This ain't a diary, this is a - mirror?

This is the Author here, and I'm writing a message to... you know, to anyone that can read it. In what form this message takes, if you can read it, take it with you. You'll need it.

{{Dear... wait a second.

Alright, first things off, let me make this clear - you're not a prissy little diary where I go on and on about girly things like boyfriends and stuff. Nope. Not at all. Just to make sure of it, I'm not going to call you a diary.

The only reason I'm even paying attention to this little book is because this is the book. It proves that I actually have a power, that I'm not lying about my telepathic connection to the world beyond ours.

You see: I have a theory that we're not the only universe in... you know, in the universe. I can prove that there are other universes out there, not unlike our own. How? As I said before, I can telepathically communicate to one of the living beings in another universe. I've managed to find a particular one that can communicate to me through this book, who calls themselves... the Author. Sounds weird, sounds crazy, but it's true!

... Alright. That didn't make sense at all, did it? Let me backtrack a bit...

I'm Samantha Rowell, and I'm quite obviously a dog. You know, to anyone out there who exists in a different universe where dogs don't exist. I have... uh, how am I going to explain this without making myself look stupid? So, uh, I have really, really pale blue-grey hair... grey, cream and blue fur, and pale purple eyes. I also really like wearing hoodies... I'm quite obviously a girl, but I prefer to be called Sam. Since it's shorter and... less girly. You know, stuff like that.

Okay, Sam. So you're the one communicating to be through this website called - um, never mind.

What?

... Well, more about me and this book. As I said before, I can telepathically communicate to living beings in other universes. Somehow, this being called "The Author" appears to have inhabited my book.

A mirror.

Say what?

This isn't a book. You'll call this a mirror.

A mirror? Why would I want to call this a mirror?! I hate mirrors. I DESPISE mirrors. Why would someone invent a dreaded item that shows you your ugly face EVERY TIME you looked to your left?!

My mirror's on my right. Never mind about that, you will call this a mirror because it... reflects your thoughts. And my thoughts, I suppose.

YOU CAN'T MAKE ME CALL THIS A MIRROR.

Actually, I can. Being the Author, your universe is mine to control.

YEAH, RIGHT?! PROVE IT TO ME, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.

I... Look. I'm tired of people telling me I'm lying when I tell them I can control an alternate universe. You know how I feel, right?

... Maybe. But I DON'T CARE. PROVE IT!

If you insist, I suppose... alright. You will call this a mirror.

... HAH! THIS ISN'T A MIRROR! NOTHING HAPPENED! YOU FAILED!

Well... I suppose there's no use talking reason into you. Well, go on about your sad life that I CREATED.

Pfft, you? Yeah, right. NOBODY created my life as far as I'm concerned. Aside from my mom, that is. Anyways, moving on...

My mom, Heather Rowell... uh, lemme see. I'm not bothered to print out pictures, so... I guess I'll just explain. She has... white-ish blue-ish hair? Yeah, that works. She likes to wear dresses, and her fur is a grey and white with some green... uh, fur. Let's see what I know about my mom... she loves flowers and keeping up with the latest trends. She's a great cook and a great mom, but she still treats me like a little pup. She keeps on telling me, "Stop lying about your powers, darling. Our generation's never had powers and never will have them. If you keep on lying to everyone about your powers, they won't be your friends, okay? It's okay to not have powers, but it's not okay to lie." Like, hello? I have powers and this book proves it??? Hmph.

My dad, Peter Rowell: he has brown hair and likes to wear suits. He's also convinced I don't have powers. I remember when I was a pup and I threw a tantrum about my powers. He yelled at me too... My mom comforted me after that, and he hasn't yelled at me ever since. I haven't told him about my powers ever since...

