As we walk on campus, rough chunks of concrete dig into my shoe, I haven't realized but it seems there's potentially a good deal of fights going on here from some of the destruction of property, but I disagree as it didn't hurt either way. Eventually me & Layom were at this smaller building, with a large "0-1" on the top of the door. Inside from the window I could see many shelves of what I presumed were books, this is the library huh?
Layom looked at me with a warm smile, as warm as I felt after dad finished his belting session.
"Now this you see is all the knowledge here is stored, the purpose and function behind the ranking system, the fundamentals of different magics and ability types, obscure combat strategies and philosophical pieces to enlighten our judgement, the very framework of our world shall be unveiled and you can do it here and today." He barely could keep himself together but I don't blame him, sure it's the library but the library was vast, there were so many brown shelves that it felt like I was in some kind of Labyrinth and that's what made it magical to me.
That weird smell of unopened books felt strangely nostalgic, it enticed me into the arms of my home. I don't care as much about the knowledge as I do about these memories, a sweet fresh smell that I used to always weave around into the ears of my sister at night.
Soon I was almost in a spaced out trance but then I was snapped back by a-
Smack
"Ow, what the hell are you doing" the memories sorta entranced me, and let's say I don't like getting said memories ripped in half like a sheet of homework paper.
"Dude what the hell are you doin-"
"If you don't understand the basis of the school then you're gonna have a hard time here" his voice was still warm, but it was a bit colder, not painful nor comforting. Like a smooth piece of stone
"Well I can and I will without your help." I mean I'm good enough too, if I need the library to understand the basics of an area aren't the teachers just incompetent?, if not then that doesn't make sense unless this dude is trying to say I'm too stupid to understand the basics
"Also hey... you trying to call me stupid?" Layom didn't even flinch, he just frowned in seeming disappointment somehow?
"Look, I know you're powerless so this is just to give extra information mandatory to comprehend what you have been, and will be facing, this is not an insult but an out of curricular suggestion, understood?" Gosh that tone, condescending but, I get he's just offering it for prep, I don't like it but It's not like I can smack him over being a little bit too honest about his intentions.
"Anyways, to the clubs next?-"
"I'm not the type of guy to do after school activities" Well it's less about the clubs but, sis gets worried if I'm late and besides, she's just a naive girl. What if I don't come home one day and a stranger asks for help screaming at the door?, in that neighborhood it'll almost be a death sentence and she's too young to comprehend that, no matter what I say she keep trying to help everyone.
"No thank you."
"I see well then, onto our next destination and yes this one is definitely mandatory my guy." It better be, I'd prefer not to lose any more time with my grade's life support because it's definitely in the hospital with all that I've skipped.
We left the library, I followed him and we passed by some guys that were giving me 'the look', I didn't like it but I can't let it tank my record nor ruin what Layom's trying to do for me, even though they deserve it.
"it's in the main building here, it's where a lot of the above high tier classes are for seniors, mostly includes elective classes and 'special' classes which are also not needed to pass but are usually for younger students like you."
We came across it, the building I noticed right when I entered school yesterday. A vast humongous building, a skyscraper even!, a grand rooftop dwarfing all the others, it's like- no it's gotta be at least enough to see the whole city from! And that's not all, when we got inside it was like a whole neighborhood, bottom floor had a calm, almost ordinary set up and with each floor up me and Layom glimpsed upon in the elevator it got better and better, 2's beautiful and yet simple blue carpet floors, 3's red and gold carpet with posters endorsing respect and diligence, one read "say no to Baes and yes to A's!", I could go on and on, floor 6's red and gold carpet with the walls painted a simple but well contrasted navy blue, floor 11 was full of people moving around, a bit tight but with a cool gray wall aesthetic with paintings comparable to stuff you'd see in a art museum.
Eventually we reached the top floor, and there in front of us was a woman sitting In her chair, when she noticed us she immediately got up.
"Hey Ms.Rina!" Huh this lady's name is Rina?, wait is this the headmaster
"Layom what is it today" she responded with a bored sigh at the end. She was lanky and thin, a bit taller than me I'm guessing around 175ish?, her face had deep cheek bones and her eyes were hanging low just like her eye bags. She did not seem healthy or in a good shape, her suit had several buttons undone including her shirt, it's a typical female officer worker outfit but on the brightside. She isn't that bad all things considered and I can see a bit of that ch- said n- no impure thoughts!
"Nothing just showing the new student around campus- also Lexy why are you spazzing out like you saw a girl's che-?" Because I did!, before I could run I'm embarrassment the lady spoke.
"That's right you're the transfer student Lexy Sistelia right" (Rina)
"Yes ma'am" I replied awkwardly, I was a bit fidgety not just because of earlier but because of her position, she could E.N.D me. Evaporate, nullify, discard into the void...
