chapter 4 the new normal

 "Dominique, Dominique Candies!"

I jumped at the repeated call of my name, as I scanned my surroundings I established my whereabouts in science class. My face goes red, as I hear the mocking, and giggles of my classmates I sink into my desk wishing I had magic to turn invisible. With an annoyed huskie tone of voice my science teacher Mr. Stone lectured me on my oblivious state of mind "if you have time to sleep in my class then you have time to take notes, right?" I blushed in embarrassment and nodded shyly turning back to his lesson plan. I sigh in relief and glance down at my text book rolling my eyes while trying to pull together a significant among of energy to focus on this lesson, which seems to be about geomagnetism.

I mumbled to myself in frustration that nothing im reading makes sense, at this point I figured it would benefit me more to zone out. My eyes were darting from the blackboard to the clock every minute or so, these ten minutes felt like hours' time is moving so slowly. I glanced to my right and noticed everyone diligently taking notes unlike myself, then I turned to the left and saw a girl with jet, black hair and big doe, brown eyes. She was so pretty I found that I was staring creepily at her before I jolted my head back forward. Stealing glances at her from the corner of my eye I study her face in curiosity, the girl in question looked over at me coincidentally making contact. I was flashed a nice, warm smile from her and I contagiously smile back "uh, hi" I awkwardly wave to her, she kindly waves back "hello my name is Madison" she said awkwardly I run my hand through my hair and turn my body to face her "oh sorry for not noticing you sooner" I say lying as to not look creepy. She sat up with a gentle smile she responded kindly "that okay you looked pretty worn out" I go to response but was interrupted by the bell.

It rang so loud it made my heart sink; I looked around everyone was rushing to leave. Not that I blame them this was the last class of the day and everyone one wanted to go home. I began to do the same I glanced up to see Mr. Stone staring at me I didn't want to hear anything coming out his mouth so I just grab my bag and dash out of the room. I was in a hurry that I didn't hear Madison calling my name , walking the busy halls I put my head phones on and head to my locker. Standing in front of the locker my body begins to shake for some reason without fail I feared opening my locker I wrapped my arms around myself and focused on my breathing ,several minutes went by until I got my body under control.

Holding my breath, I swung open the locker and exhaled my anxiety away.....my locker was empty, but I already knew it was. but the stress of the thought of opening it still overwhelmed me i shook it off and started Dropping everything off including my bag itself I feel way lighter. I didn't feel like going home not like anyone is waiting for me to return for as long as I Remembered I lived alone. "might as well stick around school" I muttered to myself the hallway got emptier by the minute everyone was either going to clubs or home. I reached into my pocket to pull my phone out but it wasn't there. Freaking out I go back to the classroom to see if I left it quicking my pace I rush back to see the door closed I peer through window.

Noone was in the room I opened the door and let myself in dashing to my desk I find my phone I turn to leave My eyes turned gray, and my mind grew hazy, as though I were in a trance. My body moved on its own, instinctively reaching for the case. I exposed its contents: five colored stones, each resting in its own delicate setting. They were smooth, like precious gems, but each had a symbol engraved on its surface. I barely glanced at the others before my gaze fixed on one stone: the blue one. The moment my eyes locked on it, I felt an overwhelming pull, as if it was calling me.

It wasn't just a stone—it felt alive, vibrating with energy. There was an undeniable connection between it and me, something deep and ancient, stirring within my very soul. My fingers trembled as I reached for it, the world around me fading into the background. As I touched it, a jolt of energy surged through my hand, like electricity but warm and soothing. It felt so familiar, as though I had known this sensation all my life. Yet, at the same time, it was something entirely new—something far beyond anything I had ever experienced.

The stone pulsed with life in my hand, a deep, rhythmic beat like a heart. I couldn't look away. The glow surrounding it intensified, first a soft light, then growing brighter and brighter, until it enveloped my entire vision. My heart raced, and I felt a surge of power I couldn't explain. The stone felt as if it were syncing with my very pulse.

Suddenly, the glow seemed to expand, and I felt something deep within me stir. A wave of energy washed over me, and the stone seemed to grow warmer, hotter even, until it felt like it was burning into my palm. But it wasn't painful—no, it was comforting in a strange way. My veins burned with an unfamiliar energy. The blue light pulsed again, but now it wasn't just the stone—it was me. The light spread through my arm and began to move, crawling beneath my skin like liquid fire.

I could feel the stone not just sinking into my skin but merging with me, as though it were becoming a part of me. It wasn't just inside my body now—it felt like it was merging with my very soul, intertwining with something deep within me that I didn't even know existed. It was as if I had always been meant for this, as though the stone and I were one. The sensation spread to my chest, to my heart, my lungs, and my mind. It felt like the very essence of the stone was blending into my spirit, shaping me, filling me. It wasn't just absorbing into me; it was syncing with my very core, reawakening something inside that I hadn't known was there.

