Blue Skies Academy - Chapter 1

   "... and this school is extremely prestigious and definitely not cheap. So only children coming from very high-end families can enroll in Blue Skies Academy. Isn't that right, Kamari??"

   I jump from my chair. I fell asleep again. The other students don't even turn to look at me as this has become a frequent occurrence this week. The wooden chair screeches under me as I pull myself up straight. It's Friday, and I can barely keep my eyes open, so in economy class, I can barely manage to stay awake.

   "Sorry, sir!" I say

   "Kamari, I will need you to stay a bit at the end of the class." He gives me a stern look, but his eyes are betraying a drop of worry. I simply nod. "As I was saying, Blue Skies Academy is reserved for extremely rich and high-end people. Economically speaking, the school's benefits..."

   Imagine being in there... Blue Skies... Not only does it drain all the money from you, but it's also full of boogie, self-centered kids. Though I have to admit, I wonder how it feels, living in that amount of luxury...

***

   I stand before the teacher's desk, head down. The classroom is empty, and you can hear the wind blow through the open windows. Despite the aeration, the typical musky smell of the room is filling my nostrils. It's a comforting yet unsettling feeling. I rock back and forth on my feet.

   "Look, Kamari, I don't want to put you in a bad position or make you uncomfortable, but is something wrong at home? All week, you've been falling asleep during courses, and not only me, but all of your teachers have noticed it. We're worried about you." Again with that hint of worry now manifested in his voice.

   "Oh no, Mr. Mills, everything is fine at home." I play with the hair tie around my wrist. "And I'm deeply sorry for being so... Out of it, if you will. I don't really know what's going on either, but I'll try my best to be better next week." I just want to go home.

   "Don't force it. Just know that if you need anything, I'm here as well as the other teachers."

   "Thank you." His eyes follow me to the door.

   I walk down the street circling our school. To be completely honest, my mood has changed drastically since last week. I was feeling a little... Tipsy Sunday, I think that's the best way I can put it. But ever since this Monday, I don't know what has happened to me. I'm extremely tired apart from a random jolt of energy that hits me around 12:00 am. It lasts exactly one hour and then nothing. I've never been more confused in my life, not even in math class, or more concerned about my health. But I don't want to bother my parents with this. The tension at home is too much to handle anyway. Might be something caused by my poor sleep schedule or some puberty thing.

   I get to the library just in time before it starts raining. I have two essays I need to write, and while I'm almost done with the first one, the second one requires some extra focus that I can't really get with my mother's fascinating online courses that I think even the neighbors from the other street can hear. And I don't want to come home just to fight about my grades and lack of work in school. I sit at a table next to the window and get out my things...

***

   I slowly open my eyes. I'm being shaken awake. It's the lady from the main desk, telling me that it's closing hour. My eyes widen. I didn't realize I stayed this much, and definitely not that I fell asleep. I gather my things, thank the lady, and rush out the door before she can say anything more. I hope my parents won't disown me. I run outside just in time for the rain to gradually thin out its water drapes.

   As I'm rounding a corner, I look at my phone's screen. It's 11:57 pm. No missed calls, only a few texts from my mother asking me to get home. Then I remember my parents left to go to a birthday party of one of their friends'. I sigh in relief and put my phone back in my pocket. The smell of rain is fresh. It's soothing. As I look up, I hear a scream. I turn around and see a man on the floor, his face hidden by some oversized hat, and another hooded guy, skinny but well shaped, hovering over the man with a knife in his hand. The street is completely deserted apart from these two characters. The wind blows past me in their direction. Without thinking, I let out a half muffled scream as I covered my mouth with my jacket's sleeve. The attacker turns and sees me; I'm doomed.

   "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" I can see a smug grin spreading across his face. "A pretty lady like you shouldn't roam the streets at this hour... it can be... DANGEROUS."

   And with that, he lets go of the defenseless man whom he was holding by his collar and jumps at me. Then, all of a sudden, a jolt of energy runs through my body. Before the attacker reaches me, I grab his wrist and twist him around, slamming him to the ground, knocking the air out of him. Regaining control over myself, I grab the other man and pull him out of the alley. We run for a few minutes, not even looking back. I then abruptly stop and gasp for air, my energy now completely under control.