"Don't forget autistic transfer student" (Layom)
Okay that part was a little unnecessary Layom-
"So I heard you got into a fight on your first day" the headmaster spoke, you're lucky she's here or else you'd have to pay the actions of your consequence.
"Yep and got his ass slapped around inthe process" (Layom)
"Shut the hell up at least I had the balls to stand up to her" I wasn't really mad or emotional because I can tell Layom isn't that much of a jerk, but goddamn shut up if you're gonna disrespect me in front of the boss lady.
"completely unacceptable, considering your lack of 'ability', you know this is a terrible look on our school's reputation do you understand?" Suddenly Layom's smile faded, it was anxious and I could feel the animosity pouring from the headmaster's cold eyes. Am I gonna be expelled?
"So let me ask you, what is the deserved punishment given to breaking school conduct and interacting with and injuring a beloved trouble maker on campus, causing disruption and vandalizing property, expulsion?, at the bare minimum we'll need thousands of dollars for the damages that YOU caused." What have I done? I knew of Alqa'a reputation and this place loved that part, the reputation which is derived from power, I could feel it. Right when I started making a friend I'm getting removed. I can feel the tears so desperately clawing out of my body for these douchebags to see me in sorrow... why why why.
"i- I don't k-"
"Ms.Rina, I understand your issue but my friend Mr.Sistelia was harassed and was actively provoked by a conscious Alqa first. Dame Alqa who is shown to know several languages perform well in academics, now I understand your concern but as an disabled child who was provoked may we please excuse his behavior to the point of suspension or detention please." Layom, why did you-
The room was silent for a moment. The headmaster took a deep breath and spoke.
"Alright then, I suppose the expulsion of an autistic child may be quite foolish of me, apologies. You may only gain detention after today although it'll be several hours long per day and shall only finish when deemed fit."
"Thank you ma'am." Layom... thanks
"So what's next" Layom said to me with a smile.
"I think I'm good for today." Layom nodded and we stood for a while outside the building. It was silent for a bit, awkward so I tried to break it.
"Hey, why did you help me?" Layom looked at me with a confused expression, it seemed as if he was about to shrug and say 'Don't know and don't care' but he put his arms down and spoke.
"It's the minimum, no need to ponder nor be thankful over it. I just don't wanna regret the choices I make because of my fear" Wow, I never thought Layom was so forthcoming. But even then, why would he have regretted it?
"I see, but either way I thanks a bunch, because you felt regret for a reason." Layom doesn't speak, but he smiled and nodded.
"I think I should've kept track of time huh" hu- oh crap it's time to go and perfect moment to switch subjects!
"Don't take me anywhere with you again!" Damn it Layom- ah oh well, Layom grabs my hand with a tight hold and we run off to our next class.
We arrive to the room, similar to my first period but wayyy nicer, we took a while walking around so we skipped through period two but luckily we share the same period three. Yipee
In the room I see lots of potion things and posters with zombies, the walls were pure white and the ground floor was just normal old dark green tiles, there weren't many unoccupied chairs so I decided to sit on a stool and Layom followed my lead right next to me. The class including the teacher were staring at me, although one person was waving, it was Amber. Before I could get up in frustration, because man, now it's Layom they're looking at over some stupid fight that didn't involve him, Amber sat right beside us and she gave a quick wave and smiled at us.
"Heya boys" She speaks with a smirk, a sweet smirk however, she always looks sweet with her full face, like a big juicy banana- pause...
"Oh hi Amber, I was giving Lexy a tour of the place, it's pretty sweet huh?" He nudges to me with a smile, I mean hey I'm not as homesick anymore but I'm still kinda sick to be honest, but despite my conflicted thoughts, for the sake of Layom. I nodded in agreement to Layom.
"Aww that's sweet of you Layom!, and Lexy il glad you're starting to get comfortable?" That stung, I get she's trying to be nice but, but this place is filthy.
"Uhm, not really but atleast things aren't getting worse." I hate lying about this place, I don't want her to ask questions and stuff but I this place is still annoying. After a while of staring, a man in a lab coat speaks up
"Class settle down, Layom is this the transfer?" How the hell do so many already know me
"Yes Mr.Trophle" trophle?, what Is he some kind of golden prize for the ladies?
"uhm hello I'm Lexy-" everyone was still staring... they keep on looking at me soon the noises of the teacher started getting drowned, clenched and drowned within this pit of looks clenching my throat, the anxiety, I hate it.
"Hey stop!" Amber's shout suddenly got me out of my trance, now the looks suddenly turned to her, but before things could escalate the teacher shouted
"ENOUGH!" With the mighty roar comparable to 100 lions, everyone sat down including immediately sat down, scary.
