Blazing Academy: Semester One (Academy For All Things Scorching #1) - Avery Song Page 0,5

percent, straight A-plus student genius.

My dad was more athletic, which was perfect for me since I took that trait from him and was the fastest runner at any school I attended during track season.

I was reminded of the time I'd been at one school for most of the training period for track and field, only to transfer to the opposite school they were facing in the league championships.

Did my new school use that as an advantage? Of course. Top runner and league champion for the school's first official win. Ah, one of the few good times where students my age actually praised me and acknowledged my existence.

I moved onto the next school during summer break and never got a chance to make some good friends that I thought were interesting. That's why I just stopped trying.

It was disappointing to try and get along with people, and then have to become long-distance friends. Those relationships barely lasted that long. No one around here was going to input that much effort into a friendship with the new transfer student.

Putting my bag on my shoulder and looking around my room, I nodded once and glanced down to Cyrus, who was sitting on my foot.

She loved doing that, which was her way of saying 'Take me downstairs for food please'. Having her for three days had brightened my life just a little bit.

My grandparents may have forgotten my birthday, but the spots of love Cyrus showed me was enough to make me happy.

Leaning down, I picked her up with ease and made it down the ladder. Heading downstairs, I noticed that grandpa's brown leather coat was gone, as where his matching shoes; both items usually rested against the wall near the door.

"Where's Grandpa?" I asked when I entered the kitchen. "Did he go fishing again?"

"Yes, he did," Grandma replied.

"But it's September," I reasoned. "There are barely any fish in the lakes by now."

"Doesn't stop him. You know that," she replied and lowered the plate of pancakes on the dining table. "Don't take too long to eat, I have an important meeting to go to."

"Morning bingo isn't important," I noted but headed to my spot at the table.

"It is when I can win money," Grandma countered.

"Would that money go to fixing the house?" I suggested.

"The house is in perfect condition," she argued.

"Uh huh. I think you forgot about the hole in the roof that I patched up with a metal plate from the basement. I'm sure that came from a broken appliance somewhere in the house. Then add in the fact that only my toilet works properly, and the water is cold again," I explained, listing some of the many faults in our old house.

I lowered Cyrus to the floor, and she ran to her filled bowls of water and food and began to eat. Pulling out my chair, I hooked my backpack on one side and sat down.

Picking up my fork and knife, I dug right in as Grandma answered.

"Someone will come in this week to check that out, as well as the other things that need to get fixed."

"Why can't we just move somewhere else? This house makes it seem like we're dirt poor or like the Adam's family. No wonder I get made fun of all the time."

"Who's bullying you? This is a new school. It's the perfect fresh start, Alice."

"Fresh start for the new girl with the red hair, eyes, and heels. Alright," I commented with the least bit of amusement.

"Alice," Grandma said with a serious tone. "I won't hesitate to go to the school and find out."

"It's fine, Grandma. I can handle it," I vouched. "Don't need you bringing your cane around, trying to hit the hot dudes."

"I would do no such thing," she huffed. "And my cane is only when I'm tired."

"Alright," I replied, and focused on my breakfast.

Once I was finished, I pushed my plate to the side to do my usual morning text message check. Turning my body to open my backpack and retrieve my phone, I turned back to see the plate with a red velvet slice of cake and a single candle that was actually lit up.

Glancing over to Grandma, who had somehow placed the plate there without me noticing, I smiled back at her gleaming expression, and she whispered, "Happy sweet sixteen, Alice."

"Grandma." I looked at her with teary eyes. "I thought you forgot!'

"I couldn't forget the day you were born, Alice. I know we don't do much in terms of celebrations, but this