Chapter 8: Somethings Are Better Off Unknown

My next class is Mathematics, and it is in another building. I have to go down the stairs and enter the furthest building from the main building. It is not that much of a distance; simple walking is enough. 

I am in front of the playground that is in front of the main building. Usually, any form of ceremony or occasion is held here. No one of my class is here with me. 

I feel bad for Chelsea. She waited for me in Biology class yet it is me who abandoned her now. I hope she does not misunderstand me. However, what sort of an explanation shall I even provide her?

That is one of my worries out of a thousand. I am fidgeting between whether I should enter the math class at the first or the last. Entering first might make me an easy target for them to discuss their 'lost princess,' and entering last will pull some eyes towards me. 

It is between running from my 'maybe' birth identity, and awkward judgment by the entire class. I choose the latter since I have to mentally prepare myself for the first. Also, there is the possibility that it is fake.

I loiter around different buildings, there are four buildings in total including the main building. The main building is called the Annex. The other three are Veritas, Lumina, and Avalon. My math class is in Avalon.

The ground is never empty, people from other classes are running, and enjoying the sun. It is nostalgic to think about my junior years. I do not have huge memories with friends, but found myself tangled with books, studies, art, fighting, and sports. 

I did have tutors to help me out in my studies and teach me art. I also learned karate, and martial arts from a place. However, I was gifted when it came to sports. Whoever my parents might be, they sure had some athletic instinct in them.

I see most of the people enter Avalon. I make my way through Varitas. I am going by the back side, just in case. It does feel like hide-and-seek.

I am on the back of Veritas, but I feel someone is coming towards me. I hide on the other side of the wall, perpendicular to the back of Varitas.

I do not recall any staff members or students taking the back way to go to the building. I take a glance. They are at the back of the Luminus building now.

They are adults or teens with great heights. I cannot say if they are a staff member since they are wearing cloaks. No one wears a cloak nowadays.

"I hope they find the lost princess so we can leave this place as soon as possible-" one of them says. 

The fact I can hear it means they are close now. Instead of peaking to check, I make a run in front of the building now. I am away. I am pretty sure they notice the presence of someone. However, I do not think they know it is me.

I used my decent sports skills to run and mix in the crowd. I conclude that the new group is not the only one looking for this 'lost princess,' there are other people involved… like spies.

I truly wish not to know more about it. I feel I am getting tangled in a thing the more I avoid it. I walk to my Mathematics class, everyone is staring at me as I stand in front of the class. I met Elara's eyes, she seemed to have a lot of questions for me. Too bad the class has started. 

Mr. Mint, the average maths teacher you can think of, except he makes the class super interesting. He seems surprised that I am late. 

"Why are you late, Rinette?" He asks. 

"I loitered around the school grounds a bit," I try to reply as honestly as possible.

If honesty gives me any punishment, I do not have a problem with it.

"Seems a bit off-character for you. As this is your first time, I will let it slide. If it occurs another time, I will make sure you stand outside the class," he says softly. 

He never raises his voice against his students and does not like to punish them either. If he is giving punishments, it is as per the rules of the school. 

I enter the classroom and take my seat beside Carlen.

"You know, Rin-"

"You are not supposed to call me that-"

"Oh right, but you are not supposed to eavesdrop on a duo wearing cloaks. Now do you?"

I am taken aback, he sees my peekaboo face now. How on earth does he know? Unless he is one under those cloaks, and he manages to see me? However, that seems unlikely since he clearly has entered the class before me.

"How do you know?" I ask.

"I have my ways," he says coldly.

"How many of you know?" I ask.

"Only me, there are no recorders for this class," he says staring at me.