Chapter 2
A Power Hidden

   The sun went through the window of a girl’s bedroom. The girl was 13 and proud of it. She had long black hair and dark brown eyes. Her name was Rockana … Rockana Satis.
   About a hour later, Rockana got of her bed and looked at the clock." Nine o'clock" said Rockana drowsily. “Nine o'clock!! School started at 7:30!” she shouted. Rockana jumped out of bed and darted to her bathroom to do the normal things one does in morning. Back in her bedroom, she changed into her outfit which consisted of a lavender skirt and a white, long-sleeved shirt. Rockana counted to 10 and looked at her calendar, starting to calm herself. "Wow, just 100 days left of school" said Rockana sarcastically to herself and started downstairs. Rockana sloppily put her socks and shoes on while running to grab her lunchbox from the kitchen. She swung her book bag -which was next to the door- over her shoulder and ran out the door. "Great". She turned the corner at a speed that even surprized herself. As she passed a baptist church, all her thoughts began to center around what her mom said at the beginning of year.
     “Now Rockana, it’s time for you to learn some responsibility. Her mom looked up from the papers she was examing about the day's sales reports. I’ll be leaving for work earlier and coming back later” said her mother kindly.
      “What!! Are you saying I have to take the… the bus” said Rockana in shock. She earnestly leaned over on a chair.
     “Yes, it will be arriving in at 7:00 sharp. Sooo you better get an alarm clock that works for you” She began to smile because Rockana’s mouth dropped.
      “But… there’s no way, I am a very deep sleeper,” Desperate, Rockana pleaded longer with her mom.
     “Sorry Rockana but we need all the money we can get, especially since your father…died.” said her mom. She gloomily looked out the window when the words left her mouth.
   Rockana's legs were starting hurt. Her mind,in response, turned to the task at hand. “By automobile it takes five minutes to get to school. So by foot it would take probably 20 minutes. Wonderful!! I can't wait till the principal hears of this,” Rockana thought.
   As she finally came in sight of her school, everything seemed to freeze or really did freeze. A bright blue light slowly started creeping toward her. Rockana tried to walk further but her legs would not move. Scared and not sure what else she could do, Rockana waited for the light to come to her. Within inches of her, Rockana saw the light coming from a sappire orb and feeling like she had no other choice she touched it. Suddenly, the tips of her fingers began to sparkle a dark blue color. Rockana stared at her fingers in amazement and wonder. The moment seemed to last a lifetime as a tingling went throughout her body. As suddenly, as the orb came, it left. Everything then returned to normal.
   She stared out into the distance in thought. "What could that have meant. Rockana shook her head. "I guess I'll just have to wait a bit longer"    Rockana finally noticing that she regained use of her legs, walked up to the front doors of the school. She tried to open the door, but both were locked. "Oh no, not locked again," cried out Rockana. The principal jerked open a door in response and stared at Rockana for a minute. Her face was very red and she was shaking all over in anger. The woman was wearing glasses over her piercing blue eyes and under her grayish hair. The principal (Ms.Teru) beckoned Rockana to follow her.
   Walking down the hall, Rockana constantly found herself wishing that everyone would forget she was late. “Sadly this cannot and will not happen,” Rockana thought. She unhappily began to look at the floor and follow the principal’s shoes. Time quickly passed as she walked. “Ahh ... the entrance to the torture chamber,” she thought in her head. She had reached the door to the principal's office.
   The principal told Rockana to stand on the right side of the wall next to her door. Ms.Teru slowly opened the door and shut it behind her. Years must have gone by in there by the time the principal told Rockana to come in. Inside her room was another woman … the superintendent of public schools in Rockana's area. "Well, that can explain why the principal is so angry” thought Rockana. She cautiously sat in one of the chairs and front of Ms.Teru’s desk.
      “The one day ...one day the Secretary is not here and the superintendent comes, you’re late!! How many times have you become tardy?" the principial barked.
     “Five times” answered Rockana.
     “How many times does it take to get a detention? Five!! So here you go!"
Ms.Teru wrote out a discipline report and shoved it into her hand. Finally, the principal asked Rockana to get out of her office.
   She carefully stepped out and closed the door. “What a nice way to start off the day!" Rockana sarcastically said. She then climbed up the stairs. Rockana ran to her locker to get out her materials and went up to math classroom door. She hesitated for moment before she came in and thought “I don't care about what others think about me”. Rockana bravely opened the door with that attitude.
