ANIMA

5. How things are done

Tomas

I am wearing a school uniform for the first time ever and I am relieved.

I knew that the students here are very well-off but I guess I didn’t really understand just how well-off. A glance at the parking lot and at some students’ accessories and I am very grateful for my uniform.

Despite the nerves I still managed to get 6 hours of sleep. I have managed on less sleep in the past so I feel rested enough. I decide to get some breakfast in the cafeteria before class.

Here the cafeteria is housed in its own building, it’s also where all cooking related classes take place.

On a lawn nearby I see a couple of people doing yoga. The one leading the others seems quite intimidating, a trait I have never associated with yoga before. Add to that her clear brown skin, glossy tight curls and deep brown eyes and it is safe to say she is probably one of the best-looking people on campus.

Almost immediately my assessment is proven wrong.

I am almost at the entrance of the cafeteria when I notice the real owner of that title standing nearby. His hair is a tousled inky black, eyes that suggest East Asian ancestry and such flawless skin that makes him seem a bit airbrushed. He definitely won the genetic lottery.

Like everyone else he is wearing a uniform but his looks like it has been tailored for him. He wears it with such ease and confidence he makes it look like designer wear rather than the uniform it is.

I mean it’s a nice uniform but he has no business making it look like he just stepped off a runway!

I snap myself out of cataloguing the poor dude and resume my walk to the cafeteria.

I opted to stay in yesterday, choosing to warm up the food mom packed for me so I am seeing the cafeteria in its full glory for the first time.

And it is glorious. There are so many options it’s hard to choose. There is a full English breakfast spread, vegan and vegetarian options. The drinks section has every type of coffee and tea imaginable as well freshly pressed juices and smoothies.

How.to.choose?!

I settle on some toast, fruits and strawberry juice in the end.

With 15 minutes to go before class I decide to head over, I would rather be the early weirdo than late.

“Tom?”

I turn to find Trent Digby looking like he just saw a ghost.

Trent and I have been friends since we were seven. That’s when we moved in next door to the Digbys, our families became fast friends.
We did everything together, we were inseparable.

Then a year and a half ago his parents got divorced and his dad moved out. Two months later when he got remarried and moved to Wellington (the town), Trent moved in with him and his new step mom.

His stepmom is a Wellington Academy alumnus so Trent qualified for a legacy admission.

I was sad my best friend was moving but I was also happy for him because attending Wellington Academy had been both our dream.

When he first moved we spoke several times a day but once school started up again it became less than that. After too many attempts to keep in touch went unanswered I stopped trying. I figured there wasn’t space for me in his new life. It’s been almost a year now.

“What are you doing here?” he asks.

I try not to get offended, Trent doesn’t like surprises all that much. He must be surprised to see me.

“Today is my first day of class” I say pointing to my uniform.

“Oh” he says seemingly only now noticing my uniform.

“How?”

“I got the Ashworth scholarship”

“Wow you really went through with it. Who would have thought we would both be here” he asks now composed after the initial shock.

“I know right. How are liking it here? Does it live up to all that we thought it would be?” I ask excitedly.

Before Trent can answer, a mountain of guy walks up to us.

“Hey Dig. Is my equipment ready for this afternoon?” he asks

“I put everything in your locker”

“Make sure to do Shaw’s as well” the guy says walking away.

“But Brad I-”

Brad turns back and stands so close to Trent their noses almost touching.

“Do we have a problem Digby?”

Fists clenched Trent replies; “No problem”

Brad walks off.

“What equipment was he talking about?” I ask.

“Lacrosse equipment?”

“Are you the equipment manager? I thought Wellington would have personnel for that type of thing.” I say.

“I am not the equipment manager” Trent says jaw clenched.

“Then why did that guy tell you to get their equipment ready?”

“It’s nothing”

“But-”

“Just drop it, Tom! It’s just how things are done around here, okay!” 

I know I won’t get him to tell me anything like this so I drop it.

For now.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

A/N

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- Oli 💌