Marin's eyes reluctantly fluttered open to the sound of birds chirping outside his window. He groaned and buried his face into his pillow, trying to delay the inevitable. But the responsibilities of adolescence nagged at him, and he knew he couldn't afford to laze around all day like he used to. With a heavy sigh, he dragged himself out of bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling into his bones.
His reflection in the mirror revealed a pale face, etched with deep lines of fatigue, and pink lips that were perpetually downturned. Marin knew he couldn't hide the weariness that weighed him down, no matter how hard he tried. But he could at least dress the part. He pulled on a soft blue cotton t-shirt with a bold "M" emblazoned on the front, and paired it with black jeans that were slightly frayed at the edges. As he tugged the fabric over his tired frame, Marin couldn't help but feel tired and hoped to have a day as a holiday without any challenges.
Marin's footsteps echoed through the empty halls of the Collège Françoise Dupont as he made his way to class. Suddenly, he stumbled upon his class teacher, Ms Caline Bustier, who chirped at him in an irksome voice. The sound grated on his nerves, but he kept his cool and answered politely, "I am going to Ms Mandelieve's class."
Ms Bustier noticed the child's lack of cheerfulness and wondered what had caused the change. However, she didn't pry into his personal life and instead composed herself before speaking "I see. Unfortunately, she is not here today. Busy for private reasons. However, it's good I met you here. I have some work for you. I hope a well-disciplined student like you won't decline a favour for your teacher. Will you?"
Marin felt a chill run down his spine at the mention of "favour". He knew from experience that Ms Bustier's favours always came with a price. But he couldn't refuse, not without risking his academic standing. "Of course not, Ma'am. It will be an honour. May I know what is the work to be done?" he asked, trying to sound as polite as possible.
Ms Bustier's smile turned into a sly one. "Oh, nothing much Marin! You just have to show some new students around. They will come in one hour. I have already given your name to the principal, sir. OK? These are their files. Please check them. It's also important to assist them in becoming comfortable with others and making friends."
Marin couldn't believe his ears. This was just another one of Ms Bustier's ploys to get him to do her bidding. He knew he couldn't refuse, but he had to try. "But Ma'am, wouldn't Lilan be better at this job? Why not just ask him to do it? I am pretty sure he would be happy to assist."
Ms Bustier's face twisted into a scowl. "Marin, you know Lilan's problem, right? At least you should care a bit about your friends. Lilan has a social anxiety disorder. He can't possibly be able to give the new students a tour and explain everything to them. Have some empathy!! Don't try to run away from your responsibility. I only told you to do this because the principal said so."
Marin felt a wave of anger wash over him. He knew Lilan had no disorder as such. Lilan had no such health problems instead just lying about it. But, unfortunately, he didn't have any tough proof except Lilan showing no symptoms and Lilan himself confessing the crime. However, He hadn't recorded the confession so he was proofless. Plus, Lilan wasn't his friend. "Alright, I will do it, Ma'am. Are those their files?" he said through gritted teeth.
Ms Bustier handed him the files with a satisfied smile. "Yes! Take it and read. If you have any problem, come to me. But also try to solve it yourself, okay? All these things will only help you in the future. You know. But I will also thank you for it." she said in a sickly sweet tone.
"Your welcome ma'am" Marin grumbled.
Marin took the files and walked away, feeling a mixture of anger, guilt, and frustration. He knew that Ms Bustier was playing him, but he also knew that he had a responsibility to help the new students. He would have to find a way to make it work, even if it meant standing up to Ms Bustier.
As Marin dragged his feet towards the library, a cascade of doubts and self-blame flooded his mind, each thought digging deeper into his psyche: 'Why was he even assigned this task? How could they believe such an obvious lie from LILAN? Could a serious mental disorder be so easily manipulated? Was he too smart to catch the lie, or were they simply too stupid to see the truth? Were they right about him being the problem? And if so, what kind of monster did that make him?' The weight of his guilt threatened to consume him, but he didn't let them win. He refused to give them the satisfaction of breaking him, even as his heart raced with fear and anger.
As he walked, his mind was haunted by the possibility that he was somehow responsible for the situation, that he was too cold, too aloof, too antipathetic. His fingers nervously played with the strands of hair that had fallen across his face, framing his chiselled jawline and high cheekbones. Amidst the turmoil of his internal struggle, Marin's appearance still managed to catch the attention of those around him, as if his physical features were a testament to the skill and care of some masterful craftsman.
As he entered the library, his eyes flickered briefly towards the other students but quickly returned to his feet. At once, taking a nearby seat, he opened a file giving all his attention to it and forgetting the surroundings. Even in his moment of vulnerability, something was alluring about him, a dark magnetism that seemed to draw others towards him. The thought brought a wicked smile to the lips of those who watched him from the shadows, those who knew that Marin was the perfect pawn for their desires.
'His mere presence, even in humble clothing, fueled his desire to possess him. He had planned to mould him into the perfect pawn for his desires.' Was the thought of the green-eyed ochre-coloured boy smirking, brightening with devilish glint in his eyes.
