Chapter 3

Freya

The bell rang and everybody stood up to leave the classroom. I trailed behind, slowly gathering my stuff and waiting for the guy from whom I was supposed to take the notes. I expected him to wait for me as well, only when I looked up, he was gone.

I kicked myself for not going straight to him and ask for the notes and made a mental note to hunt him down after work before I headed to my next class. Art.

Painting was something my mother and I shared. I inherited her talent and since I was little, we would always make time for painting and she helped me develop my skills. A picture is a memory that lasts forever, she used to say. And I found refuge in drawing the things I don't want to ever forget.

After work, I thought about going to the library to do some homework without disturbing Hilda with the lights, only then I remembered that the library was in the other building and it would only be a time waste. So instead, I decided to stay in the kitchen and study.

The lights were almost all off, I had only left one small lamp to lighten the counter on which I was studying, when suddenly, I heard a noise. I turned around, my eyes searching the premises for a cat that might have sneaked into the building. But it was only wishful thinking because I knew that it would be impossible for cats to get past the firmly close doors.

The noise started again, this time coming from inside the kitchen where all the cooking happened. I slowly stood up from my chair and followed the noise. The door was ajar and there was a small light peeking through the gap. I carefully opened the door and said:

-Hello?

The second the word came out of my mouth I regretted it as a loud thud made me yelp. The light faded and someone appeared from behind the fridge.

It was him. Mr. Brown's son.

-You scared me to death. He said casually, his voice so calm and his body relaxed.

He didn't seem like he was scared to death, while I had both hands on my racing heart and was breathing so fast like I had just ran a marathon. I let out a humorless laugh at his comment and said:

-I'm the one who scared you to death? What are you even doing here in the first place?

-Yes, you did. I am famished, what's your excuse? He replied retrieving a spoon from the top drawer.

-I work here! I said like it was obvious.

He glanced at me from over his shoulder and I immediately regretted telling him that. I didn't want anybody to know about it, for some reason, especially him.

-How did you get in here? I asked.

He turned his gaze away from me and closed the drawer before heading back toward the counter with a spoon and a bottle of milk that he had retrieved from the fridge. He poured some into a bowl of cereal then ate a mouthful before responding:

-I have the key.

I stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to respond to that then decided to leave. I was grabbing my stuff from the table when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around and he was there standing a few feet away from me, still holding the bowl of cereal between his hands.

-You can stay and study. I won't say anything. He said noticing my bag pack in my hands.

-No, I'm done for tonight. But thanks.

He didn't add anything. He just shrugged and started to walk away when I cringed, mentally kicking myself for having to say the words.

-Hey! I said after him. He stopped and turned half way, with a spoon raised to his mouth -Mr. Schneider told me that I can take your notes to catch up on what I have missed this morning. I mean, if you don't mind. . .

-They are in your room. He said interrupting me. Once again, I was left standing there, awkwardly, not knowing how to respond.

-Okay, thanks. I said in a high-pitched voice that gave away my nervousness. He nodded then walked away, probably to finish his cereal in peace.

Hilda

I was debating on whether to sneak out among the crowd or do as he said and stay behind when Daniel bent down and whispered in my ear.

-Drop the attitude and just nod at everything he says and you'll be fine.

I looked up at him with raised eyebrows and narrow eyes as if to say. Haven't you met me before?

-Or maybe not. He said laughing at my expression and shaking his head in defeat, knowing that I wouldn't be taking his advice.

-Miss Morgan? The teacher called and both, Daniel and I turned our heads around. Taking the hint, we said goodbye and he left.

I walked toward the teacher's office where he was busy fetching something out of his leather messenger bag.

-Here. He said when he finally found it. He wrote something on the piece of paper and handed it to me. I read it twice before I raised my eyes to him questioningly.

-What is this?

-Your first yellow card. Congratulations, you're the first to get one this year. I must say, you broke the record with getting one on the first session on first day of school.

I stared at him again, dumbfound, waiting for him to explain.

-I suppose you haven't read the list of rules Mr. Brown had distributed to everyone.

I pursed my lips and shrugged, still not getting his point.

-Yellow cards are for warning, when you get three of them you get a red one which is for suspension, only you don't get to stay in your dorm and do nothing, you'll be assigned to some chores as your punishment. You should read the policy paper, it'll come in handy for next time when you'll think of breaking the rules.

Deep inside, I was boiling with rage, cursing my life for the millionth time since I have set a foot in this school and of course cursing my parents for sending me to this rat hole.

-Okay, do I at least get my phone back? I asked with a lazy voice and an annoyed expression.

-Sure, I have nothing to do with it. Just when you look at it next time, think of the yellow cards.

-Yeah, whatever.

I ditched the rest of the morning classes then met with the guys for lunch. They were gathered at the same table when I joined them with my tray in hands.

-How did it go with Mr. Hardwin? Daniel asked staring up at me. I hadn't realized that I didn't know the teacher's name until Daniel had said it, and if he hadn't, I probably wouldn't have even cared.

-Did you get a yellow card? The Asian that I was still struggling to remember her name, or even pronounce it for that matter, said. She looked horrified, like getting a yellow card would mean the end of the world.

I nodded then shrugged putting my bag in the floor and taking a seat between Daniel and Danielle.

-At least I got my phone back.

-We've all got one card at least during high school. José said, the Latino guy. Mariana and Daniel nodded in agreement when Danielle shook her head.

-I haven't.

-Well you're like their pet. No teacher would want to punish their pet. Daniel teased with a laugh and I wondered if that comment held more truth than he led on.

-I just don't like mum and dad to be upset with me. Unlike you, I care. She glared at him and he smiled widely back at her.

-Well, I'm still the prodigy of the family.

-Other than your names, you guys have nothing in common. Mariana commented.

-I got the looks and she got the brains and somehow, I'm still their favorite, so I'm don't have anything to complain about.

Looking at them sitting side by side, the twins had the same baby blue eyes and the same hair, they dressed in the same way, neatly, which said a lot about their family. This school was expensive and everyone in here came from a loaded family and had almost the same kind of education growing up. I was the only misfit.

The rest of the day rolled by uneventful. School had started and everyone got serious, I was left alone to dwell on the life I have left behind these walls until I fell asleep.

The next morning, I woke up earlier than expected. I had enough sleep from the night before and so, by six a. m. , I was up and ready to head out the door.

I sneaked out of the building and chose a bench near a tree to hide and take a smoke. I plugged my earphones in and closed my eyes, enjoying the fresh cold breeze of the early morning against my skin.

Suddenly, the cigarette got snatched away from my lips and I opened my eyes to see someone standing in front of me. They moved closer to shield me from the sun and I was able to see their face. It was Mr. Hardwin.

I took my earphones out and shoved them into my pocket along with the lighter when he decided to speak.

-Three times already Miss Morgan.

I stared up at him frowning, not having a clue about what he was referring to and my mind was too lazy in the mornings to even try to function properly.

He clearly noticed the confusion on my face when he smirked and said:

-Drunk, texting, and smoking.

He counted on his fingers before letting his hand drop to his side and at that moment, I finally understood why I had the impression of having heard his voice before.

It was him, the guy I bumped into when I was sneaking back to my room two days ago.