I had questioned the shouting beyond the door very much and as soon as we walked in, I began to understand what it was about.
One of the school boys was break-dancing on top of his desk.
He was balanced on top of his head and he kept on spinning and spinning, his legs revolving in an invisible elliptical around him.
I couldn't help but wonder if that hurt or not.
It was quite an impressive sight to see, but that doesn't change the fact that he broke the rules.
'I'll have a chat with him later in my office.'
Just thinking about shoes having contact with the tabletop made me wrinkle my nose.
It was just plain unsanitary and quite disgusting.
You'll never know what kind of harmful bacteria could be under there.
It seems they haven't noticed us so I cleared my throat.
"Class..."
They paid no attention and continued to be unruly.
"CLASS!"
My voice resonated throughout the entire room. I didn't really intend to speak that loud.
I inwardly shrug.
Apparently it worked since every student immediately shut their mouth.
I suppose they all know how much authority this position occupied.
In one smooth movement, the breakdancer halted and seated himself on top of his desk.
The class turned their heads, curious to know what was so important.
I clapped my hands together.
"We have a new student,"
I bent down to match her height. Then I gently say,
"Please introduce yourself, Miss Terrifota."
She met my eyes and nodded.
She tightly clutched her backpack straps while her pupils swept over her would-be classmates.
'Ah, she has those determining eyes again.'
She began her introduction.
"Good morning, my name is Eliana Terrifota,"
She paused, making sure to catch the attention of every person in the area.
"I have recently just moved into this state and this is my first time attending this specific private school."
Then the corners of her lips lifted.
"Nice to,"
The light that flooded the room shone on her piercing eyes, making the the gold in them slightly glow.
Something about it gave me chills.
Instead of reminding me of the sun's warmth, it reminded me of a knife hiding its razor-sharp edge.
They had a certain coldness about them and, I don't know if it's just me but... There seems to be a faint dangerousness hidden underneath those hazel eyes.
She set her eyes on one student for a moment then moved on to another like she was searching for their weaknesses or sins.
"Meet you all..."
She concluded.
I was supposed to scold them about their behavior, but I guess I didn't need to.
For awhile, everything was still. Not one person moved nor spoke.
The environment quickly shifted from welcoming to intense and somehow I get the feeling that I wasn't the only one with goosebumps forming all over my back.
***
"And that's all for the day."
The school bell rang and the sound of the chairs scraping against the tiled floor filled the room. Every student wasted no time shoving their school things into their backpack and rushed out the door.
Eliana took her time, making sure that everything that belonged to her wasn't missing.
She was sure she was the only one present until she heard a school boy call out.
"Hey, seaweed head!"
Eliana ignored him. She didn't feel like dealing with this.
Attending one class wore her out, but she had to sit through five.
She just wanted to go home.
"HEY! ANSWER ME!"
She heaved a deep sigh.
"Did you call for me?" Eliana nonchalantly answered while she closed her English Literature textbook, not looking up. If she did, it would mean that she agreed to his insult.
She placed her white mechanical pencil inside her denim pencil case and zipped it.
"I'm sorry. It's just that I don't answer to those who enjoy messing with other people just to make them feel better about themselves." Eliana said, then proceeded to pack her backpack.
"Look here-"
"No, you look here." She interrupted, and glared at this of a nuisance classmate.
It turns out it was the same boy who was breakdancing on the tabletop earlier today.
'So this is how they treat new students, huh? It's only my first day and somebody is already here trying to start shit.'
Crossing her arms, she continued.
"You call me something quite offensive and you expect me acknowledge you. Where's your sense of logic there?"
Eliana stood up and grabbed her backpack.
Then she turned to face the boy.
"Well? What do you want?" She asked, not trying to mask the irritation growing in her voice.
The boy opened his mouth, closed it, opened it once more before closing it again.
'Is he serious?'
She rolled her eyes.
This brat dare insults her for no apparent reason and even shouts at her.
Now he can't say anything?
'What is going on in that head of his?'
"Excuse me. If you're just going to waste my time, I'm going to go ahead. I will possibly miss my ride home and I definitely don't want to be stuck here with someone who has no filter."
As she opened the door to exit the classroom, Eliana shook her head.
'I have just confirmed there can be some amazingly stupid people in this world.'
***
When Eliana arrived home, she pulled off her penny loafers and headed to her room to change into something more comfortable. Afterwards, she headed downstairs.
She took her pill and called out,
"Mom? Are you there?"
"Uh-huh, I'm right here!" Eliana noticed her mother waving her hand from their beige chaise sectional couch.
She sat herself down right next to her and her mother wrapped both her arms around Eliana.
"Sweetie look... Someone was murdered a couple hours ago."
A young brunette announced the news while an image of the victim's house that was blocked with police tape flashed onto the TV screen.
Police guards entered and exited the building, rolling a cart with a body occupying it.
Red stains were visible on the white cloth.
"I'm sorry to say the serial killer still hasn't been found. Please stay safe and practice security measures everybody. Thank you for choosing ABNC." The brunette finished.
"Eliana,"
Her mom wrapped her arms tighter as if she was trying to shield Eliana from the dangers of the world.
"I guess our troubles followed us from the last state we've lived in. I hope the same things don't happen again..."