Melody de la Douleur

REDEMPTION

REDEMPTIONMr. Barnas owes me more than he knows. Yesterday, to eliminate the 'side effects', I had to settle down in an elevator for 3 hours extra. Not to mention I have to pack my things afterwards, before I finally able to go home. That, too, after I found the school patrol staff and asked him to open the school gates that were locked at the time. With all of these hassles, I managed to get out of school promptly at 9:07. Good, is it not? Yeah, now I am thinking hard if I really have to return this card to him or not.

Today, there is Tailoring Class in my schedule. I take my usual seat, which is right in the middle. Class is almost full when I enter. Yet somehow, all of a sudden, it seems there is a crowd that exceeds the capacity of a class outside. I look towards the window, which reveals a direct view into the corridor. Now I know why.

As usual, all eyes are always directed to that person. Unlike other pairs of eyes that either show amazement or envy, my gaze is just a glow of dislike.

“Good morning, Mr. Barnas. You usually do not come to Tailoring Class at this hour. Is Mrs. Kronoff not coming and you come to replace her today? Oh, I hope she’s okay,” I say with a fake smile in front of the usual performance to teachers.

“Oh, no. Mrs. Kronoff is fine, I'm sure. I come today not to replace her, but to thank you for your help yesterday,” he says with his usual friendly smile displayed to the students, completely unaware of my pretense.

“Not a problem.”

He smiles that nasty smile once again before leaving the class, seemingly to have completely forgotten one thing. Now, I can just pretend to forget and let him walk away. I am sure he will be very troubled once he is aware that the card is not with him, then looking into every corner of the place that he thought might be where the card fell or lied. I can do it. He must have forgotten that I am the one holding it. Even so, I decide to stop the misery that will befall him and immediately break a sprint towards Mr. Barnas.

“Mr. Barnas,” I call, “You're forgetting something.”

Tailoring Class today is conducted outside the classroom. Mrs. Kronoff decides that we should get a better inspiration on the rooftop of the school building. The students sit themselves each one on a park bench located all around the top of the roof. Morning sun is not so hot, but I prefer a much more shaded seating area under the shadow of a wide umbrella. The task today is to weave sequins on a white cloth. The best thing is not just going to get a perfect A-plus, but also get a set of sequin collection Milan is quite limited in number. For that, I am very determined on making this webbing.

“Oh, how much I admire Mr. Barnas’ eyes. They are so.... green, with a base color and a flash of greenish pallor in the middle. Looking in them feels like being stuck in the endless green garden, like Alice in Wonderland,” say a voice. Mailine, I look up. Her curly blond and short, bloomed hair looks neat today. She is talking to a seatmate, Johanxa.

“I'd prefer his brown, wavy hair. So soft and light-looking. I just want to swipe my fingers into his hair for once in awhile,” murmurs the black-haired girl with a sigh of hope.

Yeah, and that's all just nonsense. Why do you not just get out of my hearing range?

“You know what? Mr. Barnas is a Capricorn. According to horoscope, he is perfect to me. I just checked it this morning,” adds Mailine.

With a tinge of envy, Johanxa mutters something about how lucky her friend is.

“Sagittarius,” I mutter absent-mindedly.

Both girls seem to listen to me, because they lift their heads at me almost in unison.

“What?”

“His star is Sagittarius, Capricorn is not,” I correct her.

Johanxa raises an eyebrow. “And how do you know about it?” she asks suspiciously.

“From his date of birth, of course. He entrusted his pass to me, remember?” I say, knowing fully well that they were in the hallway when I restore the object to its owner.

“Huh. Don’t be so arrogant just because he asked you for help that one time. He simply asked for help from you because he has no other choice at the time. Not because he likes you,” says Mailine in a tone that can be categorized as conceit and envious. She does not even know just how wrong she is.

Ignoring those brainless girls, I focus my mind on my webbing. I am threading the needle with reflex movement, then brushing my fingers over a variety of sequins that are there for me. What color should I choose? Blue? Green? The combination of both? Or.... I decide to choose the tackiest color in the world, which will actually look very nice if I can use it properly, which is magenta.

I form my sequin webbing to resemble a small bird seen from the left, with a yellow eye. Once completed, I collect my work to Mrs. Kronoff, who is sitting next to a table, bathed in the morning sun while sipping on a cup of hot tea. Even after listening to those girls’ nonsense about Mr. Barnas, I'm still the first one to finish. Fortunately, they do not bother me again after that. Or maybe just because I was too focused on my work. Either way, I'm the one who ultimately wins this little competition. Not only that, Mrs. Kronoff decides to give me an A-plus plus, with the double plus signs. I chuckle to myself when I spot Mailine and Johanxa’s sour faces by the end of the grading progress.

Just before the bell for the end of the first class rings today, the speaker is turned on and the sound of a short and boring melody echoes. A voice, which I believe is owned by the principal of St. Luthias, announces a summoning. “Good morning, everybody. I would like to ask for your attention for a while. The school has attached a list of names on the bulletin board. I hope you guys can take a look at it after the bell of the first hour rings. For the students whose names are written on the list, please come to the principal’s office as soon as possible,” he says. The announcement ends with the same dull tone.

