniform all next hour.

I know the guy who spilled the water probably hadn’t meant for me to slip in it, but still, it stung.

I stretched. Right arm, left arm. Right leg, left leg. Same as I had done for every day when I woke up, for as long as I could remember. Even when I was on the streets and living in doorways and alleys, that’s what I did.

The C Squad was still slumped in their beds, asleep and dreaming. They looked so peaceful, with their still faces and no makeup.

I grabbed my school uniform and walked towards the door to the bathroom. I never liked changing in front of other people. The C Squad, it would appear, had no shame-- sharing everything, from mirrors to hair supplies to uniforms.

When I had finished changing in the bathroom, I walked back to my dorm room, pj’s crumpled in my arms. Kelsey was sitting up in her sleeping bag, groggily staring at me.

“What time is it?” she mumbled. I checked my watch. Allowing for the four minutes it was ahead…

“6:45,” I said.

Kelsey moaned. “6:45?” she said.

“6:45,” I confirmed. “Breakfast is at 7:30 in the mess hall, on the main campus.”

Kelsey muttered something I probably didn’t want to hear, then heaved herself out of her sleeping bag and onto her feet.

“Clothes,” she muttered. “Where are my clothes.”

I pointed to her blue (of course) suitcase, which she was now wandering in the opposite direction of. “Right there,” I said.

Kelsey nodded groggily and then shuffled over to her suitcase, pulling out a neatly-folded uniform. She started pulling off her pj top and I shrieked, “Wait!”

Kelsey peered at me. “What?”
I started to blush. “Well…” I said. “Um. I’m not really comfortable with… umm… half-dressed people.”

Kelsey nodded. “Okay. Then just don’t look or something. She started to reach for the hem of her shirt again and I hastily turned away.

I really don’t know why I’m so uncomfortable with that. I’ve never had any bad experiences or anything. I just don’t like it.

“You’re good,” Kelsey called from behind me, and I turned around. Kelsey was tucking her shirt into her skirt. She then glanced in the mirror and frowned. She walked over to her suitcase once more and pulled out a (you guessed it) blue hairbrush. She ran it-- or tried to, at least-- through her hair a few times. She grimaced at her reflection in the mirror but pronounced her hair “good enough”. She flipped over at the waist and wound her ponytail holder around and around until she had a perfect, if messy, ponytail.

“Let’s go,” she said, and marched out the door.

“Wait,” I called after her.

Kelsey stopped her walking, looked back at me, and raised an eyebrow questioningly. Seriously, I love that expression!

“What?” she asked.

I grimaced. “Breakfast isn’t for another half hour or so.”

Kelsey shrugged. “The earlier we get there, the more time I have to see what’s up.” Then she strides away again without waiting to see if I follow. After all, where else could I go? Back to my room, where the C Squad is most likely still asleep?

I follow her out the door, down the path, and to the mess hall. She knocks both doors open dramatically and strides in at the same confident pace. I slink meekly in after.

The few students that are there this early look up in surprise from whatever they’re doing. Kelsey walks over to the buffet table and walks the length of it, perusing the signs for where the food will be once it’s out of the kitchens. Out of all the things I could complain about with Northbrook, the food is certainly not one of them. All three meals are prepared daily by the resident chef and her army of helpers. They are then served hot, with seemingly unending amounts available.

