“Hi, I am Gwendolyn Nightingale.” I said, smiling at myself in the mirror. “You can call me Gwen.”

My mouth twitched and I sighed to myself; I looked so unnatural. My new name will take some getting used to. I tugged at my hair, which had be dyed to a soft shad of blonde and permed into waves as opposed to original straight dark brown curtain and grimaced. I hated being blonde, but I had to admit I looked so different that I barely recognized myself at first glance.

I wondered what the others had to do to alter their appearance and what kind of identity they were given. I was now Gwendolyn Nightingale. Born to Jack and Heather Nightingale from Somerset Citybase in UK (one of the southern Citybase); relocated to Yunan Citybase at age twelve to be close to my aunt Helen James (who actually exists) as we have the same power. She decided that my power was finally strong enough for me to join the Ganesh family mercenary for some experience so here I am. I had to say the whole thing was very convincing, I found no reason not to believe it.

After repeating to myself several times about my new personal details I smoothed my cloths and decided it was time to step outside. I tentatively poked my head out to see if anyone else was around. No one, good. Now I can post phone the humiliation longer. God help Fred if he tried to as much as laugh at me.

Tugging my shirt uncomfortably I walked down the hall attempting to go back to my dorm with Casey, Holly, Natalie and Evanna. The boys were staying in the room opposite us, much to Fred’s chagrin (he wanted to room with Natalie, fat chance).

Tiptoeing down the corridor my senses were heightened, alert for any sign of people passing by. I glared at what I could see of my hair, of all the colour is the world why did they make me blond? This is so infuriating. I would much rather they make me ginger.

“Hey you, no wondering in this part of the house!” Someone shouted behind me and I froze. Oh gods please don’t be someone I know. I prayed silently, my mind too overload to recognize anyone’s voice.

I turned around slowly and came face to face with Owen. More correctly the blond version of him; his hair, which was long and dishevel (courtesy of three months in the wilderness) was now cut to shot and tussled. He was also dressed in the leather get up Trevor and Mariah was dressed in – all in all he looked so different that I almost couldn’t tell him apart. We both gaped at each other for a few minutes, shocked by each other’s appearance.

“What the hell, is that you Gail?” He asked, eyes almost falling out of his sockets. I sighed and nodded; I would have laughed at the shocked expression on his face if I wasn’t so depressed about my altered exterior.

“It’s Gwen now.” I said with a sigh. Gee, why give me such a girly name. Nightingale is a nice touch though; if the others accidentally called me Gail we can at least make some sort of excuse.

“I am Owain.” Owen said, scratching his hair. Now it was my turn to have my eyes bulging out of their sockets; this wasn’t fair! How come he got to have practically the same name whilst I have to be called Gwen?

As if sensing my thoughts Owen gave me a sheepish smile. I tried to contain the discontentment bubbling up inside me. They just wanted to make sure no one would recognize me. I reasoned with myself. Calm down, this isn’t permanent.

However, the thought of the other’s face when they see my new look was enough to send me over the edge.

“Come on, we need to meet with Nirmal.” Owen said, nudging me on the shoulder. I sighed and followed him down the long corridor to the living room, dragging each step hoping it will prolong my imminent doom.

“What took you so long?” an impatient voice called out even before we fully opened the door; needless to say it was Tom. Taking a deep breath I composed myself as much as I could. Maybe if I pretended like nothing was wrong they wouldn’t be as over-thrown by my new appearance.

“Excuse me, this is a private meeting.” Casey’s alarmed voice said as I closed the door behind me, startling me into looking around. No one was here, what was she talking about? Wait… she couldn’t mean me, right?