   Everyone in the classroom looked up from their books and just stared at Rockana once she stepped through the doorway. The teacher, a bit too sweetly asked, “Rockana, did you receive a discipline report?” Rockana showed him the report she got from the principal. “Ahh, you have a detention this afternoon. Good thing I’m not doing it. Poor Debra, she rarely has enough time to hold one.” he said in relief and handed the paper back to her. Rockana went to her desk and sat down. “We are on page 139, reviewing converting percentages to fractions and decimals,” explained Mr.Trem. “Amanda, will you continue reading?” asked Mr.Trem.
   While Mr.Trem looked in another direction, Rockana rolled her eyes while she looked at the ceiling. “Why MUST do I have to do math? I just walked for what seemed like forever, got chewed out by the principal and now this?” she thought. Quickly, when the teacher faced her direction she looked at her book and pretended to follow along.
   The day’s previous event came back to her. “Why was a orb coming toward me? How could it have been floating and my legs not be able to move? Was it magic? No, the event couldn’t have been magical. I probably just had an illusion because of the long walk and my legs could not move because I was tired. I can still hope it's magic though,” she thought.
   The teacher loudly asked Rockana to read. Rockana pulled from her thoughts and startled, quickly threw her hands in the air and put them back down causing her book to land on the floor behind her chair. She got her book, returned to her desk, and asked which paragraph the class was on, in embarrassment. Everyone giggled at her except her teacher. “You’re lucky that I’m in a good mood today but if you act up more time I will write you up. In answer to your question, we are on paragraph 3.”
   The time came when she had read and finished her problems (which lasted more than Rockana could bare). The teacher happily dismissed the class and gave them their homework (three papers back and front on converting percentages to fractions and decimals). Rockana angered at the fact that the teacher gave so much homework started telling her friends her feelings about the assignment.
     “I am using a calculator no matter what he says” declared Rockana.
     “But how will you show your work” asked her friend, Violet.
     “I’ll say I didn’t have enough time”
     “Yeh right, like that would really work. I could do the work for you. Everyone knows math is my strong point” offered John, another friend.
     “Oh, cheating is the best option . I’ll do it myself. Even though I hate math”
   Rockana headed toward social studies class (her favorite class) after getting her materials. “Today we will go over your latest assignment” said Mrs.Rintian as she handed out the papers with the instructions. Rockana stared at the paper. “My mom never talks about my relatives except when she said they lived in a foreign country and that we are forbidden to communicate with them.”
      “As you can see, you are all going to do a family tree. This is mandatory for all eighth graders in the area and will be due three weeks from now” announced Mrs.Rintian to the class.
      “Mrs.Rintian, I do not believe I can do this assignment” said Rockana
     “Why is this?
     “My mom won't talk to me about them” answered Rockana.
     The teacher looked stunned for never remembered Rockana lying. “Well, if that is true you have your mother sent me a note” said Mrs.Rintian. The teacher shook off her feeling. “Anyways, are there any more questions."
     “What does this have to do social studies?” asked John.
      “Your family history could be connected to what we’re reading and by doing this you are learning the history of yourself,” answered Mrs.Rintian. Then after not seeing any hands go up, she said “Read from page 164 through 169 and answer all 18 questions on page 169. For homework, read the next section and answer all its questions. That is all,” said Mrs.Rintian.
     After class ended, Rockana and her friend, Haneu met up in reading class. “Hi, how was science?” asked Rockana as she sat down in her seat.
      “Fine! We had to identify the different kinds of rocks on our desks” answered Haneu as he sat in his seat.
      “Definitely better than most of the classes."
   Everyone became quiet as the teacher began to talk. "Today we will be doing group work" said Mr. Talendo. He was sitting on his desk with his legs crossed and his lesson plan in his hands. A look of horror stretched across on his face.
   Rockana had a similar feeling. "I never get along with anyone especially in group projects" thought Rockana starting to vision a paper with a big "f" on it.
      "Group projects must be done at least a few times a year no matter how much I hate the chaos it brings. Anyways, I'll be picking the groups which will be of two" said Mr. Talendo. Mr. Talendo dully stood up and chose the groups. Rockana was eventually assigned to be partners with Amanda, her most hated colleague.
