The Shifters: Katrina
Part Three - Ch.11: Apprentices Together Again

If someone told me I'd wake up on time and look good for once, I would've laughed.

If someone told me I'd get woken up by a certain someone who decided to dress me herself because I was 'sad-looking,' I would've thought they needed to go to a hospital to get their head checked.

Alas, there I was.

Getting woken up at six-thirty in the morning by none other than the dark haired Talia. When we'd met, her hair had been swaying around her shoulder blades. Now, the back reached all the way down to her waistline, and she'd gotten bangs. The ends were still dyed a light blue to match her eyes, and her style was still better than mine ever was. Talia woke me up with a can-do attitude, shoving me into the shower while she went through my drawers and proceeded to criticize every clothing item I had. When I was finished in the shower, Chloe had already escaped our dorm. She left me to struggle on my own, Talia rolling her eyes as I begrudgingly let her sit me down on my bed and take control of my entire look.

By the time she was finished, my shorter hair was tied back into twin French braids, I had cleaned-up, well shaped eyebrows -- which was a painful experience that I detested -- and I was dressed in something that was both cute and close enough to comfortable.

Talia had thrown a lavender camisole at me that was hers, saying I needed it more than she did. It was an eerily nice fit, and it was one of the less frilly ones I'd seen. It also had a halter neckline and a loose collar. For bottoms, she found one of my unstained pairs of overalls, lightwash and purposefully ripped. To go with them, she threw a pair of boots at me that were also someone else's -- but apparently not hers.

Whatever, I thought as I put them on, reaching for my bag and jacket. Let the sketchy pair of boots just stay sketchy.

"What are you doing?" Talia demanded as she walked out of the bathroom. Her hair was tied up, her bright red leggings burning my eyes from their sheer vibrancy. With them, she wore a black turtleneck with an open chest and her usual leather jacket.

"Wearing a coat..?"

"Use your fire to keep warm," she ordered, "that jacket will not be killing your look today, Kat."

I rolled my eyes. "You're killing me."

She winked, blowing me a sassy kiss. "Get used to it. If you're going to be amazing, you better look amazing. Come on, we can't be late."

I watched her saunter out, fiddling with the edge of her camisole. My bag was in my other hand, and I had already dropped my jacket back onto the floor.

Of all the things I could be doing right now, I'm playing dress up.

But... I'm building friendships...

So I don't regret it.

Talia popped her head back in.

"Move your ass, come on!"

Moment ruined.

Hours later, and it was lunch. Our table -- Tyree's table -- was filled with people. It outshone the one belonging to the friend group of Heather and Beth, the first two shapeshifters I'd spent time with as friends. Unfortunately, those two had turned out to be the queen bee type, and I had clashed with them more than once. I even ended up sending Heather crashing into a wall.

Sorry, not sorry.

Nowadays, the table sat Tyree's original group, the water apprentices and our friends from foreign compounds. We were a large, loud group, and the entire cafeteria was constantly listening to us. Not that we minded -- we were all excitable, adventurous people.

For the most part.

"Katrina, you should train with us today!"

I nearly dropped the spoonful of pudding I had as Shae threw her arm around my neck, pulling me toward her. I coughed, playfully shoving her off.

"I have so much work to do, though!" I protested.

She pouted. "Come on, you're my partner."

Groaning, I playfully scolded her before throwing my hands up in surrender. "Fine! I mine as well get some extra training in," I caved, shaking my head. "I'm going to be swimming in homework."

"Just keep it on your side of the dorm," Chloe warned me, the rest of the table snickering as the younger shifter shook her finger at me. I stuck my tongue out, finishing my pudding.

"Anyway!" Shae continued, clapping her hands in her excitement. "We're planning in using the gym right after sixth period, which is conveniently where your class is!"

I scowled. "You planned that, didn't you?"

"Nope, but Willa did!"

"Of course."

Okay, if I conserve my energy then make a break for it, I might get out of this alive...

Sweat dotted my brow, my bag heavy on my back.

She'll catch me the second she sees me, especially since she's on her side as well. I need to be quick.

The shrill sound of the bell struck my ears and I bolted. Due to exhaustion, I would be breaking a promise.

At least, I tried to break a promise.

"You're not escaping!"

I groaned as ice shot from the master's fingertips, encasing my legs.

Willa and Shae had already been outside when the bell rang, meaning I had no chance to escape their extra training after sixth period. The master used more ice to slide me back inside the gym, and to my displeasure, there were more apprentices watching the humiliation.

Sam and Max, two other water apprentices, strolled in behind Shae, laughing as I remained half encased in ice. I flicked water at them, Sam catching his half while Max took it to the face.

"Hi to you too," Max grumbled, Sam and I laughing as he set his bag down. Willa let me go once I was back inside, and I shook out my frozen legs. Two flames popped up next to my calves, warming them up as the four of us apprentices began to stretch.

"So, are you any better with water?" Max taunted me. "Or do you still suck?"

I snorted, glancing at Willa. The master shrugged, her, Shae and Sam moving to the sidelines. I shook myself out, raising my fists as Max and I faced off.

"Should I just stick to water?" I snickered, a swirl of water floating around my hands.

"Keep it fair, Katrina," Max snapped.

I shrugged. "Alright."

He growled, charging forward. Max definitely had a physical style of fighting, unlike Sam, who used more of his water. I smirked as the boy ran at me, the water in my hands spreading along the floor in front of me. It froze, causing Max to slip. As he slid, I took the chance to step in and swing, the ice avoiding where my feet touched the ground. My fist connected with his jaw, sending Max gliding along the miniature ice rink.

"Fair enough for you?" I gloated, taunting him. Ice enveloped my hands, forming spiked gloves.

"I'm not done yet," he warned, blue glow appearing on his fingertips as he exploded my ice into vapour. We shared grins, the fight more on the friendly side instead of the malicious one. He took his time approaching me, sending wave after wave of water to keep me busy. I used one hand to break his waves, keeping the other at the ready. Once he was close enough, I swung as harder as possible, hoping to catch him off guard.

Unfortunately, we were both shapeshifters. He was faster than anyone in Greenhill had been, and moved out of the way of my fist. I laughed, lunging forward. Max's foot lashed out, connecting with my shin. I gritted my teeth, elbowing his gut. He coughed, hand clamping down on my shoulder. When he fell, so did I. A bubble materialized in between us, saving me from the pain of slamming into him.

Max panted, laying on his back as I sloshed in my bubble.

I flipped him off.

"That's not very sportsmanlike, Katrina."

A stream of water shot out from my hands, nailing Max in the stomach and pushing my bubble back. The water disappeared all together, leaving me in the air. As I fell, I did a flip taught to me by Kami and landed on both feet, one hand on the ground for balance.

"It's fine," Max muttered to Willa, "I think I'm good. Training time, please."

The other three snorted, Sam helping Max to his feet. My hands shook from adrenaline, but they soon calmed down as the five of us started drills.

An hour or two later, and we were all walking out of the school. Sweat rolled down my forehead, dampening my collar.

I was even in a good mood.

Until I saw an uncertain looking Aaron loitering outside the school.

"Hey... Can I steal Katrina?"

We all paused.

"Is there something wrong, Aaron?"

He looked me in the eye, his expression filled with worry.

"Coraline arranged for you to meet with your mother."

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