SueThe door intimidated me through its silent stare. I was supposed to be in my class ten minutes ago but the trouble on the way to school impeded me from coming on time. The professor must have been inside, giving the lecture. I could sense the quietness in the room; no one had intrepidity to make a noise in his class. Lateness was the worst of all mistakes. I dropped my gaze to the floor in front of the door, hesitating whether to stay or leave. Compelling to bark into the classroom meant that I had to take the risk of being punished and scolded; the professor wouldn't easily let me free of the punishment. On the other hand, my father would label me as a loser if I missed this class. He was so strict that I couldn't even breathe under his surveillance. Doing anything as he required was compulsory. That weighed me down like putting piles of stones on my shoulders. However, as his daughter, obeying him was a must. There was no time for me to complain as the time was running. I had t
SueHis face danced in my head. Shane made my days. His presence had brought another level of happiness to my life since our first meeting. I could not deny that I smiled more often these days. Mike finally noticed the change in me. That made him wonder what I'd been through that I acted differently. I thought of sharing with him about how I felt. However, considering that my father would find out, I decided to keep it for myself. As a stringent person who wanted me to dedicate my life to education only, he wouldn't agree that I had affairs with any men in the academy during my study even if it was just a friend. It was only Mike, the one he supported, to have a relationship with me as a companion. "You don't have any class today?" I was startled with Mike's abrupt coming. "Do you have free time?" The last few days, I was so busy with my study and photography class that I had no time for my friend."I have one more class but I am free now.""What about having lunch together?" Hone
Sue"So, they're married." Reading the article, the tips of my lips stretched a grudge smirk. "She is mine and will be forever mine. No one deserved to possess him but me." My right hand wringed the newspaper in my palm to crumple. That girl, Maurie, successfully planted the seed of hate in my heart. After one year, it grew a tree of resentment. Maurie had ignited the fire of war. She would never be able to predict what I could do to maintain mine. If I could not be with Shane, then no one would be on his side.Yanking the telephone receiver, I dialed someone's number. One sentence from my mouth was enough to annihilate a person. "It's the time." I elegantly plopped on my seat upon putting the receiver back to its place. "You can now enjoy the show, Maurie. Your turn will come soon."***I was watching TV when Mike arrived with the news I'd been looking forward to. Shane died in a terrible accident last night. On TV, the news anchor broadcasted the incident that occurred to the youn
"She just passed out," Brad whispered. "She will regain consciousness in an hour. Lanzo will take you out of here." There was a gleam of happiness in my eyes if only Brad could read that. "You didn't even react. Wait! I will inject the antidote serum so that your senses will work normally." He needled the syringe onto my arm. Unlike the pink poison, the antidote was clear liquid. "Done." It was like he just stung my skin with something hot that burned the whole me. Gratefully, it only lasted five minutes. The rest, chill bathed over me. "Unfortunately, it took one hour for you to be fully conscious. I'll ask someone to carry you away from this place." I couldn't even blink my eyes yet. But, at least I could breathe in relief.Two men in hoodies hesitated duckling inside. Ensuring that the area was clear, they took off their hoodie. I glanced at them in surprise; Lanzo and the head of the academy were the ones who managed to slip inside the room. "Lanzo, carry her." An instruction
The same bed welded my body. The ceiling above scrutinized me in a pity. However this time, Sue didn't puncture my skin with that injection of the substance which I had no knowledge of. To make sure I was unable to go anywhere, she buckled me on the bed with the knots roping my wrists and ankles. Undergoing this moment, I willed to turn back the time to my childhood period where I only lived a happy life with my mother. Her beautiful voice when singing a song for me resounded in my ears like it was real. It was merely my imagination on the verge of my yearning and loneliness. My mother would never appear before me. Locking my sights, I surrendered to whatever fate was destined for me even though the hope of being able to survive still thrived."Anthony is surely the one I can rely on. I am proud of him because of his dedication and loyalty to the academy." Sue talked to herself; from the level of her voice, she was near me. But, I didn't hear the sound of her shoes knocking the ti
It was winter. The white snow rolled down from the sky. Like a kid, I caught it with my hands, the habit I used to do with my mother when I was a little girl. Ten years passed upon graduation day. I will be 28 years old this year. And for the last ten years, not even once, I was able to forget his face, Lanzo. If he were alive, he would be 33. I rose at my feet while wiping the tears on my cheeks.The snow fell on my head and scarf. Despite freezing me, I didn't intend to shift from my spot. It was only through its cold temperature, I could stir my yearning for Lanzo away. I faced up the sky with my eyes closed. Giggles that came from a child drew my chin to my chest. He just threw a ball at me. That round object glid near my feet. He innocently pointed to the ball. Smiling at him, I bent, picked the ball and tossed it to him. He happily snatched it. "Thank you," he said in a cute tone. I just responded with a slight nod and a small smile. That kid joined his parents and played
The driver dropped me off at the gate of an ancient sprawling edifice with white walls that expressed the void and pillars that supported the loftiness of its roofs. In a quiet atmosphere, the towering trees in lines and the weeds on the ground greeted me.The name "Academy of Haut" was boldly scribbled in capital black letters on a plank near the gateway.I dragged my belongings through the narrow path lined with shrubs on both sides toward the Academy of Haut's dorm. My gaze was drawn only to a middle-aged woman in a raven falling gown, with a sour face and a sharp gaze. Her dark lips moved, and the word "welcome" came out, but in a cold tone.She grabbed my suitcase in an instant. As a nice friendly gentleman saluted me, the desire to refuse faded. My gaze was drawn to the handsome man's face, which featured a strong jaw and a beard along his cheek, and then to his name tag, Brad Thompson. That man in a dark suit and pants led me to the reception desk, where I could register as a n
Sleepiness had taken over my consciousness, and I had slept for an extended period of time. Due to oversleeping, I was forced to skip breakfast.It was seven o'clock in the morning. I hurriedly put on my clothes while looking in the mirror. It made me think of the girl in the picture. We had the same appearance, orb colors, hair color, nose shape, and face shape. We even had similar hair and lips. Her only distinguishing feature was a mole on her brow.My hand gripped the cherry-red cloak, which grazed my thigh with its length; it was the uniform that many kids wished to wear. Only geniuses with flawless beauty were permitted to proudly wear this cloak.When I first read the brochure, I thought it sounded strange. One of the requirements for student admission was that the applicant be flawlessly beautiful; this applied to both girls and boys.For me, it was only luck that got me here; I wasn't a genius, despite having beauty that other women envied. Another factor that led to my accep