Twell and the Rebellion by Kate O'Leary Read Free Book Online Page B

building up as everyone moved off to their assigned
rooms. My organizer told me I was in dormitory three, not far from
where I was now standing. The quarters were white dome shaped
buildings set in a U- shape, facing the meal and training area.
Each dome had a round glass roof for sunlight and I imagined that
from above, the way they curved might look like a giant
jawbone.
    In the space between the first
and last room, a miniature wetland had been created. Stone water
features in intricate patterns kept the water flowing gently around
the pond, while three narrow boardwalks met in the middle where a
covered gazebo stood. I assumed they’d put it there to help with
homesickness. Water was not only a life source for Comian people,
but also a symbol of tranquillity and healing. The sound of gently
moving water always calmed me when I felt troubled and our cities
were designed with many water features for people to go and
meditate or reflect.
    As I grew up in Caran, a city
surrounded by vast wetlands and lakes, I appreciated the gesture
they’d made in the middle of the desert. It settled my mind to see
the mossy green algae and plants that ringed the water and to hear
the swish of small pannaray’s tails as they broke the surface of
the pond now and then. The Abwarzians had no appreciation for its
beauty and meaning. It was simply life or death to them, a vital
element for survival.
    Presently I found myself
at the open door of the room where I would sleep. As I stepped in I
kinda wished Sazika was with me, or maybe even Mira…nah, I wasn’t
that nervous. Four beds, two on each side, took up most of the
space in the small, round room. Taking up a little more space, were
three unfamiliar faces. Wait, make that two unfamiliar faces, one
was grinning at me in a way I could only describe as
disturbing.
    “Well, well, it’s Twell,
Twell!” Shanna sang. Crossing her arms, she surveyed me
sceptically. “How will you survive without that boy you let the G.B.
decide you have to spend the rest of your life with…whazhisname?
Avas or something?”
    “ Ooooh, Hanna isn’t it?” I
shot back. “Lucky me to get you as a roomie. I just know we’re
going to be best of friends!”
    “ Hmmm!” Shanna mused.
“More spirit than I thought. That confuses me…”
    “ Must be confused quite
often,” I retorted, slamming the door shut behind me.
    “ Not really. So what’s
your story? You actually like that guy?” she continued, unperturbed
by my scowling face. “I dunno, he already seems a little possessive
of you if you ask me.”
    “ Which I didn’t,” I
snapped, not even sure if she was referring to Jonaz or Avin. I
stalked past her to the bed at the rear of the room, opposite her.
My possessions were already on the bed, which irritated me even
more because I would have chosen a bed closer to the door. Much
easier for sneaking out.
    “ Um...hello?” one of the
girls I had momentarily ignored thanks to Shanna cleared their
throat. Ashamed of my bad manners, I turned around to face
them.
    “ Hey, I’m
Twell.”
    “ I’m Kina,” said the
closer girl. She wore her dead-straight, brown hair tucked behind
her ears and pulled her mouth into a prim pucker as she regarded
me. It was an expression that suggested she was determined to be
courteous, no matter how feral she thought I was.
    “I’m Laveen, but everyone
calls me Lavi,” the other girl said, bounding towards me. She had a
mass of curly, blonde hair stuffed into a bundle on top of her
head. Brilliant blue eyes regarded me curiously, and her smile was
wide and friendly, seemingly unfazed by anything that had just
transpired between Shanna and myself. I liked her
immediately.
    “ Do you two know each
other?” Kina’s gaze swivelled between Shanna and myself, and her
hands landed on her hips, clearly trying to assess whether there
was going to be trouble.
    “ Not at all,” I assured
her as I began unpacking.
    Shanna chuckled loudly and
plopped down onto the end of