"So what you're saying is that I don't have a choice in the matter?"
Aunt Katie sighs, the frown on her face deepening the lines on the corners of her mouth, "It was one of your parents conditions,Theresa. Have a normal job for a year and live like an everyday person during this period."
"I still don't get it. Yes, I made a mistake. A stupid mistake. But don't you think this undercover crap is a tad on the extreme side?"
" No, I don't, Sophia. You've never had a shred of normality in your life. Your parents struggled a lot as teenagers, working day and night to make a decent living. You are lucky to only have lived through their successes.
You went to the best private school in London, shopped in designer shops, went to the coolest parties and never had to work a 'proper' job to fund your lifestyle.
You've failed to realise how much your parents have helped you. I have been working at Brainy College for twenty odd years now and I've met countless students who have had a terrible upbringing but are appreciative of every opportunity they are given.
You need a dose of reality and Brainy College will do this for you. Do it for yourself as well as your parents. They deserve at least that much."
To say I'm shocked is a huge understatement. I have never seen my aunt get so worked up. And what is this rubbish about me not appreciating what I had? I am appreciative of everything my parents have done for me.
I may have had a better upbringing than some but I'm grateful for what I've been given and I've never taken anything for granted. At least, I don't think I have.
"I just don't understand why I've suddenly become the 'bad guy'. If you thought I was so ungrateful why didn't you say anything before?"
"I'm saying something now, aren't I? Let's put a stop to all this back and forth and get you settled into your new home. It's getting late."
And it was. The sky had turned a dark blue and the air had become sharper.
I give up my protesting and follow Aunt Katie.
There is nothing I could do about my current situation so I might as well stick through it for the time being.
******
The accommodation for Brainy College is located directly behind campus.
The building itself is ridiculously small.
How many students lived here again?
Smell of cigarettes surrounds the area. A few students are standing outside, their laughter stopping when their gazes meet Aunt Katie's..
"Hey, Mrs.Adams. What are you doing here? Don't tell me you've found
another student smoking cannabis on college premises."
"No Abel and if I had I would not disclose that information with you. I'm actually here with my nephew, Mr. Adams," she replies, ushering me to say something.
"Hi." I squeak, my voice coming out in a high shrill. I clear my throat, and tried to shake off the heat rising on my cheeks.
"Erm...uh...Hey." I finally manage to lower my voice. How was I going to keep this up? My first conversation with a student and I'm already slipping up.
"As I was saying," Aunt Katie threw me a look of warning before continuing, "Mr. Adams will be the teaching assistant for Mr Presley's English lessons. I trust you to behave in his lessons."
"Sure!" Abel replies, grinning widely. His friends mimic his expression.
"You have nothing to worry about. We'll take good care of Mr. Adams." Ben stares directly at me, smirking with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Oh God. They were planning to kill me.
These psychos were going to
KILL me!
"Calm down!" Aunt Katie whispers to me as we enter the building, "You nearly blew your cover. Keep your voice in check."
'I'm trying!' I whine.
She narrows her eyes at my high pitched tone.
"I'm try- ing," I repeat, roughly. Manly .
"Much better."
Once we're inside the building I look around, scrunching my nose in distaste. I had to admit, this place is a lot nicer than I had expected it to be but it was nowhere near as nice as my old place.
"Your room will be on the ground floor,"
Aunt Katie tells me whilst taking the key from a snooty looking woman sitting behind a drab desk.
"Oh? Is the ground floor where all the teachers live?"
Aunt Katie smiles grimly, 'No, teachers stay on the top floor but we didn't have any rooms free on that level so we've had no choice but to give you a room on the ground floor...with the students.''
I stare at her, not knowing what to say or how to react. Could this get any worse?
Not only do I have to work in a school for the next year, I also have to live among students. Crazy, weird, psycho students.
"Fine," I reply, concealing my anger.
"I'm glad you're okay with this, Tessa. I really appreciate your understanding. As soon as there is a room free on the top floor we'll move you. You just have to be patient for now."
I nod but I know the chances of a free room on the top floor were slim to none.
"The good news is that you're going to love your room. It's so cosy! You'll feel right at home,"
she says with excitement, whilst turning the key in the lock and opening the door slowly.
The door opens and I stand in silence.
Staring at the room I'm going to call home for the next 365 days. I guess she was right....it was cosy .
Like I had expected, the room is tiny. With only enough space for a single bed, a wardrobe, a mini fridge and a desk.
I'm glad to see a bathroom, which means I don't have to share with anyone. Thank the heavens for that.
"Make yourself at home. I've stacked the closet with suits that you will need to wear at the college. I've also bought casual men's clothes for you to wear after working hours."
"Thanks. I'll take it from here. It's late, you should go home." I tell her. It takes all the power in my body not to break down and cry.
Why had I agreed to this?
The longer I think about it the clearer it becomes that I'm going to regret ever giving in to my parents.