THE BLOODLINE

♧CHAPTER ONE

-C A H T R I N A-

Just like every other day, my uncle drove me in his pick-up van to school.

But unlike every other day, this is my first day of high school. I wasn’t scared nor was I going to be lonely as all my friends from middle school was going to the same high school as me.

My best friend, Abbey, was already at the entrance of the gate waiting for me. As soon as Uncle Teo broke the corner towards the entrance of Merl-Grove High School, I saw Abbey waving her hands wildly.

It had been a long and eventful summer break as Uncle Teo had brought me to Denburk in the country-side to meet my cousins. The family was warm and adoring but they insisted to teach me, (or train me as they would say) to play various sports and high intensive and athletic stuffs.

At first I found it weird but then I planted it in my head that they were just overly excited that they finally got to meet me after all these years and my parents had passed away.

Yes, I am an orphan.

Well not exactly.

And I might be extremely selfish for saying so.

Uncle Teo who is my Mother’s brother, had taken me in and catered to my every need since then. I was only six years old when my parents died in an accident, therefore I don’t remember them much. When I think of parents or family, Uncle Teo comes to mind.

He has been more than I can ever appreciate or ever repay. He taught me to ride bicycle, drive, to play basic sports. Told me about boys and even explained to me about my menstrual cycle and just about how the world works in general. He was both my parents and my best friend.

We are always close and he ensures that we never hide anything from each other as he keeps telling me that we are the only ones each other got.

And I believe him.

****************

“Hey Cahty, how was your break in the woods” Abbey asked with enthusiasm as I exited Uncle Teo’s Van.

“Bye Uncle Teo, have a great day at the range.” I called over to my uncle before I responded to Abbey.

“What do I always tell you Trina? Don’t say bye, say later. I will see you later. Please take care and eat something healthy for once.” He said in one mouth full.

“Geesh Uncle Teo, don’t lecture me, am going to school and not the war. And I am sorry, I keep forgetting what you said. See you later though” I said with a grin as I waved him off. This was somewhat a tradition for us so Abbey understood as she waited patiently behind me.

I watched as the van disappeared around the corner before I gave Abbey my full attention.

“Hey girl, what’s up?!” I asked with excitement.

“Girl I asked you first!” she said matching my tone and poking my shoulder.

“Well since you asked about my summer, then sure, prepare your ears for epic and distressful BOREDOM!!” I exclaimed while we both giggled our heads off.

“To be honest, it wasn’t exciting or some awesome news to tell, I just visited some cousins in Denburk and they were super loving and weird. They taught me some high level sports and defence stuff, almost like karate or something. So I basically spent my whole summer training to be athletic.” I told her, finishing off my story.

“Pretty boring for real but at-least you got something valuable out of it. Now you will have sports to rely on and trust me, in no time you will be miss popular around here.” Abbey said while bouncing my shoulders.

“Honestly Abbs, I am just hoping for a smooth and peaceful year”

“Yeah babe, I think it’s wise for us to get acquainted with the school and everything before we want to be seen or pulled in the lime light” Abbey Agreed.

By the end of our conversation, we had cleared the everlasting walkway and arrived at the entrance stairs that led to the corridor halls. We hurriedly ran to the vice-principal’s office to collect our first time-table and schedule sheet along with the rule book and student guide.

My first session for the day was history and Abbey’s session was Integrated Science, so we were forced to split up for the first two hours of our first day.

We did a quick back pat and ran off to our separate classes.

I walked down the corridor that was supposed to lead me to my class, just as the student guide instructed. Before I entered the classroom, I stood at the door as a wave of mixed emotion rushes over me. I was nervous, anxious, excited and mostly eager.

Eager to learn, meet new people, socialize with old acquaintances and enjoy my teenage years.

With that new found enthusiasm and will power I pushed open the door leading to the classroom and found myself met with a few familiar faces as well as a lot of new ones.

I smiled to myself as I brought my time-table to the teacher so he could confirm that I was supposed to be a part of his class.

“Good morning Miss Grey. I am Mr. Blake, your history and religious Education teacher for this school year. Please take a seat.” My new teacher high-lighted to me as he signalled me towards an empty seat.

The reality of finally being a high school student was slowly creeping in. We were no longer spoon fed or handled gently as though we were babies.

It was a quick transition but it was one that was necessary for us to take or else we were bound to be left behind. The teachers were strict and sometimes even harsh.

But so is the real world……..at-least that’s what Uncle Teo told me.

“Thank you Mr. Blake.” I said as I headed over to my seat.

Shortly after, about five more students came to the class, two of which were instructed on where their expected class is supposed to be. When everyone was settled, Mr. Blake sat on top of his desk for about ten minutes to observe us in silence.

“Okay students!-” he finally broke the silence as he stood up from his sitting position.

“So there are a few rules that I would like to highlight before we start the year. Call them off the charts or verbal rules. These are non-tolerable actions that can and will get you banned from this class, failure in the subject, suspended and a possible expulsion if the matter is pressed.” He further explained.

Everyone listened with eagerness to hear what was going to be said.

“First rule, no fighting in this class. Second rule, no use of expletives or hate speech or sign of racist or discriminative comments or actions. Third rule, always be prepared for class (both religious education and history). And most importantly, DO NOT COME TO CLASS IN A SULKY OR BORING MOOD!!” he finished off in a shout.

When the class heard what he had said everyone joined in the shout with him. At that very moment I think everyone assigned Mr. Blake as the coolest teacher as well as their favourite.

He told everyone that he can be the best of person when rules are followed and when his work is completed but he can also be the most disgusting and awful nightmare if his very reasonable conditions are not met.

Personally, I thought he was a funny man.

“So what are we doing today sir?” A pretty Asian from behind me directed her question at Mr. Blake.

“Well since today is your first day I will permit quick introductions and then get right into it. So starting left to right, stand and introduce yourself and say which middle school you are coming from.”

***********

When the entire class had introduced themselves and Sir was satisfied he told us to take out our note book and document our first set of notes for history class on our first day.

History session had ended and I had to meet up with Abbey for our second period together.

I finally saw Abbey walking towards me along the corridor but her face wasn’t as enthusiastic as mine was.

“Was class that bad?” I asked even thought I felt that I already knew the answer.

“Of-course it was. Uuugghhh!!! You know how bad I am at science right?? And this woman had the audacity to give us pop quiz on the first day!!!” she exclaimed.

“Calm down Honey, let’s just hope she won’t use it as an official grade.” I said in a hopeful tone.

“Fingers crossed” she said while throwing an arm over my shoulder as we walk towards our next class before lunch.

#########################################