YOU?! 

Francis felt nails pierce wood as he shook with rage at the sight of his elder brother- his professor. 

 Someone strike me here and now. Francis prayed. Meanwhile, Clara, who was his deskmate, was having her own bout of panic and hysteria. She felt several beads of sweat roll down as the air in her lungs began to constrict her windpipe. She is here….and as my teacher?! 

Yet, upon the Director’s glower, Clara forced herself to clap along with the other students.  Unbeknownst to the seeping panic, Anwir continued to take the roll call merrily whilst the remaining professors stood in awkward stances, with Raymond begging Cy to create a transfer request to the Headmaster. 

“Lucien?” Anwir called. 

“Present!” A silver haired boy responded.

Anwir checked him off as he approached the final name on the list. 

“Sil?” 

Silence responded. 

“Sil?” Anwir did a double take of the room, his lashes fluttering in exasperation. 

“I told her to bring her in early!.” Anwir muttered as he glanced back at the professors apologetically. 

“Excuse me, I need to go retrieve Sil. She is…. a special case. You can carry on the session!” With that, Anwir shut the black wooden door of the class, leaving the students and four amateur professors alone. The four of them shared a look. What do they even do? Elena attempted to breach the sea of silence. 

“So…does anyone have any questions?” 

The silver haired boy- who Elena recalled as Lucien- raised his hand. Elena smiled encouragingly. In the sunlight, Lucien was an angel, smooth skin, moonlit locks and a harmonious voice. So innocent, to the point that Elena barely registered his question. 

“So how long until you get lost?”

Elena blinked as Leila choked while Mahan and Raymond did a double take. Did they hear that right? Lucien snorted while turquoise eyes sharpened, as he sneered down on them. 

“Are you all deaf?” 

Leila felt something within her snap at the blatant disrespect. 

“What did you say?” However, the students paid no heed to the warning in her tone. A blonde girl who was seated on the lower desk responded to Lucien’s question, her obsidian eyes gleaming in the same undertone. 

“I bet they will last a month tops.” 

The ravenette boy next to her broke into a fit, yellow eyes brimming with tears. 

“Are you joking? Even less than that I’ll wager.” His response elicited a wave of cheers and whistles from the cohort as the professors remained outraged. Raymond and Leila flicked their eyes towards Francis and Clara to gauge their reaction, for Raymond to find Francis breaking into muffled laughter underneath the desk as Clara was suddenly invested in her book. 

That little… Raymond clenched his fists. 

Cy: Pft! Those students have too much hope. You would barely last a week! 

Cy: Oops. 

Unfortunately for Cy, Raymond read the panel before Cy could delete it, further enraging him. However, Leila had no qualms in expressing her rage whatsoever.  

“You piece of-” Leila cut herself off as she was about to step towards the lower desk which prompted Ray to grip her shoulders tightly as he remembered the last time she let loose. The woman tried shoving him away but he held firm and leaned to whisper in her ear. 

“Remember what the Headmaster told us?” Raymond hissed. 

“Damn him and damn you! Get your hands off me!” Leila growled as she aimed a precise kick to his toes causing Ray to release her as waves of pain radiated from the injury. 

Cy: On a scale of one to ten, how do you rate your pain when Francis stomped on you compared to Leila? 

How about SHUT THE HELL UP out of 10? 

Cy: ERROR: invalid input. 

Ray regained focus at the chorus of shouts from the room. Mahan was currently engaged in what seemed to be a roasting match between the ravenette boy and blond girl while Elena tried her best to restrain him as the students backed their peers up with cheers. 

“Aw, did you take offense to that, you old geezer?” The blond girl jeered. 

“Says the sapling who I wager can barely reach the top shelf!” Mahan retorted icily. 

“Oh, I’m sorry! Who would have taught a bunch of saplings would be all it takes for you-” The ravenette boy halted his words as the door began to swing. In sync, every student sat down while a naive smile plastered itself on the boy’s face, any trace of his sneer vanished. 

“..You wonderful teachers to assist in our time of need.” The boy finished. 

Mahan gawked at the sudden switch in demeanour, sputtering half-handed insults as Elena reared him back towards the whiteboard. Meanwhile, Anwir returned from his trip, now carefully leading a young girl inside the classroom. She had glistening platinum hair tied neatly into a braid until the waist, downcast copper eyes and placid hazel skin. Anwir turned to the four professors, 

“This is Sil Xylantine, the final student in 10E. She’s been studying here at Tellowania since four years ago. Sil is really pleasant, it is just she has a slight condition-” Anwir was interrupted as a sharp voice pierced through. 