   "Sir, are you OK?" I ask, still puffing.

   "Y-Yes. That was quite a run." he answers. He takes off his hat to wipe some pearls of sweat at his brow. He's probably in his 40s or 50s but moves well for his age.

   "It certainly was, haha!" What an awkward way to lighten up the mood.

   We stand in silence for a few moments. While I make all efforts not to stare, he seems to be analyzing every single peck of dust on me.

   "Tell me, what's your name?"

   "I'm Kamari! I'm not sure I can share more with a stranger." I put up a small, somewhat strained smile.

   "Of course... I have to say, I'm quite impressed with your... survival skills."

   "Ah, yes, I've known how to defend myself since I was young." I reach for the elastic around my wrist. This man barely escaped a rough beating, and now he's questioning me.

   "Allow me to give you this." he says, handing me a business card. "I have an interesting proposition to make as a... let's say it is a gift. For your kindness. As of right now, I have to take my leave, I'm late already! I hope you'll consider contacting me."

   And with that, the man leaves. What should he be late for at this hour? The whole matter makes me feel like I'm Alice about to go to Wonderland. Who knows what kind of creep I saved. And that hooded man... What a strange encounter indeed. I shake my head. I have to go home before my parents get back. Let's focus on that. And with this, I start making my way back to my apartment building.

***

   I roll onto my right side. I still can't get the strange encounter off my thoughts. The attacker... he sounded my age and had a young looking physique. Even through those baggy clothes, you could still make out well-defined shapes that would indicate he does some kind of physical activity and most likely is trained in fighting... Why am I still thinking about him?! He was threatening a man with a knife for God's sake! But still...

   And that victim. How peculiar of him to give me a business card right after he was about to lose his life. Ugh, I hate how I get so worked up over things like these! I'll end up getting myself killed someday. But... I guess I'm going to have to call him after all, or I'm going to get even less sleep than I'm already getting. I'll talk it out with my parents tomorrow.

***

   I open my eyes, squinting them as the sun shines through my room. It's finally Saturday. I wash up and get dressed. A few minutes later, I'm eating breakfast at the table with my mother still in the kitchen and my dad reading the latest news article. I finish chewing.

   "Hey, um... Can we talk?" I ask.

   "What about?" Answers my dad. I see the tension hasn't loosened since the fight we had yesterday.

   "Well... Look, I'm just going to break the ice, even if you're still mad at me. Yesterday, I witnessed an attack. A young man was threatening an older one, and long story short, I stepped in and saved the attacked. He gave me a business card telling me to contact him to express his gratitude. And frankly, I'm very curious." I say, surprised my parents still haven't interrupted me. "And I think it could only be beneficial."

   "Kamari, you know how many creeps are out there!" says my mother. There she goes again, making everything I say or do seem absolutely stupid. "I get you helping someone, but this is another level! What if that armed man is after you? What if it's all a scam to capture young girls like you? You're so reckless about everything you do. It's exhausting!"

   "Yes, I'm well aware of the creeps, mother. But it can't hurt to call, can it?" I choose to ignore her comment. "And you'll be here with me. No way he'd try something if he's cautious enough!" I need to get them to agree. I need them to finally agree with me.

   There is a moment of silence.

   "Well then, let's do it." I'm shocked at my dad's response, who's finally agreeing with me over something and not making it a point arguing with me. "Maybe you learn to not trust your instincts as much as you've done for your last 'brilliant' exams."

   "Will..." My mother tries to interfere.

   "We'll have to be with you, and we'll listen to what that man has to say as well." He keeps going.

   I nod and ignore his snarky remarks. "Deal. I'm going to make the call right now. It'll save us the trouble of doing it later, and for once, we're all in the same room at the same time."

   I pick up my phone and reach out for the business card in my jeans' pocket. I dial the number; the phone starts ringing. Soon, a voice answers.

   "De LaRoche house, how can I help?"

   "Uhm... I'm calling regarding the attack on whom I believe is... perhaps one of your men?"

   "Ah, yes. The meeting is at 1 pm in the Grand Palace, meeting hall 4. Have a great day."

   The phone call ends. I guess we know where we're going... one of the biggest, most luxurious hotels the world has ever seen! And if we don't leave now, we'll be late. But what should we even wear?!

