PREP

Markus led us to the library so we could borrow books to study during prep before people started queuing up. I observed his gait; something I like to do so I don't call out to the wrong person in case of a misunderstanding. I can simply say....he walks like a rich and confident guy. The library was just like the other buildings on the outside but damn was it huge! There were flights of stairs everywhere and ladders to reach the top shelves. Not even the public library back home had so many books and the great part is that these books didn't look so boring. For the first time since last year I felt compelled to read something that isn't celebrity gossip.

Markus told us the order of the books from eighth grade to twelveth grade; subject by subject and there were even books on study techniques and tips, health and fitness, communication skills, arts and crafts and so on.

"You can only borrow books that are in your grade and your assigned subjects unless you have a permit to borrow some other book." Markus dashed all my study hopes with those words.

Sigh....I guess I wasn't going to study after all. It was nice looking at him though and I know Oliver is staring at me so I looked at him and he started wiggling his brows; something I can't do.

"Ohh I think I'm in love and would like to ravish your lips..." Oliver whispered in a girly voice to taunt me.

I stuck out my tongue at him while wriggling my fingers at him with my thumbs pressed on my cheeks.

"Vee I told you it's creepy when you do it with your eyes open." Oliver said scrunching up his face.

Markus caught me doing it and was staring at me wide eyed. I was shocked at the look on his face; clear dissatisfaction and annoyance because I'm sure he thought we were ignoring him. Somehow it bothered me and I want his approval. I dropped my hands to my sides and looked down at the wooden floor boards we stood on. When I looked back up at him his eyes were still on me.

"What's with the face?" he asked frowning,"Are my tour skills unsatisfactory?"

"No....no... Ollie just annoyed me so I made the face at him for distracting me." I said.

He nodded and smiled at us before getting back to the tour guiding. I glanced at Oliver who was looking around with interest at some of the biology books meant for the eleventh graders. I saw some book on doodling for beginners about fifty or so pages and informed them that I was going to check it out so that Markus wouldn't get offended.

"I take art." Markus said smiling brightly at me,"I can borrow the book for you if you like."

"Ohh....thanks a lot. I'd like that." I answered feeling honored that he was paying attention to me and offering to help even though I could lose the book or damage it.

"Can I borrow two books at once?" Oliver asked

"Yes you can. But they'll need to take something of yours as assurance that you'll return the books."

"Something like what?" Oliver and I asked.

"Your personal belongings like.....sweater, diary, stockings or.....your book for the subject." Markus answered nonchalantly.

I wanted to mention that the school rules prohibited the use or keeping of diaries but I just shrugged it off as an error in his speech. He said it's like it was something natural; like taking things away from people was okay. What was wrong with these people? He took the book off the shelf waited for Oliver and I to borrow books actually meant for school. We both took math books then walked to the reception desk to get our library cards.

The receptionist was a middle aged woman who was dressed in black dress that reached her ankles. The chair she was sitting in was so high that I could even see her thighs peeping from beneath the table. She greeted Markus but ignored Ollie and I. I could tell from her demeanor that shows that she's a rude lady that would never get along in my time here at Ancestors' Academy.

"Names." she said looking at Oliver and I like we were pests.

Marcus waited for us to answer the lady but instead we looked at each other. Oliver was the first to give his name but I remained quiet for a while. Markus said my name and the lady looked at me like I had done something wrong or maybe I did but I wasn't regretting any of it anytime soon. She reluctantly handed me my library card and I walked out with Markus and Oliver.

After leaving the huge library Marcus led us to the prep room or hall. Even though it was not prep time yet there are a lot of students in there sitting at their respective tables. my table number was 116 and there I was horrified by the person I saw; it was Christopher, again. my thoughts about the future filled with horrors of him being there every time I had to study and I was sure I would never really study anything with him around. My grades in school were horrible and now with him it was going to be worse. why do I have such bad luck?

Markus told me that his table was just a few feet away so I was relieved and it was better when he told me that you could switch seats with someone at his table. I think it would be better to start studying with Marcus he looks like a bright student; after all he is the head boy. if it's possible then he's intelligence will rub off me the more I stay around him and before I know it maybe I'll be a bright student myself. I don't know about Ollie though. He has an even minuter interest in school studies.

My feet turned numb when I saw Elise take a seat next to Christopher at my table I don't know if it's a good thing to have the punisher next to us but I don't think it is. But on the bright side at least Chris won't be annoying me; that's a good thing right? In this brief time I've been in the prep hall one thing is clear; prep is going to be suffocating and I have to endure it for a very, very long year. Oliver on the other hand had a table filled with girls which was a good thing for him because he would be getting a girlfriend anytime soon but with his good looks I highly doubt those girls will be studying and who knows, by the end of this term they'll be going home.

"Good luck you two!" Marcus wished us and he waved at us as he walked away to his own table to sit down.

"Thanks." I said in a whisper as I watched him turning completely oblivious to my existence in a second.

Oliver left shortly after Markus and I was all alone. How could they just leave me like that?

My eyes fell on Elise at the table as she sat ignoring me but I knew she was completely aware that I was staring at her. She looked up at me, finally and I waved at her. She smiled at me briefly but then looked away immediately after and continued what she was doing. Wow is this how they welcome people here?

I sat down trying to ignore Christopher's glare but I could still see him from the corner of my eye. He winked at me and I tried my best not to slap him in that moment; not that I would.

"I didn't think you were going to sit here that's why I looked away so quickly don't be offended. How's your brother?" Elise quickly apologized.

The strange thing was why was she greeting Oliver of all people?

"Don't worry I'm not easily offended. Why are you greeting him?"

"Just checking on him. He looked so happy when he left just a while ago. Is he so happy about having girls around him?" she asked.

I looked at her confused. Was she jealous? But that doesn't make sense they barely know each other. Anyway who am I to know? Maybe she is a girly girl on the inside. A latent one for that matter.

"Oliver likes girls. Obviously he's happy." I answered trying to guage her expression to see any changes but there were none.

Elise nodded at that my words and then continued to read from the small book in her hand that had no title on it and it didn't look school-related so I wondered where she got it. Was it her diary? Did she have secrets like all the other girls; like me? Or maybe it was a list of all her crushes? Would it be rude if I asked her? I decided against it, she is the punisher after all so I guess I have to watch my back or my front in my case because just sitting in front of me.

I placed the book that Markus had borrowed for me on the table and Elise looked at me suspiciously. Did she know I didn't take art? Was she going to report me? Whatever..... but wait that would also endanger Markus! I think I really don't like prep, I hate this place, I hate school; I hate parents.