A Beautiful Delusion

Halls of white laced with gold, simmering chandeliers and winding corridors leading to lavish dinning halls. Never have I seen such things before, just one of these chandeliers could probably feed the entire town but instead they are here to shine above heads that don't appreciate them. I have never been inside of a nobles home before but this must be pretty common in the city for no one to be amazed by it.

I was told to head to the main administration office before getting my schedule for the classes. Walking into the long corridor, the halls were filled with students chatting excitedly with their friends. Halls littered with the glimmering white of their pristine uniforms, far from the dim bone white of my own. I could already feel the stares I stuck out like a sore thumb and I'm sure they could tell I was not one of "them". This place was huge after walking around for what seemed like forever I finally found the office door.

"Hello, Auden Green I was told to come to the office to speak to someone before heading to class" The lady at the desk just peered at me over her glasses clearly not too happy I interrupted whatever she was doing.

"You will have to wait the principal is in a meeting, you can have a seat over there and when he is finished you can speak with him then." She stated in a monotone voice pointing to a line of plush chairs lined up on the wall. I still had 30 minutes before the first class was suppose to start so I guess I had time to wait. It was clear that this place had more funds then it needed, even this office was just as luxurious as the main halls, walls lined with photos of all the "elites" this place has produced. Golden spooned children who have now probably produced golden spooned children of their own, and here I am a simple boy from the slums now walking in these halls.

"Mr. Green", a deep voice called and dragged me out of my thoughts. There in the doorway, a tall slender man stood, he looked as greasy as whatever product he used for his hair. "You may come in and have a seat", as he gestured to a twin set of leather chairs set before a grand oak desk. This room looked more old fashioned compared to the rest of the office, painted in dull grays and accented browns, the only bright spot was the golden plaque on the desk "Headmaster Steven Owens", the name seemed to shine in this dim colored room. I sat down in the leather chair, it must have been a recent purchase or really old it still had a strong odor to it but since I've never seen let alone smelt a leather chair before I was unsure about whether it was suppose to smell like this or it was just simple aged.

"I have called you here to go over some simple rules for your "safety" as well as this establishments prestige", he said with a slight emphasis on the word safety as if it was a warning. "Yes, of course I did receive the handbook, I replied, it had arrived along with the acceptance letter and I did skim over it I had no plans of making waves or really trying to interact with anyone in this place. I knew full well that the "high-born" would not be exactly thrilled that I was here and in their minds probably taking up precious resources that some other high class student could be using.

"Yes, well those are more of a formality that we put into the student handbook. There are some other rules that need be reinforced especially given the fact that we have not had someone of your "status" ever be allowed to attend this institution before. I would like to remind you that this is a privilege that many, many more prominent students would have "killed" to have opportunity. We expect you to behave above your station, you are no longer in the slums and we expect you to carry yourself as such."

Someone of my "status" huh? He was already making it very clear that he thought I was beneath this place and that I did not belong here. Yet again he made a strange emphasis when he said killed as if threatening that it was still a possibility. "I see, well I'm sure my grades speak for themselves and as far as behavior goes I will make sure that I as you said "behave above" my station. There it was again the nasty habit of speaking before thinking, though I might be from the slums I have no plans of being like the others cowering in their corners afraid to speak for themselves. I don't plan on starting any trouble but I also have no plans to let people think they can walk all over me.

Mr. Owens stood from behind the desk and turn his back toward me, I could see him fumbling in his pocket. He pulled a pipe from the drawer on the desk, pulled a match from his pocket. He then turned back to me, "I am not thrilled to have you here however who is admitted to this school is out of my control but while you are here you will live by my rules or you will find yourself expelled from this place. As headmaster of this place it is my duty to ensure the safety of every student for as long as they are within these walls and that applies to you as well, however there are some things that even I can not save you from so you would do well to temper that mouth of yours." The disdain was clear in the way he looked at people from the outside, and though he was right about my mouth my pride would not allow me to simply nod and agree with his words.

"Well classes will begin soon, you may leave, Ms. Warren at the front desk will see to it that you are shown where your first lesson will be held." He turned his back to me once more clearly signaling that this conversation was over, I unglued myself from the seat and headed back to front office. As he said Ms. Warren was waiting near the door for our "meeting" to end.

"This way Auden, your first lesson is in the main building so we will have to a bit from here," She said gesturing toward the hall. This place was like a maze going outside, through a door and finally down another corridor, each hall and corridor just as luxurious as the last. We finally arrived in front of a white door at the end of the hallway with golden letters reading "History 101".

"This is your first lesson of the day, here is a copy of your schedule and I have included a map of the campus. There are way marks on it so if you happen to get lost look for the nearest landmark, or you could simply find someone going to the same lesson as you and follow them." She handed me the folded map and what looked like a scrap pieces of paper with my schedule written on it. Finally standing in front of the door the nerves seemed to hit me all at once, this was it my way out of the slums once and for all.

"Ah yes I almost forget, here is your dorm room key. Given your unique circumstances I made sure that you were in a room to yourself, it is a bit away from the campus but I figured the peace of mind would probably be worth the walk." She tossed the key toward me as she turned around headed back down the corridor that we came from. Now I was here standing alone at the door, it seemed to grow in size as I stood there looking at it. "Breathe, everything will be fine just stay low and invisible," I chanted to myself like a mantra hoping it would keep me from trouble. I knocked on the door…. no answer….. *Knock *Knock *Knock ….. No answer yet again. I was about to knock again when suddenly the door opened, a Grey haired woman stood in the doorway wearing white robes with what I figured must be the school insignia adorned over where your heart would be.

"You are late young man, you will wait out here until the class is over as punishment for your tardiness," She spoke quietly while peering at me over her glasses. "Today is my first day, I had a meeting with the headmaster I did not mean to be late." I explained to her showing her the map and schedule Ms. Warren left in my hands.

"Ah yes I remember, the student from outside the walls, I will make an exception for today but do try to make sure you are on time from today onwards." She motioned for me to enter and preceded to move back to her desk.

....Let the first day begin