The Awakening

Chapter 3: Peculiar

“Life is always full of surprises. You never know who you are going to meet that will change your life forever."  -Anonymous

Mr. Thompson told us that before our dismissal, the students were obliged to go to the auditorium for the announcement of the results of the said scholarship test. I plan to not attend since I know that I did not pass. But the attendance will be listed, so I have no choice. 

"Students, please go inside the auditorium. The announcement is about to start." That's the school intercom. 

Well, I guess I should go now. 

I sat in the very back where there are least students. I hate crowded places. 

After a few minutes, the seats are all occupied. The teachers along with the principal are on the stage with Ms. Vanessa and Mr. Lewis. 

Oh, I guess they are the ones who will announce the passers. 

The principal cleared his throat, "Good afternoon students. This morning, all senior students underwent a scholarship test. Thanks to the M & A Company, we were given a chance to have this opportunity. As you students may not know, they have been doing this scholarship test every two years. And this year, you are lucky to be able to experience this. For the last few years, none has passed the test. Since we are in the rural part of our country, no one has expectations of our school because of that record. But the M & A company is so considerate and generous that they still gave us this chance." Woah, that's some big revelation. 

"However, today you proved that history will not repeat itself, that we are more than a countryside school. I will give this moment to our lovely visitors to announce the result," the principal said.   

They shook hands and gave the mic to Mr. Lewis. "Once again, good afternoon students! I am glad to announce that someone has passed the scholarship." 

Suddenly, the room is full of chattering.

"Yes, you heard it right. Someone passed, meaning there's only one student who passed the scholarship," he continued.

This is so boring. I took my backpack and walked slowly to the door, trying not to make any noise.

I was about to exit the auditorium when..."That one student who passed is none other than Alaina Scarlett" 

WAIT- WHAT? 

I stopped myself from moving and returned my gaze to the stage.

It's impossible that I passed that test.

I waited for someone to go to the stage, but my classmates were staring at me. As if saying that I should go there.

"Miss Alaina Scarlett, please proceed to the stage," Mr. Lewis called out.

Should I go? But I'm sure that I did not pass the test! I know to myself I'm dumb. So how? Please tell me this is just a bluff. 

"Hey, you should go there," one of my classmates said.

I am still in shock. I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded.

I walked up to the stage while trying my best to hide my face. This is embarrassing.

Ms. Vanessa handed me a certificate and shook my hands.

I looked in front of me and, of course, I heard a lot of violent reactions. "Isn't she the girl from Class-D? Is it possible that none of the Class-A students passed?" the girl from Class-B asked. "She must've cheated" Of course, that's Tiffany.   

The Class-A section is at the front of the stage. That's why I can see Lia from here. She appeared bewildered and infuriated, as if she was about to erupt at any moment. We were staring at each other. Suddenly, Lia rushed to the door, making her friends confused.

Ms. Vanessa grabbed my arms as I walked down the aisle. "Later, go to the principal's office. We're going to talk about something important."

Important? Maybe about the scholarship.

"Okay, thank you," I simply answered.

As I was walking to the principal's office, I couldn't help but wonder about myself. I am certain that I did not pass. So how come? Why was I the only and first student to pass? It seems a little unfair to me. The first section has a better chance of getting a scholarship than someone like me. Is fate playing tricks on me?  

Breathe in, breathe out. I tried to calm myself. I knocked three times before entering the room. 

"Please sit down, Miss Scarlett," the principal instructed me. 

I sat on the right side of the table, while the two visitors sat on the left. Which means, we are facing each other.

This is awkward. 

Mr. Principal rose to his feet. "So, since this isn't a personal matter for me, I'll give you some privacy. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to approach me. Miss Scarlett, congratulations."  

"Thank you so much, Sir." Mr. Lewis responded. 

I waited for the principal to leave before I asked them.

"I just want to ask if I am really the one who passed? I mean, I know I didn't do well on the written exam, plus I wasn't able to read anything on the reading comprehension. So how is that possible?" I asked.

Both of them looked at each other like they were communicating through their minds. 

"To answer your question, we are sure of the result," Mr. Lewis answered. 

"Ms. Vanessa right here will explain to you why and how you were able to pass the test," he continued.

Ms. Vanessa looked at him irritated and Mr. Lewis just shrugged. 

She crossed her legs and looked straight at me. "We know that you weren't able to finish answering all the questions on the first part of the test and most of your answers in math were incorrect." Ouch  "But, the first part of the test is not the real exam. The second part is." 

Huh?

She heaved a sigh, "All the students except you were able to read what was written on the paper, and that's why they thought that they passed the second test. Ordinary humans can read what's written on that paper, but you can't see any words, right? That's because it is under a spell. We will not be able to see any words on that paper. I can't see any either. However, the test is not for scholarships but for people like us."

What on earth is she saying? 

With a puzzled expression on my face, I stared at her. "What exactly do you mean?"

"The whole scholarship thing is a scheme to find those out-of-the-ordinary people. And you are the only one we discovered in this school for the past few years," she explained.

"So are you saying that I'm not normal? What are we then? Some sort of alien?"

Are they on drugs? What's wrong with these people? Geez. 

Mr. Lewis sat next to my chair. "I know it's hard for you to understand, but what Ms. Vanessa said is true. We are not normal people like them. We are different. Unique. Peculiar." 

I burst into laughter. "You guys are great jokers. You got me there. Come on, where is the camera? This is a prank, right?" I asked. 

I waited for them to say that everything they'd said was just a joke. 

Why do they look so serious?

"Miss Scarlett, unfortunately we are not joking," Ms. Vanessa butted in. 

Please tell me this is just a dream. 

"Come with us Alaina. We will help you to understand everything. It will be hard for you to stay here," she added. 

I stood up and immediately grabbed my things, "I'm sorry but I don't believe you guys. I'm normal. I'm a human. Nothing is wrong with me, I swear." 

I hurriedly went to the door. "Alaina, wait!" 

I did not dare to look back.

I am on my way home and I can't stop thinking about what they just told me. They need to see a psychiatrist. But what if they are really telling the truth? 

Wait, what am I thinking? Of course, it's not true. This is the reality. I'm just a nobody. Typical, boring, outcast.

Then, I suddenly remembered the mark on my chest. I subconsciously touched it. Am I really normal? Is this really what I am? Or is there more to know? But what if, just what if I'm... peculiar?