“Mmmm,” Kelsey said, rubbing her hands together. “This is going to be good!”

~~~

Hope you like it! It's most definetely unfinished-- there's a whole other part written that I didn't post, plus a deleted scene that didn't fit anymore. But even so, I like it a lot! Any criticism? Things I could improve on? Thanks so much you guys! I really appreciate all of this!

~Starseeker 

My my what do we have here? *taps screen* WHAT A PROLOGUE AND TWO MORE CHAPTERS ALREADY UPLOADED! *quickly reads through*

Alright! Here's my opinion on the new ones

Prologue: So.... Zalia is like the new Oracle of Delphi of the magicy world...

Chapter 1: REDRAGEBLOODBLACKDEATHBONESREDRAGEBLOODBLACKDEATHBONES.

That is exactly what my friend was like when she was talking about the lunar eclipse. "THE BLOODY MOON!" is what she was like and was e-mailing me like a crazy werewolf.

Chapter 2: When Zoey thinks about her new friend, it might be good to recall for a second about the occourence with Justin in Chapter 1. Unless it's one of those details that the author wishes for the reader to ignore until a much later point, or Zoey is purposefully dismissing the thought, OR *starts mumbling a thousand more* ok i'll stop. sorry 

hey Starseeker! Great job! Keep it up! (Can't wait for the next part)

Will you ever reveal why she's a 'charity case' or is that something for us to ponder eternally? Keep writing/posting what you've already written - it's fantastic!

New Part! Tell me if anything doesn't line up... I had to do a bit of editing because Kelsey wormed her way inside my story (originally she was supposed to be a super minor side charrie, but look how that turned out!)

~~~

Chapter 2, Part 2

After breakfast, Kelsey wished me well, and she left for her first class-- gym-- and I left for mine, science. My mood was more buoyant than it had been in as long as I could remember. I hadn’t had an occasion to be truly happy since a police officer had collected me up off the streets to take me here. Back then, Northbrook had sounded like a dream, one that I was sure that would pop at any moment if I blinked. And indeed it had, though later than I expected.

I shook my head to dispel these thoughts. Why would I want to think about Northbrook? It was a beautiful day outside, and I had a new friend. Friend. The word still felt strange in my thoughts.

I smiled happily and walked with a spring in my step, towards my science class, whistling (or trying to) all the way.

✧✧✧

My good mood was crushed as soon as I got to the science hallway. I walked up the long corridor, only to trip on a foot that had not been there a second ago. I fell, and my books went in all directions.

“Oh, honey,” said a voice dripping with fake sweetness, “You really need to be more careful. You wouldn’t want those books to get … damaged. Oops!”

A pink high top came into my line of sight from where I was on the ground and kicked one of my books. I heard a RIP! as one of the pages snagged.

“Stop it, Shaina,” I said, trying to rise. Immediately, a high heel-- I assumed from one of Shaina’s friends (read: worshippers) -- pushed me back down. I hissed in pain. The stiletto heel went right into my sore and bruised shoulder.

“Oh, does that hurt?” Shaina asked, bending down so I could see her sneering face. It looked the same as always-- perfect makeup, perfect chestnut curls, perfect little nose.

Ugh. Perfect.

“Press it harder,” she ordered, and the heel dug deeper.

I shrieked this time. I squirmed, trying desperately to try to get away from the pain. Shaina just laughed.

“Hey!” shouted a voice from behind me. “What’s going on here? Shaina, what are you doing?”

“Oh, hey, Justin-boo,” cooed Shaina. I groaned. Could this get any worse? First Shaina, then her boyfriend?

“Shaina, what are you doing?” he asked again, coming closer. I could see his black high tops next to Shaina’s pink ones.

“She tried to attack me, and my loyal friend just pinned her down for me!” Shaina said.

“Then why,” Justin accused, “are her books all over the place, and why are you laughing?”

“Umm, uh,” Shaina stammered, “Uh… Jocelyn said something funny! Isn’t that right, Jocelyn?” The high heel digging into me shifted as Jocelyn nodded earnestly.

“Yeah, right. Jocelyn, get off her!”

The heel was removed from me and I sat up, rubbing my shoulder. Justin was looking down at me in worry.

“Are you alright?” he asked. He reached out a hand to help me up.

“Fine,” I replied, and ignored his hand. I pushed myself up and groaned when it hurt my shoulder. I started to walk away, towards my scattered books.

“Do you need ice?” Justin asked, catching up to me.

“I said I’m fine!” I retorted, and walked faster towards them.

Justin kept up easily. “Are you sure? I can go get some, I know the nurse.”

“I’m sure,” I replied, beginning to get annoyed. “Like I said, I’m-- OW!” The second I bent over to pick up the book, the pain of the wound flared up and I crumpled to the ground.

