Segment: Confession

Back to School

Jamie's P.O.V

After my harsh monitoring period, they brought me back to the dormitory. They were harsh, pushing me, pulling my hair and even giving me a few punches. If they were harsh to me, they must be harsher on President. I grit my teeth. President is more injured than I am. Will she even be alive after?

"s**t, my burn still hurts."

I look at the burn they gave me. Mr. Taylor wasn't joking when he said we were going to get branded. I still remember what Mr. Pearce told me while he branded me with a sadistic smile.

"Your President should be having fun with Jason right now. He always hated her."

Why does it have to be me and the President? The interaction between Joyce and the President back then, I saw it. They were onto something and now that I'm back, I was going to ask Joyce. Since school started three days ago, I've no intention of visiting Joyce at the Girls' Dormitory.

I slowly put on a sweater and a not so skinny pants. They made sure to give me bruises to make me remember everything. Not that the branding wasn't enough already. I look at myself in the mirror and lifted up the fabric.

"He f*****g placed it on my left lower rib. Damn sadist."

My hatred towards System grew more than average each day. The way they're treating us, their messed up rules and their unsympathetic gazes. It drove me to loathing them entirely. If I were to point a gun to their heads, I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.

I pull down the fabric and head out to school, more determined. I need to find Joyce fast. Since school was near and I have a mission to find out what the hell is happening, I arrived earlier than I anticipated. My pacing was frantic.

People greeted me as usual and I did the same. Tomorrow was the last day of the week for the confessions. I wonder how they managed to work when two members were missing. I went directly to the office and saw everyone there exhausted.

"What the hell happened?" when they heard my voice, their heads turned to me and smiles were on their faces.

"Dude, everything is chaos here with the President gone." Gerald says before celebrating.

"Plus, the confessions. Don't get me started." Kristine groans.

"Cameron did what the President always do. He was running all around the place." Allie says and sighs before crawling to the edge of the room and lay on the floor.

"Are you going to sleep?" Cameron asks.

"Yes. Want to join me?" I bet Cameron will say no.

"Yes, please."

My eyes shot wide at that. The usual barking Cameron was not silent and submissive and, and, and I can't believe this.

"Who knew you needed to write a report everyday? f**k. It's so tiring." Samantha says before lifting her sore hand.

I chuckle and sat beside Samantha.

"You still need to type it though." her eyes went wide and stood up suddenly.

"f**k. I didn't do that! f**k. I need to do it now."

"Send them via emails to the superiors and then to the website, okay?"

"Shut up." she says full of spite. She gathers all her belongings before rushing out the door. I laugh at how panicked she was.

I didn't know that we really needed eight people in total. I look at Allie and Cameron and they were already asleep. They must've been so tired.

"What did those people do to you?" Joyce speaks up from the edge of the table. My serious mode suddenly turned on.

"They branded us."

"What? That can't be." Gerald says in surprise.

"They're disgusting desperate idiots." Kristine says as she scrunches her nose and knits her brows. Her fists balling.

"Where's the President?" Gerald asks and I answered with a shake of my head.

"She's held up for two weeks."

"Can you show us?" Kristine asks with a gentle voice.

"I want to see too." Cameron suddenly gets up along with Allie. They sat back to where they sat before. The exhaustion now not on their faces anymore.

I stand up and lifted up my sweatshirt.

"I want to see the whole thing." Joyce says.

"Alright."

I remove my sweatshirt and let them see all the marking.

"Is that tie marks?" Gerald asks in disgust.

"Apparently so." Cameron answers him.

Joyce stands up and stares at the brand.

"I've seen this somewhere." Joyce says while still staring right into it.

"Me too." Allie says, running a hand through her hair, thinking about where she saw it.

"I've never seen it. Have you, Cameron?" Gerald asks Cameron and Cameron just shakes his head no.

"Me too. This is the first time I've seen this." Kristine looks at it more intently, leaning forward from her seat, taking a good look of it but eventually sits back down.

"I'm going to try and remember where I've seen it."

"Me too, Joyce."

