World of Crowns

08

NOTE: Please be aware of the chapters point of view.

“Which family do you think he came from?”

One of the students circling around me says while staring right down to my soul. It feels uncomfortable standing in the middle of this crowded area full of rich kids. This is the kind of scenario I never imagined I would get myself in… especially on my first day in this high school!

I roamed my eyes around until I saw my brother just staring at me with uninterested eyes. He looks really cold with his blank expression which always scares me whenever chances are possible for us to bump into each other into that big house we both live in. Despite not being able to see each other often in that house, just remembering the incident in the coffee shop makes me scared to even spill a single word whenever he is around just like this morning.

That breakfast is probably the most awkward and uncomfortable one that I had with my family. Maybe it’s because I am not used to them yet but there was something in the atmosphere when my brother arrived at the dining room which made it suddenly hard to talk more. I can’t even lift my head properly to look at him so I had to focus on our mother! And that small talk he and our father had, I don’t even know if it’s just a talk or a small argument because of their tone.

My lips parted when he looked away casually as if he didn't care about me. The guy on his other side, whom I also catch looking at me without much question in his eyes unlike the other students here, followed him inside the school building leaving the other behind. My eyes went to the other guy but I immediately looked away when he looked at me deeply. Both of them are not showing signs of confusion. Are they my brother’s friends?

“Why is it hard to get inside the school building?” I whispered to myself as silently as possible. I don’t know how sharp the hearing of these unknown people around me is. It’s better to keep my mouth shut until they leave me alone… but when is that?

I roam my eyes around again, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. So far, none of them even tried to approach me. Talking about being friendly, I think it’s not their thing. Based on my classmates in my previous school, kids in this school tend to get curious about many things. Instead of stepping in to know more where they are curious about, they will have people to gather information for them instead. It’s unbelievable for me when I heard it at first but judging it right now, I’m starting to doubt everything.

“Oh?” My lips parted when I finally saw a familiar face. It’s the girl from the coffee shop.

I know that she is rich and somehow it’s already expected that she might be studying here but I didn’t expect she really is here. She dresses up just like the way these students do. Is wearing the uniform properly not really a big deal in a school like this? Is fashion that much more important here rather than following the uniform rules? I think they don’t even have school regulations for uniforms considering they are free to wear all those blings.

My eyes widened when she suddenly walked towards my direction. I tried hiding my panic but I know it’s useless. It’s like she is an important figure in this school, the students who are blocking her path immediately made a clear path for her to walk on. They were silent as she strove towards me while they watched the scene. Now this gets even more attention.

She stood a meter away from me while eyeing me from head to toe before her eyes and mine were in contact. Her side lips slowly rose up a little, forming a smirk, as a small scoff in amusement escapes her lips. I know that she is already pretty but I didn’t know she can be even more with this stylish outfit she has on.

“Of all places... I didn’t expect I will see you here once again,” Her voice and expressions are amused by seeing me around.

“I-I wish I could say the same.” I tried saying it without a stutter but I failed. It made her let out a smile that made me look away.

“The least I expect is for you to suddenly show up here in a proper uniform... but I discovered something even more unexpected.” She suddenly walked closer. I flinched when she stood in front of me creating a small space but her next action shocks me more. She leaned into my ear and I almost shivered when she talked. “Welcome to Elite High School, Julian Zane.”

My eyes widened again when she mentioned my real name, my birth name that I don’t think will ever get me use of. She distances herself again and smirks once again but I was still left in shock because of the sudden mention.

“How did you know my name?” I said out of shock.

“Simple,” She eyed the students around before leaning a little closer once again. “I just happened to be your brother’s friend.”

“You know my brother?”

“Everyone knows him here. Who wouldn’t know the person who will handle this school in the future?” She pointed out as if it was just nothing.

Up until now, it still left me speechless that I wasn’t able to catch up with what she was saying. It was like my ears were blocked and I could only see one view in front of my eyes. I know people will know that me and kuya Liam are brothers but it’s just still shocking for me because it really is for real. From having the thought that my siblings are just Katherine and Louisa but now I have an older brother named Liam who is actually my blooded brother. Things are really just changing so fast that I couldn’t even catch up.

“Are you coming or what?” I was brought back to my senses when I heard that girl’s voice again. I still didn’t know her name even though the employee in the coffee shop knew it. I didn’t bother to ask because I don’t want them to misinterpret things.

“Coming,” I said in panic. Finally! I am getting away from this crowd!

The moment I stepped inside the school building, I couldn’t help but be amazed because of how high class it really is. Everything is just pure white! The floors are in tiles. It’s so shiny that it's almost sparkling already. There are lockers on each side of the wall which each student owns. Unlike in my previous school where the walls are usually painted in different designs, the walls here are just clear but elegant looking. It’s as if I am entering a museum!