My older sister, Astrantia Rowell, but most people call her Astra for short: she has dyed orange hair and my dad's brown fur. She's kind of like my mom and I honestly love her - she's genuinely kind and perfect even without any powers. She's popular in her own way - not in the way where you sashay around in dresses and put on makeup, but in the way where everyone knows her and likes her because she's probably helped you out at least once in your lifetime. And she's basically the only one who can actually tolerate me and my sarcasm.

Astra's also the one who got me this book. We were just wandering around in a bookshop (well, I was wandering - she was looking for books) when she pointed out a simple little book with a blue ombre cover. She offered to buy it for me because she said that it was practically "yelling my name". When I looked inside, I saw the message the Author sent me, so... here you are, I suppose.

To be honest, the only reason why people actually know my name is because of her. I just sulk around and follow her while she trots down the street handing out flowers, food and stuff to random people. I'm even going to say I'm jealous of her - she's so likeable and I keep on getting compared to her and told that I'm so lucky to have such a beautiful and kind sister but... I'm tired of her helping me to shape my life. Even if she doesn't know it.

I don't want to be known as Astrantia's younger sister - I want to be known as me, Samantha Rowell. And I'm going to get the chance to do that - because I'm going to a new school! Obviously, she'll be there, but I won't see her much because she's older than me. But I'll be able to get to know more people and make a name and reputation for myself - Samantha Rowell, the rebel, the -

Are you done with your rant yet?

I thought you left.

I created this universe. You don't just 'leave' right after creating a universe.

Yeah, right, you and your universe bending powers.

You can mock me all I want. I don't care.

Pfft. Like I care.

You should care. I created you, your universe, your mirror -

ANYWAYS, less about you, more about me. I'm going to a new school called -

Furford Academy - oh wait, that's in another universe.

- shut up. I'm going to a new school called Alpine High, which is located in Alpinia, one of the famous cities in Esbia.

Yaay. Time for a history and geography lesson.

I told you to shut up. Anyways, Esbia is the country where I live in, which is densely populated by dogs and canines. I live in a city called Alpinia, which is the coldest out of the famous cities. It's also famous for its food and hot chocolate, because one of the founders of Esbia, Alpinia, introduced hot chocolate to the Esbians and -

YAWN.

- ANYWAYS, there are also two other famous cities aside from Alpinia. They're called Aslain and Amera, named after two lovers who... founded Esbia and stuff. I don't know much about them because I've never been there, but I know they're famous for their fashion and clothes.

You done yet?

I could go on and on about this, but obviously, THE AUTHOR here is rudely interrupting every sentence I say... or write.

Paragraph, not sentence.

You just interrupted me again. HA! SEE! THAT WAS A SENTENCE!

...

Anyways, where was I again? Oh, yeah, Alpine High. It's a boarding school that's on the other side of Alpinia and most students stay in dorms and stuff. I also have my bags packed and I'm ready to go with Astra -

You're getting distracted.

- AHEM. Anyways, in this universe, most animals have powers, whether it be useless powers, like being able to clean up a room in the blink of an eye (that actually is sorta helpful... maybe.) or rare elemental powers, like fire or plant.

Mmhm. Your power is being able to break the fourth wall.

What's the fourth wall? Is it like, a literal wall that stops the universes from -

Sorta. I need to make you stop rambling -

RAMBLING?! WHO SAID I WAS RAMBLING?! THIS IS ACTUALLY IMPORTANT INFORMATION -

Astra: Sam? Sammy? I've baked some cookies for you.

Me: Thanks. I suppose...

Astra: You're welcome! Did I mention they're your favourite, chocolate and blueberry?

Even though I'm jealous... I must admit, she's kind and an amazing sister. I'm going to go get the cookies and... I'll write in you tomorrow, I guess. See ya, mirror. Wait, MIRROR?!

I told you... }}

Samantha slammed her book shut with a huff and put down her multicolour pen. She got out of her seat and padded down the stairs. Her nose twitched as she inhaled the blueberry and chocolate aroma. Tail wagging, she followed the smell all the way into the kitchen.

