Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Here’s to hoping some breathing technique can calm my nerves. Forcing my jaw to unclench as i continue my deep breathing. I’ve never worked so hard in my life for this opportunity.

“What in the shit box is going on here fingers?”

Closing my eyes and trying to keep my breathing going. Tom is the last person i need right now.

“Oh trying to teleport back to your shack to avoid the embarrassment? Like you could pull that technique off” laughter broke out as i hear the footsteps walking toward me. Wrapping my hands more firmly around my creation i opened my eyes to stare the gifted sack down.

Tom is everything i am not. Tall, handsome and gifted beyond belief. His power was never earned and it’s always shown by the way he stares down at anyone trying to better themselves. The ability to control air for travel and manage the objects around him makes him easily one of the top candidates for this years entrance audition.

In moments my piece is swept from my hands by his power. Feeling the air push against my legs as my dream is pulled from my hands. As quick as i try to stand, I’m restrained by the smaller sacks. Dread flows from my head to my toes as i watch my ticket float to him.

“I am begging you Tom please don’t break that” my words clip in desperation.

“Relax inbreed i just want to see what desperate plan you’ve tried to put together. Maybe save you from the embarrassment and send you home now” shaking my creation in hopes he can divine its purpose. As if his feeble brain could comprehend the effort put into it. Flexing my pitiful muscles in hope i can wiggle out of their hold. They laugh at the attempt to extricate myself.

“Everyone has a right to audition so why dont you just leave me alone. You can go laugh in the crowd if its any consolation” hoping to give him an excuse not to break it.

“Yea but then my Uncle would have to see this shame of an attempt. Probably would scold me for not stoping this sooner.” As he tries to pry it open. Spinning it in the air looking for some clue, aside from the painted circles. Swirling air can be seen around those points, as if that would unlock its potential. Tom’s uncle is a tenured professor within the academy and apart of the admittance committee.

Unlike the gifted jock stain, I am able to emit a small but steady electrical charge, which is a pale comparison to what most of the people in this room can do. I was forced to be creative and leverage my small strength to create something impressive. I started to build that charge in hopes of freeing myself.

“What is going on here?” A well put together middle aged women said as she walked up. Looking clearly annoyed to have to intervene. She seemed to look at me in disgust, maybe she is able to sense capabilities?

“Oh just some simple teasing of our buddy here. I’m Tom Blake. You must know my uncle Jet Blake.” Tom said smugly knowing the simple name drop would get him off free.

She looked at the boy as if he were an ant that was foolish enough to bite her “I do know him but i do not know why that has any context as to why you are disrupting the auditions.” He paled and stepped back. “I suggest you take your seat before you are escorted off of the premise.” Without another word she strode back to what she was doing.

“Good luck piss ant.” Tom quickly said as he dropped my audition piece. Snapping my small charge to my legs i launched myself as quickly as my feeble skill could muster. catching my piece. Before slamming my chin into the floor, causing my eyes to water from the pain.

“Look he’s crying” roared Tom as the boys laughed at me, walking back to their seats.

Inhale. Exhale. I breathed deep as i lay on the floor. Soon they will see what real effort looks like. Smirking i got up and took my seat. Nerves vanishing after the little incident. The cold reaction of the staff member giving me hope that favoritism would not play a factor today. Strumming my fingers on the boxes top. Small sparks coming off from my excitement.