TAINTED ROSE

Chapter 2 - The Class

But it also weakens one’s resolve…         

Loud voices rang from the class, the occasional scream interjected from the clamour of chaos, reverberating through the corridors of the school. Teachers poked their heads out of the classroom door, glaring at the class, 2/4. Shaking her head, nodding apologetically at the other teachers, Ms Lois hastened her pace to the class. Obviously annoyed by the noise, the new one followed in Ms Lois’s wake, her hands covering her eyes.

A particularly loud voiced girl, chatting with her clique, sent everyone running back to their seats as she hollered, “ CLASS STAND!” and Ms Lois entered, a bit perplexed by the shouting. She lectured everyone before letting them seat. “We have a new addition to our class today,” beckoning the girl, the class watched a girl, bandages replacing her lack of shoes, walking up calmly to the front of the class.

“My name is Adolpha. Pleased to make your acquaintance. “ Respectfully lowering her gaze, she glanced back up to see the class accessing her. The lanky girl looked strong and could be useful in many manual ways.

“You may sit next to Sherry.” Smiling, Sherry waved Adolpha to an empty seat next to her. A longhaired girl sat in the seat on Sherry’s right. “Hi, I'm Pearlyn.” Grinning, she shook hands with the girl.

The lesson flowed through smoothly, with the occasionally volume of the class raising and getting berated. When the bell signalled the end of the school day for dinner, Adolpha was approached by a few girls.

“Yo, I'm Lynn, your class president. The nerd next to me is the vice-president, Madge. There are two Madges in class by the way. If you need help with anything, just ask Madge or me eh? See you around! Well, provided you pass the F.A.S.T test!” Thumped on the shoulder, Adolpha was perfectly content in keeping her mouth shut.

“Hey, I'm Rose, and these are my two crazy friends, Natasha and Helen. Nice to see a new face around. You’re in our dorm, together with Sherry, Crystal, Pearlyn and the three of us, mmkay? Crystal is dorm leader, so listen to her, hmm?” Smiling, Rose continued to yap away as Pearlyn and Sherry trailed behind the group, all heading towards the canteen.

“Oh, this is Crystal! Hi Crystal!” Rose introduced Adolpha to a pale, slender girl, with dark brown eyes and silky straight brown hair. “Crystal, this is Adolpha. Adolpha, Crystal.” Adolpha stretched out her hand in greeting. Crystal glared at Adolpha.

“Crystal, we’ve been through this.” Helen said through clenched teeth. “Shake her hand.”

Crystal rolled her eyes at Helen and shook Adolpha’s hand.  As Crystal shook her hand, Adolpha felt a sharp sly pinch from Crystal.

“Crystal, we need to talk.” Natasha pursed her lips and dragged her to a corner.

“Do your feet still hurt?” Sherry looked worried at the bandaged feet. Nodding, Adolpha made a thumb up sign. From next half an hour, the group learnt many things from Adolpha. Her unique facial expressions and gestures spoke for her. 

“Actions mean more than words.” She explained simply.

 Sherry understood more than the rest and translated often. Adolpha was indeed the personification of the word silent. If you looked up the dictionary on ‘stoner’ you would find Adolpha there.

Sherry smiled, knowing what her new friend was going through. As a child, she had spent her childhood carefree, like any other child. Going to school, reading and watching television were her life. But an accident took everything away. Sherry fell asleep on the couch after watching her favourite television programme and when she woke up, a fire had engulfed her home in flames. How did the fire started remained a mystery.