It was almost like elementary school again.
I was sitting in the Dean's office along with Hayden, the Dean's office was very big and looked like a giant library, but it's to be expected from such an influential figure such as himself. The Dean's name was Arlington Clark, but not many people care to know him beyond his role. I certainly looked and felt extremely nervous for reasons I myself can't even explain. Hayden had always seemed calm when the situation revolved around things that involved authority figures, but I suspect it's because of his upbringing and his family influence after all.
This really reminded me of my elementary school days where I would constantly get in trouble for doing stupid things like stealing someone else's snack or throwing paper balls at someone's head when they're not looking. I was quite the troublemaker as a child, but I acted mostly out of spite, as both my parents were always working and never had time for me. Eventually, I got over my trouble phase, but sitting in a school office was certainly nostalgic, but not for the right reasons obviously.
The Dean was in the room sitting right across from us, signing some paperwork unrelated to our visit. His golden name plaque was obnoxiously placed directly in front of Hayden and me, his name engraved in a serif font that I couldn't recognize. Dean Clark had certainly seemed like a busy individual as he was so dedicated to his current work. Since we arrived, he hasn't budged at all or bothered to check who was there. I mostly blame Hayden for inviting himself in, but I'm thinking that the Dean probably doesn't mind someone of his status to intrude once in a while.
It wasn't until five minutes of awkward sitting that he finally spoke out to us.
"And done," the Dean said as he scribbled what looks like to be his signature, put his pen down, and relaxed his arms on top of the desk, smiling at Hayden and me.
"Mr. Whitehall! What a pleasant surprise, and who do we have here?" Dean Clark spoke hesitantly, slightly narrowing his eyes.
"This is Sienna Hayes, the one I emailed you about?" Hayden asked.
"Oh yes! How can I forget, my apologies Ms. Hayes, it's very nice meeting you," he offered his hand, I immediately responded by shaking his hand in response, slightly getting out of my seat.
"So, I was told that you're getting sponsored, and to make sure that everything is in order, we need to sign some paperwork," Dean Clark casually explained as he opened his left drawer, looking for files.
He finally pulled out a couple pages of neatly filed paperwork and placed it on his desk. Hayden watched as Dean Clark flipped through some pages and opened the file to a page where many empty lines were waiting to be signed.
"So this serves as your official student status changes paperwork, you've been promoted from scholarship student to a sponsored student, which is fairly uncommon as far as I can remember," he pointed at the section above, indicating the paragraph of explanation in a change of status.
"And here," Dean Clark continued as he flipped through more separate pages, finding the correct place, "is the change in dormitory floor and units to accommodate for your current status."
"Okay," I responded quietly.
"Did Mr. Whitehall talk to you about the course and lecture situation? It's not really officially stated on paper or anything, but it's been a tradition here at Valentino University that elite students and their sponsored students are suggested to take a more focused and less academic education route."
"Yes, I was informed of this, but I'm not really sure what it means if I'm honest," I admitted.
"Well," the Dean smiled, "just between us and the elite students, you don't really have to take courses anymore, all the necessary credits will automatically be accounted for from now until graduation. Instead of courses, you attend specialized and concentrated courses once a month, or whenever you like, they're more like an elite student gathering than anything."
"I can't believe you allow this," I said with honesty, "but I'll admit that most elite students probably have careers planned out for them since childhood, so they're not missing much by not going to class."
"Classes are boring, and I already know most of the things being taught anyway," Hayden casually interrupted.
"Yeah, the unspoken classes rule isn't something we proudly announce to everyone, but we understand that most of these elite students have needs like these, and have proven over time they are more than capable to graduate without going to standard classes," Dean Clark sighed as he flipped through more papers, pulling one page out from the pile.
"And we have the last important page of acknowledgment and participation, you just need to sign and initial on the pages I previously gave you and you should be good to go," Dean Clark clarified, "take your time to read through the paperwork if you wish."
"Okay," I said, taking the papers and filing them in order, I always hated messy paper piles.
I casually flipped through the pages of the full contract, with highlighted sections of the previously talked about sections. There were sections on sections of detailed legal terms that made my head spin, and I have to admit that reading legal documents was not my specialty, I was a science student after all. There was one thing I did notice repeatedly throughout the contract though, the phrase 'Chrysalis' was mentioned more than enough times for me to start asking questions.
"Is this sponsorship program called the Chrysalis or something?" I spoke out casually.
Hayden lifted himself from his relaxed pose from his chair and crossed his legs, "yeah."
"Yes, the sponsorship program is officially referred to as The Chrysalis Project," the Dean elaborated, "it's essentially a program to integrate potential talented students at Valentino into the lives of the elite. The Chrysalis consists of talented and bright students like yourself who have the potential to become more than themselves but are not fortunate enough to have the money and resources to help them become their best. Which is why sponsorship exists in this school, but obviously the sponsorship word can be somewhat degrading, so we change it to something more suitable."
"Like when a larva awaits to emerge from a chrysalis to become a butterfly," I added.
"Yes, exactly that," the Dean smiled, "and you have the backing of Mr. Whitehall, so I'm looking forward to your transformation, future butterfly."
"You also technically get all your expenses covered, different sponsors have different sponsoring methods, some get allowances and some get paid, there are different types of exchanges and agreements," Hayden explained.
"People get paid to get their life sorted out? That sounds like a dream," I responded.
"Well yeah, sometimes you have to deal with rich brats like me," Hayden joked, "most of the elite students can be quite...strange."
The Dean let out a small chuckle as a response, "Although I wouldn't put it that way, Mr. Whitehall isn't exactly wrong. The elite aren't exactly the humblest people on this planet; sometimes you'll have to deal with the repercussions of being around the elite since they're sometimes hard to manage, which is why some people are provided compensation while others an allowance of sorts."
"Honestly this sponsorship thing sounds like tutoring and babysitting," I noted.
"We certainly have students who are doing so, but in your case, you're technically an assistant of Mr. Whitehall, so it really depends on what he wants to do with your time."
"My time? What do you mean by that?" I inquired.
"As a sponsorship student, you will be spending a lot of your time with your elite sponsor, mostly shadowing and helping the elite student out, which is why your classes are no longer required."
"I'm not going to spend all day with you all the time if that's what you're asking," Hayden answered, "you're my assistant, not my slave."
"This is kind of weird," I admitted wholeheartedly.
Dean Clark sighed, "I'm not going to condemn you if you choose to deny this opportunity. The opportunities of this program greatly outweigh the repercussions, and going back to your old lifestyle or social group is difficult because of the change in status and disassociating yourself from the same influential folks that can possibly provide you with a lifetime of good."
"Yeah, but too many good things have been happening to me lately, and if I know karma, something bad is bound to happen sooner or later, and I really don't know what I'm getting myself into right now," I explained.
"Well, it is really a life-changing program and I don't want you to regret this decision, but you have every right to not want to participate should you choose," the Dean responded, "it's entirely up to you, and I can give you a moment to think about it if you like."
"I think I need a moment with Hayden if you'll let me," I asked nicely.
"I'll grab some coffee in the break room while you two talk it out," the Dean nodded to my request and proceeded to leave the office, leaving Hayden and me alone in the room.