      "There must be some mistake. I can't work with that freek" said Rockana. Amanda was turning around in her seat and showing off her new nail polish to her so called "boyfriends."
      "You need to learn how to work with her! End of the conversation!" answered Mr.Talendo. Rockana crossed her arms and took a deep breath as she went to sit next to her partner.
      "Everyone must write a play in their groups and perform it two days from now. Brittney will give out the instructions and please remember to quietly talk so I don't have to yell the whole class period" said Mr.Talendo.
     "Amanda stop talking to your friends" demanded Rockana.
     "I'd rather get an "f" than work with a half black, half white girl who needs extra help in math, science, and history" said Amanda as she started fiddling with her new pink gel pen. Rockana gave Amanda a dirty look.
     "Amanda, work with Rockana now or you will get a detention!" warned Mr.Talendo.
     "I guess I'll work with you but only during school hours" said Amanda disdainfully. Amanda was staring at her nail polish.
     "Ok, what do you want to do?"
     "I don't know, a comedy"
     "Seems fine to me". A huge argument had broke out between the partners behind her. "Oh no, not again" thought Rockana. More arguments were staring to break out and the teacher was beginning to yell.
   When the class period was over the teacher's voice was horse and everyone showed a sign of relief. Mr. Talendo was sinking into his chair muttering how he was going to quit sometime soon when Rockana left.    "That was a ride wasn't it, Haneu" said Rockana as everyone in the 8th grade headed toward the cafeteria.
     "It definitely was and I wish I would not have to go to literature tomorrow. Just think of how much worse it will be" said Haneu.
     "It is forbidden to think of that" said Rockana as her other friends joined them. "Hey guys!" greeted Rockana and Haneu at the same time.      "You mean hi, two girls and one boy" corrected Violet.
     "Whatever! Can you believe thery are giving out sloppy jos today? That type of food shouldn't even be allowed on school grounds" said Rockana as she grabbed a tray and went in line.
      "At least on sloppy jo days they give out tater tots too" said April (another friend) cheerfully. She left the line and sat at a table.
    "Oh that really makes everything better" said Rockana sarcastically.
     "Something good has to happen to you today. I mean to make up for all of the bad things" said April as everyone else sat down.
   After eating, everyone in the eighth grade went outside for "free period”, which is actually recess (junior high at Rockana's school feels that the word "recess" is babyish. Once Rockana was outside, she raced to the basketball court with John.
     "So what are we going to do today?!" said Rockana. She enthusiastically jumped onto the court. Not even paying attention to her, all boys stared at her skirt. "I was in a rush today but I can still play" said Rockana as she blushed.
     "We're going to play knock out. You better get in line" said a boy plainly, tilting his head toward the line.
Near the end of the game only John, Rockana, and Clare (one of the only girls playing basketball) were left. Nervously, Rockana awaited her turn. Once the ball hit her hands, her hands felt like they were on fire. She threw the ball almost at once, remembering her hand positioning. A near miss and with her heart pumping she shot again. It was thrown just in time to knock Clare's ball out of the way so Rockana could make a basket. Rockana then made another luckily shot just as the bell rang. "Yes! I win even when I wearing a skirt! shouted Rockana happily as she walked into line.
   “Science, ooh, this is going to be a hard long hour, thought Rockana, especially since my group is studying the solar system.” She locked her locker and walked down the hall. Rockana was about to enter the classroom when she heard Amanda and her friends chuckling about how they all were going to offer to help the teachers out so they could get 100% on all their subjects. "They're not even worth thinking about" thought Rockana with disgust as she walked into the classroom.
   The moment she stepped in, Rockana felt a bit better and noticed a ball- shaped projector in the middle of the room. The space teacher, Mrs.Fantel, looked unusually happy as her class filled the room. Mrs.Fantel asked us to move their desks to the sides of the room. She used that time to place a bright, beautiful rug on the floor near the projector. She then summoned everyone to sit on the rug while she turned off the light. "Today I will teach you some constellations and review the stages of stars" said the teacher as she turned on the projector. Suddenly, stars appeared all over the dark room. It relieved Rockana from all her horrible feelings as she looked at the ceiling. "My mom used to say how wonderful other planets are" thought Rockana as she drifted into another memory.