Astrantia looked up when she heard the hoodie-clad dog enter. "Samantha!" she exclaimed cheerfully. "Are you ready to go to Alpine High?"

Samantha picked up a cookie and took a bite out of it before she spoke. "We're going tomorrow. Why would I be ready?"

Astrantia chuckled and ruffled the shorter dog's silver-blue hair. "Of course, Sam. I was just asking if you were mentally ready to go."

"I'll never be mentally ready to go to school, Astra." Samantha grumbled, but she couldn't help but smile. Her older sister's enthusiasm really was catching on to her.

The russet-furred dog laughed - a bright, tinkling sound compared to Samantha's own. "Just like you, huh, Sam?" She reached over to the counter and picked up the bag that had been sitting there when Samantha came down. "I'm going out to say goodbye to everyone with some more cookies. Will you be okay home alone?"

"I'll be fine." Samantha said, shaking her head. "It's not like we're never seeing them again - we're just attending a boarding school until the next holiday. You could come back and visit them over the weekends if you really needed to."

Astrantia chuckled. "Of course, of course. But it's such a long time!" She sighed deeply. "I'll miss playing with the pups after school..."

Samantha frowned. "Well, you go do your... thing. I'll be in my room doing my own thing."

"Alright, see you later!" Astrantia chirped, picking up the basket between her jaws and skipping out of the house. Samantha hurried back upstairs, eager to get on with her online games.

---

"My little pups are growing to be such fine, young adults!" Heather Rowell sniffed noisily and wrapped the two dogs in a hug. "I can't believe we won't see you until, what, half term break?"

"That isn't that long, mom." Samantha said, removing herself from Heather's embrace.

"We'll keep in touch, right, Sam?" Astrantia exclaimed, nudging Samantha. Samantha jumped slightly and scowled. "Maybe, I guess."

Peter Rowell padded over and patted both of them on the head. "Watch out for your sister, alright, Astrantia? Keep her from getting into... trouble."

Samantha tried not to glare as she spoke. "I'll be fine, dad." She muttered, glancing towards her suitcases. Astrantia smiled and spoke over her. "I'll do my best, dad!"

Peter hesitated for a moment. "Make me proud, okay, you two?"

"Of course!" "... I'll try."

Heather sniffed again. "Alright, don't want to be late for the bus, right, you two? I'll miss you."

"Aww, don't cry! We'll visit as soon as possible!" Astrantia exclaimed, embracing Heather again. Samantha watched the two for a few seconds before discretely coughing into her paw.

"Right, you two, get on going! The bus arrives in two minutes." Peter announced. Astrantia nodded and grabbed her suitcases. "Bye, mom! Bye, dad! Love you!"

Samantha hurried over to where her suitcases lay. Astrantia raised an eyebrow at her younger sister, earning her a small huff. "Yeah, sure. Bye, mom. Bye, dad. See you whenever." Samantha wheeled her suitcases outside without another word.

Astrantia chuckled at her sister's behaviour. "I think she means, love you too!" The sweater-clad dog picked up her suitcases and followed Samantha outside.

The two adult dogs watched their pups exit the house. Heather sniffed again and hugged Peter, who slowly hugged back. "Let's hope they stay out of trouble. Especially Samantha." He muttered.

---

{{Dear Mirror -

UGH, WHAT IN ESBIA IS GOING ON?! I DESPISE MIRRORS, THIS IS NOT A MIRROR -

Now you believe me when I tell you that I can control your universe?

Hmph. You wish. Anyways, moving on: I'm sitting on the bus right now. It's a two hour ride, all the way from one side of Alpinia to the other. Alpinia, being one of the most famous cities, is also one of the biggest. My parents are sending me to Alpine High because it's one of the 'best' high schools in Alpinia. They were sorta reluctant at first, but me and Astra managed to persuade them to let us go to it. Astra wanted a better education while I... uh, well, I just wanted to go to a boarding school. I like having my freedom, okay?

