A Matter Of Choice

Chapter 18: Enslaved

I’m back. My plan was a failure. I’m stupid. Did I really think about it?

I’m sitting again at my least favorite place— I am again in school, sitting at my armchair near the window, staring at nowhere. I’ve been sitting here for three hours straight. Darius made me wear a necklace which is actually a disguised tracker so he can track every move of mine. He sees to it that the only places I go are school and home, which actually sucks real hard. I can’t even go to the market with Fiona anymore. I mean, do they really have to do that?

I heard Marva clear her throat. “As I said a while back, I have an announcement to make. As many of you know, Sheffield lets junior and senior year students to join the Academy Clash.”

“Chosen students of every institution will fight each other to win the national cup, which entitles the winning school, apart from extra bragging rights, the privilege to host each event that will happen for the entire school year plus, of course, additional fifty points for the next competition.” She continued.

Academy Clash? It’s not like Panem’s Hunger Games, isn’t it?

“There will be three groups consisting of five members representing each institution. Since it is still two weeks away, we will have time to choose the right students to be entering the Clash and to train them as well. The names of the chosen students will be posted the day after tomorrow.”

That was the highlight of my day. Aside from being constantly reminded to listen attentively in class, for I was often caught looking afar, and spying on the prince, my days are usually boring. After a few more hours of intense boredom, the bell finally rang to signal the end of another day.

I rode the school bus quietly, sitting on my usual seat at the backmost part of the bus. Usually, no one sits with me. They normally act as if I never exist. But this afternoon, one brave soul sat beside me and talked to me.

“Hey.” He said, making himself comfortably seated next to me. He ran his right hand through his blond hair, which made hair, which made his facial features show more. “Belle, right?”

“Isabella.” I said. After all, only Fiona, Nat and the boys call me Belle.

“Whatever.” I heard him mumble. “I’m Caleb. Anyway, do you want to join the Academy Clash?”

“I dunno.”

He grinned at me and sighed. His friends, who were seated a few seats away, I noticed, were staring at both of us. It was as if they made a bet if this guy could talk to me for five minutes. “You are tough, you know? Sheffield could use you.”

I let him keep on talking. I wasn’t really impressed but everything he says seemed significant. With my frequent nodding, he told me more about the Academy Clash.

“I could get you there, if you want to. Just call me if you are interested.” He said. He handed me a small piece of paper and left. As I have guessed, he rejoined his friends and even high-fived with them all.

What an asshole.

-

I arrived at home a little earlier than the rest that I had time to fix myself up before dinner. Fiona was there, of course, for Darius specifically instructed her not to leave the house unless Lucas is there. Yes, Lucas is the only person Darius trusts now. What Kyle and I did to him seemed too unforgivable to him. But of course, we understand. We were stupid enough to think that Darius is foolish as we are.

I was already dressed when I heard a knock on my door. Thinking that it was either Fiona or the boys, I opened the door. I was surprised to see Darius standing before me, staring at me coldly.