I went to the backyard when I heard the words that stopped me cold.
"So, now you don't attend classes, girl?"
I turned to the voice, and it was that of my housemaster. She was glaring at me with manifest anger, judging by her stance.
She was a short woman. And I am thinking it's her height that made her develop such fiery temperament towards young students. No one dared her. I cracked my head for a proper explanation.
"I was making myself comfortable by arranging my things, and by the time I looked at the time, it's past school hours," I explained.
Couldn't she go already...I could feel my head starting 503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06NUxSgL6m
to hurt by her proximity.
"You aren't new in this school; you know the rules.” She looked at me sternly.
My heartbeat was skyrocketing. Before she could say a word, I beat her to it. "I am sorry, but I need to go."
She looked at me in dismay, but I simply ignored her and ran towards my dormitory. I felt a bit better than she wasn't around me anymore. Carefully, I sat on the floor, gazing around to know if anyone was coming.
“Why did my parents bring me here, to this place I hated everything it signifies? They should have just told me where I missed it,” I lamented.
Soon enough, I heard the clatter and chatter of students returning from school.
Oh no! I needed to leave before they get to me. But where could I go? I slumped my shoulder in defeat and decided to go to my room. I got up, brushing off imaginary dust from my skirt and sprinted to my room.
I knew exactly what to do. I smiled at the idea. Taking my Integrated Science textbook from my bag, I started purring over the book. Soon, I was lost in the pages of the book. It was my best subject and as such couldn't just get enough of it.
It amazed me how humans could learn deeply a thing and be able to compress it into meaningful statements for better assimilation.
I was drunk with the book, that I hadn't realized when the pest I would be sharing the room with came in until she did a stupid thing. "Hello! Hello!" She waved in front of my face.
I was so angry at the intrusion but tried to keep my calm. I didn't answer but kept on reading.
"I knew it! You have a serious mental malfunction. 503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKF3RtXjjG
You've brought what you do in class to this hostel," she snapped.
Her voice had started hurting me again. I didn't care so much as what she said. All I wanted was to be alone. I turned my face to the other side and kept on reading. I heard her sigh in exasperation.
"Why? Why me? Why did they put both of us together?" She asked no one in particular.
She finally went out of the room, leaving me to myself. I took deep breaths to control my rapid breath. I soon dozed off.
"Wake up! Wake up!"
I frowned but sat upright. My head spun for a bit; I rubbed my temple to keep steady. Finally, I focused on my roommate's face.
"What do you want?" I snapped.
"You missed lunch and now it is time for dinner. So Miss Dorothy (house master) told me to get you," she gushed like a tap she was.
"I am not hungry, leave me alone!" I shouted at her.
I watched her face grow a bit red in anger. "Listen, it's the rule. I wouldn't be here, if not I am your roommate. Quit making this difficult," she kicked.
I lowered myself on the bed and closed my eyes to sleep. She said something under her breath which I couldn't grasp. Suddenly, the door banged with a thud.
The truth was I didn't want to sleep at all but acted up so that she could leave. I was a bit hungry, so I decided to eat. After all, my Dad paid for the meals. I walked the lonely corridor and found myself out of the dorm. I walked to the east side of the compound and saw the building which served as students eating hall.
I walked in with my head bowed.
"Gabriela, come and take your food. Vanessa, I thought you said your roommate told you she wasn't eating?" Miss Dorothy queried.
Vanessa shot me a glare when I looked up.” That's what she said. I guess she almost starved to death; that's why she is here."
The students around laughed like it was so funny, and it annoyed me so much.
"That's enough, young lady. Dear, take your food. If you don't come down when you need to eat, forget about the food," Mrs. Dorothy warned.
I took my food and searched for a vacant seat at the back, where no one was. Luckily, I found one at the back. I ate quietly. At the back of my mind, I knew it was because it was my first day there, that's why I was spared.
After eating my food, I realized I was the only one left there. Sighing, I grabbed my plates and went to the kitchen area at the back to dump them.
"Good day, ma," I greeted the three women chatting while washing plates.
"Gabriela, how are you?" They asked in unison.
"I am fine, ma."
I dropped the plates and lingered around.
"Ah, there you are. Take your home schedule," Miss Dorothy said.
She came out from God-knows-where. I quickly collected it.
"I wouldn't want what happened today to repeat itself. You aren't in your parent's house, are you?"
"No, ma. Can I go?" I asked her.
She frowned. "I am not through yet. Lateness isn't allowed around here, is that clear?"
I nodded. I looked at her to ascertain if she was through.
"You may go," she said dismissively.
"They didn't train that girl well at all," I overheard her saying to the other women.
I tried to control my temper. I hated people more now. How I missed my parents!
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