   It was a night in which the full moon was out. Mother was unusually quiet.
     "Rockana, why don't we go outside on the porch for a little bit" said her mom. She looked up at Rockana with her reddened brown eyes after looking in her coffee cup for a while.
     "Ok, I'll go" said Rockana to trying to cheer up her mother. Once Rockana shut the door she asked in no more than a whisper "Is this about dad again?"
&  nbsp;  Her mother slowly nodded her head. " We always sat outside when a full moon was out. Those were the best times of lives. In fact, I first met him when a full moon was out. A dashing man, whom was bursting with optimism. I met him while he was rushing down the street. Jonzel practically ran me over. ‘Sorry, Miss’ he cried.
     ‘You better be’ I said.
     Then we told each other our names and went off.
It wasn't until college saw him again. He was the number one student in mth and ecology. I never thought I would ever be anything to a person like that, being a an ordinary student. Yet, he asked me out to a dance one night. There we opened ourselves to each other. Before I knew it, he proposed in front of the school as people were rushing to their classes. Of course I accepted and we had the most wonderful marriage. Our honeymoon,too, was on a full moon. He gave me a cresent moon necklace there which I still have to this day." she said longingly. "Anyways, do you believe there is a such thing as magic or special powers?" asked her mom trying to change the subject.
     "What kind of question is that?" thought Rockana but then answered "I'd like there to be magic. Yet, I know there is no such thing" "Why did you ask?" said Rockana curiously.
     "It was the first thing to come to mind answered her mom quickly.
  Amazingly, Rockana stopped thinking about the event in time to get most of the teacher's talk on paper and paid attention for the rest of the class period.
      "That was a close one" said Haneu after class.
     "It really was. I can't believe that I didn't get in trouble." said Rockana cheerfully.
   Once Rockana finished her sentence she saw Violet dash across the hall once she was spotted.
     "Violet,...Violet what is it?" asked Rockana in a concerned voice as Rockana started to follow her. Yet, she kept running.
     "Violet stop this madness were your friends" said Haneu forcefully. Violet suddenly stopped and turned around.
     "You" said Violet shaking her index finger violently at Rockana "You caused my boyfriend to dump me!"
     "Violet, do mean to tell me that you broke our code of honor" said Rockana in disbelief.
     “That’s beyond the point, why didn’t you tell me how much my criticism hurts others.”
     “Violet...... I thought you already knew.” said Rockana regretfully.
     “Well, I didn’t” Violet replied. A single hot tear rolled down her face. “Why?” Violet shouted as her eyes started to redden. She then hit the right side of the wall with one of her fists.
     “Violet...” said a boy behind her with a note of question in his voice. Violet turned around so quickly that Haneu and Rockana thought she was going to yell at him too.
     “ Is it true that you’re sorry?’ asked the boy gently.
     “Yes” replied Violet. She stopped crying and kindly looked at him.
     “Then I’ll see you for dinner tomorrow” said the boy cheerfully.
     “K” answered Violet as he continued down the hall. Violet’s face became like a glowing firefly. “Bye amigos (friends)” Violet then went to get ready for the next class.
     Rockana and Haneu mumbled “That was stupid” under their breaths at the same time. Rockana then closed her eyes and put her thumb on one eyelid and her pointer on the other for a few seconds. “Ok, let’s go!” she said to Haneu as she opened her eyes.
     “Wait right there!” said a voice behind her. Rockana found herself wanting to cry but did not.
     “ I’ll phone mom in a bit about the detention,” said Rockana.
     “ No, young lady now!” said the voice again.
     “Bye” she said to Haneu as she turned around.   Right there facing her was Mrs.Nett (Debra Nett the English teacher). Rockana followed her downstairs into the secretary’s office. “ Dial” said the English teacher forcefully (all teachers who have detention are in charge of making sure those who have detention call their parents). Rockana picked up the phone and dialed her mom’s work number with much hesitancy, remembering all the other times she got detention.
     “ Hello, this is Trace Satis how can I help you?” said her mom.
    "Ahum...mom its me, Rockana.” said Rockana.
     “ Rockana, you didn’t get in trouble did you?” said her mom changing from her business voice to her normal one.
      “Well funny you should ask that”.
     “ROCKANA, THIS GOES ON YOUR PERMINENT RECORD. WHAT DID YOU DO?” yelled her mom.
