Betrayal

1

      Blood was splattered across the wall, all over the knife I held and I was drenched.

      I thanked God my suit was red. I kicked the body under one of the beds in Medbay, then walked to vent. I lifted it, but I couldn't stop thinking about how Sabrina would feel. I did just kill her boyfriend.

      Summer break had just ended and it was time to go back for this year's semester at the Atlanta Interstellar Academy. It was a college for the academically intelligent students who graduated at the top of their classes in high schools all over America. Thankfully, I was chosen, and I decided to major in biological science, and as a little side hobby I like to study the plants, as well as the stars.

      The main attraction about the AIA is because of their event held every one year, the 'Nebula Challenge'. Where ten lucky students, from any grade, are chosen to compete against each other and complete tasks for reward money. For some reason, the winners never discuss what happened at the event. Such as James Valentine, he's a legend. He participated in the Challenge and won; surprisingly, he was the only one that we know of to continue to go to the school. The others drop out or graduate early, some just disappear.

      I just so happened to be in one of his classes this year, along with two other people I relatively enjoy being around, Diego Lotario and Quinn Black. It was an "A-Day" today, which means our third block will be with us in the cafeteria, with everybody else. Considering it marks the one year anniversary since the last Challenge, the principal's must select the students. If I will be honest, I prayed all last night that I'd be chosen.

      My class gathered around a large rectangular lunch table and sat facing the stage, where one large bucket sat by itself next to two microphone stands. The silence was so loud it made my ears ring. I decided since it'd take forever for everyone to pile in I'd catch up on some work I had for literature. I pulled out my notes and began writing; my friend, Quinn, just watched me as I scribbled.

      "Mia." She said, to which I kept staring down at the notebook and I hummed as a response. "Mrs. Gruver is looking." She said while nudging me, I quickly looked up at her and there she was, staring into my soul. "Jesus." I whispered.

      "Welcome, students!" A cheery voice came from the stage and I knew it was Victoria Stone, the principal. "We are gathered here today to pull the first five lucky students chosen for the Nebula Challenge!" She said.

      As she droned on about our grades and the tasks we must achieve before even thinking about putting our names in for consideration, my eyes wandered, as if they had a mind of their own. They dragged across the long, polished table, lingering from each student's hands which rested on the surface. I studied my peers, who were intently watching her with varying degrees of focus and concern.

      Then, it hit me. I had been staring at Archer Coy, a goofy kid with unruly hair and an infectious smile, someone I used to be good friends with. His eyes were fixed on the speaker, a slight furrow of concentration creasing his forehead.

      We had gone to senior prom together in high school, dancing under the dim, twinkling lights, laughing and sharing stories. I wonder if he remembers that anytime he looks at me. Does he think about how we drifted apart, how our paths diverged?

      I jerked my sight away from him, feeling a sudden pang of nostalgia mixed with awkwardness. My gaze landed on James, who was fidgeting restlessly in his seat. His leg was bouncing up and down like a piston, a nervous habit he couldn't seem to shake.

      "Now!" She screamed, which shook me out of my staring-at-people trance, to glaring at her. "Mr. Sterling if you would?" She said and waved her arm towards our assistant principal, Dominic Sterling. He walked up to the large bowl and dipped his fingers inside. I felt the whole room shift, from bored as hell, to terrifyingly nervous.