All of a sudden, our supposed teacher went inside the room to start the lesson for today. He greeted us good morning. And made a roll call. He started:
Alexa Goodman
A girl with black hair raised her hand flimsily.
The list went on and on on what seemed hours, then my name was called. Everyone looked up at me. The teacher asked, "Are you related to the founding father?"
"I don't think so sir."
"Hmm. Nevermind. Okay, everyone. Those seats you are seating on are your permanent seats. The person on your left are your partners. For example, Laurence Blackbourn, your partner will be that person on your left, Sarrah Carter. Understand?"
A chorus went up "Yes sir."
"I'll give you five minutes for you to get to know each other."
I looked at my partner. That's when I saw her face. Damn, she's beautiful. No, beautiful isn't hte right word. Godly. Her strawberry blonde hair swings as she turned her eyes on me. She looked like Sto. Nino. I grinned and said, "Hello."
"Hello" she smiled. "You're Laurence Blackbourn?"
"Yes. How did you know?"
She just stared at me and then said, "The teacher said so when he made us two an example."
"Oh yeah, Sorry."
"Haha you're funny." She then laughed a rich laugh. "I like you. You're interesting."
"Thanks."
"Excuse me." said the teacher. "Before I forget, you will also have a group. Send a representative here so he/she can pick a group in the ballot box here in my table.
"Go Laurence, hope you have a lucky hand." She smiled.
I went forward along with the other representatives towards the table. I dipped my hand and groped for that piece of paper which will decide whose group Sarrah and me are in. I got one and opened it: 'number 13'
13? My lucky number, eh?
I returned to my seat and showed Sarrah the paper.
"13 That's my favourite number. Yay."
"Really? 13 is my lucky number. I wonder who picked the number 13 besides us."
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Well if the teacher said that there is another group. The other two should pick the same number for us to be partnered with."
"Oh I get it. So all we have to do is wait for them to finish and call out our number to see who has the same number."
"Yup." I agreed.
When the class has settled down, we called out our numbers and found our group mates. Our partners were Alexa Goodman, a black haired girl with a cheerful smile and Yusuf Voshlovik, a Russian with a stoic expression upon his face. I extended my hand which Alexa shook eagerly and Yusuf's case, stoicly. We resumed our seats around the table with me and Sarrah at the back and Alexa and Yusuf in front. I looked around to find Rivs talking animatedly to twin girls. He must be flirting with them because one of them who was wearing glasses blushed. By now, the class had settled down and the teacher started.
"Hello, good morning I'm Mr. Douglas Campbell. I will be your Algebra teacher for this semester. I'm glad to meet you. Now today we will be studying about functions. Would you please pass these books so we may start?" He gestured towards a pile of books stacked neatly on his desk.
***
"Whoo Lunch time already." I looked at the watch that is hung up at the wall at the head of the classroom. I was joined by Rivs and another boy who looked like him. I'm not saying they are twins just that they are similar in a lot of ways. Maybe brothers or cousins.
"Your brother?" I asked.
"Cousin. Levi Rivers." said the boy in dreadlocks. He extended a fist. "Bump it."
I bumped fists with him and asked, "Will you guys be going to the registrar for your bags?"
"Uhm, no. They already delivered it to our rooms. What room are you in?"
"1-02, You?"
"1-02 too." Rivs and Levi both said at the same time.
"If they are there now, Want to grab a bite?" I asked. Oh man. I got friends. I mean real friends not relatives, real friends, someone who is not related to you.
"Sure. Come on."
****
The food serving was generous. Platters of sausages and viands were placed on neatly placed tables. There was even a kiosk of Brother's Burger, Greenwich and Dairy Queen to which of course I visited after ordering a Burger Pounder from the former. I asked Levi if these are common. He said, "Not in other schools. These was one of the reasons why I chose the school besides the girls of course." We chose a table at the corner away from the noise of other people. Suddenly Alex and Yusuf (they really took the partnering seriously) joined us. Sarrah later joined the fray by sitting beside me. So much for being unnoticed.
I broke up the silence by saying, "Hey guys, do you know anything about our school besides Emmanuel being the owner?"
Alexa answered, "Nothing from me."
"Neither do I." answered the two Rivers in unison.
"None." Yusuf said curtly.
I looked at Sarrah who hadn't answered but was toying with her food. Others looked to waiting for her to say no also but she didn't answer. She looked up and said, "What?"
I repeated my question.
"Uhm. I don't know." She said shortly.
Years of training by my father taught me that she was lying. I decided to ask her later when we're alone.
"Ok." She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, which I found a trait attributed when she is lying. She then resumed eating as though nothing had happened.
"So Laurence, why are you asking? I'm pretty sure you're not asking out of curiousity." Alexa asked.
"Someone told there had been an attack on a girl who studied here." I answered.
"I heard she said the attack wasn't an attack. She said she fell down and scratched herself on the trees and ground." Rivs supplied.
"But she was found in the gymnasium." Alexa protested.
Yusuf who hadn't joined the conversation just listened and after a few seconds said, "The claw marks on her body didn't leave any scars. So I think this is no ordinary accident. From what I heard from the witnesses, an embossed footprint was seen in the polished floors of the gymnasium."
"A footprint?" I asked. "A footprint of what."
"I haven't gone that far. If you want I can look into it." Yusuf said.
"No problem. I'll just ask around."
Asking around especially the witnesses proved hard for a new guy in this school. Some said a serial rapist did the crime. Some say monsters did it. As of the victim, only her name was learned. Renee Powell. What I learned boggles me. What kind of damage did she attain that she would stop for a year to recuperate. Her sudden vacation says that she is either shy or scared. I still needed to know more. How is she tied to the school and how am I tied to this school. The attack seemed as though it's nothing compared to my day to day problems. There wasn't even records for it. How do I know? I posed as journalist but even my efforts were in vain. Maybe soon I may learn more about this mysterious attack. I may be just paranoid but I think this sudden interest may lead to unwanted attention from the authorities if I'm not careful. But I still need to know. This need is so overwhelming that I almost asked Yusuf to help me out. Soon.