“Are you sure you’re all-- Oh! You’re bleeding!” Justin exclaimed.

“I can see that,” I hissed through clenched teeth. I took my hand away from my shoulder, and it was bright red.

“Hold on, I’ll go get some gauze,” Justin said, and ran off.

“You think I’m going anywhere?” I muttered.

I started to roll up her black sleeve. I tried to look at the wound, but only succeeded in straining my eyes.

Soon, Justin returned with the gauze from the nurse. He handed it to me, and I began to clumsily wind it around my shoulder.

“Stop,” he said. “You’re doing it all wrong.”

He took the gauze from me and rewound it. When he had finished, I had to admit it was a better job. I rolled my shoulder.

“Thanks,” I said grudgingly, then picked up the book at my feet and stood up. I started walking toward the next book.

“Wait, where are you going?” he asked.

“To get my books,” I replied, rolling my eyes at his stupidity.

“Here, let me,” he said, jogging up to the next book and handing it to me.

“I can get it,” I said, wincing as my shoulder twinged.

“No, really, let me,” Justin replied.

“I don’t need your pity!” I half yelled at him. “I don’t want your pity, either. Just because I’m a shelter kid doesn’t mean I’m some poor baby that needs help. So STOP HELPING ME!” I glared at him, breathing hard. Then I spun on my heel to collect the other books before the bell rang. When I looked back, he was still standing there, looking shocked.

✧✧✧

As soon as I slid into my seat in Madame Roux’s third hour French class, I was poked in the back by a pencil.

“Why the gauze? Are you hurt?” a voice whispered.

I twisted around to look at the girl who had poked me. It was Kelsey.

“Yes,” I said shortly, in a tone that implied “no questions”-- even for friends. I didn’t feel like explaining myself right now. Or ever, as far as I was concerned.

Still, Kelsey asked another question: “How?”

“I fell,” I growled, beginning to feel annoyed. For the first time that day, luck went my way, and the bell rang and saved me from Kelsey’s torrent of questions. I settled back in my seat and prepared my mind for my favorite subject: Science. This year, we were going to be learning about the Solar System and the universe in more depth than before, and it was the only thing I was looking forward to that day.

The longer I sat, the longer I felt I was getting weird looks. More than usual, that is-- being a shelter kid, and having pale skin, piercing blue eyes, and raven-black hair does not keep you inconspicuous. Still, there seemed to be many more than usual. I was puzzled and a little annoyed until Kelsey leaned forward and whispered, “Pull down your sleeve.” Right! I had rolled it up for the gauze! I quickly pulled down my sleeve and whispered, “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it,” replied Kelsey, still in a whisper.

“Don’t worry, I won’t,” I muttered, then turned my attention to the lesson.

French flew by in a blur of facts and weird looks and murmurs. Home Economics was a pop quiz on fires. In English, I had forgotten my homework. Finally came the end of the day, with a forced “breath of fresh air”. Really, we all walked in circles around the green in the back of the school. Today was no different, except for the people. Everyone was staring at me and whispering. I groaned. Word of the Justin incident must have gotten around. I tried to head over to him, but he wouldn’t meet my eyes, and he was surrounded by Shaina and her friends. Finally, I gave up and walked by myself-- at least until Kelsey surprised me from behind. AGAIN.

“Wow,” she said, looking at the ten feet of empty space around me. “What did you do?”

“It’s a really long story,” I said, sighing.

“What? Tell me! I’ve got time,” said Kelsey, eyes widening.

So I explained. When I finished, Kelsey whistled.

“Wow. That’s literally all I can say.”

I nodded. “Me too.”

We lapsed into silence.

I had no chance to say anything before the dragons landed.

~~~

DUH DUH DUHHHH CLIFF HANGER!

I'm so tempted to leave y'all hanging right now... but I do have the next chapter completely written... so I don't know. I think, for dramatic effect, I'll post the next chapter in the morning, and leave you curious until then! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

~Starseeker