Class mostly involved my introduction, I just said my name, age, Likes or dislikes, ect ect, and favorite animal (a dove btw).
Afterwards the teacher gave me some packets and notes to copy whilst everyone else was doing other stuff.
After a while the bell rang, next is lunch now and I'm excited, Jeez I'm hungry, so hungry I wouldn't be able to get satisfied by a whole cow or horse but an entire building's worth of food!
"Hey Lexy what lunch do you have?"
"2nd lunch."
"Yo same here! Let's go c'mon they got Buffalo wings on Thursdays, if you're early we can even get ranch or blue cheese!" Well I suppose blue cheese with wings isn't too bad. Before I could respond Layom immediately grabbed my hand with the force of a truck and we bolted out the door at speeds that even a clock wouldn't be able to perceive. We ran down the stairs instead of using an elevator and honestly I'm glad, on foot it's way faster!
After a few seconds of running through the concept of physics we arrived at the cafeteria and almost instantly the smell got me, it was like a high quality bakery, the stuff dad used to take me too on the weekend after a big promo or pay check. I didn't even wait for Layom, I was pushing people and rushing as fast as possible, faster than what's possible or conceivable and I managed to at last get some hands on quality food and finally... finally have some peace, without worries I feel so relaxed now munching on my wings, Layom sat beside me, the wings were boneless but had a very nice moist flavor with the sauce being spicy but packed of flavor and crazy good seasoning, the blur cheese was a perfect palate cleanser for the spice.
But, it crumbled. The food was thrown off of my table, down to the concrete floor. And standing on the table was a tall young guy, I'm guessing around 180 cm and at least 15, brown hair, a black button up with a well built muscular build, clear white skin and a strong jaw with a nasty smug look smeared on his face.
"Hey I saw you pushing some of my friends earlier, know your place 'retard'" GREAT, another dick weasel who wants to beat me up? No no- it's fine.
"Sorry sir, I didn't mean to hurt your friends, I was just hungry." It pissed me off too, but I couldn't do anything stupid, his mere presence... if he were a great wolf I was a pup. His very existence is crushing me..
"What did you say at the beginning again?, sorry-" he put his pinky into his ear and started swirling, pulled it out with a bit of earwax and-
Thump
He slammed his pinky into my THROAT I immediately started gasping for breath and when he pulled out his finger I almost vomited
"Stop- please..." I cried out, Layom suddenly got up and put his hand on the guy's shoulder whilst I struggled to get some air in
"Cindy, chill."
Suddenly the guy pulled away with a frown
"Layom enough, I respect you as I consider you valuable compared to the other children your age but if you attempt to order me around I will kill you."
Layom gulped, this Cindy guy is terrifying even Layom...
"Now, bow to me"
"Wh- what" Layom suddenly turned to me biting his lip.
"I said, bow down to m-" pretentious fuck shut up! I jumped up and my anger took over, it's true I'm pathetic enough to lose but I hate that, for someone like you to assume you can mess with me.
"You're trash!" I yelled out and with my fist was going to drill his face in!
Achoo
I couldn't even understand, I can't understand, he yelled and sneezed and broke my ribs instantly and I spat out, nearly vomited blood, it's as if I was hit with some mini-compressed rocket, I was blown into the ground. I was out just like that
After a while I woke up In the nurse's office, my injuries were gone but right beside me was the nurse half asleep along with Layom & Amber, Layom looking a little bit scraped up.
The nurse looked at me with a smile, her once beautiful face was brought down by giant eyebags
"Uhm, thank you."
"No prob, it's also already time for your 5th period now." Damn it!, I got up and was about to leave until I tripped and almost fell onto the ground, but before I could someone caught me.
"Hey you okay?Cindy gave you a big beat down." It was Layom, no I'm not okay, I'm pissed.
"No, of course not I lost again." Layom looked at me with a frown on his face.
"Hey nurse lady, can we please wait to be dismissed until the 6th period."
"O- yeah sure." She gladly obliged with her head hanging low, as low as her eye bags like she had a hunchback, she seemed so tired but she still decided to deal with our shenanigans. She's someone I can actually respect here.
Me and Layom were just chilling and Amber was kinda watching over us, it was chill. Today wasn't as bad as yesterday, I don't feel as angry despite how I failed so miserably.
Eventually the bell rang and that was the cue, this time I was going in alone and headed into the gym where my final class lied. Building 3-0 the whole building is a gymnasium. When I entered in, I got smacked with a disgusting smell, of sweat and dirt, gross.
"Hey!" A loud voice shouted, a indescribable sound that almost made me piss myself.
"Ah-"
"Change your clothes kid." Huh, some chubby dude with a whistle around his neck, grimey balding hair, wearing shades and and with crooked teeth and a dirty neckbeard looked at me with a scowl.
