DON'T PRAY TO ME

06 - Sunvey Trip

The day of the Sunvey trip is here. And Rachel is on a mission today as she focuses on packing her backpack for the long day ahead. The Sunvey trip is one of the three major events for the final year students of Erno Schola. These events are also some of the rare instances in the school where both the Deirci and the Dhamenci students take part together. And Rachel wants to see Slade. Perhaps, that might stop the dreams, she hopes.

Rachel and the other girls of her year from their dorm join the boys at the main gate. Rachel avoids looking at the side where the boys are because she's afraid to look at Thomas. She had been painstakingly avoiding him and his friends and fortunately, he has been keeping his distance from her as well. In fact, she has been enjoying a bully-free life for the past many days. However, it might not last for long. Ariek has been gone for a few weeks already and might return any day now. She always fearfully glances at the door in the classes she shares with him every time a boy enters, hoping it's not Ariek. Last month he left to support and celebrate his father who became a Deirci Chief. Rachel knows that because the Deirci principal announced it in a morning assembly. It's a big deal. A Chief's son or daughter is one of the highest ranking student the school could have. Next to the heir of a King.

A Deirci prince graduated two years before Rachel entered the school. She had never seen him but heard he was, understandably, very popular. A Dhamenci prince also graduated from Erno Schola around the same time. However, Rachel heard from Penny that the Dhamenci King also has a daughter, who's allegedly around their age, but she attends a school in the palace, built for her. Penny also mentioned that the girl is rumored to be the most alluringly beautiful girl ever. But Rachel was not listening to Perry that well and was wondering what it would be like to have a school, just for yourself. Rachel thought that would be the most wonderful thing.

Soon, loud and chaotic footsteps approach the main gate. It's the Dhamenci students. Rachel instantly tries to find Slade in that crowd but her view is blocked by the tall Deirci boys. Rachel stretches her neck up but she can't get past the shoulders of the boys. "Looking for someone?" Penny says. Rachel stops standing on her toes, looks down with blushing cheeks, and rubs her neck. Penny chuckles. "It's okay if you just want to see him, but don't approach any of them," Penny says. "I can't see anything," Rachel says. Penny, who's slightly taller than Rachel, gives it a try. "I can't either. The boys are in the way."

Four professors appear in front of the students. Rachel recognizes two of them: Prof. Knofsek and Prof. Kyvs whose classes Rachel takes. The other two are Dhamenci. A tall, tan, muscular man with stubble, and a tall, pale, voluptuous woman in red. The man with the stubble steps forward. "Good morning everyone, I'm Cosman Fender, I teach Practice of Praesidium; my colleague here is Lisa Ortis, Prof. of grade II Cursio. And we have Kale Knofsek, Prof. of Deir Tapneet, and R. J. Kyvs, Prof. of History of Medeis. The four of us will oversee this trip. You all are old enough to know the rule, but I'll say it anyway - no fighting. If you could, try to get along with each other, but we know you brats are too immature for that, so just stay out of each other's hair. The professor for each group will be from the other wing. If you need anything you ask them. For the Deirci boys, Lisa will be in charge." The boys look excited. "For the Dhamenci boys, Prof. Knofsek. For the Dhamenci girls, Prof. Kyvs, and I'm in charge for the Deirci girls. Any questions?"

There's pin drop silence among the crowd. "Good," Cosman says, "Grab a bus." Four buses come and stand in front of the gate. The students start boarding them. Rachel wanted to ask Penny if she could sit with her but Penny was pulled away by one of her friends. Rachel sits down on the first double-seater near the door. At the back there's Mithria, and the middle seats were all filled by the time Rachel got in.

Once settled, Rachel takes out the book that was given to each student before boarding, The Sunny Sunvey, and starts reading it. About seven pages in, she feels the seat next to her get occupied by a very large person. It's Cosman. Rachel freezes. Every other seat is taken, and she's left to sit next to the Dhamen professor. Cosman notices the kid next to him turn to stone by his arrival. "What's your name?" Cosman says. "R-Rachel." "What?" Cosman says, leaning down to her. Her voice was barely there. "Rachel," Rachel says, after taking in a big breath. This time Cosman heard, repeated the name and says, "Don't be scared. Just be at ease." Which is easy for him to say, Rachel thinks, but she starts reading again, hoping that'll distract her. Something feels off about the student to Cosman, and then it strikes him as the bus leaves the campus ground. "Which rank are you, kid?" He asks. "D-Rank," Rachel quietly says, hoping he's not offended from sitting next to someone so low-ranking.