Easthein High

❀Ⅳ. Master's Piece of Advice

School library had always been my comfort place. It used to be my cafeteria to avoid students from throwing their food at me. I even had a custom room especially prepared by the librarians for me. Of course, they pity the girl who always comes with a bruise.

Libraries should only be filled with silence but the trio I'm taking with me only ignore the librarians' sharp glares. Nonetheless, the shocking part was that, I didn't care.

"'Somethings in my skirt! Somethings in my skirt!' turns out it was just the feathers from her scarf!" Gina exposed, continued with laughter. "The professor was so fed up; he finished the class early."

"How about when the dolls got kicked out from a night club that they always go to." Denise added, air-quoting 'always'. I can't hold my laughter anymore and died wheezing and so does the other three.

After previously finishing dinner, I found out my new friends were as much as an obsess in studying. We hang out in the library until curfew and I can't argue more if there's any other way to enjoy school night. Judging from the librarians' glum looks when we enter, they were their frequent visitors. The least favorite too it seemed.

Gina and Georgia were childhood friends for as long as they remember and met fine-looking Denise along the way 'he told me to address him like that'. They welcomed me like they've known me since forever.  I feel warm.

❀

"Well, would you look at that, an emo and a...loser," Sabine hissed and sipped coffee from her pink mug.

Having no energy to quarrel, I went into the toilet and clean up before bed but right after I return back into my room, my heart dropped. Papers thrown everywhere, my uniform were teared to pieces and my body-length mirror were written harsh warning with lipstick.

'Think you can survive in my zone? Think again, loser'

My blood grew cold, should I report this? But that would mean I'm weak and a loud mouth. My mind jumbled into million thoughts that I can't seem to sort out.

'How should I go to class tomorrow?'

Georgia, as if sensing I'm in danger comforted my shallow breaths. "It's fine, let me handle this." She stormed out of my room after placing her extra uniform on my bed. I heard shouts and bickering from the other side of the door then after a good 15 minutes, they stopped. Didn't catch any sound of flying furniture, I presumed it should be fine. Right?

Figures entering my room, stop me in my trance. Gone were her mischievous smirk. Their wet hair didn't seem from after a shampoo.

"I'm sorry," the dolls apologized in unison then left the room without saying anything more.

❀

A month had passed since I enrolled here. To tell the truth, I still feel like a stranger and recalling the life I had buried only make my heart heavy. I had everything that I ever dreamed. Friends, freewill and school projects that I actually enjoy doing. The shackles that tied me down before is no longer an obstacle.

There is one dream, my one truest dream that I haven't touch nor make a move on. I thought it'll be the first thing I'd done here but my sketchbook remained untouched. Maybe the scene where my dad ripped up my comics still left a scar. Maybe he's right. It'll only just be a measly hobby and nothing more.

During Personal Study period, I roamed the castle once more. Something about this school's scenery made me feel motivated anytime I feel down. The students who are all determined to achieve their goals, the teachers who made sure everyone get at least a bucketful knowledge after class and the headmaster who never let any student body ever regret enrolling here. The school really lived up to its big name.

Passing through the art rooms, I saw amateur yet talented artists give complete effort on their canvas and they were mesmerizing. They're currently drawing a garden of flowers. One look uniquely different than the other.

"Were those petunias?" I whispered, more to myself.

"They are." A voice said behind me and I jumped, startled.

Headmaster Salvador stood in all glory; his hands tied to his back. Some of his blond hair turning grey, signifying his maturity. I only bowed and excused myself but he stopped me from stepping away further.

"I heard you're an artist too, Miss...Anderson." Feeling overwhelmed with his pressuring gaze, I only nodded. He then gestured to follow him to few classes on the right. "This studio is always empty, such pity." He continued, full with hidden meaning.

❀

The next day, I peeped the previous art studio and as expected, its empty. I feel relieved somehow.

'There's no harm in checking, right?'

I found my place in a stool that by some magical reason, calls my name. Surprisingly, the paints here hadn't dried out even though this studio is abandoned for a long time. I picked up a pencil and draw confident strokes of guidelines. Not realizing how much time had passed, I unintentionally finished a panel. It was simple but still took lots of determination. The panel described how much I had missed my family. Unfortunately, I can no longer afford that luxury after shamelessly leaving them.

"That was one sad piece." Headmaster Salvador interrupted my thought after I fail to hear his knocks. He hands out a flyer to me. The one I had stared at multiple times on noticeboards but too scared to snatch.

I shook my head. "No, sir. It's a big competition, I don't think I can win."

"Who said anything about winning? Just try it out, who knows what it can lead you." He left the flyer on the stool next to me and left right after he receive a call.

'Not about winning? Just try it out?' those words sound so bizarre to me. I was trained to be a weapon that conquered all the titles ever named. Finally reaching the flyer, I pocketed it in my skirt, securing it.

As I get up, I felt different shades of wrong from my lower stomach.

'Great, just great.'

❀

"Umm...there's something on your skirt."

"Really? Thanks for noticing, Captain Obvious." I said with sarcasm.

Wyatt Fenning, or Mr. Stranger snarled in annoyance. He brushed off my shoulder when he went pass me and headed to his group of friends. All look as narcissist and self-centered as him. 

Gina saw my uncomfortable expression, ran to my side and realized what's the reason. She unhooked the blazers around her hip and put it on mine.

"Where have you been? You missed dinner. You never missed the most important thing of the day!" Denise muffled, His mouth still full with sausages, I assumed.

"Just handling some stuff about my allowance." I gritted the lie between my teeth and thankfully, they bought it.

"I should too. This month's had been delayed long enough." Gina said and post her complaints on the school website. Anonymously, of course.

"Where's Georgia?"

"I thought she's with you?" Denise asked, confused.

That's weird. Too weird. Just before I could text her whereabouts, she strolled to my side from behind. Beside her is a girl that almost made me wet my pants. Her cheekbones visibly sunken from the healthy weight she gained. I thought I was imagining things but her puzzled look proved me I'm not.

"George?"