Wickedness Of A Child (Emison)

4

[E]

The meeting with Laila went just as I expected. She's one of those you don't want to mess with, mostly because of her authority and status. But deep down I know it's just a role, just like everyone has one they put up to protect themselves these days. I have mine and others have theirs. Nothing wrong with that.

I entered the smaller building where my room is, and something caught my attention as soon as I closed the main door. Music. I know music is supposed to make you feel some kind of emotion, usually good ones, but the only thing music reminds me of is home. I picture my mother playing that brown piano in the living room with tears in her eyes.

Without trying to think more about the only place I want to forget at the moment, I unlocked the door with the key Laila gave to me and became face to face with a brunette that was almost as tall as I am.

''Oh, Hi! You must be Emily!'' She extended her hand. ''I'm Spencer. Your roommate.'' She introduced herself, and that's when I accepted her offer of friendship. If I'm sharing this room with her all year, the least I can do is to make it an acceptable atmosphere around the two of us.

''Nice to meet you.'' I casually replied and began to unpack my suitcases. In the corner of my eye I saw Spencer stealing glances at me from across the room. ''So..'' I spoke up to break the awkward silence. ''How are the teachers at this school?''

''Good. Better than most schools, I guess.'' Spencer responded with a shrug. ''How come you ended up here? Too push for a normal school or is your father a diplomat?''

''Neither.''

I don't have a problem speaking about my father. I know for a fact that he was a good man before he died, and speaking about him keeps the few details that remains of him alive.

''I suppose you've met a senior already? Who did you get?''

I placed the empty suitcase in the corner of the room and sat down on my bed to become face to face with the curious brunette. ''Someone named Laila. She was.. something.''

Spencer bursted out in a huge fit of laugher and nodded visibly. ''I totally get what you mean. She's definitely something out of the ordinary.''

Even though I'm so far from happy and cheerful as you can get, this girl still managed to put a little smile on my face. Maybe being her roommate won't be so awful after all.

''What about the class and the older pupils? Anything I should know before I get in contact with people here?'' It could be useful to know if there is any special rules I must be aware of before my attitude shows and risks destroying my future.

''At this school we believe in team spirit. Here the pupils keep the order, not the teachers. And the older you are, the more power you have. So in your case, stay out of trouble. For your own sake.'' Spencer explained, and she truly sounded a little scared while telling me about it.

And of course I couldn't help but ask the only thing I'm sure she didn't want to hear.

''What happens if I don't?''

''Many students have been forced to leave Jefferson's because they didn't follow the rules correctly and refused to keep their attitude on the low. And let me put it like this, they didn't leave because they had to, but because they wanted to. The seniors tortured them until they had no choice but leaving the school. No grades, no future, nothing.''

What she said made an imprint. A different one than I had earlier. Laila pictured this school as kinda normal and nothing out of the ordinary, expect for their stone age rule to forbid cellphones and all kinds of modern technology. But Spencer clearly had another angle.

''I understand. What about violence?''

''Only if it's necessary. Did Laila mention the box to you?''

''She did. What's the deal about it?''

''It's the only place at Jefferson's where it's okay to physically injury another student without receiving any consequences. But you must've done something very wrong to end up there.''

''And the teachers, principal, staff? They don't care at all?''

''No. Like I said before, this school doesn't work that way. The power are in the arms of the pupils.''

I sighed. ''It definitely sounds like a place you don't want to end up in.''

''It's not, believe me. Many of my friends here have been forced to go against three seniors in that box. None of them are here anymore.''

''So what do you think about it? Don't you think it's wrong?''

''I try not to think too much. It's for the best. Dig too deep and I'm sure they'll come for me too.'' Spencer shuddered. ''Alright, let's talk about something nicer. Have you eaten dinner?''

Well.. I lost count of how many bites I managed to take before things got out of control at home. I could definitely use some energy.

''No. I haven't.''

''Good. The canteen is still open for another hour.'' Spencer enthusiastically said and jumped up from her bed. I got up as well, but like a normal person, and followed her out of the building. ''One good thing about this place is the food. We're talking fresh and varied here, girl!''

''Sounds awesome.'' I sarcastically replied and kept walking by her side up to the main building and then a sharp left to a lower one where the lights was still on. Through the window I spotted some people eating and chatting.

When we came in, had grabbed a tray each and went up to a table it didn't took longer than twenty seconds before two women in their early 20's came out of the kitchen holding plates and a jug of water. They placed the plates in front of us and poured up water with a natural facial expression. I wonder how they ended up here.

''Thank you.'' Spencer thanked them as the women turned their heels and made intention of leaving.

Once they had disappeared back into the kitchen I shot Spencer a look. ''Okay what the hell was that? I thought you said this was a canteen?''

''It is?'' Spencer shrugged.

I scoffed and grabbed my cutlery. ''More like a flashy restaurant belonging to a five star hotel.''

Spencer chuckled and started to eat. ''Isn't that a good thing? Better than you expected?''

''It sure is.'' I agreed and drank a big sip from my glass of water.

The women came back out and started to clean other tables while chatting. I wonder why they are here? Can't be a fun job to have. With their bodies and faces they could work as models for some famous company, yet they ended up here.

''Stop staring at them.'' Spencer lowly muttered and avoided looking in their direction.

''Why?''

''Because it's inappropriate and rude!'' Spencer insisted.

''I'm just curious how two beautiful young women like them could end up here?'' I said, and apparently a little too loud since Spencer face-palmed herself and when I glanced at the two women they looked inquisitively at me. ''Geez, okay.'' I breathed out and continued to eat.

Spencer glared at me. ''It's clear that Laila forgot to tell you another rule we have at this school.''

''What is that?'' I asked lowly while chewing my food.

''Interest, intimate contacts and relationships between staff and student is absolutely forbidden. They are only here for one purpose, to serve us food and drinks. Nothing else.'' Spencer explained in a whisper.

''Fine! Fine. I won't say something like that again.'' I said. If I stay true to that promise or not is something else.

''Thank you!'' Spencer gratefully answered.

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

* Two young women? Hm..

* Spemily friendship!