Tale of Arcillana

Chapter 11

Cam's Point of View:

Today's monday and I woke up early. I already did my morning routine and I am in front of the mirror feasting my eyes on my reflection while wearing the school uniform of University of Arcillana High School Department.

The uniform fits my body well. It is a white long sleeve with black blazer that's also have a long sleeve. Paired with a black and gold checkered skirt. It has a black long necktie. On the right side of the blazer, there's a logo on it, probably the school logo. The logo looked like a golden head of a lion in a smoke form. The University of Arcillana was written in a circular way encircling the lion's head. And under the school logo, there's my name embroidered.

I carefully looked at the school logo. I found it weird and somewhat creepy. Most of the school logos are using an open book, a torch or something that represents education but this one is different. A lion's head. What's with the head of a lion to be used as a logo of the University of Arcillana? Does it have a significance?

My head is bombarded of so much queries once again. But I told myself that I will save it for next time. Today's my first day and I don't want to spoil my day.

After setting everything, I went down and headed to the dining area. I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw my grandparents' chairs empty. They are not yet here. I promised them not to be late for meals and I don't know what to say if they arrived here first.

"Good morning everyone." I greeted happily. My parents and my siblings are on their posts. Probably they are just waiting for me and our grandparents.

The twins were also wearing their school uniform. Light looked cute in her uniform. She's wearing a white long sleeve, covered by an A line black dress. The logo of the school were placed on the upper right side of the dress. The end point of the dress leveled her knees. The cloth for the dress were the same as the cloth of my blazer. My sister wore a knee sock and a Prada black school shoes with one inch heels. Oh I love it. As far as I could remember, I saw it posted online. It is one of their limited edition products.

While my little brother, he looked handsome in his white long sleeve covered with a sleeveless black blazer. There's a long necktie inside the blazer. And the logo were placed in the upper right side of the blazer.

Just like mine, their uniform also has an embroidered names. This is cool. We don't have to wear ID anymore.

"Baby, the uniform suits you well." My mom said. She's smiling, looking proud as if I have an achievement presented on her. "I always wanted to see you wearing the uniform I also wore during my high school days." She added. I smiled at her and gave her a peck on her cheeks.

"Mom, I look good whatever I dressed." I said to my mother. She just laughed at me.

"That's because you have the genes of a Montidalgo." She replied. This time, I am the one who laughs. Right, it's always the Montidalgo's genes.

"You dressed." I said to my brother after I averted my gaze on him. "Where are you going?" I asked curiosly.

"To the Capitol. I have an important meet up." He replied. My lips formed a small o shape. I thought he would not handle responsibilities first.

While waiting for our grandparents, we had a little conversation. My parents talked about their high school days here in Arcillana. They said it seems like it's just yesterday since they were an active students of Arcillana, now, they have already four children.

"I could still remember that your mother and I had a debate and we almost had it in two hours because we had a strong argument." Our dad said. He's telling us that with a smile carved in his lips.

"And that's the reason why your dad fell in love with me." Mom revealed. Just like her husband, she also have this smile plastered on her face.

"I would not argue on that Hon. That's true kids. I fell in love with your mother that very moment. She had this beauty that no one could beat. And she's not just a pretty face. She's very intelligent and skilled. She's elegant in every way. For me, she's the epitome of perfection." I can see a heart shape in the eyes of our parents. They are smiling while looking at each other. I can also see a blush on our mother's cheeks. Shiz! She's cute. They are cute! They looked like a teenagers in their puppy love stage.

"Cringe. Come on mom, dad. We are in front of the food." Dark commented. I want to laugh hard but I stopped myself because we are in the dining table.

"D you're kill joy." Light commented. And before they could argue, grandma snapped our attention.

"I am glad to see that we are complete." She commented. One of the butler that's standing on the side came and pulled the chair for my grandma. He then follow my grandpa's chair and get back on his post.

The conversation we had before our grandparents came into the picture resumes after the prayer. Our grandparents joined the conversation and even told us about their high school days while we are eating.

Before it became a University, there are only primary and secondary level. They were send outside to study for college. And because of the growing population of Arcillana, the council decided to make it a University to cater the needs of the students in terms of Education without risking their lives outside the island.

The Teachers, Instructors, and Professors right now were paid by the council thrice of the salary outside the island.

"You will learn a lot in the institution of Arcillana." Our grandfather said. "Not just on the basic subjects but of course in other terms such us, sports, discipline, to grow the love for environment and many more." He continued.

