“It is with great honor and pride to welcome you all to the most prestigious high school in Manhattan. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Mchalmmond High School!”
The students applauded the school director, Mr. Noah Chapman, who stood on the stage with a wide smile. He was in his finest black tuxedo, and he was aging gracefully like a fine wine. Mr. Chapman was already in his 50s, but he was as cool as his 30s.
It was time for the school head to take the stage and explain the school system. Dressed in pink, classy attire, Mrs. Bethany Tinsley stood demurely. A woman in her 40s marked with wrinkles and red lipstick.
“Good morning, everyone. My name is Mrs. Bethany Tinsley, the school head. Let me present to you the school’s mission, vision, and core values.”
The PowerPoint flashed on the wall and switched to the next slide.
Vision: To develop competent students who excel globally while upholding the values of good morals and right conduct.
Mission: To transform teachers into compassionate patrons of preeminence who strive to be better individuals and professionals.
Core Values:
Good relationship - Creating a healthy environment for everyone to nurture their abilities, skills, and talents; including the teachers and staff.
Perseverance - Facing the challenges of life with pride and honor. Surrendering is never an option.
Patience - Agents of change who maintain understanding with one another to solve personal problems or social issues.
Innovation - Not settling for what is ahead of them but thinking revolutionarily to meet the goals of the school.
Integrity - Embodying the school’s vision, mission, and core values to move forward every step of the day.
“The school’s vision is designed for the students to be recognized not just nationally, but worldwide. The students are the product of our vision, mission, and core values, so it is rightful for the world to give them merit. Meanwhile, the school’s mission centers on the betterment of the teachers and staff. With our high qualifications, having a degree is not an assurance that teachers can perform well. There are new sets of diverse students every year. We are challenging them to guide the students to the best of their abilities.”
The student’s eyes widened, and their mouth parted in awe. The speculations were true. They had a limited slot of 500 students, from freshmen to Senior High. It wasn’t easy to get admitted. The school buildings were separated from each other. The Freshmen building was on the east wing, the Sophomores on the west, the Juniors on the south, and the Seniors on the north.
They shared one field at the center with 27,000 acres.
“The five important aspects to be considered under the core values are the foundation of our school. These values are enough to achieve the school’s goals if performed well. I believe that a good relationship, perseverance, innovation, and integrity are building blocks of an illustrious school that everyone can look up to.”
The students gave another loud applause after the speech. There was silence when a young man stood with a serious expression. He wore the same uniform as the students, but the right sleeve of his polo had two black stripes. It was a symbol of authority among the students.
“Hello. I am Lake Harris, the current Supreme Student Council President.” His voice was deep like an echo inside a cave. His dark brown eyes were fierce and his long lashes curled up, a hint of sweetness in his dark aura.
“Today, I will elaborate on how the school ranking works. They divided the grade ranking into 6 layers: The Generals, Grand Vizier, Arch paladin, Chaplain, and Junior Apprentice. You are treated based on your ranking. The Generals have the best treatment, while the Junior Apprentice has the worst treatment. As you can see, your ranking has corresponding benefits and punishment,” Luke said.
The Generals were the students who had a total grade of 97% to 100%. They had the following benefits: a 20-minute earlier lunch break; they were given extra food, they could request anything for their snack during recess, they could borrow unlimited books from the library, they could stay in the library as long as they wanted, they had a gaming room where they could gather and chill, and lastly, the school favored them.
The Grand Viziers were the students who had a total grade of 94 to 96%. They could request anything for their snack during recess time, they could borrow 15 books from the library at max, and they could stay for 5 hours in the library per day.
The Arch paladins were the students who had a total grade of 90 to 95%. They could borrow 15 books from the library and stay there for 5 hours per day. The Chaplains were the students who had a total grade of 85 to 89%. They could stay in the library for 5 hours. The Junior Apprentices were the students who had a total grade of 80 to 84%. They considered them as losers or the lowest rank.
Everyone left the A.F.T. Theatre as they began the school tour. A.F.T. was an acronym for the Latin words “Audere est Facere” which meant “To do is to dare.” It was the motto of the Drama Club and their chant before their performances.
“Welcome to the Sports Center,” the teacher said.
They gazed at the tallest, widest, and biggest building on the entire campus. The Sports Center had individual rooms for every sport like basketball, swimming, archery, badminton and table tennis, volleyball, board games, bowling, and martial arts.
The most anticipated part of the tour was the library.
“The rumors are true,” Stan said, sliding his fingers on the edges of the bookshelves.
“I bet you want to stay here 24/7,” Theo said.
“Definitely.”
“If that’s the case, you gotta be on top of the ranking. Be one of the Generals.”
Stan was domineering in their new uniform—white long sleeves, dark green blazer, maroon necktie, black slacks and shoes. Meanwhile, Theo’s vibe as a Casanova tripled.
“By the way, have you seen Cade?” Theo asked.
“Sh. Don’t mention his name,” Stan replied.
Theo pressed his lips together. “Oh. I mean, have you seen our cousin-turned-undercover agent?”
Stan just rolled his eyes and walked ahead of him.
“Hey. Look at her. Isn’t she cute?” Theo said while pulling Stan’s sleeve. Theo was staring at a woman climbing the stairs to organize the books.
“36-24-36,” Theo mumbled.
“What’s that?”
“Her vital statistics.”
“You could tell in one glance? What a pervert.”
“I am not a pervert. I am just a professional…womanizer.”
