True Fiction

Chapter 6: School

Ashen woke up at 5:30 the next morning, ever so ready to go to school. He didn't dare to pull a single shenanigan in the blue state that night, fearing he wouldn't be able to wake up again. In spite of that, he had another nightmare.

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Ashen. Please. Open the gate and cross the border. A whole world is waiting for you.

Ashen couldn't speak or move. Only listen to the voice that haunted him. It was strangely familiar, always giving him deja vu.

Trust me

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Ashen shook it off, not allowing a nightmare to ruin his day. He put on clothes that he assumed were appropriated and headed out.

In her bedroom, Natasha groaned as she heard her brother make a ruckus at 5:30 am. She was too tired to scream at him or scold him for bringing nothing to a school. She closed her eyes to return to her deep slumber, convincing herself that his ignorance would be his punishment.

Ashen happily trotted out of the door, before realizing he had no idea how to get to the school. He quickly entered blue state to get some directions and begin his hour-long walk to school, understanding that he didn't have a bus card to take a bus. He really was a hopeless cyborg.

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Ashen reached the school at 6:30 am, rather surprised to see that no one was there. He observed the empty hallways and classrooms, waiting for someone to come around. Soon, footsteps could be heard rushing down the corridor as a short woman approached Ashen.

Out of breath, she managed a smile and said. "Are you Ashen Hooter?" Ashen smiled back and replied, "Yes ma'am."

"You can call me Ms. Shirley. I'm the principal of Golden Light High. Your mother just yesterday requested you to come to our school as a guest. Come let's get to my office." She said as she introduced herself. She immediately turned around to lead Ashen to the office.

What a quick woman. Ashen thought as he struggled to keep up with her pace. She unlocked her office door and turned on the lights and air-con, sitting Ashen down in front of her desk.

"It'll take another hour and a half before school officially starts. I was coming early to make preparations for your visit but I guess you beat me to it." She said, slightly embarrassed.

"It's fine." Ashen simply replied.

"Anyway, now we have extra time, why don't I familiarize you with the American education system.?"

Ashen nodded politely.

The next hour or so was what Ashen could only describe as pure boredom. He'd much rather watch paint dry. He listened to Ms. Shirley explained their flawed education system and quickly lost interest. He'd pick it up along the way, Ashen reasoned.

It was finally around 7:30 before Ms. Shirley had to leave to give instructions or what not. Ashen patiently waited inside the office.

All of a sudden, his stomach growled. Ashen frowned, realizing he had just walked an hour to school without eating a thing. Come to think of it, he was pretty thirsty as well. Ashen sighed and exercised the value of long-suffering in the office for another 15 minutes before deciding he was dying to consume something. He quietly left, hoping to sneak back in before the principal noticed he was gone.

"This is an announcement for all students. Today we have a very special guest! The cyborg project's Ashen Hooter will be visiting our school for the next month or so. Please behave appropriately and be friendly to him!"