***

   A woman guides my parents and I through large, marble corridors. We finally reach a big double-door with golden details. She opens it, and we go in. Sitting at a round table are two people: the man I saved and in the center, a slightly older one dressed in a delicate, well made suit and wearing a huge sapphire ring on one of his chunky fingers. His look is stern.

   "Glad you decided to call me. Allow me to introduce you to Mr. De LaRoche." The man I saved says, gesturing towards the elder. My eyes widen as I know that the family De LaRoche is one of the richest ones out there.

   "Alas, we meet." Says the elder, not giving my parents or me the occasion to speak. "My most trusted assistant, Mr. Barren, spoke of your, as he puts it, 'astonishing' skills in the field of self-defense. I have an offer to make. As out of the blue as it may seem, I propose to you a place at Blue Skies academy. All costs will be covered by me, as well as any other needs nutrition wise or entertainment wise, such as clothes, jewelry, and anything else."

   I think I might faint. I take a few moments to process the information.

   "...As appealing as that sounds, pardon me for putting it this way, but there's always a catch." I clear my throat. "What do you gain, Mr. De LaRoche?" I respond after a brief moment of silence.

   The old man's lips twist up so little, it feels like it's a made-up thing in my mind. "Of course. But I must have the certainty that you will not divulge this information with the outside world." His eyes darken.

   My shoulders tense. I look over to my parents, standing behind me, and nod.

   "Indeed, we won't say a word."

   "I certainly hope so." He cleans his throat, not as a sign of being uncomfortable, but more like a collected, calculated man. His gaze is still carrying all sorts of muted warnings. "My son, Dominic, is a student at Blue Skies Academy. An attempt at his life has been made recently, as well as numerous threat letters. My assistant here made sure to clarify the great level of your fighting skills. My wish is the following: I want you to act as my son's bodyguard. I want you to be by his side and shield him in the face of danger." He pauses, but after seeing the uncertainty in my parents' eyes, continues. "In other words, I want you to be able to die for Dominic. A reasonable price to pay for what I'm offering. I will also be paying you, of course, as compensation for needing your daughter to live somewhere else."

   I look at him a bit baffled. How is anyone's life comparable to any amount of money?! As much as it distresses my parents, though, I am seriously considering his offer. I'm not really up to date when it comes to the richest places in the world or the coolest trends in the big fashion industries so fitting in with people who grew up in those conditions would be a great effort. Not to mention the whole 'risk your life' thing. But there's this part of me, this big part of me, that is so drawn to the idea of constant adrenaline, never knowing when someone might jump out from around the corner to abduct me, the thrill of the fight... I blink.

   And without thinking, I blur out my answer.

   "Yes."

   My mother gasps while my dad just opens his mouth, not knowing how to react.

   "Well then, it's settled." Responds Mr. De LaRoche.

   "With all due respect, sir, shouldn't we have a say in this?!" asks my mother.

   "It's the girl's choice."

   "She's only 17 for God's sake!"

   "Will make a memorable last-year-of-high-school experience." He shrugs.

   "Mother." I say. No more looking down or swallowing critiques. "I want to do this." She will not ridicule my decisions any longer.

   "You can't just decide to sell your life to someone else! And certainly not in a matter of seconds!" She insists.

   But I feel like the pact has been made, and there is no backing out. I feel something in my gut, I don't know what but something, something so intense, so powerful, so endearing...

   "You will start on Sunday." says De LaRoche while getting up from his chair and exiting the room, M. Barren following closely. "A car will be sent for you at 7am sharp tomorrow."

***

   I lay on my back in bed. The moment my parents and I got in the car, they started arguing. It's a big understatement to say that they were mad. And I truly get it. But the feeling I had was so complex and drawing me in towards accepting, so much so that even now, I feel dizzy. Or maybe it's the realization of what I've done that slowly overwhelms me. Did I seriously sell my life just because I have a tooth to pick with my parents? A shudder passes through me. Before I have time to overthink the situation, I take my sleeping pills and pull my covers over me. These pills seem to be the only thing that relatively works to calm down my late-night bursts of energy. But even after swallowing them, my sleep is far from a resting one...