Bright Flaming Locks

The morning sun had barely peaked above the academy rooftops, but just enough sunlight to peek through the thick drapery of a bedroom.

A woman twisted and turned on the double bed, covered lightly in nothing but a blanket, as the glint of sunlight reflected on her cheek. Then, a soft groan escaped from her soft pinkish plump lips as she slowly woke up from her deep slumber.

Vibrant orange hair spilled in a tousled mess across her face as she turned over to her side, clutching the blanket to her chest while her eyes were still half-lidded. She stared over the lightly dented empty sheets on her right side, reminding her of someone's presence who had just slept beside her but now was empty.

Just adjacent to the bed, a smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted in the air as a man in boxer shorts, clad in a dark blue robe hanging loosely over his shoulders, lounged comfortably on his desk, reading a memo in his hand while holding a cup of piping-hot coffee on the other.

"Hmm.. you are up pretty early," the girl on the bed groaned.

"Just looking through my mail," the man in his mid-forties replied indifferently, like they had grown accustomed to each other's company.

"What's so important about that?" she whined under her breath as her arms stretched before a yawn escaped from her lips.

"Just apparently a new adjustment to the roster of students in class 2-C," he calmly replied as he glanced over his shoulder to look at her.

"You are going back to class today, right?"

"Mhmm," she nodded softly as she got out of bed. Her footsteps quietly approached behind him while her figure was just clad in nothing but a black lace bralette with matching laced bikini underwear, and her hand still clutching the blanket. She leaned in closer to his face.

"What's up, sir Callahan? New transfers?" she cooed in curiously.

"The new kid in class 2-C," Callahan mentioned again as he stared once more at the memo. "His name is Raphael Kiersten. A special case of mid-semester transfer, which is pretty peculiar," he commented.

"Hm? School always gets transferees. What's so interesting about him?"

"This one seems different. I heard word from the admin that he has connections. Specifically as the principal's nephew," he carefully stated before glancing at her reaction.

She just snorted in disbelief. "Bullshit. Frederic Schneider doesn't have one. If he has, then what is he doing in this shit hole  Academy?"

Just as she sat back on the bed, she grabbed a stick of cigarettes nearby and began lighting it. "He will probably just cry in a few weeks here."

"That's just rumors from upstairs." Callahan calmly reminded her. "Either way, I am just here to tell you to be careful with your usual shit."

"That's no fun," she defiantly complained as she rolled her eyes.

"Who knows what he could do. With the principal right behind him, you are basically gone in an instant. Full expulsion. No appeal. Not even I can help you with that."

"You are just saying that, so I can leave him alone, huh?" she protested while puffing a cloud of smoke.

"No, just warning you to be careful. That's all," he explained once more. "If the principal is involved.... You know."

The girl just gave off a laugh with a cigarette in between her fingers. "So you are scared of the new kid? Oh, Callahan. I never thought of seeing you afraid like this." Her sarcasm didn't help the situation.

"I am scared of liability," he corrected sternly. "And you should as well, Sylvia."

Sylvia stood up from her seat and clung to Callahan's broad shoulders, leaning in closer to his ear.

“Fine. I’ll be careful.”

Callahan didn't flinch as he swiped the cigarette off her fingers. " You don't wanna get caught once more smoking this."

A kiss pecked on his cheek in a playful tease rather than affection.

“But if he’s just some rich kid playing normal, I’m still gonna have fun finding out how fast he breaks,” she said before retreating.

Callahan sighed as she sauntered toward the door.

“Sylvia—”

She waved without turning.

“Relax, Mr. Callahan. I’m a model student.”

The door clicked shut behind her.

The bell rang at exactly 7:45 a.m. in a long, brassy tone that blasted through the dining hall like a starter pistol.

Instantly, the usually low rumble of breakfast exploded into restrained chaotic energy.

Chairs scraped back in unison, and trays clattered onto return carts with metallic crashes. At the same time, student voices and footsteps began hurriedly rushing out in overlapping expressions.

“Wait—my bag!”

“Hey! Let's get going, guys.”

“Move it, I’m gonna be late to homeroom again!”

"Excuse me, coming through!"

As students continued to surge toward the exits of the dining hall with backpacks swinging and shoes squeaking on polished floors.

Meanwhile, Raphael and Harian descended the stairs just in time when the bell rang. Now, properly clothed in their blue blazers, buttoned-down dress shirt, red tie, and well-pressed dress pants with classic black shoes.

"This is pretty chaotic." Raphael looked all over the place as students rushed outside in a panic frenzy.

"It's normal. We can walk if you aren't in a hurry. We will just arrive on time eventually." Harian chuckled softly as they began to walk amongst the crowd of students rushing.

"True. So, which class are you in ?" Raphael struck him with a question.

"I am in 2-A," he proudly tapped the small brass name tag with his name and class. "And you?"

"2-C," Raphael replied in a neutral tone.

Harian was pretty surprised. "Eh? You don't seem like a 2-C to me. You could at least be in class 2-B."

"What's wrong with it?"

"Hmmmm... you know the school's system, right?"

"Not really," he denied honestly.

"Well. If you belong in class A, you are one of the promising students in the Academy. You get special privileges like better teachers, a hall pass for the best study hall, and better snacks." Harian explained.

"Hm? What about class C?" Raphael's brow raised.

"Basic stuff. Just that you might get involved with a potentially bad and dangerous crowd. There are still decent ones who just struggle keeping up with their grades."

"Oh, I see. My class doesn't seem that bad."

"That's good. Besides, you can still have a chance to accelerate in a higher class for next school year." Harian encouraged. "Who knows, maybe we might be classmates if you do great."

"Alright. I will try my best." Raphael smiled back at him as his hand pulled his sling securely.

"Just don't drop below D or something," Harian whispered cautiously. "It's literally a hellhole. Full of delinquents and students that people avoid at all times."

"I will take note of that." Raphael took note of his warning. Just as they climbed through a set of stairs.

Finally, they reached their destination, the west wing, where the Second Year Classes belong. Class 2-A is just located a few blocks from the stairs, while B, C, and D are situated further down the corridor.

"Well, my stop is here." Harian glanced over his shoulder to look at Raphael.

"Sure. I guess I will head over there." Raphael nodded his head and waved his hand.

Harian bade goodbye as well before he disappeared into the room. Meanwhile, Raphael didn't wait any further and continued walking down the hall.

The hallway outside the classrooms for classes B, C, and D was pure pandemonium: last-second locker raids, friends shouting across the corridor, a last-minute dance challenge in the middle with a phone leaned against a wall to record.

Raphael slipped around the crowd before finally reaching the entrance of class 2-C.

Feyline was surprisingly standing by the doorway with her arms crossed, guarding the entryway. She was casually gossiping with another student who happened to pass by.

"Hey," Raphael called out as he approached Feyline. "What's up?"

"Oh!" Feyline appeared to be startled as she quickly composed herself, while the other student just nodded off before leaving. "Raphael, you here!"

"Yeah. Umm... why are you standing on the way though?" he asked.

"I was looking for you. Thought you might be late, but hey, you arrive just in time."

"Oh, okay. You got something for me ?"

"Yup," she handed over a piece of paper. "It's a requirement. You have to attend the Academy's orientation like every new transferee should," she explained thoroughly.

"Okay. When is this?" Raphael glanced over the paper with details indicated.

"Should be your first period. You get to skip class somehow."

Ground Floor, Eastern Wing Audiovisual Room 110.

"Alright. I guess I will head over there." Raphael smiled as he kept the paper folded into his pocket.

"See ya later, Raphael. Antonio is looking forward to later, btw." Feyline waved as he began moving towards his new destination.