Mesmer

Part 3

Turns out we were stupid. That, and the compound was just straight dumb.
The dorms (that I was assigned to anyways) were located in a "secret" passage way. You opened a door and it was a normal room. Empty and boring. You walked across that room, opened THE OTHER door, and there was a hallway lined with closed off individual living spaces.

I shuffled my feet and dragged my belongings behind me as I went to my room. It was crap. Every second I spent here I wondered why my sister refered to it so highly.
There was a twin bed in the corner, so I plopped down and thought about what classes I decided on. Art, Tech, Self defense, Gym, and Acting. I figured if this place gave homework, those classes would be the ones least likely to assign me any.

I stared at the yellow ceiling light and thought about James. I had a new cockiness here. A new confidence I didn't have before. Maybe it was because no one knew me here, and maybe It was because I knew deep down I couldn't get him. But, maybe, just maybe, it was because I liked being a new and riskier person. Maybe I was becoming more me. Someone better.

***

The next few days, I went to each of my classes. Over and over again because the schedule was monotonous. James and I didn't talk. My so called confidence disappeared the first morning he glared at me from afar. All the charm he might have previously had disappeared.

He stood in the corner as I painted and tried reciting lines, and he sat with his hands folded across his knees while I ran and worked out with the other classmates of mine. I hadn't bothered learning any of their names. No one checked us in when we got to our destinations, so it was easy to just go with the flow and fly under the radar. The instructors I had were boring and almost didn't seem qualified. This place reminded me of a shitty summer camp that they'd give out flyers for at the grocery store. I didn't get it. Why the hell was it so important to send me here? I would be better off working a summer job than attending this finishing school.

Or so I thought.

A week had passed, and it was the same old shit everyday.

I was officially nineteen and unknowingly awaiting the most unsuspecting birthday present of my life.

I'm in the middle of learning how to properly hold my fist when I punch, when I hear the gym door creak open.
I see James look at who's coming in, and his eyes never leave our new company as they walk across the sticky floor over to me. The other few students in my class mutter under their breath and steal quick glances at the man approaching me. He's about 6 ft tall and slender and whimsical. It's moments later where he reaches his hand out, "Ana. It's nice to meet you. I'm Pierce Whitlock."

I stick out my hand and shake his. His hands are rough. I almost didn't expect it from his clean look. He had a simple grey sports jacket over a black tee. Simple black pants and freshly gel-ed hair. I looked in his eyes and they seemed wild, yet kind. Like he'd seen too much but still held onto great hope for something.

"Hello... It's nice to meet you."

"Ana, I was wondering If you'd join me in my office for a quick word. Your observer is more than welcome to come." He glances back at James. "Actually, I prefer that he does."

I nod my head and wipe my hands on the back of my pants. They get clammy in uncomfortable situtions.

He quickly taps my back in an attempt of being friendly and gestures to James, "Ah.. Mr. Stanley, please come with us would you?"

James gets up but doesn't say anything.
Mr. Whitlock waves to the rest of the people in the gym, not even recognizing the instructor and his "hard" work, and he turns to leave.