Devine Orion

Chapter 2

"Hey Athena, let's go to the library!" Alice called when I was walking down the hall to submit my thesis to professor McLaughlin.

I raised my hand with my papers waving it to her. "I need to submit this first."

"Okay, I'll go with you." She immediately ran towards me and even clung her arm to my left arm as soon as she reached me. "We are about to graduate and we will end up working in a factory. I wonder why we still do need education when they only offer us those type of work."

Even I have the same thought. Why would they bother give us education and degrees if they will only allow us work in a factory? The government in Dunkirk is still the government from Lacroix. They said women are complicated but they are more.

"I don't know why, but maybe to not make us dumb with everything." I answered and continued with walking.

“Hello Athena!” A guy named Charlie greeted me as he was holding a ball made for football. He was grinning widely. He’s one of the jocks in this Academy.

I just nodded to him and did not stop walking. Don’t call me rude but they are used to it. I am known as passive person and I don’t get mingled with people. Most of the students here in the Academy are intimidated if they tried to reach me. I don’t know the reason and I did not bother finding out the reason as well.

“Goodness, why do you always ignore that hottie? Most of us here in Dunkirk Academy doesn’t have defects because most of us are born here—though you are not but you don’t have physical defects—”

“But it doesn’t mean, I have to flirt him back, Alice. You know I don’t have time for those thing.” I answered in a flat tone. I don’t know why she kept on bugging me to accept Charlie’s affection towards me. I just simply don’t have any feelings for the guy and it’s not my thing to have a relationship with him without any feelings at all.

Alice shrugged but still clinging on my left arm. “You are so cold hearted. You know why they fall for you. You are very beautiful and incredibly smart. Only an i***t who will not fall for you though—”

“—and I will appreciate if they are all an i***t, so that they won’t fall for me. We better get faster, I am running late.”

I raise my speed and almost running until I reached professor McLaughlin’s office. I saw him checking some paper with his forehead creased and his eyes darted to me the moment he saw me at his door.

“Miss Ventura, come in.” He commanded and he sat straight but he sent a ‘go away’ stare at Alice.

“Am, I’ll just wait for you at the stairs, Athena.” There was a hint of awkwardness in her voice but I heard her footsteps running back towards the stairs in this building.

“Good afternoon professor, this is my thesis paper. This is already final draft.” I answered and put the paper on his desk but he did not even look at it.

I almost frown but I stopped myself from doing it. He was just tapping his pen on the table like he’s in a trance or meditation or thinking deeply. Then suddenly, he blurted out.

“I need you as a representative, Miss Ventura.” He uttered.

I was like a rock there, standing and wasn’t able to understand what he’s talking about. I heard it clearly, but I don’t know what’s the meaning of it.

“For what, professor?” I queried. Representative with what? Quiz bee? A game?

“I need your discreetion on this, Miss Ventura.” He said and I nodded. They know I am not the kiss and tell type of person. “The Government of Lacroix, decided to get two scholar from our Academy. The qualification must be normal with no defects. I could not think a person who will fit with their request but only you—but unfortunately, you were born from Lacroix and sent here—though your defect is a mystery because we never seen one. The news will be announce tomorrow, and I know all of the students will want to go, especially those students who has no defects. We cannot pick out in our favor, but will do it in a form of a test. The two people who will get the highest score will be the representative and will get the right to study in Lacroix Academy. And we know, it will be you.”

I wasn’t able to utter a single word. It was like I was hearing some dreamlike phrases and closely unrealistic. But I am awake and not even dreaming. Professor really did said a chance of studying in Lacroix Academy, in the main city!

His statement left me flabbergasted. I reached the backrest of the chair to ask for support because it feels like I’m going to drop anytime soon.

“I-is that for r-real?” I stuttered when I asked. It’s just too unbelievable for me.

Professor nodded. “It’s real deal.”

“But the requirement must be adhered. I am not born in Dunkirk—I am not qualified.” I reasoned. I don’t fit the qualification. They need a Dunkirk-born...not an exiled one, just like me.

“That’s a matter that we already discussed with the dean. We will alter your birth history of being an exile into a Dunkirk-born citizen—there will be no problem since all of the files has been destroyed long ago.” He answered like he already anticipated my question.

“But, isn’t that cheating?” I asked. I don’t think it’s fair with others because the qualification says itself that this is for Dunkirk-born.

“Isn’t also unfair that you were sent here, even without any defects?” He questioned back that made me stunned.

In the 18 years of my existence, I never regretted that I was sent here. I am happy with my adoptive parent and my brother, Ash.

“I never thought it was unfair—instead, I was happy. Even we are living in a poor land, I am happy with my mother and my little brother. They made me think that life here in Dunkirk is not that bad at all.” I answered honestly.

There are lots of people who despised being here in Dunkirk. People who cannot accept the fact that they are living in this land. I can even see drunkards in the street, flooding their soul to liquor so they can forget.

“It is rare to find someone like you who doesn’t hate our land. Majority of the people in Dunkirk hate the life here. Everybody wants to live in Lacroix, but you—” 

“I am just the same as them, professor. I want to go and live in Lacroix, but I don’t look into the side that being here is bad—it’s a matter on how you view your world.” I answered to him without any guilt. I am not hypocrite to say that I don’t want to live in Lacroix... Professor was right, everybody want to.

“That gives us more reason to choose you. So tomorrow, the official announcement will be released and the next day, the exam will be held. I don’t think you need to prepare for it. We already know your capability—you’ll ace it for sure.” He said it confidently. “You may go now Miss Ventura and we are looking forward on you, going to Lacroix Academy.”

I headed out from the office and I felt lightheaded as I walk because of the news I just got. They wanted me to be the representative in Lacroix. How will my mother react to this? My little brother? I squeezed my eye shut as lot of things came to my mind. I even forgot Alice was waiting for me at the stairs. I was heading to a no direction. Feeling like I was still in a trance of dream state.