66. New beginning

Monday came and Olivia dragged herself out of her bed to get ready for school. She stared at her reflection for a moment and yawned. Messy hair, hunched back and drowsy red eyes. She splashed some cold water on herself, slapped her cheeks and stretched her sleepy eyes open with her fingers.

After making herself awake with much difficulty, she started putting on her uniform. Black skinny pants, high-neck top and socks with khaki trousers and coat on top. The custom-made coat and trousers accentuated her broad shoulders and long legs. Olivia put on the belt with a K in the middle over her coat. After combing her hair and tying it in a high ponytail she braided it neatly.

In the dining room, all the helpers greeted her. Olivia nodded and took a seat for breakfast.

While the food was being served, the butler asked, "Mistress will you be visiting the restaurant today? They're waiting for you."

Olivia pinched her temple and asked, "How many people came?"

"The Voyage – our national e-sports team, Manoshi Gharai – the legendary singer..." He rambled the name list of the famous people who came to order the restaurant's signature dish.

"...and 259 common folks," he concluded.

By the time he finished, Olivia was done with breakfast.

She got up and said after giving it some thought, "I'll inform you later."

Taking her bag from the butler, Olivia walked out. The car was ready. She got inside and set the location of her destination on her watch. After a small beep, the car started. Since the school was a two-hour driveway from the Basu Mansion, Olivia closed her eyes and took a good long nap. When the car reached the school gate, a mechanical voice rang out in Olivia's earphone saying she had reached the destination and the door opened automatically.

Standing in front of the tall gate, Olivia grimaced thinking about her demotion.

'Well, it's said time flies. I hope it flies faster now.' She prayed and strolled inside.

The area inside was huge. It looked like a mini city itself. On the left were three five-storeyed buildings next to each other with Ketu Primary House, Ketu Secondary House and Ketu Graduation House written at the entrance.

Before the primary house was a kids' playground. A huge field extended before the Secondary House till far beyond the Graduation House. A little away from the G.H. was a large swimming pool which was covered at the moment. Near that were the dormitories and the canteen. Across the field was the school market and hospital.

Olivia stared at the Graduation House for a few seconds and entered the Secondary House, which she would be temporarily frequenting because of that damn punishment. At the entrance, a Pleb displayed the location of the various rooms in that building. Olivia searched for her class and made her way there passing through students shouting and running around. Her brows wrinkled tightly because of so much noise — another reason she disliked coming to school.

But having made up her mind to complete the punishment as soon as possible, she buried the urge to turn around and go home, and let out a deep breath. Then, she headed towards her new class with an expressionless face. Seeing an unfamiliar face, the students looked at her with curiosity and began whispering. Olivia increased her pace, annoyed by the sudden unwanted attention.

Class X, Section D was on the third floor. Olivia checked the small tablet showing the class name on the top and entered. Without looking at anyone, she straight up sat at a window seat. Putting her bag down on the chair beside her she cradled her head in her arms and fell asleep. Those present in the class went quiet for some time, stunned by seeing the weird behaviour of an unfamiliar student.

"Hey, who's that?"

"Dunno. Never saw her before."

"I don't remember studying with her in any of my previous classes."

"Is she a new student?"

"Maybe. But don't new students come with the class teacher and introduce themselves? She just walked in and sat down."

They started chattering.

One boy went near the sleeping Olivia and poked her arm.

"Hey, are you new here?" he said.

"Nope. Demoted." Olivia answered in a hoarse voice and went back to sleep.

The boy came back to his group and relayed Olivia's words.

"Oh, so she failed her grades." another boy said.

"She must be having a hard time after her demotion." one girl said.

"True." the boy beside her nodded.

In Ketu, if someone was qualified to get promoted to the next class but their scores were only passable, then they were given a month to learn one-sixth of the first chapter of every lesson that would be taught in that class. And a short test was taken at the end of the month. If they passed, the promotion got confirmed else it got cancelled. If the students felt that they were not satisfied with their results they could opt to repeat a class to improve themselves but getting demoted after promotion to a new class was humiliating to their pride and expectations of themselves geniuses of the country.

As the bell rang, everyone hurried to their seats for they would be marked absent if they were not found in class after the arrival of the teacher. Olivia continued to sleep peacefully, oblivious to all the hustle and bustle around her. When the class teacher came and asked them to sign in to their Boards for attendance, Olivia, with her head down and eyes closed, fumbled around with her hand. After finding the right spot, she pressed her thumb on the little scanner at the corner of her Board. It vibrated once her attendance was registered.

Just then, the Principal's voice came from the speaker on the teacher's Board, "Student Council members, please report to the Principal's office."

Olivia's hand, which was yet to leave the scanner, pressed on it so hard that it almost broke. She lay still for some time, yawned, and sat straight.

Rubbing her groggy eyes, she stood up and addressed the teacher in a deep sleepy voice, "Miss,"

The teacher allowed her to go.

The students who saw her sleeping till now whispered to each other, "She's so shameless! Class has already started yet she was still sleeping and is now going to the washroom to awaken herself. Does she think this is her home?"

The others also started speculating.

"She looks so tired. Must be from late-night studying. She was supposed to be a senior after all."

"Poor girl might be under a lot of stress."

Some sympathised with her while some criticized her lack of manners in class.

Meanwhile, Olivia walked out of the class and went to the bathroom to wash her face before heading towards the Principal's office.

She pushed the door open and said, "May I come in, Sir?"

After getting an affirmation from the Principal, she went inside.

The principal announced, "Well, all the Students Council members are here. Let me introduce you all."

"They are the new admissions for this year." He pointed to the students sitting on the sofas.

As Olivia followed his hand and turned towards the new stide, her eyebrows arched a little.

'What. the. hell.'