Republic of Omisha

Chapter 14: Eliza

  It wasn't hard to pin Karma. She maybe nineteen, but she is the same height and stature as Eliza. It felt good pinning her. Satisfying. For once she controlled her outburst and it worked for her instead of against her.

She can't make out any of the headmaster's words though his closed office door, but she can hear his tone. Stern. Angry, even.

The door opens and Eliza turns her head to face the door in attention. Both boys look serious when they leave the office. Mr. Jacobs takes the lead to escort them somewhere else. Once he turned his back on the boys, Clay meets Eliza's eye and gives her a whole-hearted smile.

Eliza gives a flattered half smile in return. Then turns to enter the office after Karma.

She sits and the chair creaks. Karma slouches forward, but Eliza has been in this type of position many times after losing her temper and getting into fights, which usually end after one of Eliza's swift blow so she sits on the edge of the chair and leans back so her head rests on the low hair back.

Here we go, Eliza thinks, another lecture.

"I expect more from you girls." Mr. Nelson looks cross, but his voice is lacking in its intensity. "Karma, you are nineteen. You are too old to still be doing this. We need our students to grow to be strong leader, because you will be one day." Then he turns to Eliza and he sounds even softer like he's cocsing her. "Eliza," he lets out a deep sigh. "You don't have a good behavioral record, and we want to prosper here... maybe because of your condition, you were not ready to join the other students. Maybe we should give you special schooling." He said it like a question.

Eliza could see Karma smirking. "No!" Eliza objected. "I have never had friends like I have had here and It's only been a few days. Please, I really am doing... "She doesn't want to admit to her condition. "... mentally better, more stable. It's just- it was provoked." Wow. Begging. That's new for Eliza. It makes her feel undignified, but she was desperate. It wasn't a lie, but she is after more than just friends. She wants to get to the bottom of what's really going on here. Why there was a need for rebels and she's in the perfect place to find out. All of the leaders/school board directors live on campus.

"I'm aware that the brawl was 'provoked'. Clay already filled me in." Another deep sigh. "It's lunch time. If I can trust you girls not to fight on the way to the cafeteria, you may go now instead of waiting for a chaperone."

"Yes," Karma is quick to blurt out, which makes Eliza nervous.