NARI was not having the best of mornings.

First, she had had to wake up at an utterly God-forsaken hour of the early morning to catch a train.

Second, her best friend was supposed to meet her at the station, and he was running late. She wouldn't have minded too much if it wasn't raining, and if her best friend hadn't 'accidentally' stolen her umbrella and taken it home with him some weeks before. But it was, and he had. So, here she was, shivering in the pouring rain; her hair and clothes utterly soaked; contemplating all the different ways to get even with Jay when he arrived. Perhaps I'll take a shot at him with my suitcase.

Five minutes.

Ten minutes.

Twenty minutes.

She let out a shriek that ripped through the silence when a pair of hands suddenly clapped over her eyes.

"Guess who?" a low voice chuckled. I know that voice. It sounded so smug that Nari was half-convinced that she could hear the owner of the voice smirking. "Did I scare you, princess?"

"Agh! Jay! Get your hands off my face right now!" Nari was desperately trying to wriggle out of his hold, while Jay just watched her struggle to slap his hands away with amusement.

"Whatever her highness commands," Jay stepped away from her, his hands moving to hang limply by his sides. She turned around and glared at him. The orange light of the station lamp a few metres away danced in her eyes, making her look slightly crazed. Suddenly, her glare switched to an unnerving grin.

"Nari? You okay?" said Jay, looking slightly worried. She was a lot smaller than him, but knew that she was not one to be underestimated – that girl is as unpredictable as she is crazy, and that's saying a lot. "What the - ?" Nari had run straight at him, flinging her arms around him. He could feel the water from her rain sodden clothes soaking into his shirt, making his skin cold. "Nari!" he pouted, "you're getting me soaked!"

"Says the guy who made me wait out here in the pouring rain for I don't know how long."

"Okay, fine. I deserve it."

"Yes, you do." Nari grinned and poked his chest, still hugging him. Jay rolled his eyes before putting his arms around her, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"I've missed you, you know, Nari..."

Nari burst into giggles. "It's only been a few weeks since you last saw me, silly!"

"And do you know how dull a few weeks can be without my best friend?"

Nari did not say anything in return, but the corner of her mouth quirked upwards cutely. Suddenly, a horn blared in the distance, making her jump away. Almost immediately afterwards, she could also hear the sound of wheels rattling as they sped along the metal tracks. "It's our train, Jay – quick!" She ran to grab her luggage, and, as the train slowed into the station, the two friends hauled their stuff on board and collapsed, breathless, on two worn out seats as the doors snapped shut.

 In the light of the rising sun, she could see Jay's features more clearly. He was far from a normal guy: his hair, which had been mint green the last time she'd seen him, was now jet black, standing out against his pale, almost luminescent skin. He was wearing black eyeliner, which made his face look cat-like, but not in a bad way. His black jacket and ripped jeans gave him an intimidating air. . . but he's a softie really. At least, he is to me.

Nari was jolted from her thoughts by Jay's voice, which echoed around the otherwise empty train carriage. "I can see you staring at me. . ." he teased in a sing-song voice.

"I was simply observing your appearance, and your changed hair colour."

"There's no need to lie, I know you love meee. . ."

"How do you know?"

Jay put his hand to his heart dramatically, an expression of exaggerated hurt on his face. "You don't love me?"

Nari snorted, and shoved him playfully. "Get over yourself, Jay."

"Well then - " still in the tone of feigned heart break " – I guess there's no point giving you your birthday present, if you don't love me. . ."

Nari's face softened instantly. "You got something for me?"

"Of course I did! What kind of best friend would I be if I didn't?" Jay's expression was now a mixture of amusement and indignation. He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket, removing a small, brown, square object from it, and placed it in Nari's hand. "I'm sorry, it's nothing much. . ." He watched her face, anticipating her reaction.

Nari stared at the object in her hand, taking it in. A music box. She stroked her thumb across the top, admiring it. The wood was slightly rough to the touch, and the corners slightly worn, but beautifully intricate patterns had been carved around the edges. Whoever it was who had done it must have spent a lot of time and effort over it. There was a delicate, silver lever protruding from the side. She moved to open it up, but Jay stopped her. "Open it when you go to bed."

She nodded, her eyes shining with pleasure, and Jay smiled happily. She likes it! He looked at her, clearly waiting for her to speak.