Never mind about that. I'm seated next to Astra because I don't want to talk to anyone else yet. Most of the people on the bus are teenagers - probably going to Alpine High, since the last stop is only a five minute walk to the school. Alpine High opens an entire week before class actually starts, so students can get their dorms and get used to the school. This is the sixth day of that week, so I'll get today and tomorrow off to check out the school. Pretty cool, huh?

I mean, I did create it, so I know all about it.

Whatever helps you sleep at night. So... yeah, that's basically it. I might just sleep the whole way there... I'm not bothered to talk to anyone. So, uh, see you there.}}

Samantha closed her book and closed her eyes. She leaned against the window and allowed herself to drift off to sleep.

---

Samantha's eyes flickered open as she felt a paw nudge her. "Sam! Sammy! Wake up!" Astrantia whispered, already getting out of her seat.

"Mmph? What?" Samantha muttered. "Five more minutes..."

"We're getting off the bus!" The russet-furred dog sighed deeply and poked her sister again. "Wake up!"

Samantha yawned and opened her eyes, blinking blearily at the foreign surroundings. "Oh..." Stifling another yawn, she unbuckled her seat belt and pulled herself to her paws.

She joined the line of dogs getting off the bus. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight before her.

"It's a lot bigger than what it seems to be in the pictures, huh, Sam?" Astrantia chuckled at her sister's bewildered expression. "Let's grab our suitcases and head off." She gestured at the line of dogs already making their way towards the school. "It looks like there's going to be a long line. Let's try and hurry up so we can get there earlier, hm?"

Samantha nodded, still speechless, as her suitcases were thrust into her paws. She picked them up with her jaws and trotted after her sister.

"There really is a long line..." Samantha grumbled, standing on the tips of her paws in an attempt to see the start of the line. "What are we waiting for anyways?"

"Registering in, apparently." Astrantia replied. "I think they're going to be giving you your dorm number, key, locker and... rank."

"Rank?" Samantha echoed. "Why do they need a... rank?"

"Something about having people at around the same standard in a class so nobody gets left behind." Astrantia shrugged. "At least that's what it says in the brochure."

Samantha glanced down at the tacky brochure in her paws. It featured students that were smiling a little too brightly and classrooms that seemed a little too clean to be normal, and there was a little too much text for it to interest her. "Whatever." She muttered, shoving the brochure into her backpack. "If it makes them happy, I guess."

---

After what seemed like hours, the two finally could catch a glimpse of the front of the line. There appeared to be three dogs directing the line: the first was a pale, rose-brown dog with long, wavy blue hair. She held a clipboard between her paws and seemed to be engaged in conversation with the dog in front of her. On either side of her was a dog: one with brown fur and wavy chestnut hair, and the other with white fur and purple and green hair in a messy ponytail. The two dogs didn't seem to be saying or doing much: the brown one was playing with her hair while the white one was chewing gum.

"Are they supposed to be the ones sorting us into ranks?" Samantha whispered. Astrantia nodded slowly. "I... guess so. Anyways, it looks like we're going to have to go through a small interview. Try to give them a good first impression, alright, Sam? Dad told me to keep you out of trouble..."

Samantha felt anger well up inside her at the mention of his name. "Hmph." She snorted and crossed her paws. "Maybe."

Astrantia looked like she was about to protest when a voice called, "Next!"

The two jumped and looked to the front of the line. There were only a few dogs between them and the front, and they were close enough to hear what they were saying.

"As you may have heard, my name is Abbey Peters. Now, name, hobbies and powers." The blue haired dog continued, looking up briefly from her clipboard. The dog at the front of the line didn't even hesitate to speak.

"Well, darlin', I'm Zuko Sandypaws. I'm a fan of soccer, air racing and... mm, tinkering with machinery. Now, for my powers... I can touch upon one's feelings. Though I promise I'm not going to play with them - I'm not that kind of guy."

