Tale of Arcillana

Chapter 13

Cam’s Point of View:

The instructor began to discuss when Nicolai and I seated at the back.

I can see familiar faces, the one that were present on our welcome party, companions of Nicolai as far as I remembered. One of them even called me. And of course, I can still feel the stare of that girl but I did not mind her. I found it creepy but I am not bothered at all and focuses on the instructor who are discussing in the front about a certain topic on General Mathematics.

I remembered what I told myself back then. I said, I hope it should have at least some kind of accommodating facilities. But by simply standing outside the huge buildings of this institution earlier, I can say, it does not only met my expectation. It is way more than what I expected that this institution should have.

The building is quite modern. All you can see are glass windows. It shows you the view of Capitol and other establishments here in Arcillana.

The classroom is huge for a forty students inside. It has an air conditioner and a mini lockers at the back part of the room. They are also using one table in two persons and unfortunately, my seatmate is Nicolai, the council president and an asshole.

I am quite impressed because this room has an interactive whiteboards. Back in Manila, there are only few interactive whiteboards being utilized in my former school. It was only used in special classes and the rest, just a traditional black board with a digital projectors that projects the lesson into a bigger pictures. As far as I know, these interactive whiteboards are mainly used in Europe and United States.

Earlier, before we left the principal's office, she gave me a laptop. She said it was created by my father. Every student of University of Arcillana have their own laptop. They are using these on their tests, major exams and some other activities. The principal further explained that it was created intended for the school to avoid cheating. It has a detector that could detect if the students manipulated the laptop or the internet to cheat on their tests or major exams.

This institution is very advance in terms of educational technologies. The council believed that the future of Arcillana depends on the hands of the students. They will be the next set of people that will rule and work for Arcillana to grow more than today so they invested more on education, free and do have a setting and equipments conducive for learning.

"Okay class, if there are no questions or clarifications about our lesson, you may now go. But Mr. Buenaventura and Miss Montidalgo please remain. I have something to discuss to the both of you." Our adviser, Miss Vinny Cuesta said.

Our classmates started to fix their things and fixed themselves before going out.

“Hi Cam! Omooo I can’t still believe it! We are classmates!” Said by the girl who have this blond hair. She is Mitch, I could still recognize her. From her seat, she rushed herself to ours. She pulled one of the chair that’s in front of us and placed it opposite to mine.

“Welcome to our school Cam,” that Thelonious said with a smile on his face. I mouthed him “thanks”. Others also welcomed me and I feel a lil bit happy and excited.

“So, see you at the ground.” Mitch said and bid her good bye. “Kade, bring her in our table okay?” She asked but more on commanding my seat mate. Nicolai just nod as a response.

The five headed their ways out of our classroom and there, Nicolai and I are the only students who remained in the room.

We came near our class adviser who is also busy fixing her things on her table.

“Right. I was instructed by the school principal to give Miss Montidalgo someone that could tutor or assist her in our previous discussion. And I have chosen you Mr. Buenaventura to give her a hand so she could follow. You have the copy of our previous discussion so there is nothing to worry. I will give you two weeks on that before giving Miss Montidalgo a long exam for all of the topics.” She said while averting her eyes on Nicolai and I. I looked at him and he is just listening attentively to what our adviser is saying.

“I have no problem on that Miss. But may I ask if is it applicable to all subjects Miss or just in your subject?” He asked. So he is willing to assist me? Or he is just getting this opportunity to get back on me because I kicked his future?

“All subjects Mr. Buenaventura.” Miss Cuesta replied. I creased my forehead on what I’ve heard. This is hell. I will be studying how many subjects for two weeks and get a long exam out of it. This is ridiculous. I am late on their lesson for two months. That would be okay if we have the same competencies in my former school but I bet not. This is Arcillana and every time that I am receiving new information about this island, it always surprises me.

After that short talk, Miss Cuesta let us have our lunch. And I am here walking, following the council president. We are going down to the first floor.

“How many sections does Universiy of Arcillana have?” I asked after catching his pace. We are now walking together.

“Five per grade level. Plus the Goldens, then it makes six.” He replied while his eyes are on our way. Goldens? What is that thing?

I looked at him confused of what Goldens is.

“Goldens is a special section that composed of students who came from higher status. Elites, and we are one of the Goldens.” He said when he saw my reaction when he suddenly looked at me.

“So you’re saying that everyone in the Goldens receives special treatment just because they are related to the Elites? Isn’t it unfair?” I asked. That is social injustice. The privilege that people of Arcillana get should be equal despite of the social status.

