Murder Academy

Chapter 2

Ivy Grace only watched as the Scholar was shoved into the bookshelf by the Elite.

It’s not that she didn’t feel bad for the poor boy, in truth she did, but that was just the way things were in Newmyst Academy. No Elite would dare interfere when one of the Scholars were being harassed, and in turn no Scholar would ever think of standing up for one another as they knew all too well what could happen if they had.

The librarian made no attempt to stop the skirmish between the lanky Scholar and the much stronger Elite. Instead she continued reading a novel behind her desk.

“Come on Scholar, do those brains of yours only work in class?” the Elite taunted knowing the other boy would not retaliate.

The kid was smart, Ivy thought. Just stay there and let the Elite mess with you until he tires.

“You poor piece of shit, even your Scholar friends won’t do shit” he laughed giving the Scholar one last hard shove into the shelf. Hard enough that some of the books behind the boy fell off on impact. 

Just a little longer, she thought. The guy slouched down with his back against the bookshelf. He looked so fragile that Ivy feared he might actually have gotten injured. She pushed the idea out of her head. It was none of her concern if he was.

She scanned the area and realized all eyes had been on the two boys. Everyone watched anxiously in silence for the outcome of the fight. Then the silence was broken.

“That’s enough Xander” a boy had crept up being the Elite and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

Ivy knew the boy, everyone did. He was Newmyst Academy’s pride and joy, Dylan Parker. Dylan was an Elite, like the boy who was harassing the Scholar, like Ivy.

“Relax Dylan, I was just messing around is all.” Xander spoke with a grin on his face at the sight of his friend Dylan. It was no secret the two were close. Yet they couldn’t have been any more different from one another.

Unlike Xander, Dylan solemn teased any of the Scholars. He was the embodiment of what this school originally set out to accomplish. Handsome as he was smart, with the good graces of a gentleman, Dylan had been top of his class since his freshmen year. Now a senior, and a grade above Ivy, he was destined for big things after high school.

The school was home to future lawyers, doctors, and politicians. Though the students themselves had been divided between those who could afford to attend such a prestigious private school, and those who could only attend through the aid of the school. The Elite where the rich heirs to family fortunes. The Scholars were the students here do to scholarships for their intellectual excellence. In turn the Scholars were constantly studying in the endeavor to remain within the Academy.

Ivy’s eyes were fixed on Dylan, the top of the Elite, as he restrained Xander from taking another shot at Scholar. In that small window of opportunity the Scholar stood and walked away. Whatever book he had been searching for on the shelf he abandoned its pursuit.

“I suggest you pay closer attention to your surroundings the next time you decide to pick a fight.” Dylan said to him in a calm and even tone. If he were angry or even irritated with Xander, Ivy couldn’t tell. No one could. Dylan seldom showed frustration or anger at anyone.

Xander brushed Dylan off with a glare, walking back to the table where the two of them had been sitting along with a group of Elites Ivy recognized.

Well that’s the end of that Ivy thought. Those who had watched the scuff returned to studying. Dylan eyes scanned the room until he saw Ivy. He gave a sly grinned when her eyes met his. Oh God no. Not now.

Before she could process he was walking towards her, quickly advancing with swift strides. She turned to face her laptop with both earbuds in pretending she didn’t notice him. It was too late. He called out to her.

Beside herself, she turned to see that he was closing the space between the two of them pretty quickly. She took in his features. His perfectly styled wavy blonde hair cut short, the bright blue eyes that practically left any girl feeling exposed when he looked at them, and the golden boy smile that even teachers could not resist.

“If you ignore me like that I might get the wrong idea.” He said once he was next to Ivy who pretended not to notice him being there. Her attempt was in vain as he removed the earbud from her right ear and spoke into it. In a smooth voice he said “Have you considered my offer?”

She shut the laptop in front of her to prevent him from seeing. The heat of his breath against her ear had almost made her lose her composure. Stay calm Ivy she thought.

“You might want to take your own advice Dylan and consider your surroundings” she said keeping her voice as even as she could manage.

His golden boy smile became sly. “You’re evading the subject. You’ve had a week to think it through. Have you made a decision to join us?”

She knew that tone all too well. It was how Dylan got what he wanted. Ivy knew what it would mean if she were to reject Dylan. The risk that came with saying no. Though she knew there was a greater risk with taking him up on his offer.

“No”

Dylan faltered for a split second. There was a look of shock on his face. Ever conscious of his appearance, he regained his golden boy composure.  The benevolent air around him seemed to drop sending a shiver down her spine. “I suggest that you reconsider, seeing as how this isn’t an opportunity you should easily pass on. Any Elite would kill to be in your position right now Ivy.”

At first glance his words held no malice. Yet Ivy still felt like she’d rather be anywhere but here with the most powerful Elite standing in front of her. Dylan had connections throughout the school. Rejecting his offer a second time would only put her on bad terms with him and his group.

“I don’t know Dylan give me time to think it through. This isn’t exactly an easy decision to make considering the circumstances.” Ivy said in a tone that seemed harsh once she spoke.

In that moment the golden boy raised his eyebrows in utter shock. With mock hurt he shrugged asking “Whatever do you mean?”

Sending Ivy into a fit of rage she tried hard to subside. Not wanting to make a scene in front of her peers she kept her cool. “You know exactly what I mean Dylan. The games you in your group play with the Scholars have gone too far.”

She saw the boredom in his face as she spoke. “Really Ivy? Of all people I thought you’d understand that the Elites and Scholars have mutual disdain for each other. What’s a little harmless prank?”

“That’s the thing, sometimes those pranks get out of hand.” Ivy said at the memory of past “pranks” that ended dreadfully. The memory was enough to make her nauseous. It left her wondering how Dylan could think so little of what happened.

Dylan was aware that she wouldn’t easily give in. Not one to make a scene in front of others. Especially if it meant jeopardizing the façade he worked so hard to keep up.

“So be it” he said with a final shrug and a heavy sigh. “I’ll give you one last chance to reconsider Ivy. I expect an answer by the winter formal in two weeks. Make sure you think carefully this time.

With that he was gone. Walking away from her table to the group of Elites at his table that had been watching them intently the whole time. They knew what he had asked her. By the looks of surprise on their face when he reached them they must of known what the outcome had been.

Great Ivy thought. She had only two weeks to decide whether or not she’d take part in Dylan’s game. Just thinking about it left her distraught. It had taken all her courage to reject the golden boy the first time.

Ivy plug the earbuds back in and opened her laptop. If she planned to live through the Winter Formal she had work to do.