B) "Alright, raise your hand for working alone!" Mrs. Verlice shouts. You raise your hand and you see a number of students do as well.
Mrs. Verlice counts the votes and while she does so you look around, feeling eyes on you. You weren't sure if you were just overthinking it or if they actually were staring at you, but you knew you wanted to vanish. You especially regret wearing bright clothes.
"Alright, I've calculated the amount of votes and more people want to work alone." Mrs. Verlice said. You were so happy because you didn't want to be put with an intimidating stranger.
"So this means I don't want to see anyone sitting together, and I don't want to hear people chatting either, okay? And remember, your projects should be school appropriate." She shot a horribly cold glance at the students that made you shiver, you've never seen that type of sternness in a person. When her eyes connected to yours she gave a light smile, and you...
A) Were too shocked to smile back.
B) Quickly returned the smile.
Then she sat back down at her desk and started writing feverishly with her fountain pen. At least she seems to like me... I hope?... You thought to yourself. The class laughed lowly to themselves from her remark and got to work. You felt eerie, but quickly started coming up with project ideas to do. The only noise audible was the students writing things down, the teacher rustling about, and the clock ticking.
"Alright class, times up. See you tomorrow." She pulled her eyes away from the screen and smiled to the class and waved. You widened your eyes at how time flew and you stood up. You made a bit of progress and had begun to plan your first response. You knew you were going to have work to do at home. You looked to the door wondering what your next class is. That's right... I took French as an elective. Time to find it. You thought to yourself as you ventured out into the dark and tall hallways. You pulled out the campus map and scanned it, still feeling eyes on you. After uncomfortably adventuring through the dark Academy you found that your French class happened to be on the fourth floor.
By the end of the year my legs are going to ripped. You thought as you went up the stairs out of breath. You turned into a big room and saw the desks were formed like bleachers, rows going up. You saw there was a free space on the third row up. Quickly you got to it and let out a breath. However, when you sat down your pen rolled off your desk and down the stairs. Silently you were screaming at yourself as you started to stand up once again. Just as you were reaching for the pen a tall boy with brown hair and a lip stud on the bottom left corner of his mouth bent down and gave it to you.
"Ah... Thank you." You nod to him embarrassed. He was silent as he went to get a seat.
It was now lunch after three hours of classes and you found the cafeteria after a bit, certain that someone was following you. When you stepped into the eating room what you saw shocked you. About twenty of the thousand students were in the Cafeteria. Where were all the rest? It was like they simply vanished. Maybe the food sucked? But wouldn't some of them at least eat in there? The line for the canteen wasn't long at all, and while you were waiting someone came up behind you and poked your shoulder. You turned around to see the pink haired Epiphany. The girl from the morning.
"Hey!" She exclaimed. You answer back with a wave and smile.
"You're ordering too?" She asks.
"Yeah. I'm starving." You say. She makes a face of agreement and comments, "Right?? Is it just me or is the timetable at this place weird?" You thought about it for a moment as she continued,
"I've never been to a school that starts at nine thirty and goes 'til four thirty. I eat breakfast early so getting here and not being able to eat at eleven or twelve was a big smack." She says. You guys move up the line.
A) "Yeah, it does start and end kind of late..."
B) "I don't think it's that weird."
C) "I feel your pain."
A) "Ah well, something I'm just going to have to get used to. I'm going to need to sneak in some snacks. Wait, what if I get expelled? Do you think there's a big rule against snacking in class?" She asks. You laugh.
"I don't think you'll be expelled." You smile.
B) "Oh, really? Well, I'm new in this area of town. I guess things are different around here." She says looking around. You too have never had a timetable like this, but it wasn't weird to you because it was only an hour off.
C) "Aghhh. Will we make it??" She whines holding her stomach. You can't help but laugh. "Don't worry, look, we're already here at the front of the line." You point. Her face lightens up and she gives a big smile. "Great!"
You finally made it to the front of the line and a young lady with tucked back beige hair took your order.
"Hi, I would like....
A) The chicken sandwich please."
B) The salad please."
C) The soup please."
"Alright, your total will be eight dollars please." You hand it over to her and she hands out the food lightning speed. You wait for Epiphany to finish ordering and then you two sit down in the practically empty cafeteria. When you eat your food, you realize it's delicious. In fact, it's the best food you've ever tasted. It's delectable.
"Oh my goodness, this is the best food I've ever eaten." You say shocked.
"I was just about to say that. I have never tasted such good food.... I don't understand how nobody wants this. Like seriously, where is everyone when this is the type of food they make?" She says equally as shocked. After pondering this for a moment the two of you finish eating, chatting away.
You and Epiphany shared numbers at the end of the day by your locker.
"I'll see you tomorrow!" You wave goodbye.
"Yep, See ya!" She waves back and gets in her car and you in yours.
It was your second day at Hemo Academy. You got out of your car saying goodbye and you were just as nervous as yesterday. The dark building was leaning over you, and you gulped before entering. Beautiful students entered along with you, trying not to watch you. You did get one pressure off you though, your outfit. Today you dressed similar to the way others did. Your outfit was,
A)
B)
C)
D)
You were thinking about how if you wanted to fit in, you might need to buy some new clothes. You see that Epiphany is still wearing bright outfits. Before you left for class Epiphany complimented your outifit and you thanked her.
