A University for the Gifted

Chapter 2: The Al Twins

Word count: 2819

September 1st

Whoa.

I didn't know how else to describe this place. And this was only the lobby.

The marble walls and floor were so polished, I could see my reflection. I spotted an indoor fountain with water shooting out in patterns. I noticed that the timing and height of the geyser's spouts corresponded to the beats of the song playing, which I found pretty cool if you ask me. I looked above to see a ceiling with a moon and stars all over it, slowly changing into a sky with clouds.

"Hello, may I help you?"

I jumped and whipped my head to the direction of the voice to see a professionally dressed woman behind the desk smile warmly at me.

She wasn't there before. Where could she have possibly come from?

"Um, is this UUG?", I replied dumbly. I still didn't know how I saw a shack at first. Perhaps I was hallucinating.

Yeah, that must've been it.

"Yes. You must be a new student. Most newcomers came half an hour ago, but the first day of college begins today, so there's no need to worry. Also, it will be explained why this university looked like a shack on first glance at the orientation. If you take the elevator to the second floor and walk forwards until you reach the seventh door on the right, you will find yourself at the lecture theatre. That is where the orientation will take place, which is in," she paused to look at her watch,

"five minutes. When it ends, we~ I," she corrected herself. "will show you around, okay? Now off you go, don't want to be late, do you?"

My jaw dropped at her words. I'm not the only one who has seen a shack instead, apparently. Well, that's a good thing I guess. It means I'm not in need of going to the mental hospital.

"Uh, no, ma'am. Thank you. I'll be on my way now." I said, waving goodbye as I pressed the elevator button. It opened immediately and I pulled my suitcase inside then pushed the 'Floor Two' button.

During the elevator ride, I thought about the strange things that have happened today. The alarm clock flying into the wall without me touching it. The tiny shack that slowly changed into this humongous university. The receptionist appearing out of nowhe~

Ding.

The doors opened to reveal a hallway bustling with students shuffling around. Most were heading to the same direction I was. So they must've been new too.

I navigated my way through the corridors to find the lecture theatre. About twenty other students were waiting outside. I was wondering why there was such a small amount of freshmen when the doors opened and the students surged forward.

There were about twenty five seats but the stage was vast, around sixty feet (approximately twenty meters) long. What all the space is for, I didn't know. I took one of the back seats hoping no one would sit next to me.

No offence to humans but I don't like beings with opposable thumbs. Annie and Lilly were exceptions due to the fact that they dislike them too. All for the same reason: we can't trust anyone more than ourselves. Humans are unreliable, dangerous, and predictable. It's so much easier for someone to choose bad over good, crime over justice, greed over generosity. Many people say that the past plays a part, but in the end, you are the one who decides. I never believed in sacrifice because it seemed so superficial if you think about it. I mean, let's face it. We all know humans can turn their backs on each other if they need to. Animals are much better anyway~