"Aryt, I'm here".
He looked up at the blue sky and silently laughed,
"I'm actually in America", he smiled. "Life's crazy, man".
---
Power sat quietly in that room. Men in suits aged around 40-55, each pretending to still believe in the academy they've built. The air was still. The atmosphere was dead. The only sound came from the faint hum of the ceiling light. A low buzzing reminder of how long they'd been here.
It felt like deja vu. Like every discussion before this one had the same question and answers. The silence was heavy. Not peaceful, but suffocating. Someone had to break it, but no one wanted to, until,
"What do we expect this year? The same old?".
"Yeah, every year is no different from the last. It's just a cycle repeating itself."
"This academy has been open for a long time now, and it does produce results, but not the kind we'd hoped for."
"To be fair, it does always produce one good individual."
"Pfft, even that. Last year was very disappointing. The winner was just above average".
Their voices faded again, sinking into another stretch of silence. The men glanced down at the table. Fingers and feet tapping, minds wandering.
"I don't think this year will be that bad".
The silence was killed. One man lifted his head and leaned forward, putting both his elbows on the table. His voice carried a confidence that made everyone else pause.
"If anything... I think it will be quite interesting".
This statement lifted a few heads. All the men still had straight faces, but they were listening. Looking at him with hopeless eyes.
"Why?" one of them asked. "Is there a student coming in that's caught your interest?".
"One?" he said, grinning. "More than one, my friend. The quality of students is looking to be top tier."
Murmurs filled the table. Some exchanged doubtful looks, others leaned back unimpressed.
"Quit trying to excite us", another one said, showing a face that let him know he was not trying to entertain this conversation. "Each year, we hope that it will be entertaining, and it turns out it's the same as last year".
The man let out a small laugh and leaned back in his chair,
"Did you know that Edward Burrell's younger brother is enrolling?".
That name turned heads around the room. A last name that was very highly regarded.
Burrell.
Eyelids raised.
"Edward Burrell's younger brother?" a man repeated.
"Edward Burrell was a great student for the first two years", another one said. "Then he went off track in the final year. He was projected to win. Not sure what happened to him."
"He was a promising student," someone added quietly.
The tension in the room began to shift. The earlier dullness faded.
"That's not all", the man continued, straightening in his seat. "Mr Ledge's son is also enrolling".
That name hit harder.
The room erupted. Subtle gasps. Mutters. Exchanged looks. They all looked towards each other in disbelief. For the first time in years, genuine excitement stirred among them. Even the older men who had seen it all, couldn't hide their reactions.
Hope was starting to emerge. Was this the start of something extraordinary?
"I'm not finished", the man said, standing now.
Now, everyone was on the edge of their seats, waiting to be further impressed.
"We've got models, athletes, and international students. I know this may sound ordinary, as we have these students every year. But believe me, they are different", he paced slowly as he spoke. "From their backgrounds and even some of their upbringings, they do not disappoint. We've got children whose parents are celebrities, actors, models and athletes attending. The number of egos that will be present and clashing with each other will be amazing! Gents, it will be like nothing you have ever seen before".
He smiled as he sat back down. As he took his seat, the atmosphere in the room changed. From before, where it was gloomy and grey, it was suddenly filled with excitement and eagerness. You wouldn't imagine this room was full of middle-aged men. Most men in the room were now on the edge of their seats, some standing; they didn't know what to do with themselves. Smiles covered their faces. After years of experiencing and watching what seemed like a repeating show over and over again with different characters, it was finally looking to be something entertaining.
The man leaned forward one more time and calmly yet excitedly said,
"Gentlemen... I think this year will be something special".
September 4th. Monday 7:49 AM.
A lone boy stood in front of the academy entrance.
My ID photo came out nice. This is probably the best photo that's ever been taken of me.
He was admiring his student ID. Smiling down at it. He was somewhat proud of it.
But, this scar man. It ruins my face. I've gotten used to it, but it's still ugly.
He felt the scar on his face with his left hand. Slowly running his fingertips across it to feel it and reminisce.
It is what it is. Anyways, the entrance looks nice. So this is what an American school looks like. Looks a little too prestigious for me. I don't think I fit in.
He put his ID in his pocket and gazed around the place. The clean architecture impressed him. It was a little surreal for him. It was like something out of a movie. Clean lines, glass panels, white stone pillars.
These uniforms are annoying, man. I haven't worn a uniform since secondary school. Why can't I just wear a tracksuit?
He was tugging parts of his blazer and trousers (pants). He didn't like the feel of the material on his skin. People streamed past him as he stood still, fidgeting with the uniform.
And why's everyone tall as well? It's not fair, bro. I know I'm short, but still. The height differences are mad.
He watched as tall individuals continued to walk past.
The girls are pretty, though. It looks like there's models everywhere. Maybe I'll find my wife here.
He smirked, sneaking glances at a couple of girls who walked past him.
Two girls passed, both laughing. One nearly bumped into him, grazing his shoulder. She turned back and looked at him.
Woah. She's really pretty...
He quickly snapped out of it and remembered what he was standing around for.
Where are these guys? They said we were gonna meet at the entrance.
Bzt!
Perfect timing. His phone got a notification. He took his phone out of his pocket to check the notification. It was a message.
'We're all inside. Where are you?'
They went inside without me. I was stood here looking like a weirdo for no reason. Everyone kept looking at me.
He checked the time on his phone.
7:52 AM.
I am kinda late. We agreed to be here at 7:45.
He slipped his phone in his pocket and stared up at the academy's entrance.
"Heh, this is the start, I guess", he said, putting his hands in his pockets.
The boy smiled, looked up at the sky and excitedly said before he started walking,
"These next three years should be fun".