The Academy

It was the day before I turned sixteen when my story began. Before I tell my tale, there are a few things you should know. First, this world is not as it seems. There are things out there that you could only imagine in your wildest dreams. Second, the story I tell is not always a happy one. If you are looking for a fairytale ending, you may be disappointed. Finally, after hearing my story and you are one of us, we will find you.

My name is Elizabeth Kacen Jones. You can call me Beth. My story begins on a day like any other. It was June 17th and hotter than hell. Growing up in Oklahoma, summer was hot, dry, and windy. Not to mention the constant chance of tornados. That day, the high was 94 degrees and man was it steamy. However, the heat was the least of my problems.

I woke up that morning to a cool breeze floating in through my open window. The bright yellow curtains fluttered in the wind. I looked up and squealed. One more day until I turn 16. I glanced over at my clock to see it was just past 7 am. I was late for work. I jumped out of bed. I pulled on the nearest pair of jeans and exchanged my tank for a tshirt. I pulled my hair into a bun, and pulled on my boots. I grabbed my hat and ran downstairs to the kitchen. I entered to breakfast in full swing. My mom, Susan and Margo, my little sister were fighting over who would get the last yogurt cup. My best friend, Jamie talked with my father, Derek about the latest calf crop. I walked over to Jamie and took a big bite of the bacon that was sitting on his plate. Jamie and I have been friends since we were babies. He looks down at his bacon and glares at me. I just laugh. My dad takes a last swig of his coffee and off we go. Today was sorting day. One day, once a month, my whole family would go out and sort cattle. It was a tradition. I jumped in the pickup while Margo started up the four wheeler. We took off down the dirt road that led to our pasture. I looked back at the white washed, old fashioned ranch house with a wrap around porch. This was home.

By the time we called it a day, the sun was setting and the stars started to come out to play. Jamie and I grabbed a blanket, some snacks and two ice cold cokes. We sat out in the back yard and watched the stars. When you live in the sticks like we did, you saw things in a different light. The grass was greener, air sweeter, and stars brighter. Jamie and I looked at each other. Jamie was gorgeous. If he wasn't like a brother to me, I'd totally pursue that. He had blond hair, bleached by the sun. Blue eyes that looked like the sky just after it rains, bright and clear. He was toned from months of hard work on the farm.

On the other hand, I was average at best. My long dark hair reached my hips and was often up in a bun. I had muddy hazel eyes and a button nose. I had tanned skin and I was fit from my evening jogs. I looked like every other Native American that lived around here. My mother was Chickasaw and my father was white, but I took after my mother.

As I was lost in thought, Jamie reaches up and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. He looks uncertain for a moment as he shoots me a nervous smile. I know where this is going.

"Look, Jamie, I love you, always have, but not in the way you want. I don't know why you are trying to start this now, but you are like my brother and I don't think of you that way. It's not that you aren't attractive or the sweetest guy I know, but I can't give you what you want."

He opens and closes his mouth. He leans away and gets up. He doesn't say anything as he walks back toward the driveway where his truck is parked. I hear the rumble of the engine starting and he drives away. Little did I know, this was the last time I would see Jamie.