The Blood's Elegance

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

YOUR SISTER IS MY SISTER.

If I did not end our call, Rose and I might still be talking with each other until now that I am already dressing myself into a jumpsuit… or probably until our phones are drained. I wasn’t sure. And that was a probability because I was closer with Rose more than Andy, but Andy was also close with her, and although Rose seemed to be our mutual friend, Andy was actually our mediator. She was the oldest.

I was friends with them for years, and I had met their relatives and got close with them, too. Still, even though I already met Rose’s brother, Paine, I failed to read her other brother’s attitude, Reji. Their savage remarks with each other told me their siblings relationship, and I needed not to know straight from their mouths that Rose’s brothers were protective of her. How I wished that everyone has a brother. How I hoped I get to have an older sibling… or just a father. My father, based from my mother’s stories, died when I was very young. So young when I still know nothing about this world. So young that I had not even a chance to call him as my father. He just left me without any good memories I can reminisce when I get old. He left me without letting me feel how it would be like to be protected by the man in your family as your knight-in-shining armor. And I would forever envy that fact from the girls I meet who have a good experience with their pops.

“Sweetheart.” My mom was standing at the doorway, poised with her arm leaning on the side and her lips curving into a small smile. “Let’s go. It’s already afternoon, and you might not have the chance to have a tour inside the school if we come late.”

“I’m sorry.”

I stood and got my wallet together with the car key. We went downstairs side by side, and I opened the car for her. I drove our car to the school, just following the directions given by the Thompsons on the night of my party. And luckily, I hoped my memory will serve me right—drive straight, turn right on the second street then drive straight again before turning to the right, and there, we will spot the Imperial University. It’s a fifteen miles distance.

I turned to the right and just when I looked up, I saw the big arch of the school positioned in front, above the gate, stating the name of the academy in a shaped red metal. The poles of the gate were like gold. The small stains were outstanding, ruining the good image. We passed by the guard who greeted us with a big smile on his face, waving his hand at us.

“Welcome to Imperial University, Alvarez!”

I bowed down. “Good afternoon, Sir.”

“Our school rarely have transferees, so I hope you will have a good stay in this place.”

“I hope so.”

I stepped on the gas and drove through the side of the building after seeing a sign that points the parking lot. My mom and I walked to the office to accomplish our main objective in coming to the school. We stopped in front of the door that says the name of the principle. Alice Patterson. Must be old and fun spoiler. What must be the rules in this place? Were the facilitators strict? I can only wish that they are not.

I twisted the door knob very slow like what the characters do in movies, anticipating a monster standing behind the big varnish wood with a golden name plate hanging outside. Slowly… Very slowly. What was waiting behind was a white-haired woman who grew up single for having standards, wearing that classic floral dress that falls below the knees, and a black shiny shoes. Her hair would be curled, unmoving as if it was styled that way from the time she was born, so I would see her everyday ad still feel that nothing is special with her because her hair is always the same. The, of course, the glasses with black or golden frame that she would lower down to assess my physical attributes—wait, would she be wearing a denture?

“I can hear your thoughts without you speaking any word.”

My reverie suddenly ended. My mom blew out a breathe and opened the door quickly. The monster! My shoulders dropped down because there was no monster. Alice, the principal… the young principal rather—she is probably on her twenties because she has no wrinkles, and her skin was glowing—radiated a contagious smile. I found the side of my lips, my thin lips formed in a thin line earlier, moving upwards to display my white teeth.

“Good day, I presume you were Elysea Alvarez, the new student..”

I nodded.

“Nice to meet you.” Her soft, slender hands reached for mine, and I felt ashamed because right now, with me standing in front of her, if people will compare us, two, or even just my mother, she looks younger than me in all aspects! Her fashion sense was superb. Under her khaki blazer was a v-neck top. It was paired up with her blue jeans and brown peep-toe stilettos. Her face was cute because of her fringe-styled brown hair. It scared the hell out of me. How can a principal manage the school and still look like I am the former principal of this institution? It’s unfair.

“Are you really a principal?” That sank late on my mind. I covered my mouth in embarrassment and uttered forgiveness. “It was not meant to offend you. I was really curious because maybe this is a joke. You seemed like the student of the university and not the principal.”

Her sweet laugh echoed in my ears, vibrant and lovely. I loved that kind of energy that she was giving out. Very positive. Her existence appeared after the horrendous-not-horrendous happening on my birthday, and it was enough for me to have something to hold onto on this place. There was no death… yet, and I was not harmed… yet because the death threats I received were starting to scare me.

“That’s so nice of you. Thank you for the compliment.” She walked to her desk and pulled her chair to sit. Her hand gestured for the seats in front of her desk.

Roaming my eyes around to see the whole office, I settled on the cold metal chair that made a screeching noise on the marble floor when I moved it. We talked about my transfer to the school and the documents I need to pass once I got it from my old school. When we were done, Miss Lenira allowed me to wander around to familiarize myself with the new environment.

Five floors. The first floor were rooms assigned to the principal, administrator, chancellor, and cashier. The Students Affairs Office, Guidance Counsellor’s office, and other office were also there. Those were what I remembered when I passed by it. A library was on the second floor. The laboratories and other facilities occupied the third to fourth floor. I went out of the administrator’s building. The Imperial University had three building. There were big metal letters attached on the front white wall, just above the school’s logo of the building where I just came from—Richardsons.

Who are the Richardsons? Were they a big part of this university? Investors perhaps? Partners of the owners? Or were they the founder of this institution?

I crossed the wide-stretched field to reach the tall building painted with white also. It had approximately eight floors. Beside it stood a shorty, I meant two-floored building before a stadium. I battled myself whether to make an effort of travelling the distance and see how their stadium looks like. I hoped that it will not disappoint me because stadium is one of the factors I really love in a school because this is where the events usually happen. I knew that there is a multipurpose hall, but the value of a stadium is just so unexplainable for me. I loved sports so much. To see the volleyball and basketball players, fight against other teams were great. I could see teamwork, enthusiasm, and their love for the game. The way they fall and stand up and continue playing the game despite not scoring inspired me. I really wanted to see it, but I think it was closed because it was not school days. I was not a special person who could ask the janitor or whoever the key holder is to open it because I want him or her to do so.

I stood before the proud building. A. E. Richardson, it stated. The door automatically open without being held by, and as soon as I stepped my feet inside, I suddenly want to go outside. The floor was freshly mopped, there were still water marks. The janitor rested beside the elevator. She smiled at me. The trophies near the wall caught my attention. Their gold color was screaming at me, seducing me to come closer and be amazed. At last, I headed to the cabinet. My finger traced its glass. Wowed by the achievements of the students of this university, I tried to keep my mouth close as I read every award they received. Then, my eyes moved down to the picture frame. There was a name beside it, intricately carved in a golden sheet. Adam Richardson. The photo taken of the man named Adam was probably when he was on his twenties. He had admirable features. His jaw was definite and his pointed nose was fierce, but his eyes managed to tone down the harshness of his sharp and distinct features. His achievements were sculpted under his name.

Adam Effulgence Richardson

February 25, 1924 - January 31, 1964

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