The Apollo Academy Read Online Free Page B

up, Aurora knew the only picture they would get would be their own reflection. Finally, the reporters stepped back, allowing the hovercar to move.
    Aurora shoved her hands back through her hair. “This is what I wanted, but . . . ” Tears burned as they tried to escape. She sucked in a deep breath. Why did all of this attention make her so uncomfortable?
    Kaylana sat beside her and grabbed her hand. “Don’t worry about it. They’re obviously insane. I’m not sure hiding has made them forget about you though. It may have increased their obsession.”
    “Yeah. I guess I should just let them have what they want. An all-access pass to the heiress.” Aurora rolled her eyes. “Then maybe they’d leave me alone.” Aurora wished she believed it.
    Kaylana changed the subject. “So once we’re in, what do you think our area of concentrations will be?”
    Aurora looked out the window. “Depends on the aptitude placement test we took last month. But I’m sure you’ll be in the astronaut medical program.”
    Luckily, Aurora and Kaylana both had intelligent parents with the means and motivation to educate them. As they grew older, Aurora, of course, had immersed herself in things like Meteorology, Astronomy, and Aviation virtual studies while Kaylana had focused on medical subjects.
    “And hopefully I’ll get to fly.” Aurora’s heart felt lighter with the thought.
    Silence descended as Aurora and Kaylana stared out the window.
    It was fifty-five miles to Cape Canaveral, a city that boasted being the Home of Sun, Space, and Sea. When the Apollo Academy began searching for a home, they decided that it would be beneficial to purchase some of the land associated with the old government space program, NASA. It was the perfect place for the Academy to build their new education and launch center as it already had massive structures in place and room for the Apollo Alliance SpacePort.
    Kaylana grasped Aurora’s hand, bringing her back to the present. “Babe, we’re in this together.”
    Aurora squeezed her hand in return. “I know.”
    The hovercar slowly stopped outside of the Apollo Academy’s main security gate. As soon as the doors automatically unlocked, Kaylana hopped out.
    Taking several deep breaths, Aurora watched her lucky hot-pink tennis shoes, as their logo flashed in an ever-changing rainbow of bright colors. Feeling more prepared, she stepped out of the car.
    The humid Florida air pressed down on her like the day’s importance. Determined to make her dreams come true, Aurora marched alongside the other potential cadets toward the security gate that sheltered the Apollo Academy. Even from a distance, the Academy’s sheer magnitude was impressive. She could just make out the swirling gold Academy logo, which stood out against a brilliantly white background. Aurora stared at the delicate symbol showcasing two intertwined A’s that twirled together with a shuttle and stars. It was a tease for her, to be allowed this close without knowing if she would be admitted further.
    She slowly inhaled the salty ocean air, hoping to calm the rocket ships that had just launched in her stomach.
    “Anyone figure out what this year’s initiation will be?” Aurora asked no one in particular. It didn’t really matter anyway. Aurora would do anything to fly. Anything to avoid the Titon Technologies public figurehead role her father so wanted from her.
    “No idea,” a blond haired-boy with a French accent answered.
    “Me either,” Aurora muttered. A bead of sweat ran down her back. She wasn’t used to standing in the sunlight, especially in such an open area, but the absence of the oppressive Orlando skyscrapers was liberating.
    When the news reporters began to gather around the stage beside the gate, yelling and snapping pictures, Aurora concentrated on the podium and the woman that stood behind it. She would recognize Ms. Lovell anywhere. As the founder of the Apollo Academy and from a family who had made significant