PHILLIPS ACADEMY: THREE HEIRS ONE HEART

4

FIRST DAY: PART 4

Alone. Peaceful. Refreshed. I’m sitting in the cafeteria enjoying the sandwich I bought myself. If you’re asking me, I’m quite an observer. It’s kind of funny how everyone in this cafeteria has an archetype they belong to – everyone has a group.

As I was indulging myself in peace, I suddenly heard a voice at the back of my head. A voice I’m expecting but not really looking forward to – just kidding. It was my roommate Jenna. “Roomie!” She yelled before sitting next to me – oh my goodness! Why is she so clingy? Everyone’s looking at us. I don’t know if I told you guys about this before, but I dislike being the center of attention. She bought the same sandwich as mine, partnered with an expensive espresso cup – this girl’s rich!

“Hi, Jenna. It’s nice to meet you,” I said as I uncomfortably smiled at her.

“How’s your first class?” She asked me with a bright smile painted on her face.

“It was fine. The class was pretty cool. I guess.”

“Oh sis, drop the tea.” She said to me with a smirk. “I don’t care about your class. I care about someone in your class.” She continued her smirk further. I knew she meant Karl Phillips. Long story short, I told her everything and she was like a child so hyper after finishing an entire bowl of chocolates. “Why are you so lucky!?,” she said with a little envy – I feel it. She leaned towards me, whispered, “you met two of the heirs. Not just met! You actually talked to them. Girl, I’m so jealous! I want to be you right now.”

“Girl. It’s not a big deal. I just encountered them, that’s it. It’s not like I’m a pick me or anything.” I told her. She gave me a curious look. Well, I have to admit. It’s easy to have a crush on guys that are so attractive. But it would take more than that for me to be in love, so yeah! I won’t give in – I hope so. To divert the conversation, I said, “how’s your day?”

She looked bored all of a sudden. She told me, “Well, we introduced ourselves. It’s just another boring orientation. We’re asked by the professor how we got accepted to the academy. I had no choice but to lie.”

Wait. What did she mean by that? “Tell me.”

She took a deep breath. “Don’t tell anyone about this, okay?” I maybe anti-social at times, but I’m proud to be a keeper of secrets. I’m trustworthy.

“Okay. You can trust me,” I insisted. To make things quick, she told her class that she passed the examinations to be shortlisted in the academy, but realistically, she failed, she had to use her nepotism – her parents’ money, to get accepted.

“I would kill to be in this academy,” she exclaimed with tears accumulating in her eyes. I kind of see her differently now – I’m surprised, but I don’t blame her. She’s right, this academy is so good that everyone would literally kill to be here. I know that must have been an exaggeration, but many famous celebrities and acclaimed directors graduated from this academy. It’s an institution that transforms nobody into something else. I myself, dream of being transformed by the academy.

So, not that you're asking, how did I get accepted to the academy?

*FLASHBACK*

"LIVE A LIFE FACING YOUR FEARS, GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND TAKE A RISK."

My father taught me that lesson back when I was a child. I remember I was 10, about to perform a song for a talent show at my school. I cried because I had no confidence, I just could not do it. My dad then looked at me in the eyes, told me to believe in myself, and so I did.

I will never forget how my dad gave me the strength despite my constant display of weakness. I thank him for everything. Now, I'm not really sure what to do. He's gone. My mom died after giving birth, so my dad then took care of me, loved me so endlessly. He was the first man that I truly ever loved. Unfortunately, cancer got him.

On the day of my dad's internment, I was standing in front of his grave. A woman in a black suit came up to me and gave me an envelope. She said it was from my dad. I first saw the letter, but I couldn't open it at the time. I was so mad at my father for suddenly leaving me. Like I said, he was my everything. Under the letter was a smaller envelope, with a seal of the Phillips Academy. It was a formal invitation.

"Congratulations, we would like to inform you that you have been admitted to the Phillips Academy of Arts..."

As I was reading the letter, tears were rushing down my eyes. The woman in the suit said, "Your father secured a scholarship grant for you, Ms. Gayle Riley. He said it was a dream of yours, to be at an acclaimed institution."

"Y-yes. It's my dream." I said amidst the act of crying. The woman then flashed something from one of her pockets.