“You should stop that. You’re creepier than our cousin-turned-undercover agent.”
“Nah-ah. You are too naïve. I shall teach you the art of hooking up,” Theo said while raising his brows up and down. He fixed his tie a little and approached the beautiful woman.
“Hey, Miss. May I help you?”
The woman was shocked as she looked down. She dropped the books and lost her balance. Theo’s arms caught her like a knight in shining armor.
“The result of watching too much romance,” Stan uttered.
“Thanks, kid,” she said.
Theo was astonished after she called him ‘kid.’
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“Yes. You can go back to your line and follow the other kids.”
“I am Theo, and I am not a kid.”
The woman smiled. “Well, you’re right. Me neither.”
“Can I get your number?”
The woman thought for a moment. “Okay.”
Theo pulled out his phone and gave it to her. “Thanks. I’ll call you later.”
The woman suppressed a peal of laughter and nodded.
“That’s how you get a girl,” Theo said to Stan while shaking his phone.
“She doesn’t want to disappoint a ‘kid’ like you. That’s why she went with the flow.”
“Oh, come on. My irresistible looks did the job. Everybody knows that.”
Stan saw a pin on the floor and picked it up. “It’s a name tag.”
“Ms. Amelia Payne,” Theo read aloud.
“Oh, that’s me.” They looked at the woman who spoke. She was the one Theo flirted with earlier.
“You? But it says, Librarian.”
“Yes. I am the Librarian,” she replied.
“Wow. You look so young,” Stan said.
“Thanks. Also, I am engaged. And ten years older than you.”
I am engaged.
I am ten years older than you.
Her words echoed in Theo’s ears as he stepped backward.
It cannot be.
He was falling into a never-ending black hole, trying to reach for her hand. But her shimmering engagement ring blinded his eyes.
No.
“Thanks, Ms. Payne. See you around,” Stan said as he dragged Theo’s lifeless body.
Theo held his chest as he said, “It is truly painful.”
When the tour ended, the students went to the cafeteria for the lunch break. The cafeteria was a two-story building where all the students, from freshmen to seniors, ate together. Everything was free, but each scoop of food was enough for their needs. The staff was also keen on their diet and allergies.
“Please state your name,” the cook said.
“Stan Carline.”
The cook typed Stan’s name on the machine. After five minutes, the drawer opened and revealed Stan’s nutritious meal. It was perfectly divided by the proper nutrients he needed.
“Thanks.”
Unlike Westgate High where they could own a spot, they had a hard time figuring out where to sit.
“Shall we join the girls?” Theo asked as they stood in the middle of the cafeteria while holding their tray. “Oh, please.”
Stan found an empty table in the corner beside the window.
“I don’t think I can move on,” Theo said.
“From what?”
“From this heartache. How can she be 10 years older than me and engaged?”
“You’re not good at reading people.”
“What do you mean?”
“She was obviously wearing a different uniform from us. Also, she was wearing adult makeup. You didn’t even notice her ring. All you saw was her beauty.”
“Don’t blame me. She was my ideal type.”
“But she is someone’s fiancee.”
“Stan, divorce may happen. It’s easier to steal someone who’s not yet married.”
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this from a 17-year-old.”
“Oops. We are turning 18 next month.”
Stan indulged in his stir-fry, which was a combination of Thai prawns & green beans.
“By the way, you said that the Librarian was wearing adult makeup. You can distinguish types of makeup?” Theo asked.
“Sort of.”
“Stan, are you practicing makeup?”
“What? No. I only saw an advertisement about it one time.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t call you gay. I’m just disappointed.”
“Disappointed because I know makeup?”
“Disappointed because you didn’t invite me to your makeup sessions.”
Stan let go of his spoon and fork.
“Theo, since you are my friend, I will let you choose. Judas cradle, blood eagle, tickle torture, or Swedish drink?”
Theo choked while drinking dairy milk. “Gross!”
“I thought you wouldn’t know this stuff.” Stan pushed the bridge of his eyeglasses.
“I once saw the book you’ve been reading about ancient methods of torture. You’re sick, man.”
“I can actually apply them to you if you piss me off.”
Theo was already feeling sick when someone cleared his throat. They looked up at the person standing in front of them.
“Ca–” Theo was about to say the forbidden name when Stan covered his mouth.
“Hi. Who are you?” Stan asked.
“My name is Curtis Fleming. May I sit with you?”
“I’m sorry, but we don’t talk to strangers.”
Cade was surprised, as loads of curses flooded his mind. But he remained calm.
“Alright, then. Enjoy your lunch.”
Cade searched for another table, and Theo was able to breathe when Stan released him.
“What was that? You shoved him away,” Theo said.
“I’m taking an extra precaution.”
“You sound like the bad guy here.”
“Well, we can still watch him from afar.”
Cade stopped at a table occupied by two students—a skinny guy with curly brown hair and braces; beside him was an overweight one with orange hair in an army cut.
“Hi. Can I sit here with you?”
I can’t believe I’m with a bunch of weirdos. Whatever. Nothing is permanent. This hell too shall pass.
“Look at that. Cade Robertson talk to students like them,” Stan whispered.
“I thought we can’t say his name?”
“I am just amused.”
“You are right. This is entertaining.”
Stan raised his bottle of dairy milk. “Shall we rejoice his new endeavor?”
“We shall,” Theo replied as they clanged their bottles with a wide grin on their faces.