I stopped from walking when Nicolai suddenly stopped. He sternly looked at me.

“You are not thinking ill about the governing body of Arcillana, are you?” He asked that surprised me. His looked are in a serious manner.

What? Of course not! I was misunderstood again. First, by my brother. And now, by the council president of University of Arcillana.

“Of course not. Why would I? My grandparents are part of the governing body of the island and I know that what they are doing are for the good of every Arcillanian citizen.” I said, defending myself from being misunderstood.

“That is good. There are special benefits among the people of Arcillana and it varies according to the social status. It was justified by the significance of every status to the island. As for the Goldens, you got it wrong. Being Elite is not only the qualifications. In order to be part of the Goldens, students who came from Elites should take an exam. That is not your ordinary fifty to one hundred items exam. Aside from a three hundred items exam, there is also an oral exam. And finally, you have to be physically fit so you need to undergone trainings. If you get a pass from your trainer then you are Welcome to be part of the Goldens.” He said, feeding me information about the Goldens. I thought it’s just a special treatment. You have to go through before you would belong to the group.

“Actually,” he added. He is now looking at me again. I met his eyes with mine. “The one who gets a special treatment is none other than you. You became one of the Goldens without even taking written and oral exams as well as undergo trainings.” He said. I blink not just one, twice or thrice to digest what he said.

Did I? I asked myself.

Nicolai started to walk again. I snapped myself to get back to the reality and jogged to catch Nicolai’s pace. He puts his hands on the pocket on the both sides of his trouser.

“You obviously know nothing.” He commented while we are on the escalator going down to the first floor.

“Then you should tell me everything I need to know so I won’t be that someone you know that knows nothing at all.” I suggested. He just gave me a soft laughed.

I don’t know why but I found his laugh cute, especially that he is showing his dimples when he smile.

“After what you did? No way.” He said while he shrugged his head. Since I am the kind of person who does not easily gives up, I put my hands on his arm which makes him shocked. He even taken aback a bit. And his eyes were slightly bulging.

“Please pleaseee.” I said while shaking his arm. I am doing that while walking and I didn’t noticed where are we.

I automatically releases his arm when I realized that almost everyone inside the cafeteria were looking at us, at me.

We just got their attention.

“Is that the new student?” I heard the girl near us asked almost in a whisper manner.

“I think so. I heard she is a Montidalgo.” The other girl replied. I roamed my eyes around the spacious cafeteria of the University. I must say, this is for another impressive reaction.

All of them were looking at me while saying something. Am I a big deal?

“She is from Manila right?” The girl from another table asked her friends.

“I have heard that information. They just arrived and the Montidalgo Manor were open for their welcome party.” The girl next to the one asked, answered.

“Her beauty is an extraordinary.” A guy commented.

“I could not agree more.”

Before I get drowned from the reactions and feedback of my co students inside the cafeteria, someone called us.

“Kade, Cam over here!” Mitch said in a high modulated voice that is almost shouting.

Nicolai and I headed to the table where they are. There are two empty chairs so I pulled one so I could put my bag and Nicolai did the same.

“You should order first.” Alliah suggested. Nicolai responded her a nod and told me to follow him.

He lead me to the counter to buy our food.

I scanned the menu list and ordered a meal that consists of one cup of rice, one piece big chicken with a gravy and a sundae.

I get my gold card and about to give it to the lady who are assigned in my counter when Nicolai stopped my hands.

“You don’t have to pay, everything here is free.” He said. To my surprised, my lips formed a small letter o. I was not inform of that.

“Okay, got it” I replied.

After updating our order to the assigned person we stepped to get back to our chair.

“How is your first day of school?” Mitch asked me. I take a bite if chicken before answering her question.

“Still adjusting but your school is one of the best schools I have been.” I answered and take another bite.

“That is great! Good thing that we are in the same grade level. At least we know each other and you would not have any difficulty to adjust yourself.” Mitch replied. Among them, Mitch is very talkative. Based on my observation even on the party, she is always the one who initiates a conversation and opened a topic.

“Yeah right. By the —”

“Babe!” Called by the girl who came from somewhere on Nicolai. “I am just going to remind you if our date later.” She said and lean forward to kiss Nicolai on his cheeks before winking at him. She landed her eyes on me.

“Gosh Kade. That girl is really something.” Alliah commented.

Those eyes are the eyes who were locked on me when Nicolai and I are entering the room.