Universally One

Chapter 1: Click

For some reason, a random suburban city has the atmospheric mentality for perfect weather. There hasn't been a day in sight where it rained or thunderstormed or grew dark. I guess that's how we symbolize peace. Unbothered by nature. This place is technically the world's 8th wonder. No one will ever care to ask or even notice sometimes. 

"Milan!" Sana touched my shoulder.

"Madam Ro is coming, get up!"

I took off my headphones and shoved it under my desk. No one should be seen slacking in front of Madame Ro. Thank god for Sana. The sound of heels clicking grew louder with the fading chatter of teenage beings rushing to their seats. We all waited for a split second before the door swung open. With the same air tight hair bun, Madame Ro walked to the front of her desk.

"Alright, pull out your statistics textbooks. Start with the practice problems on page 146."

Ugh. Same old crummy, excessively written textbook for us to memorize part of momentarily.

Matter of fact, same old uniform, same old lunch, same old classrooms, same old hallways.
Same old weather. 

"Now, there should be silence for a good 20 minutes. Anyone that dares to disturb or slack during class time shall be escorted to the principal's office." She said with her eyes turned to her copy of the textbook.

Another 20 minutes of my day wasted. And another hour and thirty minutes wasted after that. Why can't teachers be more interactive?
History with Monsieur Beck and Pottery with Madame Isa are the only classes I like. History because it's quite interesting. Pottery because it's a fun hobby. I landed a spot at Blairedun because of a historical thesis on the Byzantine Empire's architectural revolution. I'm kind of an ace when it comes to art and history. BlaireDun Academy is half filled with academic stuck-ups and those who leech off of their parents money to stay. I'm not either. Not a stuck-up but definitely not a parental muncher. Principal Riley is a major history guy himself and the sudden appearance of my paper in his morning tabloid brought me here. In a life cycle where the only good thing that comes from attending is the title of the place I go to. Not what I endure.

"Ah, ah, ah. Pack up at the bell. This last minute is still class time." Madame Ro said with a death-like stare at the whole class.
The bell rang and it became chaotic again. The halls poured with kids from size 14 to 18.

"Millie, do you have 1 rai on you?" Sana asked.

"Yeah, give me a second to pull it out."

"Cool, wait for me here. I have to go grab something from the vending machine and then we can head to lunch."

"Sounds good!" I said with a mere smile.

BlaireDun's cafeteria is abnormally huge. Classroom's strangely colorful. Gym freakishly high. Music room specifically round. Art classes are widely decorated. And the list goes on. With a reputation of the best academy in Vellanmar, it's only proper to go all out with every program here.

"When was the last time we had spring rolls here?" Sana asked.

"Or am I just absent a lot?"

She was. As much as I hated the feeling of realizing Sana wouldn't be in school some days, she didn't feel her absence as much as I did. Regardless, she was the only friend I had. One that is loyal at least. Everyone else are people that simply know who I am.

"Are you doing anything after school?" she said with her chopstick poking at the rolls.

"Hmm.. maybe go down to the open market and find some fila berries to get through the rest of the week"

"Of course, I can't deny the queen of fila berries the right to meet her next victims. But, if you do change your mind, come shopping with me, May and Julie?"

"I think I'm good. You guys go ahead, I'll join next time."

"Worth a shot." she said with a little whimper.

If there's one thing I hate, it's hanging out with people I don't know. That explains a lot on my part if I'm honest. It's just unpleasant.

"Sana, did you bring the camera?" I asked enthusiastically to change the topic.

"Yep! It's my dad's vintage X5 Rio cam. He doesn't use it anymore so it's all yours milady." she winked.

"Stop being so cute. My heart melts every time you do that."

Sana was the definition of girl crush at school, even I fall for her at times.

"And thank you for this, your dad is super cool for having it previously." I said in awe of the silver rimmed camera lens that was unique from the rest of the freakishly insane parts.

"Of course, Mille." her smile warm.

The rest of the school day came to an end. I put on a pair of white shorts and a light yellow tee before heading out. I grabbed the camera Sana gave me too. Time for a test run I guess.