CHAPTER 4 : The Superiors

Chapter 4

The Superiors

Nichy is acting all weird regarding this ranking system she mentioned. And I must admit it, it also felt interesting and dangerous. This will answer all my question about H.U’s unjust moral guidance.

Nichy brought me here at the University’s veranda after cleaning myself for the second time. No one will surely noticed us in here since everyone is busy at the cafe. She still hasn’t started telling the story but I’m already fire up.

“So? Care to explain?” I asked. She nodded erasing the hesitance. I think it’s going to be big. Geez, this day is really exhausting! Imagine encountering werewolves; wild bullies in your first day  in school! This is definitely my most memorable shit day.

“Alpha Eugene Roswell, the handler of Howling University made this rule long ago.”

Alpha? What’s with the creepy title. “And what was it?”

“The student ranking system. Every student in here is rank based on their academic performances. The higher your grade is, the higher your rank. And the privilege? Freedom to do anything you want. Remember that guy who’s trying to rub the nerd one? He’s on Top 20 with an average of 91 in our batch making him powerful. And Jericho the one you punched? He’s on top 9 with an average of 95.66.” It all went like a puzzle into me. “Georgina, you should stop messing with the superiors.”

“So you’re pointing that because they hold the highest grade gave them permission to rule over the whole University like wild boars?!”

“Yes, that’s the main point.”

I blink several times before exerting a chuckle. “What a crazy University!” Her eyes widen and covered my mouth, it seems like that she’s saving me from something.

“Gina, beware of your action inside this place, someone might hear then report you to Dean.” I moved her hand away from me.

“So what  if they heard me? Is there another rule regarding that?”

“Yes?”

“Damn, for real?!” I shook my head from disbelief and massage my forehead. Watching the scene like this, I am already feeling suffocated. “Then what did I violated by just whining my side?”

“It’s called rebellion.”

“What?! I don’t even hurt anyone to be--”

“It’s the Alpha’s order, Gina. A the town’s hero we must obey whatever he said. Anyone who rants against his implemented rules is titled as traitor. Gina trust me, it’s better to stay at the side submitting to his demands.”

“This is absorb, watching the students suffer from the unfair treatment how come no one even reported this University?” She raise her shoulder after sitting at the rail.

“Government has no hold on Grimson. And the elderly also approved his request thinking that this rule will drive the student to study harder.”

Thinking about it, it’s still odd. I believe that every students deserve an equal proportion of the freedom, either the higher ranked or the lower one. I sighed when I find no moves to take to solve the situation. What can I do? I’m just a mere new student, that even been bullied for her first day. Nichy held my hand caressing it to reduce my stress.

“Hey, just a friendly suggestion. Listen to me from now on, I’ll make sure to help you get through this.” I nod in defeat. I’m taking her suggestion. If this University is really that awful containing spiky rough ruling then might as well just listen to the one who knows what to do.

"Promise?” She chuckle in my question.

“Of course girl. But first stop being a stubborn. You can’t win from those bullies that easy, okay?”

“Okay and I’m sorry. I’ll make sure to not do it again.” But if it’s too much, I wont hesitate to counter back. We were about to head back when I remember something. The guy who helped me earlier. “I have another question.”

“ABout?”

“Harvin, is that the name of the guy who stop Jericho?”

“Oh! Yes! Harvin Lye Corteza. Isn’t he nice?”

“But who was he? For me it looks like that he has this high authority to stop Jericho,” I marveled.

“Of course, Harvin is the Vice President of H.U’s SSG. Plus the factor that he’s the second highest rank among the students in our batch--”

“Wait wait, second? And Vice President?” I suddenly imagine the face of the guy and nod at myself. Not to mention it, but he really conveys this feeling of authority. “Now I get it.”

We finalized what to do. Knowing the school’s biggest issue, it awakens me for a bit in every action I take. While walking in the corridor I notice student looking at me and having this funny face. Ugh, I think it’s about earlier with Jericho. Rather to rant that they should mind their own business, I become more careful in choosing my action. I don’t wanna attract another fight.

We went back at our classroom. I jerked at my classmates and realize why they has this gloomy ambience, they’re trying heard to study to pull their grades. Geez, I think I have to start studying smarter to avoid bullies.

The following classes was surely head cracking, the Prof is teaching us harder lessons that I couldn’t cope in, but with Nichy by my side, she promised to help me review the lessons. I almost cried in the spot for her kind heart, what could happen to me when I didn’t met Nichy? What happen today was worth it now that I have a friend.

After going home I immediately seek for Imelda, and I wasn’t wrong that while I’m having trouble in H.U the grandma is sipping her tea! Wow! I calm my state before sitting in front of her, she raise a brow with my frown. I snatch the cookie she has and ate it angrily. “Welcome home--”

“You owe me an explanation,” I cut her.