"This is an account set up for you by your father. It was more than enough to shoulder your expenses for the academy." The woman gave me my card and her contact information. "I'm Josephine, I'm a financial advisor, tasked to help you with your future at the academy. Most importantly, I'm your father's friend, and, in his regard, I'll guide you Ms. Gayle."

I was so overwhelmed by what was happening, I muttered while in tears, "I don't know. I don't think I'm fit for the academy. I'm scared, I have no one."

Josephine interrupted, "live a life facing your fears, get out of your comfort zone-"

"-And take a risk. How do you know that?" I asked her.

"Your father, Evans. We've known each other for years. Just like you. There was a time that I was uncertain about what was happening in my life, and it was your father who helped me get through it." She said with tears accumulating around her eyes. She then added, "He was so proud of you Ms. Gayle. You are his light. You are his everything. And he knew that this opportunity was his dream. Wouldn't you want to risk taking it? At least for him?"

"You're right. I'll do it. I’ll do it for my father." I said before eventually leaving the cemetery. Josephine was overall a nice woman. She's that middle-aged woman, pretty attractive, who gives off a cold aura, yet gentle when speaking. I had never met her before, but by the sound of her, she was good friends with my father – I felt her sincerity.

I had no time to process where she's from, but from what I've seen, she looks like she's working for someone rich. A vintage limousine service waited for her that day, with a classy looking man in a suit waiting for her. She asked me to come with her, and I agreed with that.

My father's estate is composed of an apartment within Central City, a few miles away from the Phillips Academy.

Josephine and I were silently sitting, facing each other within the limousine. I tried to avoid eye contact as much as I could but, I eventually caught her staring at me quite often with a subtle smile on her face. What was up with her? Her eyes seemed to be gleaming out of curiosity? I don't understand.

Luckily, before things got more awkward, her phone rang. Someone called her. It's not like I wanted to but, I could not help but listen to her while making a phone call. She said, "Hello Chief, what can I do for you?" Silence lingered for quite some time. She then added, "It seems that the boys have caused you trouble again. I'll be there in a short while. I just have to finish some business here." I think she meant me.

Josephine called the attention of the chaperone, "Let's be quick, the chief is waiting."

The chaperone asked, "was it the boys again madam?"

"Yes, it's the boys, so be quick. After sending Gayle back to her place, we'll leave shortly." I could not help but wonder who the boys Josephine and the chaperone were talking about. I saw Josephine smirking at me and said, "You'll meet them sooner than you think, Gayle."

Out of curiosity, I asked her, "Who? And, where?"

"The heirs of the Phillips Empire, the heirs of those who own the Phillips Academy," she replied. I was intrigued upon hearing that information, but I’m also lost in thought. She then added, "they have established quite a reputation in the academy.” Again, I was lost in my thoughts and I could not respond.

Shortly after that, we eventually reached my dad's apartment. Josephine even accompanied me. Before entering the place, she asked me, "are you sure I can leave you here alone?"

"Yes, I can manage it." I said, but I knew that I was in constant self-deception at that moment. I'm so scared because my dad is my everything, and his death means I'm all alone. That thought of me having to deal with change immediately made me want to grieve. As I was about to tear up once more, I felt the warmth surrounding me after I closed my eyes. It was something that reminded me of something I couldn't explain. Something bizarre et comforting. It was Josephine. She gave me a tight hug.

She whispered, "Don't worry about it, Ms. Gayle." She took a step back, tapped my shoulders and added, "Your father was so proud of how tough you are. You're going to get through this. If you ever feel lonely, give me a call, okay?" She said to me, smiled and then walked away to leave. I don't know her, but I definitely needed her words. She's right, I should not cry over and over. My dad believes in me, I should believe in myself too - gaslighting.

Before she reached the gate, I yelled, "Thank you for your kindness, Ms. Josephine." We exchanged smiles, then she left. I had a lot of questions in my head about that day, but one thing was for sure, despite the loss, I am looking forward to a future that my dad and myself aspire to have. I'm going to live a life taking risks until I'm happy and satisfied. I knew it would be hard, but it's okay. I have to try. I took a deep breath and opened the door, went inside and rushed to my room. I still couldn't look at my dad's stuff without bawling my eyes out. I slowly fell on my bed. I was holding the envelope given to me by Josephine. I still couldn't open the letter from my dad. I failed to have the courage to do so. In exchange, I opened the Phillips Academy invitation instead. "Phillips Academy of Arts huh? Am I ready for you?"

-TO BE CONTINUED-