"I'm more worried about the President." Cameron says with concern all over his face. I grab my sweater and put it on again.

"Are you finally admitting that you can't go against her?" Cameron sighs.

"I was a child. I'm even more surprised to see President looking okay before."

"Mr. Taylor said that she'll come back a changed woman."

"How come I don't like the sound of that?" Allie shivers.

"And Mr. Pearce told me that it was Mr. Jason that's handling her now."

Gerald slammed his fist onto the table with so much anger that the table shook. The materials on the table jumped at the force.

"That bastard." Gerald hisses with so much hate.

"What's wrong?" Joyce asks.

"That madman took my father's finger before."

"Okay, I'm going to ask now. What the hell did we get into?" Kristine asks, pulling her hair from her head.

"Calm down, Kristine."

"What do you want me to do, Cameron? I thought this was just a simple system."

"Have you seen the President's look in her eyes? She looked desperate for resolve."

"I'm not the President."

"But the President took a bullet for all of us, remember?" Allie says, her voice was making all of us remember.

President.

"We were so chaotic before, weren't we?" Joyce laughs upon remembering what we looked like when we first came here.

"We were."

"She forcefully put us in our places, didn't she?" Cameron sighs.

"Yeah. It's our time to support her." Cameron added.

I was gone for a week and Cameron evolved so much. He was the first one to doubt the President, now he was the one initiating the support. A change that I've wanted to see myself have for so long. I was cowardly, unlike everyone else here but I was picked. There was a reason why and I need to find out what it is.

"We might lose our life, not on the battlefield but on the hands of those who own us, you know."

It's a possibility that I now see. They're so ready to punish us with something that we didn't even do. We don't ask for anything but still, we are going to be punished one way or another. This was what we got ourselves into. They baited us.

"I see that now." Cameron looks at me, his eyes unwavering.

"If it's the President, if it's her, I'll gladly risk myself for her." Kristine smiles at me and I smiled back at her.

"I owe the President my life." Gerald says.

"How so?" Cameron asks.

"Back to my first mission, I was to disarm a bomb. I didn't know that the moment I would step into the room, the bomb would instantly explode. She grabbed my collar and threw in something else, but the bomb didn't explode. I told her she was wrong but she told me that it can track heat signature."

"She's on another level." Joyce laughs again.

"Hey, I was blinded by doubt, okay? We weren't okay at that time." Gerald reasons out.

"Psh, please. Just admit it."

"Ugh, fine. After she told me that, she threw in a frog. Poor frog. Then it exploded."

"But wasn't your mission to disarm a bomb?" Cameron asks.

"Yes. I thought that was it too but she told me that the bomb is in another room. She accompanied me till I was done."

"The President took a bullet for me." I croaked out.

"You hesitated, didn't you?" Allie asks.

"I did. It was funny really."

I wonder how the President is doing now. If she sees Cameron vouching for her right now, will she be happy?

"The President," Cameron starts.

"The President actually kept quiet at the meeting." the room fell silent.

"But remember when Mr. Taylor said to not say anything unnecessary? I think that's the signal for her to not spill anything about the hostile she fought that day."

"I saw how Mr. Taylor and President exchanged looks. I was on it too." Joyce says.

This was what I was about to ask her.

"Jamie, what did the President say to you before she fought her?" Cameron asks.

"She told me that we can't go up against the hostile because we aren't sufficient enough."

Then it hit me.

"The President said to me that she was one of us." Cameron confirmed what I realized.

What took me so long to realize? If I were 006, there's no doubt that Cameron is 002. Why are they giving us names? Numbers? Nicknames? Why are we classified with numbers?

"Her moves were like ours but more precise." I said without much thought.

That's what I saw when I saw them fighting. The exact copy of what we were taught. Now I know why. It always made me wonder why they look so alike, even their eyes. It was the same exhausted gaze even though it was always behind a smile.

"I'll search the brand with Allie." Kristine says and Allie nods.

"I'll enter the server of the Superiors using a foreign address." Gerald says.

