Rogue

Chapter 5 - Visiting

Chapter 5 – Visiting

She was hanging up laundry for Ouma when she heard the car. It wasn’t one of the usual motors that coughed their way across the roads, but a smooth purr. She pegged the last few items onto the line before peering over the wall. She heard the engine wind to a stop, and the bang and click of a car door opening and closing. The vehicle was white, with the school’s crest painted on the side. It was for her.

Driving through the city was a new experience for her. She rarely strayed further than the small shopping centre at the far end of the main road. The realm of the wealthy was a green, well-lit paradise that people like her were not welcome. The residents would take one look at her made-in-China clothing and hear her rough accent before sneering their disapproval. She passed mansions hidden behind exotic forests of extravagance and flaunting ocean-view balconies. Occasionally, the bright flash of colour from a sports-car would break the monotony of luxury cars in black or grey. The road wound deeper into the trees, down roads lined with flower petals from the canopy and further away from the concrete domain she had lived her entire life in. She hardly saw people outside. Immense walls sealed the residents from each other, where they could live away from prying eyes. She saw the occasional domestic worker, balancing loads on their heads or walking pedigree dogs. The individual palaces separated, surrendering to the natural forest. She snatched glances at a pearly-white fence topped with ornate black-iron between the greenery. The road turned to a paved surface and the car pulled in front of wrought gates.

“Welcome to Eastbrook Academy, Miss,” the driver told her over his shoulder. The gates swung open and the car rolled effortlessly into the campus. Large, double-story buildings were concealed by the spreading branches of more trees. Leto wondered what so much nature was doing in the city, but kept the thought to herself. Students in red uniforms edged with silver strolled down the paths. They laughed and chatted in the jovial, end-of-exam mood that had infected every learner in the country. She saw teachers being carted from building-to-building in small golf-carts, which seemed like an extravagant waste of fuel when they had legs to walk. An imposing row of white pillars set in the facade of a building seemed to be her stop. From the book-laden students hurrying from it and the massive sign above its entrance, she knew it was the library. The driver opened the door for her, tipped his hat and pointed to the front door.

“If you go up the staircase in the foyer and turn right, you’ll come across Ms Kruger’s office. She’s expecting you.”

She thanked the man and hurried into the library. She pushed the revolving door and entered the air-conditioned haven. Even in the foyer, the students spoken in hushed voices. A thick carpet muffled her footsteps as she climbed the antique, curving staircase. She stayed close to the railing, but did not touch its polished oak surface in fear of leaving filthy fingerprints. She felt grimy and out-of-place. The learners that she had seen all had perfectly manicured fingernails and not a single hair out of place. Her shirt had a vaguely Europe-shaped stain across the chest and a button missing. Her hair felt like it contained enough oil to sustain an Indian take-aways for three months and her hands were rough and callused. She felt like turning around, getting back in the car and going back home. She wasn’t meant for such a place.

“You’ll have plenty of time to admire the library, Leto,” called a voice from the top of the stairs. Ms Kruger waited for her.

“Sorry...Give me a second.”

She sat on the soft chair offered to her and held her back straight, like the princesses on TV always seemed to do. She wondered if she should cross her legs – which she was horrified to realise were awkwardly positioned – but copied Ms Kruger’s position with her ankles tucked together. The contortion made her wobble, but she remained balanced by some form of luck.