Turning around slowly I saw indeed everyone was staring at me; and I was infuriated to see that none of them had as much done to alter their appearance as I had. Casey’s long hair was cut to shoulder length, making her appear more boyish and grown up; Holly’s hair was dyed blond like me, otherwise she looked pretty much the same; Natalie now spot a straight fringe making her look much younger; Evanna’s hair was dyed brown and I was surprised at how different she looked. Fred’s hair was dyed to an emo black, and he looked very angry about that; Oscar and Nate didn’t seemed to have anything done to them, and I felt a pang of anger, but it all disappeared when I saw what they had done to Tom.

Oh. My. God. They had straightened his hair.

Laughter escaped my mouth earning me a glare from Tom, who still seemed to have no idea who I was. Without their natural curl his hair fell sleekly against his head making his head appear smaller and now looked like he was around Nirmal’s age.

“Gail?” Natalie’s surprised voice pulled me back to reality as everyone gawked at me. I gave them a little wave and I could see their jaw slacked even further in shock and tugged my hair again unconsciously.

“What, it’s not like I grew another head.” I said, trying to remain as nonchalant as possible. Inside I was squirming with trepidation. Please don’t laugh. I begged inside my mind, eyes darting towards Fred. He probably would.

“Wow, you look so girly.” Casey stuttered, pointing a shaky figure at me. I shrugged at them and looked out for any sign of laughter from anyone of them. I glared at Fred whose lips seemed to quiver which eventually broke into a huge sneer.

“Really?” I asked, glancing at what I could see of my hair for the hundredth time. There was no getting use to this. I looked back up and found everyone still staring at me and frowned. This seemed to break them out of the spell.

“For a moment I thought you were possessed.” Nate exclaimed loudly, breathing a loud sigh of relief.  Everyone nodded in agreement but nobody laugh. That’s something I guessed. As long as no one laughs, I was satisfied.

“Oh good you are all here!” Before any of us hand time to say anything more on the subject of my appearance Nirmal appeared, closely followed by Mei. She looked at us in turns and nodded with approval at our change in appearance.

“Our disguise department never had much of a chance to demonstrate themselves, but they did quite a remarkable job with you.” She said with a smile boarding evil, before changing back into her usual, more serious self.

“I need you to repeat your new identity to me.” She said, then pointedly looked at Oscar on the other end signaling for him to start.

“I am Oliver Wood. From New York Citybase and came because my uncle offered me a job and I wanted a fresh start and quick money.” He said in a monotone, which Nirmal didn’t seem to mind.

“I am Ning Wang, newly trained POE who was an orphan from streets of Yunan Citybase.” Natalie said, I realized that they purposefully gave us name with similar beginnings so it wouldn’t be disastrous if one of us slipped up.

“I am George Bingley, and I had just been transferred here from the base in Berlin.” Fred said, I was surprised at the change of his name but it didn’t matter much – none of us talked to him much unless you count arguing as conversation.

“I am Efane Nelson, taking an apprenticeship on field danger.” Evanna said; I blinked at the unfamiliar term of field danger, making a mental note to ask her about it later.

“I am Owain Roberts, bodyguard to Efane keeping her safe.” Owen said with a straight face, but I could tell he was dying of embarrassment; also I couldn’t help but noticed a slight blush on Evanna’s face, whether it is from embarrassment of having a body guard or something else I would have to find out.

“I am Carlson Davies; I graduated from POE Academy last year and was allocated here after a year out. Do I have to have a boy’s name?” Casey said a little grudgingly, Nirmal gave her a smile but no comment, signaling the end of discussion and moving her glance from Casey to Nate.

“I am Nicholas Meek. I am also a graduate from POE Academy.” Nate said, the corner of his mouth twitching. I sneaked a smile as I knew he was slightly upset about his background details is different to Holly but same with Casey’s.

“I am Haley Birtle, place here by my uncle’s request.” Holly said, Nirmal gave another nod and now it was my turn.

“I am Gwendolyn Nightingale, from Somerset Citybase and place here by my aunt and uncle.” I said and sure enough, Fred gave a strangled laugh and I shot him a glare making him stop. Surprisingly Tom didn’t react but instead gave me a weird look.

