Gawkers Academy. An academy not even five years old must be an absolute average school. That was my only thought as I filled in the application. A month later, I received the letter of acceptance. And my joy knew no bounds. I was going to school. My dream of an average life was going to be true.
I should have realised something was wrong from the looks of pride on the faces of all of my family. Delirious from joy, I was blind. The next clue was when my parents agreed to let me go by myself. Excitement poked out my eyes this time. Disregard for strangers blinded me to the looks of envy and admiration on the faces on the train when I told them I was a student of Gawkers Academy. Finally, I stood outside the gates of the school and realisation dawned.
Something was terribly wrong.
Such massiveness was definitely not average. The gates were ten metres tall. The walls a half metre taller. The grounds were wide enough for a few stadiums to be erected within. The buildings looked like they were pulled out of comics about kingdoms of old where people were three metres tall and thus required the roof to be at least ten metres off the ground. It wasn't just the massiveness. The grandeur felt like I had stepped into a whole other world. How was this average?
I was a student of the department of history. My course - runic archaeology. As cool as it sounded, it was essentially pouring over old scripts and trying to decipher lost languages. It couldn't get more boring than that. Which was why it was perfect.
The department of history wasn't the most populated but definitely stood among the top three, losing only to the departments of computer engineering and financial accountancy. One big reason for the popularity of the department of history became obvious quickly. We had the highest female population. This too was perfect, because it meant I could become easily invisible.
All new students were sent a map along with the letter of acceptance, marking the building we should head to for registration. Even for someone like me, who wasn't very good at reading maps, finding the way was easy.
Runic archaeology was the smallest branch in the department of history. The building housing the classrooms and labs was the smallest too. And there was no dedicated hostel. Could there be greater proof of averageness?
The numbers dwindled as I walked deeper, until it was merely a handful of us who entered the main building of runic archaeology. The seniors welcomed us with bright smiles. The boys were extremely handsome and the girls indescribably pretty. I was very happy thinking about was how insignificant I would be with my average looks. I was starting to look forward to school even more.
All new students were led to the auditorium, which was a big hall with great acoustics and a small stage at the front. And that was it. No chairs for us to sit on. No satin drapes hanging on the walls. No large banners screaming welcome. No fanfare. It was all to my liking.
Three professors walked in not long after. The man in the middle seemed to be in his fifties. His hair was unkempt and dazzling like new silver. He was short and slightly plump, but he felt very warm and welcoming. The most attractive feature was his eyes that shone like black diamonds in a white pool. Next was his voice, which was magnetic. As he began speaking, all fell under his spell. His voice was the only sound in the hall.
"Good morning all new students. From here on, you will be referred to as the first years. I am the head of runic archaeology department. I will be teaching a subject to you first years. Be warned, I am very strict despite how amiable I look."
There were ambiguous laughs from the seniors.
"To my right is Prof Martines. To my left is Prof Guxianh. You'll have the both of them when you become seniors. We are the welcome squad. So, let us welcome all you first years. Welcome. And congratulations for getting admission to the pride of Gawkers Academy and the most elite study, runic archaeology. Enjoy the looks of envy of your fellow first years from other departments. When classes start, you'll be envying them. Go on then, get out. Settle in."
The professors left amidst deafening applause. In the middle of the cheerfulness, I stood shocked. Unable to believe what just happened. Everything made sense now. The different looks I received. The warm reaction of my family. The readiness with which I was given everything I asked for. I read the evidence right. It was my inference that was entirely wrong.
I could feel my dream breaking and falling away. I felt like I was standing on the shore, watching the waves drag my average life deeper into the sea, further away from me.