"Uhm my what?" I asked him sheepishly.
"The proper gym clothes doofus" Wow this prick's got a silver tongue huh?
"I don't have one- just my suit."
"Well, go and get some!" He shouted, it's just some clothes who care-
"Cya." Suddenly something sharp thrusted itself into my gut, I was tossed around into the ceiling, my brain was constantly rocking back and forth and my throat was irreversibly traumatized by the acid reflux caused. If there's different magnitudes for this feeling this is a magnitude TWELVE!
While dizzy I fell back down and I was barley still conscious. Before I hit the ground something caught me... like a cloud?!
"Now your suit is covered in grime and sweat, idiot." I could barely regain myself... damn I can barely stop myself from hurling so what did this jerk do?
"Hey, I said get out." So this oldie is now threatening me?, did he just hit me?
"Hey shut up!" I was just about to punch him but suddenly he snapped his fingers and my nose was smashed in by the puff of disgusting smell hurling me outside, crashing into the dirty wet grass.
"Goodluck with your filthy suit, now get out punk!" No way this is legal, I can sue this guy can't I?!
I got up and ran at him, I will not take his aggression, I have the right! My body was heating up with anger and my swelled up feelings, this man, an ADULT is trying to pick on me?! This isn't right!
Sigh
Suddenly I woke up, on the grass with dirt in my eye. There was a something on my chest, a sticky note?, I pulled it up and it read
Absent student attendance:Redeye, Jerry, and Lexy.
Oh God, fuck he marked me absent?!, I need to tell the headmaster
But before I could start walking, someone touched my shoulder.
"Uhm sir, may you please come with me your suit is atrociously dirty" Huh
"Who're you lady?"
"I'm apart of the staff, music teacher Mrs.Meadows." SHIT it's another teacher, a middle aged Asian lady In her 40s I'm guessing, thin lips and slapped with wrinkles throughout.
"Uhm okay, but may I change my clothing then."
"Yes you may" oh never mind maybe there are people here that don't just go out looking for fights with random freaking teenagers
"Wait- aren't you that transfer student Lexy, I heard you got into a fight with my student Cindy." Oh great now we have a biased one don't we?
"Yes ma'am" she instantly turned her expression into an immediate frown, she took removed the glasses from her white button up and put them on, the glare she gave was full of disgust as she scowled at me... what did I do?
"But in my defense he had attempted to attack me and I was just-"
"May you please stop speaking, I've heard of your description from Cindy and Mr.Boman has already informed me of what he did to you. I know it was you and you have admitted it so please don't try to defend yourself." B- but I'm just giving context... I was just defending myself. What did I do?
"Mam plea-" Suddenly a loud sound can struck my ears
Ring ring
The sounds of bells chiming so loud my ears were in constant pain, why is this happening to me, isn't this all just abuse?, can't I Just su-
Thump
She smacked my head before I could scream and I was hurled flying towards the gym and into some of the dumbells left from previous workouts, the strength she held was enough to make my brain splurge and vomit as if it were it's own man, the dumbells shattered on impact and my bones could barley hold together.
"AHHHH!" I couldn't stop screaming, I just got beat down for questioning her, this isn't fucking illegal?!, it's aggregated assault! Yet no one heard, after minutes of screaming my lungs gave out and all I could see was red.
"Disgusting vermin." A whisper flew into my ear, a cold raspy whisper that practically froze my ear canal. All there was left was white noise. But something stopped me from becoming even more bewildered, curiosity. Why would teachers do this, why, I was bullied in middle school sure. But dad fixed things. Teachers were okay, it was just other kids, no authority-
But another whisper came, just as cold as the rest.
"By the way, if you try to sue me, I can easily defend myself with the money, I have the reputation and you're a lowly retard, you will be expelled. So don't try anything on me."
It stopped. The noise stopped. After a while the blood stopped running too, am I dead? No?
My bones felt better too, hu-
"LEXY!" Suddenly someone came and embraced me... it was the nurse.
"What happened?!" What was I thinking, she actually cared, she did it.
"Uhm, it's nothing-" before I could finish she slapped me across the face, she didn't try. It didn't hurt, but I could feel it.
"Don't say such things Idiot, while you're here I'm legally obligated to protect my patients so shut it and tell me what's going on." Well- atleast she's honest.
My throat croaked, but I got the wlrfs out "don't know her name but the a music teacher, I think she's Cindy's teacher." She nodded her head solemnly, she's good at acting. But I can tell she was disturbed, despite my bias against staff, against those with power, she's someone valuable.
I ran home after that, she didn't chase after me. It was pretty late, already 2 hours after 6th period would've ended. This shit is pissing me off. Someday I'll make sure I'll become stronger than all of them.