The Tracker Hive Academy Year One - Avery Song Page 0,20

do you mean?"

"I have a pair of twins in my class. They don't always need to be there. As long as one twin is there, the other doesn't have to attend. Unless there's a scheduled exam involved."

"Why?" Tanner and I asked together before I diverted my gaze to him.

"Shouldn't you know this?"

"I don't teach twins," he grumbled. "Don't question me."

"Questioning your authenticity as a professor is a consequence for having me as your student."

Tanner muttered something under his breath, but I ignored it and focused on Bianca, who was smiling.

"Some twins are connected to the point that they share each other's thoughts. A rare quality, but more common to those with magic traits. Seeing as the students attending Tracker Hive are powerhouses in and of themselves, we don't require both twins to come to class unless they feel like it," Bianca concluded.

"See?" I said to Tanner. "We're cool."

"You don't have a twin," he pointed out.

"Thank goodness." I shrugged. "Imagine having two of me with the common mission of pissing you off. You'd wake us up at three in the morning to extend the torture."

"You're a Tracker but hate waking up early."

"Early to my biological clock is nine in the morning, and that’s with with an added bonus of coffee," I said, standing up to stretch some more.

Shadow Jade was still nibbling on her cookie, her mind elsewhere.

Or at least, that's what I felt within our connection.

"Technically I can classify us as twins because she can read my emotions and thoughts. She's not entirely her own, because she's definitely a part of me. But she does have her own personality and some autonomy. Which is how twins are...kinda," I offered.

"It's too early to explain the details regarding twin anatomy," Tanner concluded.

"Asshole," I replied.

"I dare you to call me that in class."

"You don't need to. I will, but seeing as you challenged me to do so, I'll make it my daily mission to refer to you as Professor Asshole with every opportunity that arises," I declared.

Bianca sighed, shaking her head. "You out of all people should know Jade doesn't back out of challenges," she warned Tanner, who shrugged.

"Maybe if she says it enough times I can fail her."

"Your mission to fail me seems to be more important than training me to be a brilliant Tracker. I guess I'll remain at my excelled state until you change your mind."

"You are nowhere near excelled," Tanner argued.

"Compared to my peers, I'm rather confident in my Tracker skills. Particularly given the addition of my elemental advantage," I reasoned. "I'm sure Tracker Hive students are nowhere near as qualified."

"They're not nearly as cynical, depressing, and downright dangerous as you," he said.

"Your compliments will make me blush." I sweetly smiled.

"All you’re doing is adding to her dark ego, Tanner," Bianca said. "Now you wonder why she does so well as a Tracker? Negatives are only turned to positives in her mind."

"Bingo," I replied with a shrug. "What am I supposed to expect from this school anyway? From my takeaway of all the times I've observed from afar, I can conclude that the students are either from super rich families, are actually power whores, or are just cocky as fuck. I'm an exception though, since I’m technically being forced to attend this school thanks to Papa Dearest," I elaborated.

Bianca and Tanner shared a look.

"Tracker Hive accepts individuals whose power levels or talents would be frowned upon at a typical school," Bianca revealed.

"Some don't know how to control their powers. Others are too calculative for common schools to handle their powers and properly train them," Tanner added.

"Therefore, Tracker Hive is filled with a bunch of rejected delinquents," I concluded.

When they didn't answer, my Shadow peered up at me.

"Fit in!" she cheered, lifting her hands up.

"Essentially," I replied to her with a pleased grin.

"God, you're weird," Tanner huffed. "Where did Alaric find you again?"

"In an alley." I winked, flicking my hair with pride. "Or, if you want the more glamorous story of how Alaric found my eight-year-old self: it was in a grimy alleyway that smelled and had blood spattered on the walls. Oh, and it was raining. Perfect movie effect if you ask me. I should have my own documentary. Jade Storm, Tracker Hive's only hope."

"This is why Alaric says not to feed her sugar." Tanner looked annoyed, walking over to his gym bag while he pulled off his drenched shirt.

"She's optimistic," Bianca complimented.

"I'm amazingly confident in my weird, conflicted personality and overflowing talent," I summarized. "But I still feel