Rendón

1. valentina

 Tears were streaming down her face as Valentina returned home from a long day of school. Lately, her thoughts have been preoccupied with stress and there are days where she wants to crawl into a hole. This day, in particular, was worse than other days. Valentina prayed that there was a cure for putting her out of misery. Once she arrived in the front of her house, she checked the mailbox and grabbed whatever was contained inside. She stormed inside, hoping to avoid anyone who could see Valentina at her worse state. Valentina tossed the mail on the kitchen table and rushed into her room where she would be crying into her sheets.

-The next day, Valentina did her usual routine to prepare for school. As she was about to head out, her parents prevented her from leaving.

"We have to talk," her dad said. The look on their face indicates that it was something serious.

"But I have to leave for-"

"You won't be going to that school anymore," her mother stated. Valentina decided to sit with them at the dinner table, dropping all of her belongings. When she was getting comfortable in her position, her mother slid an envelope at Valentina's direction. Staring at her face was a maroon metallic envelope with Valentina's name written elegantly in gold calligraphy.

"You're going to attend Rendon instead."

Valentina looked at them in disbelief. She tore the envelope and frantically took the letter and read it over.

Congratulations, Miss Valentina Monroe. You have been accepted and enrolled in Rendon Academy. Orientation begins on September 15. We hope to see you there.

"Do I have to go?" Valentina asked. She was looking at her parent's faces for the slightest sign of hope. Judging by their demeanor, there was no way out. Everyone who has heard of Rendon knows that getting accepted is a rare opportunity. Since it wasn't something you apply for yourself, they choose only the best. People believe that it's an obligation to enter the school despite your previous academics.

"We just want the best for you," her father replied.

"Do you expect me to drop everything and go? Won't you miss me?" Valentina decided not to continue arguing. Life was already worse at her old school so this might be a new start for her. But what would be the difference between this one?

"I'll start packing," Valentina said before taking her belongings and headed back to her room.

-A week later, Valentina arrived at Rendon. It was located in a secluded place somewhere up in the mountains. Valentina wondered how many people arrive at Rendon since some must have come from different countries and had to take multiple transportations just to be here. Once she reached the top, she bid her parents goodbye and went to the desk in the front. A lady handed her a schedule and the keys to her new dorm. As she was skimming through her schedule, she saw her roommate's name and was trying to adjust to everything. Moments later after wandering and getting lost during the way, Valentina found her dorm. Opening the door, she was faced with her roommate reading a book. She took her eyes off the page to look at Valentina and gave her a warm smile.

"You must be Valentina."

"And you must be Harley." Harley approached Valentina and gave her a firm handshake. Valentina was taken aback at the gesture, but she had to get the awkward introduction out of the way.

"So are you a freshman here?" Valentina started a new topic to discuss.

"No, I am a sophomore. Some 2nd-year students had to dorm with freshmen so we can help them adjust to the new school," Harley explained.

"So what's your story?" Harley wondered.

"What do you mean?"

"Everyone has a story to tell here."

"Well, I don't wanna start," Valentina stated. Talking about the past would just make her breakdown.

"It'll be alright. Don't worry. Rendon will grow on you." 

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