As you walked to your social studies class you realised that you still felt like you were in bright poppy clothes. Everyone snapped their heads to your being and indulged in staring at you. You wondered if maybe there was a secret element to the clothing that you weren't getting, or maybe you had the
air of an outisider. You were a newbie, weren't you? Epiphany had thought you fit in. As you went up a flight of stairs it seemed everyone in the low-powered ceiling lights and and candlelight from the gothic candle wall holders stared at you.
You finally made it to class and sat down thankfully. After setting up your stuff you glance around the room. Your eyes land on a classmate who looking at you. When you looked at her she smiled and slowly turned away.
"Hmm..." You exhaled and returned your gaze to the front of the room. Throughout the week you were certain someone was following you down those dark halls. It made your heart speed up nervously. You thought about asking Epiphany if she felt it too, but for some reason you got the feeling she'd say no.
One day though, Thursday, when you were going to get water, you heard the floor creek. Quickly you turned your head up from the fountain and you saw clothing swoop behind a corner. Someone was present. You squint your eyes at the wall and...
A) say, "I know you're there."
B) began to walk to the corner slowly.
A) It was silent for a moment, then you heard a slow feminine laugh. "Ah well, covers blown." Then she turned away from the corner, revealing herself.
B) Tensely you take steps towards the corner, never looking away from it.
However, before you got there the figure popped out, causing you to flinch. "There, there." The feminine voice cooed.
It was a girl in a gothic black knee lengthed dress with a white corset overtop. She wore a dark pink bow and high white socks and gloves with her Mary Jane school shoes. She had long hair and fluffy bangs that added to her doll-like look. You find the courage to say,
A) "Why where you following me?"
B) "Were you the one following me this entire week?"
A) She was quiet for a second before opening her mouth to respond. "Because you interest me. It's been a while since I've met someone like you." She said with an innocent smile.
B) She was quiet for a second before opening her mouth to respond. "No point in me denying; yes, I was." She said with an innocent smile.
You were taken aback by her boldness.
"Who are you?" You asked.
"My name's Rosetta. I'm in your class." She introduced. You faintly remembered her. The girl who was watching me... You recall mentally. She continues, "Personally, I was hoping to do partner work with you to get to know you better." She said. You were silent. She picked up on your discomfort and said,
"Hey, I know this is a weird way to meet someone but don't look at me like that! I want to be your friend. I see you are already starting to fit into the school." She said looking at your black clothes. You're not too sure how to respond because you definitely didn't feel like you were fitting in.
"I guess so... I haven't really spoken to anyone though..." You say.
"Well, you've spoken to me. How about tomorrow at lunch we go to the library together to work on our projects?" She asks. You think about her offer, and decide you might as well. It may be a way to make a friend.
"Sure." You reply.
"Really?" She questions excitedly. You nod.
"Wow, thanks!!" She cheers.
"Aheh, no problem...! I'll see you then." You say and you two head your own ways.
The next day in the library you actually had a lot of fun with Rosetta, so much that you two exchanged numbers and spoke a lot throughout the weekend.
"I'm happy you're enjoying your time here so far! The school recently went through a bit of a change so this is still exhiliarting for me!" She told you while you two had sat down in the library. You weren't sure if you actually enjoyed the school or if you too, were exhilirated. When you asked what changes had happened to the school she replied with, "Oh you know... Just some application process changes and a few other... touchups... the building had an extra infirmary added in which I think is a good idea, and another student lounge, which I haven't been in." She saw your puzzled expression and continued to say, "Well, the whole community is pretty excited, and worried too... But I think this is a change for the better. I've never been in such a diverse school!" She said with obvious fantasizing. You were confused because you had thought the school wasn't too diverse. Everyone dressed similarily and everyone had high grade averages, but you guessed she probably meant the uniqueness of the entire campus, and there were many students attending. More than you've ever expeirenced before. Besides, she had arrived in grade nine, she has gotten to know the people and has probably met a bunch of unique students. Other than getting to know each other, Rosetta had helpful advice on how to go about work at the academy, and you're thankful she told you because you had no idea the bar was so high.
"Yeah... You can't only hand in a PowerPoint... That will get you a pretty lousy mark." She had said. So now you feverishly began making props and other visuals.
You found out that she was an interesting character, a little mischievous and silly, but very determined and smart. She was very intrigued about why you chose Hemo Academy as your new school, and was interested about how you got involved and enrolled. You enjoyed telling her the story of your discovery and application, because it still felt unreal that you were there.
On the first day of your second week, Rosetta asked you to work with her in the library again during the lunch hour. You accepted because you still needed to finish up a few extra things. Most lunches Rosetta is with her two best friends Casper and Serenity, so this was a nice surprise for you.
When you walked through the large doors into the big dark silence of the room it had an eerily still feeling that freaked you out. Where do all the students go? You wondered.
The library had two floors, the top one being a mezzanine with grand pillars holding it up. Flowers in vases were sitting around everywhere. The room smelt sweet and old. Most things had an enjoyable smell at Hemo Academy, specifically like a subdued perfume and incense, and occasionally in the classrooms a whiff of dust.
After glancing around the library for a bit you saw the other students in the aisles. Their nimble fingers picking which book they'd like, and their dark yet vibrant eyes watched you walk through, until it was Rosetta's eyes watching you.
"Hi Scarlett." She said in a smooth voice.
"Hey." You greeted back with a smile.
"Do you want to work in the back or the front?" She asks and you look out to the library.
A) "Hmmm... maybe the front."
B) "I'm okay with working in the back."
(If you choose A, go to the chapter called 'Working in the Front'. If you choose option B, go to the chapter called, 'Working in the Back'.)