"Jay, you're so kind, you didn't have to get me anything." She paused. "But. . . the shops don't sell these, only boring government approved stuff. Where did you get it?"

"The black market. I didn't have enough money to buy anything else." he shrugged awkwardly. It was common knowledge that buying anything from a black market was extremely expensive.

Nari placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't say that, okay? I love music boxes, and I love that you spent some time getting me something." She rested her head on his shoulder, breathing in his familiar, comforting scent – a mixture of spring rain and pine wood.

"Does that mean you love me?" Jay looked at her mischievously, his eyes sparkling playfully.

Nari rolled her eyes, although she couldn't help finding his childlike eagerness endearing. "Yes. In a purely platonic, friendly way."

"I know. You didn't need to clarify." He patted her head gently.

For a while, they both shared a comfortable silence, watching the scenery speed past them out of the window opposite them.

"Jay?" There was a note of anxiety in her voice.

"Yes?"

"I'm nervous about going to this institute. You know how unstable my -" she whispered the word 'power' as quietly as she could " – makes me."

"Everyone else our age will be there, including people like you and me. The government has made it compulsory for all young people to go, for 'educational' purposes. Not going would put you under suspicion, seeing as they want to keep us all under the government's eye. You'll be safer there, in a way. Y'know, hiding in plain sight and all that."

"I guess so. . ."

"And I'll look out for you, don't worry."

Nari said nothing, but Jay knew she appreciated it. He had realised long ago that she was one of those people who did not always know how to articulate their emotions, and so let the silence speak for them instead. After a while, he could see her eyes slowly closing, and smiled fondly at her: she looked so peaceful when she slept.

He ruffled her hair affectionately, before moving to rest his head on top of hers. "Sleep well, princess." 

*

GALAXY cursed as the looming gates of the institution came into sight. He made sure to move forward in his wheelchair as slowly as possible, savouring his last minutes of freedom.

"Great. Another year in this bloody hell hole. Simply fantastic." He did not care that there was no one around to reply to him, in fact, he liked it best that way; he simply wanted to shout to the world how much he hated the stupid institution that he had had to go to for so many years.  "I'm wasting so much of my life coming here to 'learn'. For one thing, I'm the smartest guy my age in this bloody city, and everyone knows it. Another thing is that all we're 'learning' is about how dangerous Defects are, and how they need to be found and handed over to the government. Like I'm going to let myself be caught and taken in." He snorted.

Everyone who knew Galaxy either loved him or hated him. His arrogant personality either drew people to him, or repelled them, but it didn't bother him in the least. He didn't give a toss about anyone who hated him. It isn't my fault that I was born with the power of intelligence which they all greatly lack. As for those who looked at him with pity because he was in a wheelchair, he couldn't stand their stares - he hated being pitied. He didn't need pity. Sure, he couldn't use his legs, but his wheels went way faster than any pair of human legs could go, and I can go as fast as I like, or crash into someone who hates me or- he shook his head. Thinking about so much violence wouldn't do him any good so early in the term. I need to maintain my composure, especially around those institute idiots, or I'll be kicked out. . . On second thoughts, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea? He pictured the horrified look on his mother's face if she ever found out what he was thinking, and couldn't help but laugh to himself.  

The only reason he still came to the institution - apart from the fact that he and his family would be placed under suspicion if he didn't - was for the people he actually got along with, and who accepted his narcissistic tendencies. He was not one to show it often, but he really did care for his friends. And I am sure they understand that. He spoke his mind, and he had no filter, and that's how he rolled. No pun intended. He rolled his eyes at himself for even thinking of such a lame joke.

As he arrived at the gate, he stared at it for a few seconds, taking a second to indulge his loathing of the ugly, rusting iron bars, and the peeling paint (talk about hideous colours) on the sign above it that read 'MEGAPOLIS INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE'. Institute, my butt. This is a prison for my generation, and everyone knows it.

Reluctantly, Galaxy pushed on the gate, and it swung forward to admit him, creaking horribly as it moved. The massive grey building was just the same as ever - plants grew wild all over it, covering it, and the small parts of concrete that were visible from the outside were cracked and crumbling. Crows sat on the top, cawing at the top of the voices. He shivered. Although no one was in sight, Galaxy was experiencing that unsettling feeling of being watched. Everyone was always watching, looking for Defects, trying to rat them out and kill them off. If he was caught, he was as good as dead. He shrugged it off as best he could - letting it worry him would only make it worse. I will survive. For my brother, if nothing else. He squared his shoulders, and lifted his head. I will honour his memory.