My heart started feeling heavy. This was what President longed to see. Us uniting as one. President knew that even though we were being compliance to her, we're not really under her. We're what you call unfaithful.

"I'll help President with what she needs for the investigation."

"I'll help too, Cameron." he nods at me, confirming my statement.

"What will Samantha and I do?" Kristine asks.

"For the time being, us four will act normal for now while they do their work. The President won't be coming home for another five days so Jamie and I won't have anything to do for the time being."

"Alright."

"We need to decrease their workload." I say to Cameron. He looks at me and smiles for the first time.

"You're right. They can't dig if they have work to do. We'll be more busy than ever."

"I'm okay with that."

"Let's get this on."

"We can do this."

"Let's goooo."

Our meeting ended with unity. They told me to take it easy for the day since I was beaten up pretty badly. I exit the office while they stayed and help look for the brand. I went to the classroom first, wanting to just rest for a moment.

The office was rowdy and untidy so I can't really relax. The classroom is where students don't frequent normally since they always hang out in their clubs. I open the door and there I saw Michelle, sitting on my seat and eyes closed.

I smile and feigned hurt.

"Ahhsss," I hissed and walked limply to her. Michelle opens her eyes and looks at me.

The world stopped the moment she looked at me. Her eyes watery and her lips pursed. I walk in limp in front of her and took a seat in front of her. I give her a grin.

"Hi,"

"What took you so long?"

"Are you perhaps worried about me?" she wipes her eyes of threatening tears falling down.

"Who would?" she sniffs. I chuckle and pat her head.

"How are you?" I cringe at the question.

We've been bickering all this time so I didn't have the chance to ask her that.

"i***t. I should ask you that."

"Can you hug me?" she was taken aback by my question but didn't interrogate me.

She stands up and sat on my lap. I was surprised to see her so bold but this wasn't bad either. She wraps her arms around my neck gently, as if she knows that I was more injured than before. I wrap my arms around her waist and buried my face on her neck.

"Michelle, we're about to do something risky."

"Then don't do it." her voice was firm. She's strongly disagreeing without even hearing about it.

"Are you really not worried about me then?"

"Shut up." I laugh at her response.

"We need to do this. I'm sorry."

"..."

"If we won't, there will be more victims."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because everyday can mean goodbye."

If the Superiors knew we're doing some digging, they'll be sure to execute us. They will replace us with more loyal dogs. This monitoring is their way of threatening us but it isn't enough to put a stop to us. Once they see us digging, we would have already dug something that can ruin them. They will have no choice but to put death all around our necks.

"I haven't even told my father that we're in a fake relationship."

"Once I'm gone, you won't have to admit that you're lying."

"I hate lying."

"I hate me too."

I want to have an honest relationship with Michelle. I had inevitably fell for this woman in such a short period of time.

"Are you lying?"

"Always am." I bury my face deeper on her neck, seeking deeper comfort.

"Then do you like me?"

"Don't be an i***t. I don't."

"Stop lying."

"I told you, I'm always lying. It's in my blood."

She grabs both of my cheeks and lets me look into her eyes. Her green deep eyes boring into my gray ones. She caresses my cheeks so gently before sighing.

"You said that you had intentions."

"What about them?"

"You haven't touched me. Was that a lie too?" I laughed.

"Are you asking me to touch you then?" she pinches both of my cheeks making me yelp in pain.

"Answer me, idiot."

"That wasn't a lie."

"Then why?"

"I don't want to force someone I like. I'm not a rapist."

"Are you finally being honest for once?" I giggled at how cute she was. She pursed her lips again and pouted.

"Meh."

She hugs me again, but this time, she was the one burying her face on my neck.

"Jamie,"

"I'm not 'i***t' anymore?"

"Masochist?"

"I can if you want me to be."

"I want to punch you but I'm afraid you'll get hurt."

"But isn't punching someone supposed to inflict pain?" she sighs which made me laugh.

"Can you shut up for a second?"

"Yes, yes."

"I don't dislike you but somehow, the thought of you dying hurts."

"Michelle, as much as I like to be your actual boyfriend, I can't."

"..."

"Our world won't allow it."

