Life Within The Halls

Chapter 2: "Blood!"

LIFE WITHIN THE HALLS

Sandra

Monday, February 9th, 10:30 a.m.

I couldn't believe I was actually sitting in the iconic assembly hall of Hill Academy, surrounded by the elite and privileged. I felt like a total fraud in my crisp white shirt, pleated green plaid skirt, and vest. The tie felt like a noose around my neck, and the Mary Jane heels pinched my toes. But I knew I had to fit in, at all costs.

The hall was packed with around three hundred students, all clapping and cheering. At that moment, the school principal, the same one who had escorted me to the classroom for my test, finished his speech. He had outlined a few rules and emphasized the importance of quality teaching and learning, highlighting ways we could strive for improvement.

Amid the applause, the principal called upon the school founder's granddaughter to come onto the stage. This prompted a wave of cheers to fill the hall as she, wearing a silver tag on her blazer, made her way to the podium.

My goodness! There she was! The brown-skinned girl from the school's television advertisement.

"Good morning, fellow students. For those who are new, I'm Victoria Hill," she spoke with the same confidence that exuded in the school's ad. "As we gather here today, we mark not only the beginning of another academic year but also celebrate a significant milestone in our school's history—the 30th anniversary of its founding..."

My new friend, Gideon, sat beside me in the first row. His tap on my shoulder drew my attention away from the stage. "Ugh, Victoria is so boring to listen to," he murmured, casting a subtle nod toward her. "I'd rather chat with you instead."

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked, matching his tone.

"The math test, how'd it go?" he said. "I mean, first day in a new school, and then - bam! - a test drops on you like a bomb."

"It was okay," I gave him my earlier reply. "You're pretty interested in my math skills, huh?"

"Guess so," he said with a smirk. "Scholarship student?"

"No, I'm a full-pay student trying to stay afloat," I replied, and his gaze drifted back to the stage.

Honestly, the idea of tackling a math test didn't sit well with me. I hadn't even wanted to write it, but options were limited. Admissions had closed before I could apply, leaving me with only two choices: take the test or defer admission to the next semester.

I couldn't wait for the next semester; I had waited long enough.

"Let us honor the past while embracing the future with optimism. Long live Hill Academy! Long live Bel-Air! Long live America!" Victoria ended her speech.

I fidgeted in my seat, the loud, cheerful noise blurring into a cacophony as I gazed up at the gallery above. That's when I noticed droplets falling, taunting me with their slow, steady rhythm. I tried to ignore them, but they persisted, staining my hair with tiny, dark spots. Then, a warm sensation spread across my forehead. I reached up to touch it, and my fingers came away with something that looked like...

"Blood!" I shrieked.

An uproar ensued as a girl in a cheerleading uniform fell in front of me from the gallery, sending shockwaves through the hall. Two students who were also in the front row with me, rushed to her side. One examined her and cried out, "Oh my god, it's Hannah Bentley... she's not breathing!"

Panic erupted around me, with students screaming and crying as the reality of the situation sank in. I felt numb, my mind struggling to process what had just happened.