The Game

2: About a Year and a Half Ago

About a Year and a Half Ago:

After tossing my bags into my new room and reluctantly changing into the school uniform, Sydney leads me to the mess hall.

"The mess hall," Sydney explains, "is where the students and staff eat all of their meals. You don't have to, there are kitchens in the dorms but once school starts, most people are too busy to cook for themselves so most students eat here."

There are students filling the halls, rushing to find a seat next to their friends. The entrance to the mess hall is large with two doors spread wide open. The doors look like those of the entrance to the school.

Sydney and I make our way to the front of the mess hall and take the two empty seats at a table. I look around the room and notice that half of the hall is empty. I nudge Sydney to get her attention.

"Where is everybody?"

"Only juniors and seniors are here. The underclassmen arrive tomorrow." I'm about to ask her why when the Head Mistress steps out in front of everyone and the room goes silent. I look around the room, watching everyone listening attentively to the Head Mistress. I start to say something to Sydney but the girl next to me gives me a look and shushes me. I know instantly that I am not going to like her.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," she begins, pausing for effect, "as you all know Junior and Senior year is a time to figure out what you're going to do with your future. Our school has configured a game for the seniors to test their abilities, their knowledge and intelligence, and their ability to adapt to, well, anything. Now, Juniors, you may be wondering why we have required that you all arrive early as well. We ask our juniors to return to school early so we can explain some of the rules of The Game. And to explain the change in your course studies."

She pauses again, looking around the room. "Instead of the classes you may find at a regular school, we will begin to place you in more advanced classes. As the semester progresses, the staff and I will take note of classes in which you excel and those classes that you perhaps are not as successful in. By the second semester, you will all be placed in your rightful classes and we will begin to prepare you for the following year, your senior year, in which you will participate in The Game." She steps back and stands to the side as a young man walks to the center to take her place.

"Good evening." He begins, looking out at us. He is very young and before, I thought he was only a student but the way he commands the room, I instantly know he is someone with authority.

"Before I begin to tell you about The Game and the preparation that leads up to it, I will give a brief introduction of myself. Many of you may know me or may have taken one of my classes but for those of you who don't know me, I am a professor here at Howard Patterson Academy. My name is Dr. Richard Donovan. You will refer to me as Dr. Donovan." He goes on to give a little information about himself, nothing too personal though. He explains that although he is the youngest professor here, it does not affect his intelligence nor his ability to teach and reprimand us.

I sit quietly, watching him talk and trying to gather all the information I can about him. But I'm not listening to what he has to say, instead I am watching his body language and listening to the timbre of his voice. I notice some deception in his voice but it is well hidden and it makes me think that he has been taught or taught himself to lie, very well. My thoughts are interrupted when Sydney nudges me.

"... staring at you," I hear her say but I don't catch the beginning of her sentence. I look over at her and she tries to discreetly point to a table across the room where a grinning, glowing figure is very obviously staring at me while his friend is leaning into him and whispering something to him. I narrow my eyes at the preppy, obvious boy, not appreciating him staring. He just smirks at me then turns to say something to the boy whispering to him. I roll my eyes and look away, bringing my focus back to Dr. Donovan.

"Juniors, as you prepare for The Game, we will begin your training. As the semester continues, you will get the hang of it. And if you don't, well, let's just hope you do." He smiles at us but the smile is unsettling and my stomach turns. He continues. "Each student will be assigned to a Mentor. I, along with a few other members of the staff will act as your Mentors, helping you find your place at our school and in the world. Your Mentors will advise you on which classes to take and which activities you may want to participate in outside of school."

I feel eyes on me again and whip my head around to stare back. The grin, or now rather a smolder returns to his face and he pushes his blonde hair out of his face. His bright green eyes I can see from across the room and they flicker with amusement.

"Who is that? And why is he staring at me?" I practically growl at Sydney.

She shushes me but laughs quietly then leans into me to whisper, "that's Matt." She practically gushes when saying his name. I just shrug my shoulders, I have no idea who he is. "Matt Grisham, the most popular boy in school. Every girl wants him. Every boy is jealous of him. You know, the whole popular hot guy story. He gets whichever girl he wants." She waves her hand in his direction. "And it looks like he's set his sights on you." I groan internally but with the look I get from the girl next to me, I must have done it aloud. I make an apologetic face at the girl then turn to Sydney and roll my eyes. She laughs then gestures for us to face forward.

"After our meeting convenes, you all will make your way to the tables being set up in the great hall and you will find your class schedules and your activities. The activities will consist of everything for now until we can figure out your specific skill set. On your class schedule, you will also notice that it tells you who your Mentor is. Mentors at this moment are completely random but just like everything else, you will be placed with a Mentor more specifically chosen to help you best succeed." He takes a deep breath.

I sit back in my chair and take it all in. It's a lot of information and I have a lot of questions but right now I just want to get my schedule and get back to my room. When I look up, I can see Dr. Donovan watching me. When I meet his eyes, he doesn't hesitate as he continues to talk.

"Juniors, let this be your first and only warning. Be safe and have fun but do not fail. If you fail, or break the rules, you're out of the game and the academy." He says then steps away to return to his seat. A murmur goes through the group of juniors while the seniors sit stoically, ready for The Game to begin.

The Head Mistress makes her way back to the center and waits patiently while everyone settles down. When everyone is quiet she speaks again. "Juniors, you will learn more as the semester goes on." Then she directs her attention to the seniors. "Seniors, I kindly request that you all stay in the mess hall while the juniors find their schedules." She nods, dismissing us.

"Oh, and students," she says as we are all getting ready to leave," welcome back." She says with a smile and everyone cheers.