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He snuck into his dorm after finally managing to lose that chatterbox. He made his way to his room, walking past his new roommate who was currently engaged in a heartfelt farewell with his parents.
Plopping onto the bed, he lay down and stared absently at the ocean blue ceiling. He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out an mp3 player. Sticking his earpiece in, he let his thoughts drown in the music.
For a long time now, music had been his source of therapy. It had been a way for him to escape the dark thoughts and let out all the frustration and pent-up rage that always threatened to drown him in a never-ending spiral of hopelessness and depression.
He let the music carry him away. He felt himself floating on the notes as all his troubles and anxieties sunk away. His mind, always a whirlpool of destruction finally became still, resembling an ocean of peace and tranquility.
A sharp knock burst his bubble of peace, dragging him sharply down to reality. He frowned and walked towards the door, swinging it open to see his roommate standing nervously behind it.
He stared at him expectantly, but his roommate just stared right back. His roommate bit his bottom lip in nervousness, which just seemed to make his freckles stand out more sharply against his pale skin.
Jayden scowled at him. ‘What?’
Freckleface winced at his harsh unfriendly tone and stuttered nervously, ‘They are calling all of us down unto the common lawn.’
Jayden nodded silently and followed him out of their shared dorm. They joined the stream of students making their way out of the building and after a bit of jostling and shoving, managed to make it out onto the manicured lawn.
The four buildings, which housed the four houses, stood like sentries at the four corners of their shared lawn, hence its name, Common Lawn. Standing at the centre of the lawn was a senior with a prefect’s sash across his chest.
He waited patiently for everyone to gather around before speaking. ‘All first-years are expected to move to the auditorium immediately. The Headmistress wishes to address all of you.’
He turned and made his way down the hill. ‘Come along now, no pushing.’
Despite his instructions, there was a bit of pushing as they followed him down the hill. It was shortly after six o’clock and the sky was already tinted an inky black. The broad path was lined with evergreens and as they walked, the sound of crickets began to fill the air.
It took them quite a while to arrive at the auditorium. The auditorium was quite large and a bit grandiose. Portraits lined the walls and hanging high above were three large chandeliers, which cast a brilliant golden light down the room. Prefects and staff stood along the walls like silent sentries in an attempt to maintain order.
The new first years whispered excitedly as they took their seats. They glanced about them in awe though quite frankly, one couldn’t see what all the fuss was about. Judging from their backgrounds, they had almost certainly seen grander settings.
Wearing his usual look of blank indifference, Jayden took a seat somewhere in the middle and waited impatiently for the whole thing to be over. He didn’t have long to wait.
A stern, elderly woman with an imposing stature stepped onto the stage and walked with purposeful strides up to the podium. Her grey hair was tied sternly into a tight french twist and a pair of half-moon spectacles sat grimly on her narrow nose.
An air of stern unwavering authority surrounded her and with just one sweep of her eyes, the entire auditorium fell silent.
‘Welcome to Lumière International High School. I am your Headmistress, Francesca Fontaine. Throughout, your stay, this school would be your home and your house, your family.
‘Each house has different values which you’ll be expected to incorporate and emulate in addition to the school’s motto; ‘Dignitatis Excellentia’.’
‘Before I go any further, let me reiterate some of the school rules so none of you would be able to plead ignorance when caught contravening them.
‘First and foremost, the Girls’ Dormitories are strictly out of bounds to all male students and vice-versa, unless giving express permission by a member of staff.’
Her strict gaze swept across the students once more, quelling any dissent before it could be expressed.
‘Second, school uniforms are compulsory and are to be worn four out of the five school days. Namely, Mondays to Thursdays. Fridays are casual and the student may wear any decent attire.
‘Also, as I’m sure most of you are not aware, phones, MP3 players, and any other sort of electronic gadgets are prohibited. The student may be in possession of a laptop if he or she desires but that is the only exception. If an electronic gadget is found in the possession of a student, it would be immediately seized, and the appropriate action would be taken by a member of staff or a prefect in accordance with the school rules.
‘As I said earlier, I am perfectly aware that most of you didn’t know of this little titbit so as we speak, a few of my most trusted members of staff are in the dormitories, conducting a thorough sweep of all your belongings. Any contra-banned gadget found would be seized and sent to your respective homes’.
This time a small murmur of discontent broke out among the students, but it swiftly died after a look from the headmistress.
‘I am not a robot nor a rulebook and therefore not here to inform you of all the rules and regulations of this school. However, I expect you to be well versed with them and to aid in that endeavour, a copy of the school handbook would be found on your beds upon your return. Read it.
