Centum Malediction

Chapter 1-3

Friday, September 17th. 2010

As Michael walked down the empty halls toward the guidance counselor's office he couldn't help but notice shadows dancing at the edge of his vision. At first he was scared, then he realized it was just his mind continuing to play tricks on him. Simon's rant about ghosts didn't help calm him either. Still, the dancing shadows were growing more prominent to the point where Michael was starting to get anxious. They all faded once he made it to the counselor's office.

It was a small room with a double paned glass window. The blinds were down making it impossible to see into the room from the hall. Michael couldn't help but feel uneasy as he stood in front of the door. He really didn't want to talk to the guidance counselor, but it was a requirement for all juniors so they could start preparing for their senior year and then college after that. It would be a long boring discussion about what he should do in life. It was something he was not looking forward to

Michael shrugged. It would get his mind off of the shadows, if nothing else. He placed his hand on the door handle. It was freezing cold to the point where he nearly pulled his hand away. Instead he stood strong through the chill that ran through him and opened the door, closing it slowly behind him.

The room was surprisingly dark and grim for a guidance counselor's office. There was an uncomfortable looking red sofa to his left when he came in, a desk right in front of it with a computer and computer chair, and a back room likely for storing student files. The counselor appeared from said room upon hearing Michael's arrival.

For an adult, the counselor was very attractive. She didn't look much older than her early twenties, but had long red hair with illustrious green eyes. She wore a green blouse that showed a surprising amount of cleavage and some tiny shorts. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Michael, I'm assuming." She asked him, taking a seat behind her desk. Michael did the same, sitting on the couch in front of her.

"That's me." He nodded. She gave him a smile, which he returned as kindly as possible. He did his best not to make it too obvious that his eyes were focused somewhere other than her face.

"I am Ms. Hope." She said. "Tell me. Do you know what it is I do here Michael?"

"You're the guidance counselor. You're supposed to tell me what to do in my future after high school or something like that." Michael responded.

"You misunderstand. I am not here to tell you anything." Ms. Hope gave him an inquisitive look. "I am here to help guide you on your future, yes, but I am also here to make sure that future is one that's obtainable. Tell me, what is it you wish to do after you graduate?"

"I haven't really thought about it. I'm good at basketball, so I'm sure I will get a scholarship to some college." Michael responded confidently. He figured it would be easy enough to impress her. He was always good at impressing teachers.

"Have you looked into any scholarships yet?" Ms. Hope asked.

"Not yet, but there's still time." Michael said.

"I see." Ms. Hope nodded. She had a pad on her desk that Michael was only now beginning to notice. She began to scribble some notes down in front of Michael. He tried to peer over it to see what she was writing, but couldn't get a good angle of vision on it.

"The reason I ask is because I was looking over the school history earlier to prepare for our meeting. No one in this school has received a fully paid scholarship to any prestigious college in the last five years." Ms. Hope spoke very seriously.

"Well, I wasn't here." Michael was still confident, but Ms. Hope interrupted him.

"It's not lack of skill that's causing it, believe me. There are plenty of highly skilled athletes that come through here, all vying for a scholarship. I believe it's the state of the economy. Colleges can't afford to pay the tuition for just any skilled athlete anymore. You have to be exceptional. Are you exceptional?" Ms. Hope asked.