“Shadowed butterfly. There.” The four professors flinched subtly as Sil now stared them all dead in the eye, voice devoid of warmth. 

“‘Slight’? That’s just full-on eerie.” Mahan whispered. 

“Mahan!” Elena elbowed him subtly. “She’s a child.” 

Anwir sighed before gently tapping the girl on her shoulder to gain her focus, then directing her to her seat. Elena observed the swift turn of energy in the room as wariness fell like a blanket amongst 10E. As Sila made her way to the top row, those seated near her shuffled away like mice immediately. 

What warrants their fear towards her? Elena thought absently. Despite the offbeat impression, she found nothing to exhibit fear towards the girl, rather, she found herself giving sympathy for the poor child. Anwir cleared his throat to breach the silence and gestured to 10E. 

“So how did you find your new professors?” 

The same ravenette boy smiled, making a flawless act of adoration. 

“They are so entertaining Professor Anansi! I’m sure we are bound to enjoy the year with them!” 

Mahan’s brow twitched at the charade, before he grinned wickedly. 

Two can play this game. 

“Yes, I do agree.” Mahan said cheerfully as he approached the boy. He raised his hands, scruffling the immaculate locks awry, much to the ravenette’s fury- though he could not express it openly. Mahan glanced down at the subtly scowling students, his multi-colored eyes glinting with disdain. 

“Yes…we are going to get along immensely.” 

“WELL SCREW THAT!” Mahan roared, dumping his plate on the table amongst the scurry of staff in the savoury-wafted canteen. Aisles of cuisines lined the perimeter, distinct with their own mesmerising scents and colours. In the centre, oak tables of various shapes and cushioned chairs decked filled the remaining area. Whilst Anwir chatted merrily with other staff, the remaining of Class 10E’s professors chose to occupy a table as far from the crowd as possible. Elena gave a sideways glance at Mahan. 

“Someone’s changed their tune.” 

Mahan rolled his eyes, snorting haughtily. 

“That would be true if any moron even tried to be cohesive with those brats!” His fork stabbed meat on his plate, Mahan’s grip tightened as fury consumed him. Leila’s eyes shut in resignation as she quietly sipped her orange juice, turning to the man. 

“It’s not like we have another option. It’s either this hell or jail.” She chided. 

“I don’t need a reminder.” Mahan retorted as continued to aimlessly pick at his food, his thoughts awry. Yet, he did not let the argument go.

“Seriously though, no bloody wonder all the staff kept leaving with those imbeciles occupying the class-” 

“That and their abysmal academic scores.” Raymond’s voice overtook Mahan's, causing everyone to turn in slight surprise at the remark. Raymond said nothing as he placed a finger on his lip before nodding to the table behind them. In their silence, the group now heard whispherings of the staff seated there. Two blond women- presumably twins, from the same amused emerald eyes were encompassed in gleeful gossip about them. 

“I don’t know if I should feel sorry or glad we’re not stuck teaching their class.” The one on the left snickered, the woman next to her responded sardonically. 

“Glad of course you numpty! We would lose our bonus from their grades!” The twins sneered as they switched topics whilst the professors stared on in indignation. Mahan gaped, his jaw dropping to the floor as his eyes turned into pinpricks. Elena on the other hand tried the path of reasoning. 

“Maybe they are not that bad-” However, Ray cut her off, flicking his Intra-Memo to display holograms of report cards from 10E, each stamped with a glaring ‘FAIL’. 

“They’ve been consistently behind average scores for the nation and most had to repeat the school year once more.” Ray replied bluntly which triumphed over Elena’s hope. Elena narrowed her eyes at Raymond. 

“How did you-?”

“Don’t ask.” Ray dissuaded, shifting his gaze. All the while, Leila was glaring daggers at Anwir, who was leaning against the balcony balustrade, enveloped in jovial conversation with the other staff before leaving the canteen. 

“I believe it’s high time we have a chat with our 'acquaintance'." Leila suggested, her face twisting in cunning. Elena grew wary at the conniving expressions that dawned upon her coworkers in turn. Don’t tell me….

“Dibs his head.” Mahan claimed which confirmed Elena’s suspicions. 

“You’re not serious-” Elena started but they were already up on Anwir’s trail as Elena found herself the last at the table, her food barely touched. She tried reasoning, yet Mahan dragged her to her chagrin. 

“Keep up!” He laughed, holding her arm gently as he led her out hastily.

