Masquerades

Chapter 06

Cali didn’t care about her remaining classes at that point. After running out of the cafeteria, she had no intention of going back inside the main building to attend her afternoon subjects. She went straight to the back of the gym where there is a common shower room for the school’s maintenance staff.

“Heavens! What happened to you, young lady?” the school janitor, an old man in his late-sixties, exclaimed as she approached the shed where he is currently resting. “I’ve never seen you before. What have you done? You should have avoided the bad kids, I’m afraid this won’t be the last time.”

Uncle Peng, as everyone calls him, is one of the rare kind-hearted adults in Xian. He may not have the power to stop the bullying, but he helps the victims the best way that he can. He lends his hidden quarters for the bullied kids to clean up, rest and sometimes, hide.

This was actually supposed to be the underdogs’ secret, but her and Warren accidentally found it when they were trying to look for a possible secret exit around the gymnasium. The guy hates PE to the core, hence the search for escape.

Anyway, it’s not a surprise that most of the students haven’t found out about it, because the quarters is behind the garbage sorting area where no one dares to go to.

“Uncle Peng, can I clean up here?”

“Of course! Come in, come in. You should take a shower quickly, oh goodness… you smell horrible!”

Cali just gave him a sheepish smile and without wasting any more second, she walked inside the garage-like room where cleaning tools and gardening equipments are stored. The bathroom in the corner may be small, but it’s tidy and has enough supplies.

“Take your time, okay? I will be outside so you can change here in the room,” the old man smiled which she gratefully returned.

Once she was left alone, her earlier thoughts invaded her mind once again.

She had said it before, she is not patient enough to endure all these. Besides, she’s not that competitive like her classmates, she is capable of surrendering once something starts bothering her and causing her harm. Her first priority is, and will always be, herself. To be honest, she’s just going through all these to give those bastards something to regret about, and maybe for her sense of justice as well.

The moment she faced those five bullied students earlier, she already concluded how she wants all of these to end. And she promised to make it happen, whatever it takes.

Cali walked out of the quarters all clean, smelling like the aloe vera soap and minty shampoo she found inside the bathroom. Fortunately, after spending more than an hour inside, there is no lingering curry smell left.

“Uncle Peng, thank you. I owe you one,” she smiled.

The man instantly chuckled hearing her words. “Such a small favor, you don’t need to make a big deal out of it. Just hang in there, okay? If it gets too much, you can just leave and find another school where you’ll be safer! Why still stay here if you’ll just experience this everyday? This is your first visit here in my shed, you should not let this prolong and leave as early as now.”

That’s what she’s always confused about – the bullied ones’ reluctance to leave. After all this time, they still insist on staying here in this God-forsaken school, when they can just leave anytime. They’re not being held hostage, aren’t they? Is there more to it which she has no idea about?

“Uncle, there are others who frequents here, right? Didn’t you advise them to leave the school, too?”

The man immediately looked offended, “of course, I did tell them to leave! Those poor kids, every time I see them, I can’t help but worry. They’re too young to live such a tough life, and no one’s even helping them to get out of this situation. If I just have enough power, but I need this job to send my granddaughter to school.”

“So why do you think they’re still staying?” she frowned.

Uncle Peng sighed before removing the worn out baseball cap on his head and fixing his graying hair. “That’s the Directress’ doing.”

“Huh?”

“Her exact words were; bullying compensation, if I am not mistaken. To compensate with the bullying, those kids’ tuition fees were halved and they no longer need to pay for the miscellaneous fees. She thought this would help the students, but it just made their situation worse. To lessen their parents’ burden, they chose to stay for the discount.”

God, that’s just awful. She can’t imagine how damaged those kids’ mental health would’ve been. That manipulative Directress, she just knew the first time she saw her during the orientation, the woman is up to no good. She bet that witch was appointed by some parent committee and is being controlled by them like a puppet.

She left the old man after expressing her thanks for the last time. To avoid being caught by those strict hallway monitors, she walked through hidden paths away from the main hall. She didn’t venture that far though, she decided to just pass through the back of the gymnasium and into the auditorium just beside it.

The state of the art building, like how Principal Huo always boasts to visitors, was apparently built through the Wong’s generous sponsorship. It’s where those haughty theatre kids always stay, but not this time because of the ongoing classes. This afternoon, the space is solely hers.

The classic black grand piano instantly caught her eyes, just like the other times she’s here. But unlike back then when she stopped herself from going near it, she went straight up the stage this time. Her hands were itching to play and she knew the reason why – she’s stressed, and felt aggrieved.

Since she was young, playing the piano has always been her outlet whenever either her parents’ or her grandmother’s words are a bit too harsh for her. She was spoiled, yes, but they never tolerate her when she did something wrong. And of course, she’s not allowed to talk back, so she puts all her grievances through playing – the sadder the piece, the angrier she is. Ironic, it is, but that gets her the sympathy of those who wronged her. Ah… typical tactic of a child.

She caressed the glossy lid of the piano keys and eventually pulled it open, revealing the immaculate white and black keys. How long had it been since she last played? Three? Four years? Maybe she had already forgotten how to?

She pressed a random key and the sound instantly rang through the empty auditorium. If this building is really state of the art, then this should be soundproof, right? The Wongs won’t just let any building named under their powerful clan, it has to be full of splendor and functions flawlessly.

Her thoughts made her smirk as she took the seat right in front of the piano. She let her arms and hands move the way they remember, and positioned her fingers atop the keys that felt most familiar.

And then they started to move – hesitant at first, but as she recognized the tune, she eventually became sure. It was Time Forgets by Yiruma, and without a doubt, this piece perfectly conveys the bubble of nostalgia she’s currently in. With the piano, the feeling of being alone, and yearning for someone to save her from those who upset her.

If you’re just here Dad, I’m sure you would’ve already saved me from those bullies.

Would I even be here in the first place if they’re still alive? Maybe I will still be in the mansion, living in my own little world. Trapped but safe from the harsh world. Or maybe I will also be sent here, but in my true identity, and I’ll be standing beside the one who’s causing me pain right now.

Maybe, I’ll be one of those girls who are blinded by his good looks and reputation. Will our engagement push through, if ever? Hah… what are you thinking, Calista? Stop with the what if’s and the should have’s. Stop lingering in the past and focus on the present. You’ve seen his true colors, no need to think about all those possibilities.

Before she could finish the piece, a creaking sound made her abruptly stop. She opened her eyes – which she absentmindedly closed while playing – and looked around, just to end up almost falling from her seat because of the sudden presence of a guy just below the stage.

He was looking at her intently. His sharp eyes looked intrigued, and his lips were slightly parted in wonder. He looked simple, only wearing their school uniform without accessories or added garments. His hair is unstyled too, his fringe just covering his forehead, making him look more approachable and humble.

He is so different from his friends, and looks far from what you imagined based on what he’s known for.

“You’re Calista Song, right?” his deep but gentle voice – how fitting to his looks – resounded through the space. He could whisper and she’d still be able to hear it, for sure.

“Maddox Yao?” she returned the question.

The only student acknowledged by the Masquerades, and William’s best friend. Despite how kind-looking he is, she can’t still trust him because of the people he’s associated with.

The guy smirked, “no… let me rephrase my question. You’re the Calista Song, am I right?”

Her breath stilled as her heart skipped a beat.