“We already met twice but I still haven’t told you my name, didn’t I?” The girl says while I just follow her. She is a few inches in front, walking in this classy hallway like it’s nothing while I am busy looking around as if I am in the mall. “I’m Millie Joycelyn Javier. You can call me Mill or Joice, it depends on which of those two are you most comfortable of.”

“Can’t I just call you Millie instead?” I asked, which made her look back at me a little. She stepped back to be at the same spot as I am as we walked side by side.

“That’s like my parents calling me but I don’t mind! Just like I said, it all depends on you.” She casually answered as I just simply nodded.

“I’m Nathan Tuazon- I mean Julian Zane Thompson. Sorry, I’m still not used to it.” I scratch the back of my neck in embarrassment.

“It’s okay! If I were you, I would really get confused as well.” She said. She suddenly stopped in front of one of the lockers and opened it. “What should I call you then? Julian? Zane? Or with the name you are so used to?”

An awkward smile escapes my lips because I don’t know what to answer as well. It’s like having an identity crisis because I actually have two names because of what happened in the past. This is even harder than I thought it would be.

“Depends on you too as well, I think?” I said.

She glances back at me before a small smile appears on her lips again. She has a sweet smile. Damn! Nathan! She is beautiful but don’t fall in love immediately!

“Since you will probably introduce yourself to everyone as Zane, then Nathan it is!” She says with so much excitement.

“Wouldn’t that confuse the others whenever you would call me?” I asked.

“That is why I am calling you Zane in front of everyone and Nathan when it’s just the two of us.” She explained as I slowly nodded.

Maybe it’s because she is already familiar with me and she is my brother’s friend that she talks smoothly. I can tell that she is really friendly by how she speaks with not much discomfort to me. Being the first one to approach me in this school, it really comforts me knowing it is her. If it were to be others, I think up until now, my mouth would still be shut.

“Being that friendly mode again, aren’t we?” Another sweet voice was heard just a few meters away from us.

All eyes around us are switched to the girl who is dressed in a proper uniform like me. When I look down, her shoes seem not proper because they are ankle boots. I simply glanced at the shoes of the others, may it be guys or girls and saw them not wearing any usual leather black shoes. School regulations really are nothing for them.

“Someone had to be one, Zee.” Millie eyes the girl from head to toe and shakes her head before a sigh escapes her lips. “What is it really with you and proper uniforms? Are you running out of other clothes to replace the uniform? Because if you do, I can show my mom’s new collection for you to choose.”

“It’s not so bad sticking with the proper uniform sometimes, M.” The girl suddenly switched her attention to me and gave me a small smile. “Don’t you think so, Zane?”

“You know me too?” I said immediately without much thinking.

“She is a friend of your brother as well. We are in one group so everyone who calls you Zane without introduction, that only means they are your brother’s friends.” Millie explained as I nodded slowly, still shocked with the people who knows me.

“I can’t deny that the Thompson genes are really good. I’m just thankful that you don’t have the same cold personality as your brother because if you do, it will be a headache! One is already enough.” The girl commented with a teasing tone. I watched her open the locker next to Millie so I had to step back a little for her to do her thing.

“Is kuya Liam really that cold?” I asked carefully.

She glances back at me with a weird expression before letting out a small laugh. “It’s weird hearing someone close to us calling that coldie, kuya. But yes, ever since I met him, he really is like that already. Though he did abandon that attitude for a while before because of Eli, he can be really fun to be with sometimes.” She explained which confused me.

“Eli? Who is Eli?”

“Eli is the girl who is coming to our direction right now.” The girl says as my eyes follow where she is looking at. A girl wearing a dark blue knitted vest above her white long sleeve blouse with her proper skirt. She is actually tall and looks a little foreign in my eyes but she is a little familiar. “Caution, she is Liam’s special someone…”

The Eli that they are talking about stood in front of us when the girl whom I still don’t know her name said that. Eli raised a brow to that girl which the latter just gave her an innocent smile before she talked about.

“She is the batch representative, by the way.” The girl says before turning around to face her locker again.

“Thanks for the reminder Zee.” Eli says before her eyes switch to mine. She sticks her hand out for a handshake but I was too shy to shake it back at first. “I’m Eleanor Grace Heinrich but you can call me Eli... and just like what Zee says, I’m the batch representative.”

I shook her hand back as fast as I could, which confused her at first but decided to shake it off. I heard a small laugh behind me which I can tell from Millie right away.

“I’m Na- I mean Julian Zane Thompson.” I said as she nodded.

“I know. You don’t need to introduce yourself.” She said as I slowly nodded. Of course she knows! After all, she is my brother’s special someone. “Our homeroom adviser told me to walk you to the teacher’s office since you might be lost. They can’t afford to make TH Group’s son lost in their own school, right?”

I could only let out an awkward laugh when she said that. Is that supposed to be a compliment and a very big thing here? Just because I am the son of the owner of this school, does that mean I got a few privileges?

“Are we going out of campus for lunch today Eli? Give me a heads up already so I can ditch the broadcasting club right away.” Millie says.

