The School of Job and Suffering

Chapter III: It Arrived, We Left, Odd

A package for both Nik and me came in the mail today. One small note on white paper read, “Orientation will be held September 1st, see you then. - Monroe Williams (Vice Principal)” and two school uniforms were in the box.

“Tati, In not so sure about this anymore, I am getting weird vibes from the uniforms themselves...” Nikolai said as he help up his new outfit, “These sure are dark. Creepy, don’t you think?”

“Your just unfamiliar with new fashion, im sure Nik. I think they look lovely.” It was true that I do think they’re lovely, but they certainly are odd. The only colors on them are black and what Nik calls blood red. He said it is a sign that we should back out.

“Those colors do not match your faces you two,” Vaud said as he entered the room, “you guys aren’t actually thinking of leaving me, are you?” We both just looked at our feet in silence because we were actually leaving him.

“Vaud, it's for th-”

“No, don’t even go there with me, Nikolai. It is not for the best. Thats what mother and father said years ago when they left on a 'Business Trip'” Vaud said as he grabbed Nikolai by the arm, “Please you guys, don’t go. You cant just leave me all alone here.”

“Vaud, just don’t. I – We cant just sit around here forever. I know for a fact that I want to make something of myself and I cannot do that if im uneducated.” I spouted out in a huff. “I want to get a job, marry, start a family. How am I supposed to do those things if I never leave the house?!”

After I said that, he was speechless. He just left the room, didn’t bother to argue. That killed me, I had no idea my words could impact such a stubborn person like they did. Nikolai just continued to stare at his new clothes, as if something was wrong with them. Something more than their colors. I picked mine up and looked at what I would be wearing for two whole years when if finally hit me. The smell of these weren’t like the smell of new clothes in stores. Something seemed familiar about the smell, but I couldn’t identify it. Thats probably what Nikolai was wondering. It hits so close to home...yet I cant remember where ive smelled it before.

Two weeks later, we departed from our small house and drove up to the school with Natali. The whole way there she kept going on and on about how new and advanced the school is. Like it's some human feat to be the way it is. She said we are lucky they accepted us, and that we need to be grateful. Nikolai wouldn’t stop thanking her the whole way and she still thinks we need to be more grateful.

“Nik, are you excited to finally find some friends like you?” Natali asked.

“What do you mean 'friends like you' what am I like?”

“Oh, well darling I was just saying some guy friends.”

“I had Vaud”

“He wasn’t your friend.”

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“Guys I think we missed our turn.” I pointed out as the silence became unbearable

“Dammit, Okay thank you Tatianna.” Natali said as she pulled a U-turn. I would’ve pointed it out sooner, but I am in no hurry to get to the school.