SkyEarth (Reborn) Book 1: Stratos Rising

Chapter 9: Class of 13

"Hullo. My name is Shaun Ingary. I used to live in Agrotika and now I live here."

Shaun stood in front of a couple of dozen students in a classroom of Brooke Academy. Today was his first day of school, and he'd been dreading about it but also anticipating it. In his new uniform of bronze blazers, taupe ties, and dark grey slacks, he looked mature and handsome. He even saw some girls in his class looking at him like cats looking at fish in a fish tank.

Upon mentioning where he came from, there was a round of murmurs among students. The news about the mysterious bombing had reached even here. One student caught Shaun's eye, a boy at the very back of the classroom who didn't seem very happy to see him. Shaun had his fair share of bullies back in Agrotika. He had defended Oliver from three larger kids back in their elementary days. Why should this school be any different?

Speaking of Oliver, Shaun felt a pang of disappointment when he heard that students from the other Rings won't be sharing a single class together. Apparently students were assigned by the supervisors to a class in one of the three buildings representing their respective Ring: the Andrea Bldg. for Outer Ring and Outskirts students, the Josefina Bldg. for Middle Ring students, and the Emilia Bldg. for Inner Ring students. Since Oliver hailed from the poorest Ring, he was assigned a class in the larger and aged Andrea Bldg. while Shaun, of the Middle Ring, went to a class in the decent looking Josefina Bldg. The Emilia Bldg. wins the prize for architectural design.

So much for all-around Shaun thought bitterly.

"Okay." said Mr. Vandenberg, who teaches Science. "I hope you feel welcome in our class and in your new home, Mr. Ingary. Now find yourself a seat and let's get started on the lessons."

Shaun had missed a few things ever since the beginning of the school year, but he quickly caught up with his lessons. He wrote what needs to be written on his notebooks, listened to the important stuff in his classes, answered the appropriate answers when questioned by his teachers, and read what needs to be read when they were assigned to read by the teachers. So far he loved some of the subjects in his school like English Literature (taught by Miss Santos), History and Social Studies (taught by Mr. Lyle Andrews), Art and Music (taught by former folk singer Robert Delaney) and Philosophy (by Mr. Manuel Jorge), even though he admitted that it was hard and confusing.

The day had been a great first day... Until free period arrived.

...

Back in class, the teachers had announced that clubs and extra-curricular activities are open for those who want to sign up. In the hallways, posted on the school boards were lists of clubs, sports teams, and other extra-curriculars, their schedules and location of sign ups. A lot of students crowded in the hallways to see what clubs/teams/extra-curriculars to join, where and when to sign up. Shaun had never tried joining in any clubs back in his former school but he's gonna start right now. He managed to sign up to the Lit Club and the football team.

After he managed to take note of the schedules and locations, he was about to go to his next class when he saw a lone boy in the hallways.

The boy looked about thirteen or fourteen, his posture slouched. He was short, with long unkempt black hair, a black so greasy that his hair might have been ruffled raven feathers. His skin looked thin and pale as paper. Hidden under those long jagged bangs, his eyes were black as ink, blank and dead looking, ringed with dark circles that made him look like a raccoon. He wore a black and white striped scarf around his neck, ripped and torn at the ends. The boy looked exhausted, thin, and frail, almost as if he suffered from both anemia and insomnia.

And the strangest thing about the boy was his right hand. It was made of metal.

The metal hand looked like a knight's gauntlet. It was made of bronze and steel, and the boy was able to move his thumb and fingers, opening and closing his hand. Speaking of fingers, the tips looked like oversized fountain pen nibs stained with ink. And it's not just his right hand that was stained in ink. Smudges of ink were on his blazer, pants, scarf, and one side of his cheek below his dark eyes.