Tale of Arcillana

Chapter 18

Cam’s Point of View:

After the meeting of the student council, the rest of the day becomes tiring for me. Everyone are in their respective organizations and clubs. Since I do not have an organization yet, after we spent our break time in the cafeteria, Nicolai told me to follow him.

We headed back to the student council office. Just me and Nicolai. I am not bothered because I know he will not do something stupid. And if he will, I am capable of defending myself.

"What are these?" I asked that when he places filed up paper he got from a drawer in the table in front of me.

"These are the projects and approved proposals of University of Arcillana High School Department this School Year. When you have time, take time to read these papers because these projects and approved proposals are operating. Some are operating monthly so we need monthly report and from now on, you are assigned to make the reports." He said.

What the f**k! I cursed in my mind.

He is expecting me to read these papers? What am I, a bookish type of person who loves to read all day long?

"Can't I just have one first. Let me do it one at a time." I suggested. He turned himself and went to his desktop. He pulled the swivel chair on it and he opened the PC.

"Okay, your decision but I am going to send the soft copy to your email so you have no reason not to read the projects and approved proposals." He said. This guy really have his ways.

After that, he became focus to what he is doing and I am here, getting bored already.

Because of boredom, I turned myself to him and push the swivel chair using my foot to reach him.

"I have a question." I said while looking at him.

"What is it?" He asked while his focus is still on the laptop. He is currently typing the program prepared for the Foundation Day's opening program.

"Why is it that the High School Department is at the back part of the island where no one could ever help you if you needed a helping hand?" I asked.

"You have not read yet the book of Arcillana, have you?" He asked me back. When did a question became an answer to a question? I asked at the back of my mind.

"I have not seen it yet. I will look for it in our house. But can you tell me why?" I asked again. I hope this time he will feed me an information.

"Before it was established as University of Arcillana, we only have Arcillana High." Nicolai looked at me and stop what he is doing. "At the back part of this building, you will see a very old building. That is the Arcillana High and is restricted area of the island already. No one is allowed to enter that building." He continued.

"Wait. If you only have Arcillana High, how about the primary? Where did they study their elementary level?" I asked again.

"For how many years, the island does not have educational system. But the first group of people who settled in this island are gifted. They are born intelligent and loved by nature. They created a barrier. Those are our ancestors. To answer your question, our ancestors became their educators for how many years and taught those are necessary for living. After their high school, those who are capable of sending their children outside the island sends them to study. And those who are not, stayed in the island and work. The cycle went for as long as twenty years. The alliances made by our ancestors in different countries strengthen and widen. Therefore, the island is not limited to certain actions anymore and the University was established." I nodded my head as a response. Is it also the reason why they have hierarchy in social status? Arghh I am confused. I think I really need to read the book. That is only the way to be enlightened.

"I still have a question. What —"

"Stop it. I won't entertain queries anymore." He said and shut his attention on the screen of the computer and returned to his work. I pouted my lips and went to the table.

While Nicolai is working on his desktop, I tried to scan the papers. I am amazed on how they are consistent in implementing their projects. I glanced at the back of this guy. Frankly speaking, I couldn't see it in his personality. For me, he is an arrogant asshole. But it seems he is not. You cannot judged a book by its cover. Indeed, you cannot also judged a person by your first impression.

These papers are worth to read and unknowingly, I have read almost five of it. I laughed at myself for doing that. I don't know but before when I said my first statement, I am fixed to that. But today, I said I will only read one but ended up reading five.

After the class hours, Nicolai went to our hours to assist me in the lessons that I needed to catch up. And it happened that my grandparents as well as my brother are already home.

"Good evening." Nicolai greeted and bow down his head when he saw my grandfather. I looked at my watch on my wrist to check what time is it and it's already six o'clock in the evening.

"No need for formalities hijo. Welcome to our humble home." My grandfather chucked. I mentally laughed at him. He knows that his home is bragging not humble. "Thank you for giving time for my granddaughter. Please guide her more cause the island is stranger to her. And please be patient to her." He added while chuckling.

"Grandpa!"

"What?" He answered innocently and chuckled.

Nicolai and I went to the study room. We focused on one subject only and it did it last an hour before I get the whole lessons.

In one hour, we were able to finish one subject. He also gave me an assessment to check if I understand the lessons and it went, I made it perfect.

"Seems like you won't be needing my help anymore." He said while fixing his things.

"Not really. But I am a fast learner though. We can make it fast." I replied.

"You are full of yourself, aren't you?" He asked.

I automatically raised my left eyebrow when I heard him say that.

"I just believed in myself and in my capability like dzuh." I retorted while rolling my eyes.

Nicolai was invited to have a dinner with us and he did not refuse. My parents went home already and they are now actively conversing with Nicolai.

I darted my eyes on my brother who keeps talking on Nicolai about me.

"We actually did not expect that on her first day, she will have friends already. Don't you wanna hear how did she found friends in her first year in high school?" My brother asked.

"Shut up will you?" I am gripping already the spoon and the fork that I am holding.

"She was a transferee that time in their school and she got her first cat fight.” My brother shared while laughing. I want to throw my spoon to Nicolai because he listens attentively! He should not! Gosh. “First time in history that our parents was called by the Head of the Discipline of the a school. It would have always been achievement, request to be a guest speaker and etcera. But that day, I want to congratulate my sister. She indulged in a fight but in a brighter side, she found best and genuine girl friends.” He finally said. Speaking of them, I really miss them. I wish I could see them soon.

I silently thank God that we already finished our dinner. Nicolai bid goodbye and drove his car home.

“You should know how to shut up sometimes bro! That was freaking embarrassing!” I exclaimed to my brother after I accompanied Nicolai to the garage.

“I thought you does not care.” My brother said while letting out a soft laughter. “Are you conscious now? Are you going to have a love life now? That would be great! That man is a good catch.” He added. I gave my brother a very sharp look. He is always having fun while bullying me!

“Shut it will you?” I will never like someone like him. He is just smart but he is an asshole.

Before my head boils at one hundred degree celsius, I went upstairs already. I need to make a report about what have been discussed earlier in the meeting. Like just the other, Nicolai also gave me a time frame to submit the report. He even gave me format that I should follow just to make sure that everything is perfect. But before that, I went to my siblings and looked for Dark. He is busy again in playing online games.

“D, do you happen to bring the flash drive where I store my performances?” I asked my brother after sitting opposite to him.

“Yes. Do you need it?” My brother asked.

“Yes. I really need it.” I replied.

“Okay wait. But please hold this first. Just touch the control button but do not go out in the base.” He said. He gave me the phone and looked tor the flash drive. I don’t know what kind of game is this.

He did not last five minutes and went back holding the flash drive.

“Thanks D!”

I went to my room and started to encode the report. After that, I inserted the flash drive and check there what I can use for tomorrow’s audition in Glee Club.

I watched five videos before I finally decided what am I going to perform tomorrow.

I am about to lay down on my bed when I felt my phone vibrated so I opened up and checked who messaged.

“Hey! You have to explain this!”

It is from Mitch. I tapped the screenshot photo and checked. It’s my brother’s post in SoLife. A picture of our family with Nicolai earlier.

And the caption says, “Welcome to the family.” while tagging me and Nicolai.