With lazy steps, the class is disbanded as soon as they hear the sound of the bell. But there are also some girls, like Mailine and Johanxa, who excitedly rush to go down. To see the list of names, seems like. Unfortunately, not everyone is as enthusiastic as they are.

My cell phone rings softly as I am about to queue up in the elevator. I check it out and get a short message:

_________________________________________________________________________________

From: Len Gylithan

Receiving Time: January 20, 2053, 08:30 AM

Text Message:

_________________________________________________________________________________

Where are you right now? Meet me in front of the bulletin board as soon as possible.

─ Len

_________________________________________________________________________________

I sighed.

Give me a break. Why Len goes along as well?

But I have no other choice but to obey him. Maybe he wants to talk about something else. And that place just happens to be in front of the notice board....

But when I arrive at the place we have promised on....

“Annalyss, have you seen the list of names mentioned by the principal?” tackles Len when I get there.

“No. And, my goodness, how come you also have the same mind with nearly the whole population of this school, anyway? I thought you do not care about events like this,” I say with a slight accusing tone. “What's wrong with ─”

“Your name is listed,” he interrupts, dropping a bomb right on my face.

Not literally, of course. That would have been way too extreme. Very extreme to Len’s measurement, who is all sweet and petite.

I gawk at him, about to ask him if he really mean it. As if reading my thoughts through my expression, he replies,

“I had to see it before that crazy crowd came and stormed on the bulletin board like now 5 minutes ago. Incidentally, I just got out from the administration office and see the principal secretary attaching an announcement paper. Upon hearing the announcement, I went up to the notice board. Just out of curiosity. Who would have thought that I would find your name on it,” says Len.

“Are you sure? Maybe you're mistaken. You’re saying that that crazy crowd,” I point toward the bulletin board, which is now still surrounded by a crowd of students like a huddle of flies that can not fly out from that place, “came storming earlier. Perhaps their arrival distracted you and made you mistaken seeing it. My name may actually not in the list ─ What exactly is that list? I was never put in any list. Is it a black list? Oh, let's hope that it's not the list of the students with the worst achievement this semester. I did forget one sheet of design paper last month. I did not forget to make it, I was just not aware that Mrs. Hayle placed it in the wrong file after I left. My inventory file holder time ran out at that time. Oh, I should have immediately ran to the bookstore just down the road from school that afternoon. Unfortunately, time was very tight then. I was sure I almost did not make it in time. I hope Mrs. Hayle has not gave me bad grades because of the lack of it. If only she had realized that the last sheet is already with her. Oh, this is very bad!”

Actually, I am just being melodramatic to entertain Len. Simultaneously, I have no reason to insinuate that excessive crowd. Unfortunately, none of them seemed to realize my sarcasm, seeing how focus they are on those series of posts tacked on the bulletin board. Len realizes my intention, of course. That's why he takes participation in this farce.

Len tries to comfort me with a very convincing act, saying that the list is certainly not about something bad, considering some of the names outstanding students who are also listed there. “No, actually, all achieved students are listed in there. That crowd is just responding excessively. As well as overreacting when they found out that their names were not included in it, froze and not walking away from the spot as well. As a result, the place is now filled with people that includes at least half of the school’s population. Speaking of the list, come on, you should go to the principal's office as soon as possible,” Len says as he pushes me.

He does not even look like he is holding his laughter as he pushes me into the east lane. Well, if we increase these capabilities, perhaps we should consider whether we should switch to acting school rather than to remain in St. Luthias Design School. I hear that LunaCentral Foundation has recently opened its new branch in town. And it is a special school for acting classes.

I deliver the news to Len and a crisp sound of laughter echoes throughout the journey to the principal's office.

When I arrive, I seem to be the last one coming in. Down the hall for fifteen steps, I find nine students who have already formed a semicircle in the principal’s giant globe structure room, as if they had been arranged. On the right are series of faces that make me want to cringe away. On the left are the faces of the students who actually have the right for their accomplishments. I step to the left, lucky for having one available spot left on that side.

“Good morning, Principal Griffen,” I say, giving a perfect deep bow that is appropriate according to ethical lady-like guide.

“Miss Saw,” he acknowledges back with a warm smile etched beneath his thick gray mustache.

Principal Griffen is the only person who knows me well and calls me with my family name. For some reason, he is not at all disturbed by the meaning of Saw. Ordinary people would have instantly get chills down the back of their spines with just wording my last name, foreign or not.

“Well, since everyone have already assembled, I will begin the explanation. First, the reasons why you were called here,” he states with a serious tone, facial features somewhat hardened. “You all already know about our neighbors, St. Lathios, the special schools that foster the teaching of music which has received multiple awards from the Ministry of Education itself every year. The quality of their school education is as well as the quality of our education. However, it is rare among us to be familiar with the pupils of that school. For that matter, our school, St. Luthias, along with St. Lathios, will cooperate in order to establish a closer relationship and develop a friendlier connection. We will hold a student exchange program, and you all have been chosen to participate.”

My whole body freezes in that instant.