But my sandwich!!! She protested mentally, mourning the loss.

Meanwhile, in the student designated cafe, Francis was about to have a panic attack. Where IS she?! The thought pulsed in his mind as he treaded through the masses of students, all desperate for limited delicacies and treats that would be in stock for mere minutes. Although Francis was yet to recover from the mental blow of his brother of all candidates being his teacher, he had another priority: Minerva. 

The two had agreed to meet briefly at lunch in the canteen for a catch-up  just before they parted to their classes with Francis in 10E and Minerva in 5C. At the moment however, Francis regretted suggesting the idea, especially given the sheer volume of the place. You idiot! You know she despises noise- Wait! …She hates noise…Francis stopped midway as he glanced at the balcony seating area where few students ate due to the Sun’s glare. Yet, if it was an area humans won’t go, the chances Minerva would rise sky high. 

Deciding to try his luck, Francis paved his way outdoors, shutting the large sliding door separating the spaces as he left. The view stole the air from his lungs for a millisecond, it was unlike the view he garnered at Raschul; there were no skyscrapers or corporate billboards with the background sounds of vehicles, instead, waves of green and colour flooded until the horizon where dusted peaks pierced through the white wisps in the sky.  

“It’s pretty, is it not?” A soft voice asked him.

Francis jumped slightly at the voice before realising Minerva’s presence. A rare smile graced her lips as she stared into the distance, head propped on her arms. Francis reciprocated her wonder, allowing himself a small smile too.

“It is. However…”

Minerva, sensing the oncoming nagging in Francis’s tone pouted dramatically, a complete 180 turn to her prior behaviour.

“I know, I know! ‘Do not go places by yourself, Mi!’, ‘What happens if you get hurt Mi?’” She mimicked Francis’s tone and gestures, face scrunching up in her older brother’s fashion. Francis scoffed, ruffling her hair affectionately. 

“When did you become so sassy?” 

“I watched you.” Minerva beamed.

“Liar” Francis snorted. 

“Nuh huh.”

“Yuh huh.” Francis stuck his tongue out as Minerva shoved him playfully. After sharing a moment, Francis asked Minerva. 

“So, how’s your class?”

Minerva shrugged nonchalantly. 

“Loud sometimes but I have my headphones for that.. I…I’m just too quiet to talk.” She finished softly as her eyes went glassy for a minute, but before Francis could press further, Minerva spun the back to him. 

“How about you?” 

Francis could not hide his flinch completely, which Minerva caught onto. Her brows furrowed as concern laced her words.

“What happened?”

She’s going to panic! 

Our brother is my frickin’ teacher, she’s going to find out either way! Francis debated internally before spilling the tea. 

“Raymond is my teacher.” He answered in a short burst, wincing at Minerva’s wide eyes. Francis expected some outrage, yet Minerva maintained silence, her arms trembling rapidly. Oh no. Francis rushed to her aid, gripping her shoulders tightly, nails almost piercing her blouse. 

“Hey, hey, look at me! I’ll be fine.” 

Minerva’s breaths turned rapid as her face paled by the second. No words came from her despite her mouth opening and closing. 

“What if he tries something?” Minerva asked shakily once her voice returned. Francis held onto her as her tremors continued, quietly shushing as her breaths evened out. Only then did he continue, 

“He won’t do anything, he can’t. So don’t worry.” He cracked a small smile. “Worrying is my job, after all.”  The determination in his eyes allowed Minerva some comfort as she nodded slowly, but did not remain convinced at the argument. He would find a way, he always does. She thought but did not retort. The seniors' bell chimed to signal the end of lunch for the upper students, yet, even as students cleared off, Francis stood steadfast.

“You should go, you’ll be late.” Minerva murmured. 

“It’ll be fine.”

“Go, Francis.” Minerva ushered, forcefully pushing him towards the slider door. 

“Geez, okay! Stubborn aren’t you?” Francis grinned before he trailed behind the departing seniors in the canteen with one last wave at his sister. Since Minerva was a junior, she had ten minutes extra, however, dread pooled within her until the brim. Minerva felt her hand shake again as red bruises now covered her palm from the pressure of her nails.

With a trembling finger, she pushed the rim of her right sleeve to reveal a brash, purple bruise on her forearm. The memory of its origin was still fresh in her head. Minerva knew Francis like the back of her hand. Sure, he was her brother and was a fantastic guardian, but he worried too much already. Minerva could not bear to burden him further. Hence her decision to indulge in half-truths, after all, she could not share every secret…especially this.