Crimson Academy

THREE

A crack of thunder woke me up before my alarm clock went off.

My heart raced in my chest, and I knew I'd never be able to get back to sleep, even though I really didn't have to be up for another forty minutes.

I drug myself out of bed, feeling goosebumps pimple on my flesh as soon as uncovered my mostly naked body from the comfort and safety of my blanket.

The whole house was chilled, especially the bathroom for some reason.

After combing my hair and brushing my teeth, I went back to my bedroom and dressed in a nice pair of jeans, and a gray long sleeved shirt. I put my Converse on, taking the time to lace them up good and tight before heading for the kitchen.

I poured myself a bowl of frosted flakes before settling against the counter and slowly eating. As I did so, I found myself staring at something that was jammed in beside the microwave. I sat my bowl down and went to investigate.

When I did, I found a small battery powered radio. It looked pretty ancient but I went ahead and clicked it on anyway.

"If you can't come around, at least please telephone. Oh don't be cruel (ooooooh) for your heart is true."

It was an Elvis song I'd heard plenty of times at my grandmother's house, since she was a complete fangirl, even at the age of 72.

I sat the radio down and went back to eating my cereal, bobbing my head to the beat until it ended and a guy came over the speakers.

"This is Hank Richardson, your man from 99.5. Thank you folks for tuning in on this fine August morning. You just heard our daily tribute to the King Of Rock and Roll. We do this every August, it being the month he passed in 1977, to commemorate the man's wonderful life. On his birthday this year, Elvis Presley would have been eighty-three! Now isn't that something guys and gals?! Stay tuned for more of these old but gold classics after this short break."

The guys voice broke off, and an add for some mechanic shop started playing. I tuned it out as I finished eating.

After this came weather reports, and I did listen to those since I was living in the heart of Tornado Alley nowadays. Nothing too serious was said, just that it would be misty and 65° for most of the day.

After this, I shut the radio off, and did up my dishes, before I went and grabbed my backpack.

I checked it again, making sure I had my pencils, pens, paper, and books. I looked over my schedule yet again.

You can find your classes. No big deal. How hard can it be?

I folded it up and shoved it into my pocket.

I sat waiting a few minutes, running my fingers through my hair a couple times.

Now my stomach was a tangle of nerves. I tried not to think about it too much, but no such luck.

At 7:30, I stood up and prepared to go outside.

Nothing wrong with being early. No sir. It shows ambition, and I'll have plenty of time to find the classroom.

I shut the lights off behind me, and made sure the door was locked before I stepped out into the day.

As soon as I did, I regretted my shirt choice.

Yeah, maybe it was going to be a misty sixty five degrees today, but no one said it would be a misty, sultry sixty five degrees, because that's exactly what it was.

The rain had done nothing to take the heat off of the place. This is what they would call a true summer rain I suppose. This was something that I'd never really known before because it only ever snowed in St. Paul.

I moved down the walk quickly and down the steel staircase just the same.

I didn't see very many people, only a couple, and I kept my head down as I walked past them.

I made it to the school building in good time, and was relieved at stepping into the air conditioned hall.

I went slowly down the hall, examining each number on every door.

All the lights were dim, and what light there was, cast everything in a piss yellow color, giving it a spooky effect. Anywhere now, I half expected a zombie or a mummy to pop out at me from somewhere, or maybe a spirit to appear and chase me around the school so that it could take my soul.

As I went deeper into the school, more lights were on, and now it looked like what it was, a school.

The smell was musty with dust, and the old yellowing pages of books. This was the scent it acquired after kids had been out of it for three months.

There was no lingering B.O. smell, or that of disgusting school lunches, and disinfectant that made the whole place smell like a bathroom in a retirement home.

Just paint, books, and dust. So wonderful.

Finally I found room 210. I took a seat on the bench outside of it and sat quietly taking in the details that were somewhat familiar.

Weird tile ceilings, odd striped flooring, the strange color scheme.

Just like back home...

I sat for a while before other people started to show up. Most of them were girls, all looking like they'd just crawled out of bed. Sure, their hair had been brushed or was thrown up into a bun or something, but it was all baggy t-shirts and sweats, or cotton shorts with slides on their feet.

It was slightly disappointing because I'd been looking forward to seeing girls that weren't exactly like the ones back in Minnesota.

I was staring at the floor now, when I heard someone say, "Hey you!"

I looked up and found a girl with red hair and blue eyes.

"You're cute, but I have a boyfriend."

"Thanks." I said before internally rolling my eyes.

Yeah. Definetely like the girls back in Minnesota.

A few minutes later, Mr. Vasquez, my English/Language Arts teacher came and unlocked the door to the room, and ironically enough, he was of Hispanic decent. He was also extremely handsome. Not that I like guys, but you know he is when all the chattering girls silence and stare at him in aw, I'm sure with all kinds of creepy fantasies in their heads.

I was the first in the door, and Mr. Vasquez was there to shake my hand.

He gave me a smile and said, "Welcome Mr. Green. You are sure to be my favorite student."

I laughed. "Yessir."

He winked and sent me on my way. I took a seat in the far left corner in the second row.

As the girls filed in, they had hoped for a handshake like I'd gotten, but Mr. Vasquez didn't give them the time of day.

Most of them glared at me as they sat down. I ignored them. Sorry my head isn't in my pants... well not at this point in time anyway.

Mr. Vasquez perched himself on his desk. He looked very sophisticated in his dark chocolate colored suit, and large gold watch.

He cleared his throat. "Now, before we begin today," He held up his left hand, "I'm married, have four kids, and there's another one on the way. You will respect that, or you will leave, and I don't mean just my class, I will throw you out of Crimson Academy entirely. Are we clear?"

Some of them nodded and others respond quietly.

I resisted the urge to laugh. This was going to be a fun class.