the voices that heal

Chapter 5 - Let's have a great year!

Hallways... A passage through time. A portal to the next step, the next moment in your existence. The pathway to your new beginning.

I take out the crumpled piece of paper that Mr. Saelim had given to me earlier, containing my timetable.

I can't believe they put me in AP classes for everything! Can't they have a little sympathy? I may be a genius but I'm no nerd! My thought process is interrupted again by a friendly tap to my shoulder. I swivel around and am greeted with a kind middle aged face. He is wearing an expensive looking suit, and to my surprise, an even more expensive looking headset.

"I'm Secretary Jiang", the man says with a smile, "I'll be showing you to your home room".

His voice is warm and comforting, and immediately puts me at ease, and I can't help but return a smile.

"As it happens, I am new to this school as well! So if you have any questions", he stops and chuckles to himself, "You probably shouldn't ask me."

I smile apprehensively, secretly a little annoyed at this statement. How could a school secretary not know their way around their own school? I push that thought to the back of my mind as we arrive at what appears to be my home room. I hear adolescent chattering emerging from the classroom. Secretary Jiang gives me a reassuring smile as he knocks on the door. The chattering from inside dies down and I hear a faint "Come in!"

I nod a goodbye to secretary Jiang and step onto the linoleum tile of the classroom. It sags a little under my feet. The silence seems to echo jarringly in the room and each step sounds like a child rubbing a balloon. I look timidly at the teacher, a mousey looking woman with hair like candy floss gone wrong. Her eyes are large, round and have an almost sorrowful quality as they gaze at me with indifference.

"Ahhh!" She yelps, clicking her fingers enthusiastically. She straightens herself up and beams at the class. "I almost forgot, this is your new classmate, Y/N Y/L/N!" She sings in a lilting voice. " I want you all to make her feel welcome. There's a free seat beside Brett." She says, pointing to a rather serious looking guy, whose bangs almost cover his eyes. He raises his head slightly in acknowledgment but shows no real interest. I am rather taken aback by his lack of enthusiasm, but I reassure myself that it is probably because of the golf outfit. It's not really my style after all.

I make my way over to my seat and sit myself down. The chair creaks embarrassingly and a couple of heads turn at the sound. I look over at "Brett" and smile. He's quite handsome up front. His long dark bangs shimmer like morning dew.

"Let's have a great year!" I say. He ignores me and turns to his friend sitting behind him.

"Hey Stephen, how was your Summer?"

My eyes widen my mouth hangs gaping open. This guy may be attractive but his attitude sure isn't. I eye "Stephen" in annoyance. His hair is died blue and hangs messily in a wavy middle part. His features are boyish, with a hint mischief. His earrings dangle with every motion.

He catches me glaring. My instincts tell me to look away but something tells me I should hold my ground. He grins at my defiance. He crosses his eyes and sticks out his tongue. I have never seen something more disgusting in my whole life! (And I live on Bucktan Street!).

"Hey new girl..." He jeers. Brett turns around with vague interest, but does not say anything.

"Hey", I say, rolling my eyes. The two boys look at each other and Stephen stifles a laugh. "What's so funny?" I ask sternly. Before either of them can answer my question, the sound of expensive high heels enters the room. Everyone's heads turn to the source. It takes me no less than two seconds to identify the owner of this luxury footwear.

A cool breeze wafts past me as two beautiful Thai rich twins make their way to the top of the classroom. Their commanding presence is so strong that even the teacher cowers a little in her seat, looking even mousier than before. The female scans the room and her gaze lands upon me. She points a finger directly at my face and glares intensely at me.

"Mud water girl!" She snarls. I hear Stephen chuckling behind me, and even Brett smirks slightly. I freeze in my seat.
"I don't think we've introduced ourselves properly", she says, tapping a manicured finger on her chin, "I'm Troon Saelim, and this is my twin brother Ney." She looks around the classroom admiringly. "This is our turf."

Saelim... Saelim... Now where have I heard that name before? Wait- Ping Pong... Seaweed... P-Principal Saelim? No wonder they could afford such a flashy convertible. Troon flashes me a cold smirk as if she can tell exactly what I am thinking.

"That's right", she purrs, snaking over to my table and ravishing in my discomfort, "Our Daddy is the principal of this school". She stops in front of my desk and looks down on me with a terrifying expression. I gulp as she bends over the desk until she is eye level with me, her gaze set firmly on mine.

"So you'd better watch out", she breathes into my ear, "If you want to stay at this school".

I am left speechless as she straightens herself up with a final smirk before making her way to the back of the classroom with Ney.

"Geez" Stephen whistles from behind me, "What did you do to anger her?"

"Absolutely nothing!" I hiss. Brett raises an eyebrow and I shrink back into my seat.

So much for having a great year.