~Ariel~
I sat idle on the sofa, TV. The Moore's we're all out so I didn't have to worry about getting fired.
I was halfway through the show when Mrs Moore walked in. I jumped to my feet quickly and she frowned.
"Welcome...."
"Why are you still at home?" She interrupted and I looked up.
"Huh?".
"I thought you were supposed to be a part-time assistant? Don't you have to be in school?" She asked.
"Uhmm...I do not school ma'am. I...."
"Oh yes, that is true. How could I have forgotten?" She sighed. "Come with me".
I followed her timidly to her room. She brought out a slip from a drawer.
"Here, keep it safe because you will need it tomorrow" She said, handing it over to me. It looked like a registration slip. I couldn't make out the words on the Headline.
All I could understand was the abbreviation 'ABD'. Stupid, I know. Anyone could read an abbreviation!.
Like I said, I can only read simple words and everything written here looked like gibberish.
"What is it, ma'am?" I asked then quickly added, "sorry for asking".
"It's your slip. You will present it at the academy tomorrow" She informed me.
"Academy? Like school? I'm going to school?" My voice was barely above a whisper.
"Yes dear. Don't worry about being alone or anything, Canaan tutors there too. There's Cheng too, I'm sure you're friends right?" She smiled and all I could do was nod.
I was in shock. I was going to go to school. I didn't know how to feel. I was excited alright but a part of me was scared and nervous.
I was pretty sure I would prefer my job full-time. What would I be doing in school. I can barely read or write.
"Thank you ma'am. I appreciate" I bowed.
"It's nothing, Kim. Go prepare for your big day tomorrow" She smiled. Ibowed and walked out.
Big day tomorrow? Ofcourse it would be a big day! With big buildings, big celebrities, rich kids...I cringed at the thought. I didn't like any of the above mentioned.
I'd rather go to a community school or forget about school in general. Was it too late to turn down her offer?.
I knew I couldn't do that. It would be rude. I just had to deal with the situation, whether I liked it or not.
The next day, I wore my usual baggies and packed everything I assumed I would need into my backpack.
I checked the time and rushed downstairs to join breakfast.
Everyone was present at the table except Canaan. I greeted them and faced my food.
"Is this seriously what you're wearing to ABD?" Shugar asked chuckling. I stared down at my clothes.
"Is there something wrong with it? Am I wrongly dressed?" I asked, feeling a pit in my stomach. She was about to talk when Mrs Moore glared at her.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with it. You're just being you and that's decent" Mrs Moore said and I smiled in appreciation.
After breakfast, I got ready to leave. Did I say Mrs Moore arranged a driver for me?. Well she did. That woman is an angel in disguise.
I waved everyone goodbye and hurried into the car. I took out my phone and smiled. It was a gift I got last night from Shugar.
The car stopped in the parking lot and I stepped down. U could see a long line of flashy cars. I wanted to run back inside the car and hide.
Rich kids make me cringe. All the ones I've met are proud, rude and super mean except the Moores ofcourse.
I took a deep breath to ease my nervousness before taking slow steps into the huge place.
Two buildings stood out among the rest. They were like seven stories while the rest of them were three or four.
I noticed the way the students were staring at me like they knew me from somewhere.
"Kim Hana" Someone called from behind and I stopped. How did she know my name?. I turned to face her and noticed the students were getting closer.
I've seen this far in the papers severally. She wore an ash mini dress that barely covered her thighs. I don't like that look on her face.
"Welcome to ABD. The Vienntys would like to give you a special welcome" She said with a plastic smile. Why don't I like the sound of that?.
Before I knew what was happening, she stepped back into the circle of students and water came splashing from all directions.
It smelt so bad. I looked down at my once white shirt.
'Goodluck washing this' I thought sullenly. Students were giggling and taking pictures. I sighed and turned away from them.
As I left the crowd, I heard another voice.
"Hey Kim". I groaned before turning. Another pretty blonde with beautiful hazel eyes.
"Do you have any special welcome for me as well?" I asked dryly and she smiled. She's got a killer smile but I am not about to fall for that. She doesn't even sound Korean.
"I know. I'm Annabelle. I'm Italian and no, I don't have any special welcome. Forget Shantel, she's always mean to newbies" She said.
"How did you know my name?" I asked.
"Once ABD admits a new student, everyone gets a notification in everything concerning that student but somehow your background data is hidden" She replied and I inwardly thanked Mrs Moore. What would happened if they discovered I was a nobody?.
"You see those two buildings? They're strictly for classes. Unfortunately, today has a whole lot of theories so you may get bored. The blue one is for Regulars and the red and white block for vienntys" She said.
"I don't understand"
"Regulars are for those with boring academic courses like Medicine,law, business management and the rest. Vienntys are for the talented ones who are not after book knowledge but skill improvement like songwriters, singers, actors and actresses, artists, painters, models, fashion designers and the lots of them. ABD pays celebs to train us" She explained.
I might not have a dream yet but I know it's definitely not becoming a model or singer.
"I guess my destination is Regulars then" I said walking toward the blue building but she pulled me back.
"No! You were signed under Vienntys. I'll show you your locker so you can change" She said pulling me towards the Viennty block.
Could this day get any worse?.
The lockers were set like a walk-in closet. I got out of my dirty clothes and searched for baggies.
The dresses were sophisticated but I wasn't interested. I found what I was looking for and walked out to meet Annabelle.
She looked amused but dragged me off saying we were late. We finally got to class and I gasped on seeing the teacher.
The hottest female model in the market. Mi Rae. She looked so hot. Everything about he screamed wealth. From her hair to her shoes.
Annabelle walked in and I followed but she called me back for some reason.
"What pithole did you crawl out from?" She asked and the class giggled. My initial happiness on seeing her disappeared.
"Are you from this planet at all? Where did you get this things from? Geez..my grandmother didn't even wear these rags" She said with disgust and the class laughed.
I stared at the clothes. Why did she have to humiliate me like this?. Do I have to expose my body just to get accepted?.
I wished I could talk back but I couldn't. She has everything and I have nothing. My hands began trembling.
Calm down, Ariel. Calm down. I held my phone tightly so it wouldn't end up like Shugar's phone. Her eyes dropped to my hands.
"Let me see that. Don't worry,I won't laugh if it's outdated" She mocked. I handed it to her and her expression changed as she saw the glittering gold letters.
"GEM? Where did you get this?" She gasped and the whole class was standing to get a better look.
Why are they so excited over a phone?.
"GEM hasn't even released it yet. How did you get it? Hold on....are you in anyway related to the Moores?" She asked suspiciously.
My heart raced. I quickly shook my head cause I could already sense trouble.
"It isn't mine, I swear. I found it in the hallway so I picked it. I was hoping to give it to a teacher" I lied. I was grateful cause I knew she would never be able to unlock it.
She dismissed me and relief washed through me. I turned to go but the phone suddenly rang.
My heart pounded. Who could be calling at this time? I'm not sure anyone has my number. Well except the Mrs Moore and Shugar. Oh God!
"How come your picture is on the home screen?". I swallowed hard.