‘Lumière is a school of many races as can be seen around you and we embrace all cultures and traditions. I understand that every one of us is different and though we may all come from different homes, we are all of the same species. In light of that, I expect you to cohabit peacefully with one another and treat one another if with nothing else then at least with common human dignity. I understand that most of you come from privileged homes and are thus used to getting your way but let me be the first to inform you that this would not be the case here.
‘Rewards and punishment would be fairly awarded to each student based on their success and violations respectively. Justice would be fairly meted out to each student no matter who they, their parents, or their family is.
‘It is my deepest desire that every one of you enjoy your stay in this school, but it all depends on you. Cooperate with your teachers and other members of staff to make your experience here an enjoyable one. In short, help us to help you.
‘Finally, and most importantly, a breach of common sense is an offence. Simply put, I expect all of you to use your common sense during the duration of your stay. Some of you seem to regard your brains as pieces of ornaments and not a tool to be used. Your brains are there for a reason. Use it! Make of that what you will and though it is not part of the official school rules, it would be enforced as such.
‘I have been headmistress of this school for more than fifty-two years and this school has existed for far longer. I have taught your parents and for some of you, even your grandparents. Through it all, I have kept the reputation of this school intact and unblemished.
‘Therefore, as long as my name is Francesca Fredricka Fontaine and as long as I am headmistress, you can be rest assured that I will not allow the great reputation of this prestigious institution to be sullied by an entitled bunch of coddled children. I expect all of you to be on your best behaviour. Is that clear?’
The hall was silent. The headmistress narrowed her eyes. ‘When I ask a question, I expect to be answered. So once again, is that clear?’
‘Yes, Headmistress.’ The first years immediately chorused. Jayden rolled his eyes.
A small smile formed on Francesca Fontaine’s lips. ‘Perfect. I expect we’ll get along swimmingly. Once again, welcome and I do hope you will enjoy yourselves. It is going to be an amazing experience for all of us. Dismissed.’
The first years had already garnered enough sense by now to continue to sit and wait patiently for the headmistress’ stately figure to disappear before they stood up.
They chattered excitedly amongst themselves as they hurried back to their dorms.
‘Oh my, what did you think? Frightening, isn’t she?”
‘She was here when me dad and me grandad went to school. Said she’s the best headmistress this school’s ever had.’
Jayden followed leisurely behind them with his hands placed inside the pockets of his black hoodie. He listened silently to the snippets of conversation that floated in the air.
The excited chatter soon turned into cries of anger and dismay as the students reached their respective houses.
Jayden stepped into the Scorpius building and shook his head in disgust as the sounds of frustrated groans and curses reached his ears.
‘Typical,‘ he thought with an eye-roll. ‘Idiots. They just came to the school without bothering to read about it.’
He was right of course. Jayden was one of the few who had a bit of sense and actually did their research, preparing adequately for school. He knew very well that this raid would happen and so prepared adequately for it. He had left a couple of gadgets in his suitcase for them to find and hid the rest.
He walked past the dorms and frustrated students, entering with relief into the quiet of his dorm.
Freckleface was sitting moodily on the couch, his backpack lying carelessly on the floor as if tossed aside in anger.
Jayden shook his head. Another dummy who had his electronics taken away.
He ignored him and, gingerly picking his way through the emptied contents of Freckles’ backpack, entered his room.
His room was just as he had left it. An inexperienced eye probably wouldn’t have noticed that someone had been through here. Years of his parents snooping through his room, sniffing for ‘gay things’ had, however, made him experienced enough to notice the slight tilt of his suitcase and the disturbed dust by the bed.
Pulling the suitcase towards the bed, he sat down heavily and zipped it open. As expected, his MP3 players and phone were gone. Smiling to himself, he walked to his trunk and, swinging it open, pulled out a pair of Jordans.
Before coming, he had had a couple of his shoes customised to include a secret compartment. Reaching into the shoe, his fingers found the lock and the sole slid quietly off.
Resting quite comfortably in the shoe was an MP3 player with an earpiece rolled tightly around it.
Picking it up, he plopped onto the bed and grinned as the sweet sound of music filled his ears. What a beautiful thing, music! Luckily, he was smart enough to ensure he would never have to go without it.
He lay in bed for a while, listening to the playlist made especially for this day. The sound of the shower running reached him in between songs and made him think of taking one himself but he was too uninspired to get up and actually do it.
He turned and glanced at his luggage, thinking about unpacking those. He sighed and turned away, promising himself to get to it tomorrow. Right now, he just wanted to relax and enjoy himself before tomorrow for tomorrow, the real torture begins.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
Hey fam. This is a short chapter I know so I’ll try to make it up to you. Promise 🙃.
Picture at the beginning of the chapter is that of the auditorium.
Next chapter will be up soon. If you liked this chapter please don’t forget to click that little star down below ⭐. Until next time😉.
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