Hi, I'm Laurence Blackbourn a 16 year old student who will be starting his first semester as a student at Angel's Academy for the Gifted in Angeles, Pampanga just a few miles from his hometown in Mexico. This will be my first school where I won't be watched by my family and relatives who are always behind me. Hah, Independent life here I come. I wonder why the private school is only for the gifted. According to the brochure which was sent to me, they only allow student who has a certain gift. My mom immediately sent a reply slip saying I'll attend the said school. I don't even know which gift they are talking about. Is it my talent in deductive reasoning? Or my ability to be nondescript in every way possible? Ahh whatever at least I'm studying, as in studying outside my house not home schooled.
"Kid!"
I looked up from the book I was reading to find myself staring at the jeepney driver. "What?"
"Aren't you going down? This is the last stop."
"Oh. Sorry." I jumped down then asked. "Where do I go if I want to go to Angel's Academy?"
"Angel's Academy? I heard that school s bad news wi' al the rumors of it having initiation rites. One time, a student there died. I saw 'er body full off bite marks as if an animal ate 'er up and spit 'er out."
"Really?" I need to get more information from this sort of things especially when I go to the same school. Its as if my dad just stood with me and shouted 'Learn more about the place you're going to.'
"Yeah. Be careful. One piece of advise you might want to follow. Don't trust anyone."
"Thanks. And the way?"
"Oh yes. Ride the yellow jeep here. They will drop you off at the next jeep which is the blue one."
"Thanks again."
"Welcome. Now off you go."
I walked towards the yellow jeep to resume my voyage.
***
36 minutes later and I stood in front of the gate of the school. Other students milled around waiting for the bell to ring. I even spied some jerks pushing a kid around as if some soft ball. I remember my dad telling me not to get involve yourself in something that might get yourself into trouble. I pushed my way into the throng of students and door to find myself blocked by two girls.
"You new here?" said the blonde girl.
"Yeah. As of now I'm on my way to the registrar to get my schedule and room and locker number."
"We can give you a tour, right Michelle?" said the one with brown hair.
"Yeah, I think so." said Michelle. "Before the tour, introductions first. I'm Michelle Brandor, I'm the president of the student council. And this is Terry Williams. Now your name."
They seem okay, I thought they would be the one who treats us like underdogs."Yeah, Sorry its Laurence Blackbourn." I held out my hand to Michelle. She eyed my hand and shake it hesitantly.
"So the tour." She said in a business like tone.
They showed me the classroom, the gymnasium where the welcome freshman will be held, the football field, the dormitories and lastly the registrar. They said their goodbyes and moved on to whoever is new.
Ah well. I turned and went inside. The room is furnished with two desks on the left and a counter with cabinets lining the right wall. The room is occupied by 6 people, two of which are employees and the rest are either old and regular students or new students. I jumped in line and waited for my turn. I'm at the back of a boy dressed in Hawaiian polo and khaki shorts. He must have known I was there because he turned around and greeted me.
"Hi, I'm Brian Rivers, But you can call me Rivs. Everybody calls me that. What's yours?"
Everybody seems nice but I suddenly remembered what jeepney driver said about trusting people to become friendly or something like that. But it doesn't hurt to be polite so I shook his hand and said my name.
"Blackbourn? Are you related to the owner, Emmanuel Blackbourn?" He inquired.
"Dunno. I haven't heard that name before. And owner of what?"
"The school. His family were the ones who built this school."
"Really, interesting." One more thing to research. I don't think this is just a random pick of school.
"Next!" shouted the one who handles the registry.
"Oops my turn. See you later." Rivs grinned and marched towards the desk.
I waited for my turn. A few minutes later, I heard my name called. When I stood in front of the desk, the old registrar handed me my papers, which includes my schedule and my dorm room papers.
"Is this all?" I inquired.
"Yes my dear. In fact you're class for Algebra is starting in-" she checked her wrist watch and smiled. "-in 25 minutes. So I suggest you run off to your first subject. We wouldn't want to be late, do we?"
"No ma'am, thanks."
"Ahh wait, before you go, you can leave your luggage here, so you wouldn't be carrying that around."
I put my suitcase where the other bags are and half ran to where the map of the school is posted. I looked at my schedule to see that my Algebra starts at 9:30 at room 301. I searched for the room. Great. It's found in the building next to where I am. Just need to run for a couple of minutes then I'm there. I dashed away around people and corners. Out onto the next building where my class is about to start.
***
Whoo. Finally made it. I went inside the room to find myself in a jam-packed room. At least a normal one. The people I have met earlier are too nice. Even the old lady in the registrar is too nice. Normally because of her job being too tense, she would be a little bit snappy. But she is too nice. I'm not saying that its bad, it's just unnerving. Argh, enough. This is just the first time in a school. I looked around for a place to sit. And then I found Rivs waving his arm at me towards a sit next to him and a girl in a t-shirt with the band Kiss plastered on the front.
"Hey, We are in the same class. A coincidence huh?" Rivs grinned.
"I guess so." A voice said 'This is a bad idea Laurence. You should not make any friends yet.'
"Oh shut up. This is my chance." I hissed.
"What?" Rivs smile faded.
"Nothing. Sorry, I was talking to myself." Great. Now I'm weird.
***