He is sending me to St. Lathios? This is crazy! I even almost let it slip yesterday. I almost lost control of myself. Actions that have not been thought twice has led to one of the pupils of the school being a victim. He could have died! How can I possibly survive when I have to put myself in there again?

While I turn statue, the others are not moving. Different kinds of expressions cross their faces. Shocked. Curious. Upset. But none of them bother to turn their heads at my direction even after they all have been calmed down.

Principal Griffen has not even realized how my body goes rigid when he continues on his announcement. “The student exchange program will begin tomorrow. Rather soon, of course. But we can no longer postpone this event. We need to establish a positive relationship with St. Lathios. An example for the other students, both from our school and from their school, need to be enforced so that in the future days, no disputes and discriminations will happen again like with what happened last week.”

Another explosion of voices happens again around me.

I have read the news. I have heard the rumors. But I never really care.

About a week ago, a fight broke out between students from St. Lathios and students from St. Luthias. Its subject matter? Difference of levels. Or at least, that's the opinion in mind of both parties. The students of St. Lathios think they were much better than us, while we thought otherwise. Difference of opinions has always sparked the dispute. And then, the peak and the results lead to fights. The news has also been featured in a national newspaper. Television broadcasts from each of the schools did not even want to leave out by delivering daily news five times in a row about the event.

So it is impossible if no one knows.

“Please be quiet once again,” repeats Principal Griffen. “You all will be settled in St. Lathios for 3 months, so I hope you guys can behave well while you're there. Although the subjects that are taught there are different from what you have learned from school, try to understand for just a little. Envoys from their school will also do the same. So just think of it as an additional experience. About how the actual music is taught, how to sing in the right way and so on. This is a rare opportunity. And you are getting it for free.”

I do not like that tone just now. Principal Griffen speaks as if....

“Can we reject this offer?” asks a spectacled girl next to me.

Principal Griffen purses his lips tightly, but he is still able to smile. “I never say that this is an offer from the beginning instead, Miss Hainsle?”

“So─”

“You have no other choice but to accept, for anyone who refuses will be permanently excluded from this school.”

We all hope that after saying these words, Principal Griffen will explode with his typical laughter. But unfortunately, we all know that he never joked with a face as serious as right now.

Now, I really think that this is probably the best time to really die.

Last words from Principal Griffen cracks my ice, frankly. “Have fun while you're there. Befriend new people. Follow the activities they conduct. But you are also not allowed to fully play there, for you will be in disadvantage when it's all over. St. Lathios holds musical performances annually. Incidentally, the event will be held right on your last day there. I will give you special prizes for anyone of you who manages to win the nomination entry on the top three. You can get special rights, limited stock of equipment and materials that you can access while in school, and scholarships until you graduate later. One more special privilege in particular, you will be allowed to decorate the studio you like whatever you want. And that includes the name board.”

Upon hearing that, they all start to sound excited. The one standing next to me, in particular. Their spirit burns like a big bonfire, while I am breaking into pieces of ice cubes.

How I can I still survive after this? I look at him with anger now. There is no such thing as a mere student exchange. I feel as if Principal Griffen is doing this to ridicule me.

“So? What happened? What did Griffen say?” Len invades me with a curiosity level that is so high when I was the last one to come out of the principal's room. That level of curiosity is too much for his size that is usually much more subdued.

“Bad news, Len,” I say sluggish. “I'll get out of this school.”

“What!” He explodes. “Griffen is kicking you all out? On what grounds?”

“No, not all of them. Just me,” I explain.

“Why?” he asks.

“Because that is the rule that has been specified by Principal Griffen. If you reject the offer, you will be removed from the school. I've turned it down,” I say.

“Then, let me go in and take back your words,” he says, preparing to knock on the door but I stop him.

“Forget it. I have not even delivered my decision to him.”

“Good. Don’t. I'm not going to stand here without you.”

“I'm also not going to be able to stand out there without you. But I can not continue here as well for the next 3 months if I accepted his offer.”

“What the heck did Griffen actually say?”

“The exchange student. He is holding it for the students who got into the list with St. Lathios. We will be starting tomorrow. It's a 3-month period of time. But as necessary as it is, I have to get out.”

“Why can’t you just accept it? I'm sure many of his chosen students don’t like to be there as well. But if you are even willing to get kicked out, there must be something, right?”

He looks at me in a penetrating gaze.

“Do you have a particular problem with that school you are not telling me, Annalyss?”

I shake my head.

“You have a particular grudge with someone there?”

My response still in the form of a shaking head.

“Someone you don’t wish to meet?”

I freeze. My thoughts turn to the singing boy I discovered yesterday, who even went after me into the elevator just to ask for my name.

“Oh. So there is,” he says accusingly.

“What?”

“Someone. That. You. Like.”

Like? Him? Now that is just an exaggeration.

“I do not have anyone I like romantically, Len. And how can you associate the problem with someone who I might be having a crush on with the student exchange? Should I even be reacting the opposite way if I do have someone I like there?”

“So, what's the reason you refuse?” he asks back.

Music.

Instruments.

They are everywhere at St. Lathios.

That's the reason.

But I can’t explain these kinds of things to him. He will never be able to understand my situation.