Emaria

chapter two.

Wc: 1063

As predicted, the two students that had gotten into a fight the first day of school, weren't seen after that. When lunch ended that day, the guards did not hesitate to drag them off kicking and screaming. Before anyone could see where the guards were bringing the kids, they disappeared down a corridor that was restricted to students. It was common knowledge that it had led to the Dean's office even though there was no indication that it did.

But that whole day hadn't been bad. Right before Jordan and I headed inside for 5th period, she ushered me past my class because she wanted me to meet her friends ("You clearly have no friends," were her exact words). We made it to the eleventh-grade lockers before we stopped in front of two people.

"Guys, this is AJ, a stray." Jordan said impassively.

"Not a stray, just kidnapped." I muttered. Both the girls turn to us. One was short with tan skin, contained plenty of Native American features, and was maybe 5'3 tops. But she made up for height for being an absolute tank of a person. She looked like she could easily bench close to 200 lbs.

"Oh hi." She smiled nonchalantly and pushed her short dark hair out of her face (curtain bangs ate!). The other girl stood maybe two or three inches taller. Her hair was long, thick and bright orange. She had a plumper build and a promising smile. The girls accepted me into their group without hesitation and didn't let up on the sarcasm since then.

With three new people as potential friends to keep me entertained until the end of the year, I considered the first day of junior year as a win. Now the only challenge is trying to get through the rest of the year without dying or getting anyone killed.

December was the scariest month that Earth sees each year. And although I was used to the harsh conditions winter brings, the elders say that it was never nearly as bad as it was these days depending on where you lived. Winter was a season that brought lots of people happiness. It brought snow, it brought holidays, family, and long-lasting traditions. But when Earth died, so did the celebrations. Now all that winter brought was harsh storms, sickness, and deathbeds. That didn't stop the Dean from making us go to 'school' every year. Our test scores were far more important than our lives. Because either way, we're going to die.

"I wonder what Emaria is really like..." Everyone at the lunch table looked up from their food at Clowie. Jordan groaned as she placed her hands on her face. Almost as if this was a daily occurrence. I set my fork down on my metal tray. The school had luckily let us eat in the indoor cafeteria today not wanting to purposely kill us.

"What do you mean?" I asked genuinely confused.

"She always does this." Madison rolled her eyes, "'What if they're not actually that bad? It could be a paradise!' Bullshit." She mocked.

Clowie cracked a nervous smile. "Hear me out-"

"Listen Clowie," Jordan interrupted, "If Emaria was a good place, at all, they wouldn't have left a half of the population down here on Earth all those years ago to suffer and die."

"I just mean, what if there was a reason? Were our ancestors bad people? There could be things that the elders aren't telling us." She put her hands up in surrender.

"I mean..It could make sense." I added.

"Do not encourage this." Jordan deadpanned.

"Well, Clowie, you probably won't have to question for much longer." Madison stated sourly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" The redhead asked cautiously.

"You're currently failing three classes. You won't be here for much longer." Madison moved her hair from her face and went back to eating without a care in the world.

"I didn't know you knew about that-" My eyes shoot to Clowie.

"Clowie- What? Three classes-"

"Why didn't you tell us this?" Jordan asked. "We can help you raise your grades."

"Guys! I've got it covered. I'll have my grades up by midterms. I promise."

The other three of us just exchanged a look. We knew how empty promises sound and we knew that Clowie wasn't as confident as she wanted us to believe she was.

Jordan ruined my day, to put it simply. I don't know how good of a day you can have when everything is constantly dying around you, but today wasn't as shitty as days usually are. We're creeping up on spring once again and the winter storms are cooling down. All my friends and family had made it through it all and I was starting to appreciate my luck slightly.

School was jarring as usual when Jordan pulled me into the bathroom after our sparring class right before lunch. She seemed to be pondering something and that worried me a bit.

"What are we doing here?" I whine pathetically, "I'm hungry." She didn't answer immediately. I watched her pace for about thirty seconds before she turned back to me.

"I'm going to be drafted this year."

For a second or two I just stared at her.

"Woah. I'm sorry. Repeat that? It almost sounded as if you said-"

"I'm being drafted to Emaria." She paused. "It's because I failed my classes...On purpose."

"What? Jordan this is crazy! Why would you even THINK about doing that? You have no idea what it's like up there!"

"It's for Clowie!" She raised her voice slightly. "She couldn't get her grades up in time and well...Spring is almost here. We have a month left before the Dean makes his decisions. And I know Clowie won't have any chances of surviving in Emaria by herself."

"Jordan! Listen to yourself! You have no idea what happens in Emaria. For all we know it could be the paradise the Dean always says it is." Jordan rolls her eyes, "Plus, failing your classes doesn't just give you a free ticket to Emaria. The professors and the Dean have a whole voting system and expectations! And, and-" Is it really worth us losing you too?

"AJ, you just have to trust me. I know that's asking a lot given the situation, but please. Do not tell Clowie or Madison. Not yet anyway." And with that Jordan left me in the bathroom. The only thing that could be heard was the shuffling of students moving through the hallway and the faucet dripping.