Genie Magic

Learning The Truth

Katia
______

I jumped down from the corner to the floor, a look of anxiety clinging to my face.
I can't hide my secret anymore. I have no choice but to tell them.
Or at least, part of my secret.
"You see, I rarely get to see this amazing world you live in. I've spent my whole life locked up in a compound, isolated from the world. I tried to escape because I wanted freedom."
"You mean you've never been outside where you live?" Leat asks me.
"No. I try to, but my father sends those goons after me and they take me back to the compound. And my father's quite strict. He doesn't even let me enjoy a normal teenage life!"
"Not even make-up?" Alexis asks.
"Well..."

++

*FLASHBACK*
Just me the the mirror. I take out my clutch bag and reach for my new lipstick applier. But just as I finish applying it, my father walks in.
And he looks rather crossed when he sees my face. "Face paint?! I won't allow it!"
"Father, it is called make-up," I explain "and ladies have been wearing them for ages."
He points his finger at me and just shouts at me, "You won't be wearing it at ANY age!"
I've had it. I storm off away from him, towards the door. And I hear him shout, "Where do you think you're going?!"
"For a walk." I then point down the corridor "Outside!"
"Outside the compound?"
"Yes. In the real world, with REAL people, instead of these oddballs Don made!"
He patiently places his hand on my shoulder. "Katia, I know it is difficult being the only teenager of your type. But you need to listen to me. People might find out about your powers. You don't understand."
I throw my arms into the air, backing away from him. "No, YOU don't understand! You don't know what it's like living my life! I can't take it here anymore! I want OUT OF THIS PRISON!"
And as I run out the door, my father shouts, "Wait! Katia!"
But I ignore him.
*END OF FLASHBACK*

+++

"You won't turn me in, will you?" I ask the girls.
"We won't stop you having freedom," Jackie says. "But you have to go home sooner or later."
"All I want," I say "is two more days of freedom. A chance to see what it's like to be a NORMAL teenager."
"Well, you're hanging out with the right girls for that," Alexis replies.
"You'll need somewhere to stay in the meantime though," Sapphire says.
They then exchange looks of excitement.
"GIRLS NIGHT AT JACKIE'S!"