     “ I was late”
     “Oh well, you pay the consequences.”
     “Bye”
     “Bye” They both spontaneously hanged up.
     "I believe you have P.E. next" said Ms.Nett. She opened the door.
     "Yes, mamam" said Rockana.
   Rockana slowly walked out the door but the moment she stepped out of the teacher's sight, she dashed down the hall. She quickly turned the handle that lead to another building. "Ok now turn right" said Rockana to herself. She, a few seconds later, made a sharp turn and opened the door in front of her. There was a statue of the school's first principal to her right. "Don't they take good care of it" she thought briefly. Rockana reached the right door (which was on the left) and opened it. She smiled for a moment taking in the sweet fact that she made it. John signaled Rockana to come over with his hand.
     "What happened?" asked John.
     "Detention conversion," answered Rockana.
     "Ohh"
     "Silence!," said the teacher "Now..."
     Yet, she was cut off by the speaker. Ms.Swith's face flared. "Uh hum, TEACHERS we have a surprise guest to talk about options for high school. Report to the auditorium immediately."
     "Yes" thought Rockana and walked outside.
   In a few minutes, the whole auditorium was filled. Rockana looked at the staff's seating to see Ms.Swith's reaction to the speaker. She was very stiff except the fact that she kept drumming her arm with her pointer finger. Finally, the speaker came just as ten minutes passed and at that point almost everyone was making a type of movement.
      "Hello, fellow, soon to become, ninth graders!" he greeted.     "This is going to be a long hour" thought Rockana.
  So the speaker began to babble and dramatize high school. A phrase like "Most students do their homework till 10:00" and his repetition of how important of how important high school showed some this.
   He went to the subject of his father's experience. Yet, when Rockana heard the word "father" something in her head was triggered. All she could see was darkness. The sound of a waterfall could be heard in the distance few afew seconds. Slowly, the area began to appear. "This is the same waterfall I have had in several of my dreams" she thought. Rockana blinked her eyes and now two people were sitting next two it. There was a girl maybe only one or two sitting next to a handsome man. "People were never here before" she thought.
     "Rockana, there is something I want you to remember always. That is to never doubt the power that shines from the depths of your soul. Like I did..." said the man warmly.
    "Dad! Dad!" cried Rockana. A burst of memories passed through her head. He didn't answer and in a rush everything disappeared.
   Everyone was staring at Rockana. She blushed bright red and ran out. "Why today?" she asked herself. She got out of her seat and ran out. "How could I recognize him?". Tears filled her eyes mixed with anger and sorrow. At last, she stopped a half mile from the school. There Rockana took in her soundings and began to settle down.
   An echo of footsteps disturbed her after a few moments.     "So you made a fool of yourself again" said Amanda.
     A burning hate was filling Rockana. "How dare you come here!" Rockana said.
     "Just want to see your reaction when the principal comes over here" Amanda said in a sassy way. Amanda prissily turned around to see when the principal would come.
   Something inside Rockana clicked and her heart began to beat faster. Panic filled Rockana as her right hand began to beat with the energy that abruptly started. Now, the hand was glowing a dark blue color: same the sapphire’s. She stared in awe at in. A sharp, menacing burn seemed to snare her hand. The control over the whole right arm was not possible for some reason ,for without Rockana's will, it faced Amanda's direction. With a howl, water shot out of her hand . The force of it nearly knocked Amanda down. Amanda looked at Rockana evily.
     " So you think violence is the answer now" said Amanda.
     "No, No" Amanda had a lot of powerful boyfriends who could easily crush anyone.
    The principal arrived at the scene just that moment. "Rockana, you have disgraced me twice today" the principal said. Rockana felt like dropping to the ground under the stress.
"Earned yourself an ISS for that." Rockana's face was completely blank. "Amanda, you are to join her!"
     "Mrs.Teru, I hope you know you are talking to the daughter of a four star general and a plastic surgeon" responded Amanda.
     "I don't care who your parents are!!" The principal quickly grabbed Amanda's hand and began to walk her to school. "Follow" she barked at Rockana.
   Slowly, Rockana started to walk back. As she stepped inside, the bell rang and noisy children were running to the door, talking excessively. Of this Rockana took no notice. She zoned out as he got her ISS slip and walked into the room for detention.