Dirty Dark Secrets

00:06 - New Day

MAGNOLIA

A lot of people believe high school is just an institution that provides secondary education with an ordinary facility where a multitude of teenagers messes with each other heads. 

My high school is different. 

Of course, it provides secondary education, even extraordinary, and indeed the teenagers here are brutal. 

Aristocrat Academy, the school that deprived my parents of over seventy thousand dollars for my yearly tuition, is picturesque of five different bricks buildings, some taller than others—encircled by refined fields, that features a gigantic fountain, tree-lined driveway, and manicured field by the front of the main building. 

Yet those weren't enough; at the back of the buildings are three tennis courts, three lacrosse fields, and a vast outdoor pool and not to mention the indoor interiors and activities expanse.   

Although the school has rules, like only two hundred students per academic year and each student must participate in an athletic program, such as fencing, hockey, wrestling, lacrosse, basketball, swimming, and tennis. 

A formal academic dress code requires the girls to wear A-line high waist pleated navy blue plaid skirt, a black waist-length blazer over a white bottom down shirt, and a tie the same fabric as the skirt. Black knee-length socks and shiny black uniform shoes, while the boys wear plain navy blue dress pants and a black coat over white bottom down shirt and a tie the same pattern as the girls. Another option is a sweater vest for both genders. 

And each week, we are expected to send a list to the private chefs of what we'd like to have Monday through Friday for lunch, and I am talking about Kobe beef steak, sushi, lobster, sundae, barbecue ribs, fettuccine, or even Chinese chicken salad. Not to mention the homemade dessert and the school housing a pizzeria. 

Cool right? 

Since it's a boarding school, with over forty-five percent of international and non-state resident students, dormitories were provided to each individual, even those who do not stay overnight. 

So I have my private room in the school, decorated to my liking. 

One among the two necessary things for each academic year is flying off for a debate program against other elites schools in the nation, so every student is expected to remain sharp and be able to dazzle with fluent tongues. 

The second is the horse riding competition, which is hosted chiefly around the school's extensive field. That one, even our parents bets millions on it. 

Well, that's the most I can remember for now about my school. 

Today is Monday, the day after my birthday, the day I had to wipe out all my plans and dreams and give out my virginity to someone I don't even know. 

Rose, Gregory, and I had long gotten ready in our matching school uniforms. Well, Gregory's a male, so there's some difference.

"Can we just leave?" I asked them while descending the staircase of my home.

I can't thank them enough for staying the night. I needed it. God knows I am beginning to fear my surrounding.

He could slip in and out unnoticed, even where I should feel safe; he got in. What if he changed his mind and decided to kill me too? 

"I need to fill this baby; it had been crying all night." Gregory rubbed his stomach with his palms and shook his head in refusal of my opinion. 

I just wanted to be away from this place for a while, even for school hours. 

Rose slapped his back and confusedly said: "You've been eating the whole night; what is wrong with you?"

Rose is a tall blonde girl with marine blue eyes and a formidable personality; no one dares to step her way. While Gregory is the same height as me, he is African American and has a good sense of humor; you can't even begin to imagine. 

Damn right! Those are my best friends who live on the same street as me. 

"I should remind you, I don't have a reservoir like a camel." He rolled his eyes and hastily jogged away from us to the first floor, where the dining room is.

"I am so sorry he is an i***t, and I can't stop crushing on him," Rose whispered to me. 

That brought a sincere smile to my face. 

I know I said best friends, but yes, Rose has strong feelings for that crazy friend of ours, but he was oblivious because she ended up chickening out every time she tried to tell him. Sometimes, I just wish she would grab him by the collar and bring those two lips to bonding. 

"Let's offer him five minutes," I said. 

When we arrived at the dining room, Gregory was far into his breakfast, the same as my mom.

Her lips spread into a smile upon seeing us walk in.

"Good morning!" She started from the head of the table, dressed in amber dress and light make-up, hinting at the elegant life she was living. 

"Good morning Mr. Thatcher." Said Rose while standing beside me, shooting a time-ticking glare at Gregory.

"You two should have some breakfast." Mom offered, signaling the servants to assist us.

"I have no appetite. I will skip breakfast." I declined, and mom frowned.

Although she didn't push, she asked: "What about you, Rose?" 

"Thank you, Mrs. Thatcher, but I have a test for the first period. My body can't process anything but math." She laughs nervously.

"That's dramatic. Would you mind not tensioning yourselves? Though I understand the anticipation, I wish you good luck on your test." Mom warmly said to her.

"Thank you, ma'am." 

Mom smiled and brought her eyes to my unease complexion. I was worried she could see through me. 

What if she saw everything she shouldn't? What if she realized I was no more a virgin, not that I care for I am now an adult but, what if she saw the regret and agony I've slept the night with?    

Luckily, she didn't. Her following words were the opposite of what I was mentally calculating. It pours a bucket of relief over me.

"Magnolia, what about we open the gifts later after school?" 

"Mia can do that."

Mom dramatically exhaled in disapproval. 

"Come on, show some gratitude." 

She's right! Friends and family had brought about a tower of birthday gifts which is left in the living room, but I don't have the intent of checking out or caring what to find behind the wrapping paper. 

Last night had denied me that excitement, not that I had been pleased lately, given I had been haunted by the face of my boyfriend's uncle, but at least, I didn't have my nightmare in the flesh, taking away my virginity in a highly complex manner.

"I will see what I can do." I comply, pulling Gregory away from his breakfast. 

"I am not done." he protests.

Mom being the most cordial person I know, offers: "Let the maid package it for you."

"We don't have much time, mom. We're running late."

"And he is intentionally stalling for some unknown reasons." Rose accused, whacking his arm. 

Mom only smiles while the two of us drag our male buddy away from the dining room.

"It was a delicious meal. Thank you, Mrs. Thatcher." Gregory throws appreciation to mom before we exit the room. "Not that she made it, though." He added in a tone only Rose, and I heard.

"Dick." Now it was my time to whack him.

He wriggles out of our grip, panting like he ran a thousand miles.

"Haa! Being friends with a girl is like being a punching bag; then again, I have two." He said before sliding into the rare seat of the range rover that is our ride to school.