Alpha Net Version 3. All rights reserved.

White letters appeared as June tapped narrow fingers impatiently on the side of the monitor.

Adjudicator results required. Please prepare tablet for scan.

A  tray slid out from the body of the machine. Placing her device inside, June watched it disappear with a click.

Scanning in 3 ... 2... 1 ...

A soft whirring rose from the bowels of the kiosk and the tray door glowed a bright neon green.

"Bah, theatrics," June grumbled. "Doesn't anybody write anything down anymore?" Her powdery perfume made my nose itch.

Scan complete. Please remove your device.

The tray popped open, June pulled out her tablet and cradled it in her thin arms.

"Well, I'm going to go collect the next student now. Follow the instructions like a good girl, won't you? It's simple enough." Biting my lip, I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "Pleased to meet you, by the way." With a flash of her tiny teeth, she scurried back to the line. I wouldn't miss her.

Sucking in a deep breath, ignoring nerves that danced and twisted inside my belly, I pushed my shoulders back and stepped up to the screen.

Grey, Marin. Student number 101. Please confirm, YES or NO.

Pressing the "yes" button, I watched the words light up and dissolve.

Please place your left hand on the biometric pad beneath the monitor.

An image of the kiosk appeared onscreen, accompanied by an animated arrow pointing at the pad's location. Spotting a glass ledge under the monitor's lip, I fit my fingers and palm inside a white outline of a hand. The pad was cool beneath my fingertips, and I shifted my feet to stand closer as I stared back up at the screen.

Commencing bioscan in 3 ... 2 ... 1

A wash of red flooded up from the glass, kissing my hand with warmth while the whirring noise stirred up again, soft and steady.

My pulse beat like a drum.

Sample collection imminent. Please take two calming breaths and remain still.

...Sample collection? Breathing deep, I flinched as a whisper-thin, glass-sharp needle pressed into the pad of my middle finger. A slight sucking sensation pulled my skin against the glass before the needle retracted.

Ow! What the hell? My pulse jumped in my neck.

Antiseptic treatment beginning in 3 ... 2 ... 1

White light illuminated the ledge, increasing the temperature of the glass, making my fingers tingle. Though my hand was hot, a cold droplet of sweat crawled down my back. Aware of the busy corridor around me, I exhaled through my teeth and tried to appear calm.

Thank you. Assessment complete. Please remove your hand and proceed to the Great Hall.

Snatching my hand back, I flipped it over to examine my middle finger. I knew I'd been pricked by something sharp, but my skin was clear, without mark or blemish. Shaking my head slightly, I stepped away from the kiosk and turned toward to Great Hall's doorway.

"What. The hell. Was that?" Cold fingers wrapped around my wrist, making me jump.

"Geez, Gracie! You scared me!" I hissed.

"I scared you?  I'm pretty sure this jacked up science fair shit is way scarier than I am."

An usher standing by the door to the Great Hall nodded at us to step inside.

"Shhhh. Come on — let's go find Opal. We can talk later."

"Okay," Gracie craned her neck to scope out the room. "But the food stalls are open and now I'm starving. Let's grab breakfast first — I'm sure Opal and Noura will be sitting by the window."

At the mention of food, my belly squeaked its approval. Placing a hand over my rumbling stomach,  I followed Gracie's long legs as they strode across the floorboards.

"Ms. Anderson," a familiar voice stopped Gracie in her tracks and I nearly tripped on her heels.

"Welcome back to Mendel! Did you have a nice summer?"

Peering around Gracie's back, I caught my first glimpse of the dean. So far I'd only seen her on-stage, and she appeared younger in-person. Though her dark hair was pulled into a smart knot, her brown eyes were large and expressive, her skin smooth.

"I did, thank you." Gracie nodded, and turned to me. "Have you met Marin yet, Dean?"

Facing me, Dean Hawthorne's eyes widened momentarily before she blinked and put on a warm smile.

"Marin Grey?"

"Yes -- that's me. I got your note this morning -- you know my dad?"

Tilting her head, she looked at me intently. "He's a brilliant man. Your mother's lovely, too. We're ... so happy to have you."

My cheeks warmed and I looked down at my toes. "Thank you."

The dean opened her mouth, as if she was searching for something else to say, but an attendant tapped her on the shoulder and her attention shifted.

"Well, that's my cue to move along. There's more preparation left to do before breakfast is done. Grab some food, girls — today will be a full day."

Raising her eyebrows, Gracie shot me a look. "She sent you a note?"

"Yeah. It was in my box this morning."

"Wow. She must really like your parents."

"I guess — they didn't say much about her to me, though. Maybe she sent notes to all the new students who weren't here last year? It's kind of overwhelming to join Mendel for PACK assessments and kind words go a long way. It's not like we've had much time to get to know the school very well."

Gracie scrunched up her nose. "I don't know. Is she supportive? Yes. But does she hold anyone's hand? No. Sending personal notes to kids joining school for year two doesn't really seem her style." Shrugging her shoulders, she turned toward the food stalls. "Anyway, whatevs. You heard the dean -- we should eat up. If getting in here was any indication, today's probably going to be full of surprises and being hangry won't help either of us."

"Good point." Sighing, I following her lead and crossed the floor, challenging myself to focus on the smell of freshly baked bread and bacon. Though nagging concerns scratched at my thoughts, I tried my best to sweep them away. There was no point in worrying about what came next; after all, it was obvious none of it was in my control.

Marin's had an interesting morning and Meta's only just begun. I wonder what will come next? Please vote and/or comment if you're enjoying the story -- I'd love to hear from you!