3

058.

I stared at the numbers affixed on the door before me, eyes onlooking as if expecting something significant to come up.

It didn't feel as real as I expected it to be. I mean, it all was happening so fast I was left wallowing in its wonders.

The silence could be heard from behind there. The silence which had me pushing open the door, having a peek in.

Two figures were opposing each other, their low chuckles pouring out.

"And he did that. He did just that!" My eyes were rested on the enthusiastic one, that energy which she emitted, enough to snatch the attention of anyone.

The girl on the other end, had a thick framed glasses which went drooping down the bridge of her nose at each passing second.

And while those chuckles left her lips, her ginger hair would go bounding in different directions.

I waddled into the area, eyes rested on those forms sat there, and at the squeak of my box's tires, their gazes had snapped at my form, questioning eyes fixed my way.

That gaze which did all to scan my entirety belonged to the girl who had shot off the bed at once, taking a stroll onto me.

The lips of the blonde girl pulled open, yet no words poured out from there, her eyes enlarged at my form, soon retracting back in size, and finally those words she struggled with, were soon emitted.

"Who are you?" Her words were flat, gaze intent on my being.

Perhaps it was the curious scrutinies centered on my form that had my voice falling, but I was found staring on at those figures with a blank stare.

That weak smile tugged at my lips, while I gave my form proper entry into the room.

"I've been assigned here.... I don't think.....

The words were jumbled in my mouth, searching for the right approach to be portrayed onto those forms, who remained onlooking me like I had just told them I was some assassin.

"Assigned?" Blonde girl spoke.

"When you use that word, it sounds like there's something serious we're doing here"

"It isn't, sweetie. Bowers is far from being serious" She sneered.

"Audrey" She had pulled forward to me, hands shot out to take my box.

"Welcome to Bowers" A grin had taken her face, revealing an incisor accessorized with a crystal on it.

When she smiled, believe me, you were bound to get pulled.

"I'm Anna" I introduced, but was soon taken back, by the broadening eyes of the girl, followed by a chuckle.

"Anna?" She uttered "That's Hannah Grace over there"

I turned to the girl sat on the bed, a little wave she gave, with that face of hers remaining blank.

"Welcome to the dark side, Anna" That utterance from Audrey was followed with a grin that found my throat turning dry.

***

"School ends for the day by 2 pm. We return to the dorms and have our rest, dinner usually is by 7, some people choose to visit the library, others pay a visit to the dormitory's lobby just to engage in one gossip or the other. One advice from me to you, is never to take those ones serious"

My ears were perked up at every word that poured out the lips of the girl, while she went on about their schedules, she pulled even closer to me, eyes never letting go of mine, and like a lecturer lecturing her student, she sought my undivided attention —and light outs by 11" She let out.

"But believe me, you are sure to find a number of student wandering around the halls even after midnight"

"Perhaps searching for how to scale the fences and run off to the boys's dorms, looking for a minute or two to send the delight to their sex-famished souls"

Off all the words she had divulged, I chose only two to speak on, like that was the most interesting thing she had uttered.

"Boys go to school here?" The avidity was found in my voice, eyes shifting from the profile of Audrey to that of Hannah.

"The Wilbur Bowers Academy for Boys. Where are you from, honey? Everyone knows of it" Audrey called.

"There's a school for girls, and another just a couple kilometers away for boys" Followed Hannah.

"But why do that? Why not just put everyone in one place?" The confusion could be found in me.

"They don't want the students engaging with each other, sweetheart" Audrey called, like it was basic knowledge.

"But I tell you, every week, you're sure to find a couple students sneaking out the back to have sex" She added.

"Not to forget the smoking, drinking, the list is endless, trust me. Yet they believe they're instilling morals in us"

"Depriving the girls of the boys, only makes them yearn for some cock to fill the gap between their thighs, I tell you"

"Audrey!"  Called Hannah Grace from the other end.

"A little warning, please"

That English accent of hers was prominent, giving off the foreign side to her.

"Holy Hannah, that's what I call her" Whispered Audrey, lips growing into a grin.

"Don't call me that"

Followed the voice of the girl who had caught onto that.

"What then should I call a girl who wouldn't take a step out the dormitories even while every other person sneaks out for the party being hosted on the next block?"

"You know we'd be suspended if we are to get caught" Hannah interjected.

"We never get caught!" Cried Audrey.

"This is the seventh time I'm doing that, and here I am sweetheart"

"Believe me, you'll put yourself in danger one day"

"Well, I live for danger" Audrey followed with a wink.

She turned to me, face inching closer to mine, while she would have a glance back at Hannah, checking if her attention was directed here.

"She only would be interested if Zac Cobain was in attendance" Whispered Audrey, right before the form of Hannah tore off the bed, eyes shot crazed.

"I'll kill you" She let out, but her utterance was only returned with laughters coming from the girl on the other end, whose eyes rushed with levity.

Both figures running in circles, their voices broke out into the space, their delights seeping through.

"Zachary Cobie, Hannah's hubbie" Followed Audrey in a sing-song voice, flashing a hand heart onto an already agitated Hannah.

"Oh come off it, Hannah. It's no secret that you like the boy"

"It is a secret, if it's just between you and I" Followed the response.

"Anna knows now" Called Audrey at once. "I believe it's not a secret anymore"

"No, no, no. It must remain a secret" I heard the voice of the girl rush with worry, figure pushing forward onto mine.

"I can't afford having anyone knowing" Those eyes pled on to me, hands taking mine softly.

"Please" Her voice was low, gaze still fixed on my form.

"Of course, it remains in this room" I assured her.

"Who do I know to tell, by the way?" I followed with a scoff, soon fetching out my diary from my bag.

Well, except this. I told all to my diary.

It was my safe space. A place where I could pour out my heart, without having to worry about judging hearts and onlooking eyes.

"What are you doing?" The voice of Audrey filled my ears, eyes watching me as I picked up my pen to begin talking to the pages of my comfort.

That questioning gaze remained fixed on my form, eyes shifting to the item in my hold, and back to my face.

"We should hurry to the dinner hall, Anna" She had pulled me off the bed, eyes holding onto mine.

"A lot goes down there, I tell you.... Also, the food is the most exciting part"

"Hannah and I leave early so we get the best portions" She added, figure soon pushing out the room, right after Hannah's who stopped to have the door locked.

"Don't worry Anna. We'll help you get settled in and acquainted with your new environment" Called Audrey.

"We'll get you better oriented of the rubbish that befalls Bowers. You just hang on for the ride" She let out, eyes beaming at me.

But I doubted that.

Part of me knew it would take a lot of troubles and mishaps before I finally got settled into this sea of amazement I found myself in.

The rings of a bell blaring from the hallway speakers, had at once jolted our forms, eyes watching the number of students that tore out their room, hurrying down the halls.

"Come on!" Hannah called out, and off our figures went, tearing down the halls, while the dormitory bells went off, signaling the hour for dining.