Samantha scowled as she tried to catch a glimpse of the dog at the front of the line. All she could see was a mop of green and white hair and pale, dragon-like wings.

"I don't like him already." She murmured to Astrantia, who seemed to be trying to listen. "Try to be quiet, Sam. I need to know what's going to help me make a good first impression." Samantha scowled and looked away, clearly unhappy with Astrantia's reply.

"Hmm... Zuko Sandypaws, was it? You're certainly a charming young fellow. Very well, Rank 2. Dorm number MD312, locker number 724." Came the sweet, high pitched voice. Samantha glared at the 'Zuko Sandypaws' as he strolled away, humming. For some strange reason, the hatred she felt for him lessened slightly - and she growled angrily as she realised it. Must be his stupid power.

Samantha watched the next few dogs come and go, with most of them being Rank 2, two being Rank 3 and one being Rank 1. To be honest, she couldn't tell what decided the ranks - looks? Name? Hobbies? Personality?

"Next." Samantha jumped slightly as Astrantia stepped forwards. Oh, so we're at the front of the line?

"My name is Abbey Peters. Now, name, hobbies and powers." The blue haired dog smiled sweetly at Astrantia and fiddled with the rose in her hair.

"My name is Astrantia Rowell. I like baking and fund raising for the local charity back at my neighbourhood. I... don't have powers." Astrantia flashed Abbey her brightest smile. "By the way, your hair looks really nice! I love the way you styled it, and the rose...!"

"Aww, thank you! Astrantia Rowell, you say?" Abbey smiled. "Usually we put dogs with no powers in Rank 3, but... I think you'll do well in Rank 2! Your dorm number is FD542 and your locker is 829!"

Astrantia caught the multiple keys that were tossed at her and smiled back. "Thank you for your generosity!" She glanced back at Samantha and mouthed, "Be careful - I'll text you later." before heading away, clearly eager to get on to her dorm.

Samantha tried not to roll her eyes as a loud "Next!" was called. She stepped forwards and made eye contact with Abbey.

"My name is Abbey Peters, " The blue-haired dog stated, staring straight back at Samantha, "Now, names hobbies and powers." Abbey tossed her hair over her shoulder as she spoke.

"Samantha Rowell. Hobbies are gaming and surfing the net." Samantha hesitated for a moment. Abbey took this silence to prod her on. "And your powers, dear?"

Samantha glanced over at Astrantia's retreating back. She was out of hearing range: it was now or never. Samantha took a deep breath and steeled her nerves. "I have a telepathic connection to another universe."

Abbey stared blankly at her for a few seconds. "And...?" She prompted. Samantha scowled at her and crossed her arms. "What do you mean, and?! There's nothing else!"

Abbey sighed and shook her head. "Your sister was much nicer than you. I assume, being family, you don't have powers too... and lying about it. That's not good, dearie. Rank 3, dorm number FD324, locker number 623."

Samantha's scowl deepened and she practically snatched the key out of the other dog's paw. "Thank you so much, " she said sarcastically.

Abbey's sweet smile widened into something more sinister. "I suggest you stop holding up the line, " she growled softly. "Better leave now before something... worse happens."

Samantha held her ground and glared straight back. "Really now? What could you do to me?" she growled back, feeling her hackles rise.

A long vine slithered out of nowhere and coiled around Samantha's paw. She jumped slightly at the touch and the vine recoiled. Abbey smirked at Samantha's shocked expression and waved her off. "Next!" She called, giving the dog next to her a barely perceptible nod.

The dog with purple and green hair stepped forwards, a spear made of ice suddenly in her paws. "The name's Riley Scaven, kid, " she snarled, "and if you want your bones intact you should get on going." A cruel, almost sadistic, smirk spread across her snout as she spoke.

Samantha narrowed her eyes, but backed away without another word. She trotted away, trying to ignore the scorching glare that followed her.