The power was overwhelming, exhilarating, and terrifying all at once. I felt a rush of emotions and memories I couldn't place, visions of places and faces that weren't mine but felt so familiar. I could feel the stone's power coursing through me, and in that moment, I knew that I was no longer just myself. Something had changed—something profound, something that could never be undone.

And then, as if a switch had been flipped, everything stopped. The pulsing ceased. The burning sensation faded. The blue light dimmed, leaving me in a quiet, heavy silence. My body collapsed forward, drained and overwhelmed by the immense power that had just flowed through me. The last thing I saw before everything went dark was Mr. Stone's terrified expression, his eyes wide in panic, as he witnessed the blue stone's power fully merge with me.

Mr. Stone looked onward from hunching over and cowering to find the room in disarray, his student unconscious and one of his stones gone. "Good heavens" he whispered to himself the room fell into chaos as the brilliant blue light faded, leaving behind a scene of disarray. Desks were overturned, papers fluttered in the air like confetti, and the faint smell of ozone lingered. Dominique lay unconscious on the floor, her breathing shallow, the blue stone now fully absorbed into her skin. Mr. Stone straightened up, his face pale but composed, though his hands trembled slightly as he adjusted his glasses.

The door burst open, and Madison rushed in, her grey eyes wide with panic. Behind her, three teachers and the principal hurried into the room, their expressions a mix of shock and fear.

"Father!" Madison gasped, her voice trembling. "What happened? I felt that surge of magic all the way from the faculty lounge!"

Mr. Stone turned to face them, his voice steady but laced with tension. "The girl... she bonded with one of the stones."

The first teacher, a tall man with a sharp jawline and a perpetually stern expression, stepped forward. His usual air of authority was replaced by visible unease. "That's impossible," he said, his voice tight. " How could a human—bond with one so easily?"

The second teacher, a petite woman with fiery red hair and a no-nonsense demeanor, crossed her arms tightly over her chest. Her knuckles were white from gripping her elbows. "This is dangerous," she said, her voice low but urgent. "We don't even know what kind of magic she's capable of now. What if she loses control? What if the stone corrupts her?"

The third teacher, an older man with a kind face and a soft-spoken manner, wiped sweat from his brow. His hands shook as he adjusted his tie. "I've never felt anything like that before," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "The sheer power... it was overwhelming. If she can wield that kind of magic, we might be in over our heads."

Madison glanced at her father, then at Dominique, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "Father, what does this mean? Is she... is she going to be okay?"

Before Mr. Stone could respond, the principal stepped forward. Mrs. Dean was a tall, imposing woman with an air of quiet authority. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, taking in the destruction, before settling on Dominique. She knelt beside the unconscious girl, her movements deliberate and calm, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of something deeper—hope, perhaps, or even longing.

"This changes everything," Mrs. Dean said, her voice firm but tinged with emotion. She stood and turned to face the group, her gaze sweeping over each of them. "If this girl can bond with the stone, then she might be the key we've been searching for. The landlords have held us in their grip for far too long. This could be our chance to fight back."

The first teacher shook his head, his jaw clenched. "With all due respect, Principal Dean, we can't just hand over our fate to some human girl we know nothing about. She's an unknown variable. What if she turns on us? What if she can't control the stone's power?"

The second teacher nodded in agreement. "And what about the risks? If the landlords find out about this, they'll come for her—and for us. We can't afford to draw their attention."

Mrs. Dean's expression hardened, and her voice took on a steely edge. "We don't have the luxury of playing it safe anymore. The landlords grow stronger every day, and we are running out of time. This girl... she might be our only hope."

The third teacher hesitated, his kind eyes filled with doubt. "But what if we're wrong? What if this only makes things worse?"

Mr. Stone stepped forward, his voice calm but resolute. "We don't have all the answers yet, but we can't ignore this opportunity. I will take responsibility for her. We'll train her, teach her to control her magic, and prepare her for what's to come."

Madison looked at her father, then at Dominique, her expression softening. "I'll help too," she said quietly. "I think... I can find a reason to fight by being near her."

Mrs. Dean nodded, her decision final. "Then it's settled. Mr. Stone, you and I will oversee her training. The rest of you, keep this quiet. If word gets out, it won't just be the landlords we have to worry about."

As the teachers exchanged uneasy glances, the room fell silent, the weight of their decision hanging heavy in the air. Dominique lay still, unaware of the storm she had unleashed—and the role she was destined to play.