Paradox

Chapter One

Hi. I’m Aura, and I am a very, very weird girl.
I don’t really think that I can even put all of my weirdness into words. I mean, I am so beyond weird that I’m not sure that it’s even possible to describe. I could try – I’m adopted, I have naturally purple hair, and I dance wherever and whenever there is music playing – but I don’t think that the words would really capture my level. I’m the kind of crazy that’s just born, not made.
My phone starts blasting “Catch My Breath” by Kelly Clarkson, Siri’s favorite song and therefore my ringtone for her calls.
I grab the phone and accept the call. “What’s up?”
“Uh, getting ready for school. I have HUGE news. There’s a new guy at school – Zeke. Rumor has it he’s a genius bad boy who’s been kicked out of almost every private school he’s been to. He sounds hot!”
I sigh, pulling my unique hair into an ordinary ponytail. “Siri, you have got to stop obsessing over guys. You know almost nothing about him.”
“I will today. I have to get his attention somehow!”
“Siri. You don’t even know what he’s like. Promise me that you’ll at least wait until you really meet him before you start crushing on him.”
A half-sigh, half-whimper escapes from the other side fo the phone. “Fine,” she mutters.
“Good. Seeya at school!” I call cheerfully before hanging up.
Twenty minutes later, my bus pulls up at Odyssey High. The school is named after that famous book by that famous Greek dude – Homer.  There’s probably a school hierarchy of populars and nerds, etc., but I don’t pay enough attention to know who they all are. I’m probably grouped with the weirdos that nobody really knows.
I feel a sort of tickle on the back of my neck, a sure feeling that someone’s watching me. I glance through the crowd of students packing into the gym until my eyes land on a guy that I don’t recognize. Short, ruffled black hair, unusual amber eyes, and cheap glasses that dim the colors just a bit.
He’s staring at me. He doesn’t look away. I start to feel awkward, but he just keeps staring.
The moment the bell rings, I hurry out of the room and into the hallway, trying to escape the eyes that seem to stay on me the whole way.
I slowly make my way through the hallways, unable to shake the feeling of eyes on me. I just have to make it to my last class of the day – computer programming – and then I’m finally free.
As soon as I make it into the room, I collapse at a desk and sigh. I absently shove the mouse back and forth until the teacher, Mr. Yoyo, comes in the door. He has perfectly circular glasses that make me think of him as a really, really old Harry Potter. He has a bad stutter and always limps, but he’s actually a great guy. He’s really lenient, easygoing, and smart, making him easily one of my favorite teachers.
“All right, class. Today we’re going to review some basic HTML, CSS, and Java Script by making our own websites about something we’re passionate about. You’ll be using Mozilla Thimble. Get to work.”
At least, that’s a summary of what he said minus the stuttering, awkward pauses, and repetition of words.
An hour later, I’ve finished the basics of my site – Crazy Bookworm Fangirl. It has some basic design but no interactive – JavaScript – elements.
The bell rings. Mr. Yoyo starts to stutter a dismissal, but half of the kids are already stampeding out of the door. I quickly save my work, sling my backpack over my shoulder, and join them.
I’m stopped by Mr. Yoyo, who puts a hand on my shoulder as I reach the door.
“A-aura…”
“Yes?” I ask impatiently. I need to get home before my older sister does so that I have time to work on my secret project. Once she’s home, she’ll make me do my homework until I absolutely drop dead.
“Th-the p-p-princ-c-ipal w-wants to s-s-s-see y-you.”
I sigh and nod, readjusting my backpack before continuing into the hallway. I hurry to Principal Dean’s office, praying that it’s only a small holdup.
“Come in,” is the immediate response when I knock. I hurriedly stumble in, closing the door behind me.
“Um, you wanted to see me?”
The principal nods gravely, making my heart sink. “An anonymous student has brought to our attention some information… About your biological parents.”
All of the breath gets knocked out of me. I sit in the chair across the desk.
“Go on…”
“We believe that a certain Heather and Damien Foxworth may be your biological parents. Their son came forward just today; he’s a new student. DNA tests are in progress – your DNA is already entered and was long ago just in case something like this ever happened. Legally, if they wish to take you back, they may do so. And they probably will, from what I’ve heard.”
I blink, trying to digest all of this information.
My real parents. I’ve always wanted to find them, to meet them, maybe get to know them… But not like this. I love the family that I’m with.
“Do I get any say in the matter?”
Principal Dean nods. “Of course. You’ll have to meet your parents first, and I’ve already scheduled a meeting that includes yourself, your birth parents, and your adoptive parents this Saturday. I texted your legal guardians about this a few minutes ago. “
I manage a brief nod. “Can I.. Can I go now?” I ask weakly.
She smiles. “Of course. I understand that this is probably a lot to take in. See you tomorrow.”
I nod. Tomorrow. Meeting. A choice between two lives – the one I was supposed to have and the one that I have and love already.
“See you tomorrow,” I respond quietly as I hurry out of the cold office.