"I'm not asking you to be my boyfriend."

"I'm just saying too, you know."

"Where's Lyle?" she asks, making me flinch.

What did President do before we were transported the next day? Did she say anything to Amelia? No. I doubt Michelle won't know if Amelia does know. They basically share everything, even their fantasies. When President asked Michelle, I had already came to that conclusion. They trust each other so much that I'm envious of it.

"She's out. She'll be back in the next few days."

"Amelia's losing her mind."

"Oh? How so?"

"I sometimes find her pacing back and forth and she's so deep in thought that I have to call her five times before she actually responds."

Look at that. Restless. The President probably knows already. I mean, I keep giving her hints, as well Michelle plus Amelia's demeanor towards her? Man, she'd be f*****g dense if she doesn't notice. But President's intuition is spot on and she's fast to catch up on things.

I think President is a superhuman. A beatable superhuman, but still superhuman that most of us can't even imagine of having the same qualities as her.

"She's a girl in love, can you blame her?" Michelle chuckles.

"If I had found Lyle the same time as her, I think I'd probably be head over heels for her."

"Ouch. I'm here and you're talking about another person? You're blatantly saying that I'm not enough."

I was joking and she took it lightly as well. She laughed at me and pinches my cheeks.

"I'm straight, idiot."

"Wow. That's not really reassuring."

The door suddenly opens and Michelle jumped away from me. I laughed at how quick her reaction was. She could be a fighter if circumstances persist.

We look to the door and there I found a worried Amelia. She stomped to where we were and heaved a sigh before opening her mouth. I look at Michelle and she looked troubled. They have this telepathic look that I can't get. First it's the Student Council having those connected looks, but they too?

"What's wrong?" I itched to asked.

I don't want to be casted aside. I want in too. I don't want to be helpless.

"The students are in a riot at the Principal's Office."

"Why?"

"As much as this sounds ridiculous, they're demanding to see Lyle early."

If the students push this, they may be able to overpower the superiors' decision and free Lyle a day or two early. All these students combined against just a ten plus group, I'm sure they'll succeed.

"And?" I couldn't help my smile from resurfacing. The tiny little hope clung to me like a parasite.

"The Principal is contacting my father and the others right now."

"Lyle is always the life of the party."

"I heard the students saying something like, 'they chained Lyle to being exclusive and now we can't even see her?'."

Spoiled rich people always get what they want, regardless of it being trivial or important. If money is involved, things can be done.

"Aren't you happy though? Lyle is going to come home soon and you're still her exclusive employer." I caught Michelle's suspicious tone before it turned to worry. I look at them looking at each other.

"She may be mine sexually but she's still attached to Chrelia. That's what I'm worried about." she paces back and forth. I was looking at Amelia's side profile and wanted to kick President in the balls.

I forgot she doesn't have any.

Amelia is a beautiful woman, she's actually the whole package. But I can't help but be sympathetic. Indeed Amelia is everything all there is, but the heart wants what it wants. I look at Michelle and find myself digging deeper.

"Did she say something?" I'm a bystander. Watching them as they talk about President and Chrelia.

"I don't understand. Isn't Chrelia homophobic?"

"Chrelia didn't give her answer. Everyone assumed so." Michelle says in a disgust tone.

"Oh."

So, President has a chance? But Amelia?

"I retrieved something from my locker and Chrelia was behind me. She suddenly told me, without warning, that Lyle and her were going to have a dinner date. She invited Lyle. She knows it was me that owns Lyle sexually." her pace become more fast. She bites her lower lip in frustration.

She runs a hand through her silky hair. She stops suddenly and took a breath, turned to me and had a poker face on. I feel my hands getting cold. She was being serious right now and I'm getting afraid. I gulp and gripped my own thighs.

"We're going to tail them."

~~~~~

-At the other side-

"How was she?"

"Can't you see by how she stabbed me?"

"As a person, not as a fighter."

"She's fast to catch up on things and she's open."

"I guess I was wrong."

"You seem happy."

"She grew up like how I imagined her to be. Who wouldn't?"