"The institution of Arcillana doesn't limit students on learning how to read, write, count and improve it. It visualizes more than that." Our grandmother added. "You can have everything in here that the outside cannot offer in a single institution. That is why University of Arcillana is the best for me."

I wanted to listen more on their stories about their high school life but we already finished our breakfast.

"Take care babies." Our Mom said. She looked at us entering the car we used yesterday. We waves our right hands on them. This time, it's only me and the twins.

Our brother doesn't go to school anymore. He graduated two years ago. He focused in his career as an artist. Good for him because our parents still have a strong bones and they could still work. He is not obliged to for our company. And like I've said before, the twins will likely to take over the company. I can see that they could do that. They could make the company even more progressive.

We take the route we took yesterday and travelled the twice the number of minutes we travelled last time before reaching the University of Arcillana.

I am about to go out when the driver stopped me from doing so.

"This building is only for primary level Young Lady. The high school department is located at the back part of the Capitol." He said. My lips formed an o shaped after hearing what the driver said. I didn't know that.

I waved my right hand to the twins and reminded them to be careful before closing the door of the car.

The driver started the engine. I thought earlier that the primary level is also the same building for secondary because it is quite big. It has five floors.

After ten minutes, I am seeing a very huge building. In front of it, there's a word written in gold. CAPITOL OF ARCILLANA.

"Is this the Capitol?" I asked the driver. I almost snap myself. I asked an obvious question.

"Yes Young Lady. This is the heart of the island." He retorted.

"If this is the heart of the island, then where's the lungs, the kidney, the intestines of Arcillana?" I asked the driver and laughed after I saw his reactions. "Nevermind, I was just kidding." I added. And he just bowed his head as a response.

It takes another ten minutes to pass by the huge building of the heart of the island, the Capitol. After passing it, I saw another huge building. There's the University of Arcillana High School Department. It has two buildings and I can say that it is twice as big as the primary level.

I thanked the driver before going out of the car. I stood still and hovered a sight on the students who are rushing themselves entering the building the gigantic building.

I looked at my watch and it's just six fifty seven in the morning. What's with the rush?

I gracefully walked towards the entrance where the two bodyguards are standing side by side.

I observed how students used their identity card to enter the building. Along with the five sets of uniform delivered last night by the University is an identity card. The size of the identity card is like the size of an automated teller machine card. If you are going to half the card, at the left side, there is my picture attached on it and my name under it while in the right corner is a quick response or a QR code.

According to my brother, the QR code has the information you have filed in the office of Arcillana. The school requires to scan the QR code attached on the identity card to make sure that you are a student of the institution. The implementation of the school rules and regulations are strict, whoever violates the rules and regulations will face a corresponding punishment.

When I got near the entrance, I took my identity card out and ready it to scan. I simply watch the student in front of me and she places it just in front of the scanner. I did what the girl did earlier and the guards let me pass. They even bowed their heads when they saw that my surname is Montidalgo. I am not the person who could easily get ashame but what the guards did caught the attention of the students that are on my back, waiting their time for scanning. I also bowed my head as a response of thanking the guards for the acknowledgment.

I know I should get use of the attention that other people would give but somehow, I feel ashame. I am well known back in our school in Manila but this is a different case. I have the fame back there because of the significance I gave to the institution academically and also because we had a group there, the Sassy Girl. But in here? The name Montidalgo itself gives significance to the people of Arcillana. That, even if I don't study well and got bad grades, not active in different activities in school and have a not so pretty face, I would still be acknowledged because I am a Montidalgo, granddaughter of the member of the council and daughter of the couple who could also bring brigther future of Arcillana. That alone can make me like an artist and treated like a royalty.

"Excuse me Miss. I think you are new?" Said the girl who are obviously in a rush.

"Yes, why?" I asked.

"Nothing." She replied with a smile. "But I think you need to hurry. The President does not tolerate students who are late in attending their classes." She replied and began to add her pace. "Bye, see you around." She said while waiving her right hand as if we are close.

I didn’t let myself bother by the words she have said and take my time in walking. I was instructed to go first at the principal’s office. My bad, I did not ask it earlier on the guards at the entrance. I am looking for students who could I ask for the principal’s office but the ground floor have a deafening silence atmosphere. I roam myself to look for direction or signage. I was pre occupied looking for it and I did not notice someone at my back.

I automatically turned around when I felt my back touching someone’s —— masculine chest.

“YOU?” I furrowed my eyebrows when I see someone familiar. Someone I promised to myself that I’ll get back to.