However Fred wasn’t the only one, but he was certainly the loudest one. Even Nirmal smiled a little at my name. I wonder who the one that gave me such a name was. I certainly would like to have a chat with him or her.

“I am Henrie Thomson.” Tom said next to me. I choked back a laughter in case he hit me (inconveniently standing next to him had denied me the fun). However, that didn’t stop everyone else, who was still refraining from laughter on hearing my name brust out.

Sending a venomous glare at everyone Tom seemed to decid that it would be beneath him to pursuit the subject further.

“Okay, I will put you into six different groups, so roughly two people per group.” Nirmal said, then pointing at me and Tom. “You two are to be in a group separately. Nicholas and Hayley in a group, George and Ning, Efane and Owain, then Carlson and Oliver.”

Casey casted a resigned look at Oscar that almost made me laughed, which she seemed to notice as she gave me a look too, as if blaming me.

I shrugged; it wasn’t my fault that almost half the groups are couples.

“I split the group according to your personal preference.” Nirmal said with a sly smile; Natalie’s face immediately flamed up and I suppressed a laugh. “You are too meet with your group at the time and location respectively.”

Handing us a slip of paper each and I quickly scanned through mine, picking up the important information.

Room 213 Kwan Zhi Ho 2pm

“The group leader’s name will be on it; all you have to do is show him the slip and explained you are new.” Nirmal said, then clasped her hands together. “This is where I say goodbye to you. You will join the dorm of your group afterwards and depart in three days’ time. I wish you good luck and hopefully we will see each other at some point in the future.”

Gratitude welled up inside me and I smiled at her. She didn’t need to take us in or even help us – but she has given us a shelter and a way home. I couldn’t help but hope that when I was her age I would be as amazing a person as she is. Calm, collected, organized and so, grown up.

“Hopefully.” Tom echoed, and actually cracked out a smile. I stared at him, pleasantly surprised; who would know that Tom Triole was capable of smiling at all. He was actually quite good looking without the frown.

Wait, what was I thinking? Stop!

After exchanging goodbyes with Nirmal she exited the room with Mei in tow, and I watched her go sadly. I took a deep breath to recollect myself, knowing that we would see each other again, if we made it back to POE Academy alive and also made it through this ‘war’ alive.

For a moment I briefly wondered what kind of responsibilities rested on her shoulder as a descendent of an Original, to be part of a Legacy family that had been the heart of POE word for three hundred years. It must be very different to the life they made us believe in POE Academy.

“You better head off soon, it’s nearly 2.” Casey said, peeping at my slip of paper. I looked up at the clock and cursed inwardly; I should get going if I don’t want to be late, or lost, or both.

“Which room number are you at?” Tom asked without looking at me, I raised an eyebrow at him but answered anyway.

“I am going to that area too.” He said, then with a smirk added. “I will go with you too, in case you get lost.”

Everybody chuckled and I huffed indignantly. It wasn’t my fault that I had no sense of direction.

Grudgingly I followed Tom out of the room; I better follow him if I don’t want to be late.

I wondered what would my group be like?

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Hey guys! I am back from Italy and writing (and revising D: exam is in two weeks!)

Florence and Rome were amazing! If you guys want to see the photos ;) comment below and I will upload some to my fb page heheheeh (external link)

I have done a little collage of the 10 main characters for Selection on the side

Anyway aren't you excited for their new adventure? :D I know I am. I have a plan for what's going to happen, which I hope you will like! A bunch of new characters are going to come out! And from a completely different world too!

Also quite a few of you have mentioned to me about editing issue - the truth is i would love to get an editor, but I am a very lazy correspondance so it never worked out the last few times I tried. What i thought was maybe I can open a google doc and get some 'beta readers' to read and comment on it on a strictly gramma/plot-hole basis? Would anyone be interested in that?

If you are send me a message!

love you all! Please comment and vote :) and I better get back to revision!