With his baggage on his lap, he moved slowly and lazily into the inside of the building, feeling tired, and into the elevator. My room is floor 3. He pressed the button, and waited a few seconds before he heard a monotone, female voice announcing the opening of the doors, and sailed through and into the corridor. He opened the door to his room (there were no locks, no room was private) and dumped all his stuff on his spring mattress and grey cotton sheets. There would be time to sort out all the stuff later. He lifted himself up out of his chair, and manoeuvred himself onto his bed, his head hitting the pillow, and let out a yawn.

For a few minutes, he lay there quite peacefully, until there was a knock at his door.

"Who is it?"

"It's Brin!" Galaxy would have recognised that cheerful, melodic voice anywhere. She was one of the few people who kept him sane during the year, and was a constant companion, even though he knew his narcissism sometimes irked her. Not to mention that they both shared the similarity of being Defects.

"Come in, Brin." In came a tall, slender girl with pale skin, freckles, sharp blue eyes, and red curls that cascaded down her back. She was wearing knee length shorts, and a leaf-green tee-shirt. She was smiling excitedly, and sat down on his bed. 

"You want a chocolate?" she thrust one in a shiny wrapper towards him. "They cost a fortune at the shop, but I bought a ton of them to last me through the year. I need them to survive, because the institute food is absolutely foul."

Galaxy grinned. "Thanking you kindly." He grabbed the chocolate, unwrapped it speedily, but nibbled at it slowly. Who knows when I may next consume a chocolate? Galaxy savoured it for as long as he could. He turned to Brin: "Enough chocolate for the whole year, huh? Knowing your appetite, your chocolate pile won't last more than a few days."

"Oi!" Brin laughed. "I don't eat that much!" Meeting Galaxy's disbelieving stare, she raised an eyebrow. "Fine, I do eat that much. There's nothing wrong with having a healthy appetite!"

"Touché."

"Have you seen any of the others yet?" By 'others', she simply meant 'others like ourselves.'

"No, not yet. They'll be here soon though. They'll arrive this afternoon, or tomorrow morning. I envy those people -" Galaxy sighed, " - they get a whole extra night away from this place." Brin nodded sympathetically.

"I saw Namii in her room, reading a book. She wasn't in a very talkative mood."

"Well, considering that she's mute, that hardly surprises me."

"No, you idiot, I meant that she wasn't saying much through her telepathy." Brin paused. "I saw someone else in the corridor, someone I've never seen before." She shivered.

"And? Was it love at first sight?" 

Brin snorted indignantly. "Hardly. He gave me the creeps. He was tall, with dark hair, and these seriously unnerving silver eyes, and he wouldn't stop staring at me. And when I'd walked past him, I'm sure I heard him laughing to himself."

"He doesn't sound familiar, and he definitely sounds weird. Like, bad weird. Stay away from him, I'll deal with him if he upsets you."

"I'd rather you didn't, to be honest." The idea of hot headed Galaxy facing that unsettling boy with silver eyes didn't sit well with her.

Their conversation was interrupted by the shrilling of a high pitched bell.

"Great. The bell for lunch. Y'know, Brin, I've really missed the food they serve here."

"You're kidding, right?"

"Oh no, I absolutely love eating that brown muck mixed with green bits of mushy vegetable. Honestly, Brin."

Despite herself, Brin laughed. "Oh yeah? Well, I've missed throwing it all back up in the toilet. Funny thing is, even as puke, that food still looked exactly the same as before I digested it."

"I really didn't need to know that. . ."

Seeing Galaxy looking disgusted, she smirked. "What? I'm just proving how excellent the food is here."

"Thanks for that, idiot."

"You're more than welcome, loser. I'll race you to the dining hall!"

Brin ran off, giggling hysterically, with Galaxy racing to catch up with her.

*

The characters in the first chapter were:

ME - Nari and Jay

dragoonlord - Galaxy

RedheadHottie - Brin

Other characters were mentioned, but you'll see more of them plus more next chapter!

First chapter complete! Did you like it?  It took me a lot of work. I know it wasn't the most eventful, but it's just starting! Please vote, comment and all that jazz.(: