Prologue

         "So, what do you say?" A man wearing a black suit asked her. She was sitting on a bench, with her hands on her lap. She smiled confidently, "If I'm achieving my goal, might as well exercise my knowledge."

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             Chapter 1

                Eloise Harrison stood before the gate of Politeia Academy. "Perfect." She walked past the oak trees that were aligned and into the main building. All eyes were on her as she entered her classroom, Class 1-B. With a charismatic smile on her face, she walked elegantly to her desk. "Good morning fellow colleagues."she said. "My name is Eloise Harrison and I look forward to working with you all." She sat and almost immediately, some students (both male and female) swarmed her desk. Soon, a teacher walked in and they went to their seats.

                 "Good morning class. I am your homeroom and English teacher,Miss Lia and I'm pleased to work with you all. Once again, welcome to Politeia College. You are very lucky- or rich to have gained admission to this great citadel, however, you must endeavour to work hard. Here, failure isn't an option. If you do, you shall be expelled. Also, you will be given monthly allowances to support your well-being. It will be determined by your score in a test we have each month, for instance, if your score is 300 of 500, you'll receive 300 000 vines which is the currency in this school. For this term, you have been given according to your entrance exams score. More details on this will be given to you digitally. For now, you will be given your school schedule. Make sure you get a copy." "Now that is done", she started "let's open our textbooks to page..."

          After classes had ended, Eloise went to her room in the hostel.  It was a four bedroom apartment, with a well furnished living room and kitchen. Each room had a bathroom, shelf and closet. Basically, it was a house. "All this for me? This school is perfect." She sighed, "I wish I could admire this place longer but I have to start on my mission: becoming students council president." She went into a room, dropped her bag by her bed and turn on the lights.

          The room was quite plain, though the bed was not arranged and the windows were open. She sat on the bed and took out her phone. She also brought out a new notebook from her bag. She studied the rules that her teacher had sent her and an hour later, she went out. At that moment, two girls came into the apartment. One of them had black shiny hair and wore glasses while the other was shorter and had blonde hair, just like Eloise. She (Eloise) froze and stared at the girls for a while until the short girl rushed to hug her. "Omg she looks like me, though she's taller than me." She said and burst into laughter. "First, that wasn't funny and second, you look nothing like her."

             "Shut up and let me be!" The girl turned to Eloise. "You must be a first year. I'm Jessica and four eyes over there is Hermas." "I'm Eloise Harrison, Class 1-B. Pleased to meet you."

          "So mature! So much better than you, Hermas."

            "Keep quiet." Hermas muttered.

        "I believe you are continuing students?"  "Yup. Like I said, I'm Jessica Edward, Class 3-A student and Student Council Member since my second year." Eloise smiled slightly. "Really?" "Yeah but enough of that. I want to know more about you."

                 Later that night, Eloise was in another room (her initial one was for Hermas) when Jessica walked in. "Whatcha doing?"she asked. "Some homework. Um, can I ask you some things?"

     "Totally. Is it about boys?" She sat on the bed.

               "No. It's about the school. How do I get into the Student Council?"

          "Well, that's really... different, considering the number of hours you have spent in the school. Okay, so here, you have to obtain every requirement."    "Like?"

           "To be a member," Jessica began "you have to do the following: one, you must have a score average above 250. Two, you must have a clean record and finally, you must be nominated by your classmates. Most class class representatives usually go for it but if you have a good relationship with your classmates, I guess you can get in too. What position do you want to run for?"

             She smiled confidently. "Student council president."

           "You're sure? This school isn't like normal schools. You actually have to be elected by the students. This place is basically a country."

        "I figured. Considering the location of the school, students are probably not allowed to visit their families and that also explains the layout of the dorms."

           "You know that much, huh?"

       "Trust me, I know a lot more."

           Jessica quirked her eyebrow and stood up. "Very well. I hope you are as capable as you as just displayed. Good night."

          Three weeks later, a black girl joined her class. She had box braids that was tied into a high ponytail. Her eyes and she looked indifferent. "Um, I'm Rae Acker. I doubt you guys will find me interesting so can I go to my seat?" The homeroom teacher sighed. "She was transferred from class 1-A. Class rep, could you help her settle in?" Eloise stood up. "Yes ma'am."

         During lunch, Eloise showed the new student her timetable for each day and

         "Blonde girl, when is study hall?."   

        "Call me Eloise and it's on Friday by seventh period."

    Eloise tried to engage Rae in a conversation but Rae always gave her short replies. The new student went to the library, where she stayed for the rest of lunch.

         "Rae, are you going anywhere now?" Eloise asked.

       "Why should you care?"she replied.   "Don't be like that. Tell you what, how would you feel about me and you going shopping? Don't worry, it's on me."

        "Not interested. Anyway, see you tomorrow." Eloise watched her as she walked out of the class. Rae was sitting outside Eloise's apartment when she met her again.

  "Hi roommate!"she greeted friendly. Rae sighed and stood. "I guess this is inevitable."

    Jessica arrived and apologized. "I didn't know you were coming today."

        "Huh?"  

            "I'm the secretary so I have access to students' personal information."         "I see. Well, you're welcome."

         "Whatever."

      "Have you done your math homework? Do you need some assistance?"

        "No need, I've done mine."  "Oh, okay."

        The rest of that evening was quiet.

    The following day, Eloise walked to school with Rae. "So Rae, how was your old school like?"

       "Messed up. The kids there were awful."

      "Is that why you left?"

    "No. No one was meaningful to me."

      "Then that would explain your attitude."

      "What?"

           "Nothing, just ignore it."

        "Why did you come here, Rae?" Eloise asked, breaking the awkward silence.

          "Do you expect me to tell you?"

      "It is a question after all."

          Rae sighed. "Let's go to class."

    "Evading my question?"

    She stopped in her tracks and turned to Eloise. "No and I won't tell you. It's useless."

     "If it's useless, then tell me."

           "You're becoming annoying."

    "I'll be like this until you tell me."

          "Fine. I'll text you the place."

    "Okay."

     They met when required.

         "Strange place to meet. I like it."

    "I'll make this quick 'cos we aren't allowed here. The reason I came to this school is really stupid but here it is." She took a deep breath. "I...want to know 'why'."

     "Why?"

    "Yeah like, why am I here, why everything's here and why doesn't everyone question everything's existence."

       "So basically, you're curious. You know, people say curiosity kills the cat."

       "That has been said to me more than my own name."

      "Anyway, that's why you came here?"

    "Someone told me that this school has all the answers I need then she gave me a black card with this school's logo on it. Still haven't found it, though. So what are you in for?"

      "We're not in jail."

    "Not seeing your family for three years is torture for some."

     "Okay. I just want to become president."

    "Eh? President? Seriously?"

     "Yeah. I probably sound crazy to you but I can do it."

       "Did you come here because of the school's name?"    "No, I'm not that childish. This school is just like a simulator, training me for my goal."

      "I guess you want to become students council president?"

       "Yeah but I'll need you help. You'll be pretty handy."

       "Am I your tool?"

    "Don't think I'm using you. Think of this as a deal. If you help me become president, I'll...give you 30% of the benefits."

     "I don't need your money. As long as you can get me closer to the answers and give me 40%, I don't mind helping."