Valerie had gotten signed permission from the headmaster to take Eliza under her wing for two days. She leads Eliza to the "Wardrobe", which is what they call the room that is full of clothes that are every color and style.
Valerie insists on dressing Eliza, who reluctantly agrees. Valerie picks out a purple and turquoise paisley print t-shirt with a laces edge. She gave her a cropped denim jacket and complimenting jeggings.
She leads Eliza through the school. They are quiet when they walk into the forum, which is what they call the silent study hall that is connected to the entrances to the core-class classrooms at the center of the building.
A pale skinned boy with dark hair and blue eyes smiles at Eliza. Valerie turns to see her blush. All she can do is roll her eyes at Eliza's reaction. "That's Hendrix," Valerie explains. "He's been here for two years and don't let his sweet smile fool you."
"Why not?" There's an edge to Eliza's voice.
"He's a deceiver." Valerie thought that she was being clear, but the puzzled look on Eliza's face proves that she isn't quite following.
Valerie lets out a sigh before saying, "everyone here won because of one of three tactics. They either were the best hidden, the fastest or the most deceptive. The ones that hid are smart but not the bravest. The ones that ran are cunning and will live by 'those who fall behind stay behind' but they aren't loyal. The ones who deceived used their allies as sacrifices to save their own skin and they are not to be trusted. We all survived because of these... but you used a different tactic." She adds.
"Oh, and what might that be?"
Valerie can tell that she isn't being cocky like most of the students here are. Instead she is sincere. "You outsmarted the beasts. No one has ever used cleverness before."
Eliza looks thoughtful. "Come on, I still have the music wing to show you before lunch... do you want to eat lunch with us?"
Eliza replies, "of course." She sounds cheerful, almost as if she should smile, but she doesn't and Valerie doesn't expect her to.
YOU ARE READING
Republic of Omisha
Science FictionSet in the future, after war has demolished entire continents and the survivors flock to the Americas. People no longer wage wars or fight about frivolous things, like race and nationality. As far as they are concerned, there is one race, the human...