“About?”

“Howling University and the ill rule!” I stood showing her my depressed face. “You didn’t told me that there is a ranking system. Did you know what trouble I gone through by just today?! Everyone thinks I am an humiliation!”

“So?” My lips parted with her unbothered remark. Wait, isn’t she aware how stupid the idea is?!

“So? That’s it? Gracious goodness grandma. Why didn’t you told me?” She also stood to level me.

“It wouldn’t change anything with the University’s ruling. And your trouble is already done, make it a lesson to choose who to hit.”

I balled my fist from the lack of attention, it was like she’s caging me into a werewolf’s den without any weapon for me to handle! How come can she be careless with her own granddaughter?

“Go up and change, I’ll prepare the dinner--”

“They hurt  me grandma!” I exclaimed and pulled her back. “You--”

I felt a little terrified seeing her scolding eyes. “What do you want me to do? Burn the school? Kill them?” She hissed pushing me away. “I’m sorry, Gina. But I’m not like your father, I wont spoiled you just to be an independent. Your mess, clean it. Act mature.”

--

She’s unreasonable just like this school. My second day here on H.U came, Nichy quickly saw me in the locker area. She even asked me what’s with my dark aura. “Nothing,” I shortly replied.

I’m so pissed off with Imelda! After scolding me she didn’t had any effort to fix our little fight. I know she has a point, but I still don’t get it! After sitting on my chair I heaved and look outside the window.

Can I really survive a whole year here in Grimson? I am not good in academics to stand out, and my Prof clearly hate my face. And Imelda is all so mean! My impression on how great Grimson town all vanished realizing there’s no such thing as a perfect place to fit in. My dreamy new start all evaporated together with my patience. Can I really take this one year?

I twitch my lips. I should just try harder in the second time around in here. Right, I will try harder to clean my name just like Imelda pointed.

Luckily, Prof Dal didn’t find me irritating that day, but I saw how he smirk at me first thing at his class. The other classes was normal, and… I am building joy for a moment. At last, I think the silence I deserve came. My classmate already forgot what happen yesterday even the people at the cafe. I saw some students being harassed at the University side, thankfully Nichy reminded me to mind my own business.  And I did as she told me before ending up as the victim.

“Library later?” I groan with Nichy’s invitation.  “Come on, Gina. You have to exert effort in studying here at H.U.”

“Fine madam.”

“Pfft! Move you ass now!”

“Coming!” Like what she said we headed at the library. I felt disgusted seeing people torture themselves to review. Eww, bookworms! And tragically I ended as one of them. I prioritize reviewing Prof Dal’s lesson.  Nichy helped me solve some topics that almost made me nosebleed. This is so effin hard!

It took us 4 hours in hell before finishing the 1/4 of the lessons. Imagining me doing this everyday like the other wolf study-bug is killing me already! Studying is fine for me, but this hard? Gosh, it’s too much!

We both didn’t notice the time, it was already late 6 PM.  “I think we should head home. It’s getting dark.”

“At last!” I said in victory after standing up.

“But review your lessons.”

“Intruder!” She laugh with my unhappy face then help me pack my things. We travel to the gate, she found her car service.

“You wanna take a ride?” she offered. I shrug my head then glance at the shallow path.

“No, I’ll just search cab downtown.”

“But it’s too far--”

“Shh, I’m going to be all right.” I assured, I don’t wanna disturb her. She already helped me a lot.

“You sure?”

“Yep! I’ll text once I reach home.” We bid our farewell after. She had no choice but to let me go with my appeal. I watch her go and smiled. I continued my journey. The path was empty and dark, I was all alone. I don’t wanna feel danger since I’m alone in there-- but out of the blue. My vision went black after two guy covered my head with a sack.

Wait, what?!

I yelled hard to struggle out of their grip, but they had more force. They brought me somewhere that cause my heart to feel so afraid. “W-Who are you?! Let go! I’ll sue you!” I only heard them laugh after pushing me to the ground.

I quickly remove the sack in my head. I wasn’t fully revived when a slap on my face welcome me. It was painful that made my lips bleed. My cheeks is burning hot, I touch it before raising my head.

“What the he--!” I paused seeing H.U students surrounding me. I gasp and don’t know what to do. I tried to get up and question their intention but a guy at my back kicked me back at the ground. “What’s wrong with you?!” I yelled so hard from the pain.

But they look careless, instead they smirk how pitiful I am. I tried to recall who they are or what have I done to them to do this, but as far as my concern, I done nothing wrong! I live my life concerning my own business!

“Is she here?” That voice outside the circle cut me off and the others from harassing me. They clear a path as the guy walked in. His image showed up in front of me. My soul left me when he smirk. I knew it’s going to be my end.

Jericho… he grip my hair. “Pay back time.”

The next scene were all blurry as I earn bruises.