After lessons were supposed to return to our dorms and stay there doing homework and completing assignments but mostly we just talk. People with our IQ levels don't need the whole three hours of study they give us. I don't know why they give us so much time, maybe the instructors aren't as smart as us or maybe back in the day they recruited people with normal IQ levels. Usually, I spend my time with my best buddy Kelvin, cultivated John and Natasha, eh for Natasha you just have to see for yourself. We sneak out of the prison cells they call dorms. They are separated into boys and girls. Each team of ten with five boys with one dorm to share and same with the five girls. The apartments of each team are on the same floor, literally opposite each other. Only ten apartments on a floor meaning five teams per floor. Not bad, I won't ever complain because sometimes what others deem insignificant is extravagant.
We hang out on the roof of our block. From there we can see the entire dimension. It's enormous, so may buildings in good condition for that matter, the best ones I've seen all my life. Something about watching the place and the guards standing like statues at their posts without realizing a group of trespassing kids. We haven't been caught yet, I just hope the guards are as stupid as they seem because I'm going to need it. People say I'm a rebellious kid but I like to think of it as a past time to annoy people. I've had gangs sent to kidnap me which I avoided simultaneously so I think I'll be able to handle a few guards.
"Right, Pat spill," utters Natasha as soon as we get on the roof. I look back at Kelvin perplexed at the nickname I didn't know I had.
"Aye Natasha, I see what you did there," I repeat it and savour my new nickname. I know only Natasha would come up with such a nickname "Pat, I like it."
"Not the point here."
"Fine, fine but what's there to spill, y'all heard it for yourselves plus you are the only one making a big deal out of this."
"No, she's not." Kevin joins in and I know I'm done for.
"Kevin, who's side are you on."
"I.. Am on...The side of knowledge." He says with his hand together like a monk and sounding like an ancient master or whatever.
"John... " Before I can continue he takes a step back and lifts his hands in surrender.
I let an exaggerated sigh escape out of me as I drop myself to the ground cross-legged and they all follow my lead. "All I did was steal his sidekick's wallet and he said I should come to Silver hall for dinner. So I'll just go see what he wants and update you guys about what happened. No biggie."
"No biggie. Patricia, do you know what this means. He might put you on his team." Natasha puts her point forward, it is possible. I thought about it but I don't know some things I prefer done by themselves.
"Ummm... is that what you're worried about. As well as I know, Pat, she's gonna cause a bigger stir down there. Either she's gonna get on someone bad side or she's gonna be the one beating the crap out of someone." Kevin kindly reminds our little cult.
"Kevin, for the record I know how to behave when I must." I use the word must. We all know what it means but I prefer not to think about it. I certainly try but some things in life are invertible.
"Well, if you do get into the Captains team then what about us." Kevin just never get enough of talking.
"I will just join and maybe I can get some pecks off it. We can still meet here. If we can't that's that. We just see how thing go. You know me."
"So you are going to tell us how you feel about that, what you're gonna wear..."
Like Natasha is, she budges in and helps Kevin out, "You also need to have a speech, what you will say when they introduce you and what you will talk to hehe, Captain about."
And I've had enough so hack into their smart contacts and change the time to five-thirty and when I'm done I stand up like nothing ever happened. Before I deliver my excuse John says "Right! It's time to go. Do fill us in when you get back."
I'm quite surprised but John watches people so he probably noticed me fiddling with my watch-tab. "Sure." Then I mouth him thanks and he winks back at me
*****
I put three outfits on my bed. I stare at them for a few minutes and I give up. "Natasha!!" I yell from my room.
"Yes, yes, yes." She pops into my room in less than 5seconds
"How..."
I was waiting at your door. Took you long enough. Besides you have to dress up for dinner for the first time in your life. Of course, you can't decide what to wear.
"Wow, thanks," I say sarcastically
"Anyways, what should I wear?" I hold up the three choices. One is a black leather jacket and pants. Two is light blue jeans and a white sweatshirt and three and three is a black and white tracksuit.
"You, my dear are putting on a dress."
"No"
"Yes"
"No"
"Yes you are and I'm not arguing with you over this,"
"Fine, mum."
"And talk to your mama like that little, let me hear a proper 'Yes mama'.
"Shut up Natasha, I'm older than you."
"By three and a half years."
"Rounded it's four years."
"I strongly dislike you"
"But you are still here"
"Because your whole life depends on me"
"Whatever makes you feel better" I walk up to my closet and pull out a plain black dress. I lift it to my body and raise my eyebrows at Natasha.
"Uhmmmm "
"I am not wearing a bright coloured flowery dress," I say sternly
"Haaa she sighs. Let's see what we got." She rummages through my closet. "Darling I'm starting to think you are colour blind, in your world, you can only see black white and grey??
"Pretty much, yes"