TAINTED ROSE

Chapter 3- Perfects

“Okay, can we go show her around the school now?” Rose whined.

“ I got to go anyway. See you guys later.” Crystal nodded and left.

"The Perfects get the best stuff. Don't ask why." Sherry said as they strolled along the pathway to the shiny and polished block that stood out as a jewel in the school.

As they neared the block, Adolpha felt an irrational sense of fear. Was it just she, or was someone spying on her?

"Oh wow." she gasped as they entered the block. Perfects whizzed around on their scooters, wearing ink blue blazers and blue checked miniskirts. The floors were pure marble and polished so well you could see your face in it. In the centre, was a giant waterfall with mermaids spurting out water. On the ceiling hung a giant diamond chandelier.

"You think? Kind of tacky." Rose picked delicately at her fingernails.

"Crystal's a Perfect in training. Until then, she stays with us." Sherry said. A group of Perfects walked past, turning their noses up and their faces away.

"They think Assassins are lowly commoners. Perfects are a bunch of high handed snobs." Helen said, waving the thought away with her hand.

"Hey! What are you doing in here? You're not supposed to be here!" A security guard ran towards them.

"Run!" Pearlyn shouted.

As they ran, Adolpha yelled, “Why did we even go there in the first place? Are we even allowed to go there?”

“No! But we figured out it would be a good idea if you knew who are the snobs in this school!” Helen yelled back.

“Guys, in here!” Crystal beckoned to them, holding a door wide. She had seen them running away from the security guards. They ran in, glad to escape from them.

“Where are we?” Adolpha asked as they switched on the lights. They were in a dark, musty room. The light coming from the chandelier was dim and cast an orange glow on the room. A dark red carpet lined the room. In the middle of the room was a large round table, with a bunch of lilies as the centrepiece. Books filled every square inch of the room. Most of them were carelessly strewn on the floor.

A world map hung at the side, with darts in certain places. Except for them, there was another group cleaning the room. “This is the library. The pride of The Academy.” Helen said in hushed tones.

 “Other than the Perfects block.” Natasha rolled her eyes.

“Wow.” Adolpha murmured.

“Don’t worry Adol. This is not a restricted area.” Helen reassured her.

They walked around the library in silence, with Natasha pointing out the history.” Adolpha, this is Trina, Katy, Ally, Lisa and Calista.” Pearlyn introduced her to the group. “Oh, so you’re the girl who spilled her dinner all over Princess!” Trina’s eyes widened in recognition. “Was it really that bad?” Adolpha blushed.

“No one crosses Princess. You’re the second one to do so, you know.” Lisa snuck a quick look at Rose.

“It’s your first day, isn’t it? You’ve been making quite a sensation in school.” Katy said dryly. Calista nodded. She had always been the quiet type. Ally pursed her lips. She didn’t trust Adolpha.

“Hey, wanna hear a pick up line?” Katy said suddenly, to break the awkward silence. “A what?” Adolpha asked, confused. “Do you know why I look so tired?” Katy continued.

“No, I…” Adolpha stuttered. “Because I’ve been running for you!” Katy threw her head back and cackled. The look Katy received from Adolpha was a blank one.

“Come on guys, let’s go.” Sherry looked at her watch. “We only have an hour before we have to go back to our dormitories.” Saying goodbye to her new friends, Adolpha walked out of the library with her group.

They took the short cut and walked across the Arts Gallery.

“Whoa. Some of the artworks are really beautiful here.” Adolpha said. “I know. Venetia’s really good at Art.” Rose smiled, pointing at a girl sitting in front of a large canvas.

“Whoa!” Adolpha had tripped over a stone. “You okay?” Sherry picked her up.

“Yeah.” Adolpha replied uncertainly, wiping off the dirt from her uniform. She shot daggers at the stone she tripped over." Hey...this doesn't look like a normal stone. What is it?” she pointed at the stone.

“Oh, that? It’s a time capsule. It’s been sealed about…five years ago? Quite recent.” Pearlyn informed her.

“What’s inscribed on it?” Adolpha asked.

“Don’t know. Actually, no one has been able to decode it.” Natasha admitted. “We’ve asked and asked, but ManneQueens won’t tell.” Helen continued.

“Anyway, they probably won’t know.” Crystal said quickly. Adolpha raised her eyebrows.

I wonder if you do…

“So, anyway, Adolpha, do you want to see where you sleep?” Rose asked cheerfully, breaking the awkward silence once more. “Okay.” Adolpha was so sick and tired of the awkward silences the group had, she would do anything to escape them.

“Wait, Rose. Don’t go that way.” Helen called out. Rose was about to head in the direction of the school basement. “Aw, it’s a shortcut!” Rose complained.

“Haven’t you heard? The school basement is haunted.” Pearlyn whispered. Adolpha leaned in closer. This was interesting.

“So, what’s the story?” Apparently, Rose was not convinced. She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Pearlyn.

“That’s the problem- we don’t know the story.” Sherry said. “I should think that there would be a better reason than that.” Rose huffed.

Natasha gave up. “Okay, so a girl and her friend were playing hide and seek. The girl went into the basement and she never came back.”

“That’s it?” Rose looked scandalised. “It isn’t even scary at all!” “The friend was devastated. Said that it was all her fault. The usual stuff.” Natasha continued to Adolpha who looked interested.

“Ten years later, the friend dies in a car crash. No one knows how the hell it happened. Something was wrong with the bolts. But anyway, the girl suddenly turns out of nowhere. She dreamt of her friend’s death.” Adolpha nodded. “You know, predicted it.” Natasha finished.

“So all we’re saying is, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Don’t go down to the school basement.” Helen concluded.

“Oh... Okay…”Adolpha stammered back. Her new friends were scaring her.

“Can we go now?”  Rose glared impatiently at them. “Rose. Wait.” Helen held Rose by the shoulders. She squirmed. “Rose, look me in the eye and tell me you will never ever go down there.” Helen’s face and voice was cool and controlled.

“I…I promise.” Rose made an effort to say. “Wonderful. Let’s go.” Helen said. As they left, Adolpha heard Helen murmur under her breath, “Bet you’d go there when we’re not looking.”

They spent the rest of the walk to the dormitories in silence.