“Can’t do it for today. I need to finish the painting I have been working on Mill. You can go ahead and join them for lunch today.” Eli says as Millie looks hesitant.

“Are you sure? Don’t you want me to stay with you while you work for your art?”

What’s with the sudden worry tone? Just because Eli wants to finish her art alone, it already causes some worry to Millie?

A small smile appeared on Eli’s lips as she nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll give you a call right away if ever I need you there but for now,” She turned to me which made me jump a little because of the sudden attention. “I really need to take you to the teacher’s office so you won’t be late as well on your first day.”

Being that good follower, I followed her just like she told me so. She is the batch representative so it’s the best for me to do it. When we were about to leave, the girl who is still unknown to me suddenly called.

“I’m Zahra Rose Lim, by the way.” She said as I nodded and gave her a small smile.

As we walked our way to the teacher’s office, I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable by the eyes that are looking at me right now. There are so many pairs of eyes that I am starting to get conscious of how I look. I am not used to all this attention despite being a class officer in my previous school. I did compete in some academic competition but I wasn’t given much attention like this one because these people kept whispering while I passed by with Eli. It’s like they are judging me and my soul.

“Sorry,” My eyes widened when I looked up to see the person I bumped into. It’s not just my lucky day because it's none other than my brother!

Instead of paying attention to me and my sorry, his attention went to the person next to me. I became like a statue next to the two of them. There is this tension and as if I shouldn’t be around the two of them right now. I look up to see my brother looking at Eli with worry obvious in his eyes and longing. I can tell right away that she is his special someone but if she is… shouldn’t they act like this?

“Did you sleep properly last night?” Kuya Liam suddenly says which made my eyes wide. My eyes switched to Eli which eyed me. I had to look away when I felt my brother doing so as well.

This is really awkward! It’s not like I can walk or run away because I don’t know where to go! Somebody help me!

“I did. Thank you again… for last night.” Eli hesitantly answered.

The atmosphere between them really makes me want to run away. Why are they even acting like this? Are they not on good terms? But she knows me and based on Millie, everyone who calls me by my name is a friend of my brother. Eli didn’t call my name even before I introduced myself but she says that she already knows who I am. That alone only means my brother tells her things but why are they so awkward?

“No need. As long as you are fine.” Kuya Liam simply said while I awkwardly stood between them.

A couple of seconds later, an arm was suddenly placed on my shoulder which almost made me jump. I look at the person who owns the arm only to see the same guy whom I had eye contact with earlier. It was the guy who was with my brother earlier in front of the school building.

“Bro, Will said he will go to the music room first to get something. We can go ahead to our classroom first.” The guy says without removing his arm on my shoulder. His attention switched to Eli as he gave out a wave. “Hi Eli! Where are you going?”

“I’m walking Zane to the teacher’s office.” She simply answered. It didn’t take long for the attention to switch to me.

“Oh yeah! I’m Ash, Asher Charlie Ferrer. This guy’s best friend.” He said, pointing to my brother. “You had a warm welcome, didn’t you? That’s how students here usually react so you will get used to it soon, Zane.”

He seems carefree and really smiley compared to my brother who keeps his blank expression on when he switches his attention to me. He only gave me a single glance before walking away without saying anything anymore. Did I even expect something?

“Liam! Where are you going? Why are you leaving me again?” Asher whined but my brother just kept walking without even bothering to answer his best friend. He lets out a scoof as he just let my brother go. “Liam and his usual self.”

“I think you are already used to it? You said only you can handle him.” Eli pointed out with a small laugh.

“I am but this guy isn’t.” He patted the top of my head which made me flinch. “You have some hard days to deal with ahead of you my dear bro. I hope you can survive that cold brother of yours.”

I only gave an awkward smile. I don’t know but it feels like I cannot keep up with his energy. Here I thought Millie is the only friendly one but there is more from my brother’s friends. But this guy is much friendlier than I thought.

“By the way, have you met Zahra already? Do you know where she is?” He asked me as I was confused and hesitant at first.

“She was in her locker with Millie when we left.” I only said as he nodded.

“Okay, got it! Thanks bro! Talk to you again later!”

The only thing left with me is shock. I didn’t expect my brother to have such a high spirited best friend. A cold guy like him with a carefree guy like Asher? No judgment but it’s just a little impossible for me. But Zahra…

“Is he and Zahra together?” I asked.

“Ash and Zee?” Eli repeated as I nodded. She shook her head before walking again in which I followed. “They aren’t but Ash has a crush on Zee but she is taken.”

“By whom?” I asked out of nowhere which made me cover my lips immediately. She glances at me before letting out a small laugh. “Sorry… it slipped.”

“Zee is with someone… normal. You know, a guy who did not come from a high profile family just like everyone here. While Zee’s family owns Lim Group of Hospital’s, her boyfriend’s family are both OFWs that is why she had to keep their relationship a secret to her family.” She explained.

“Why? Is she not allowed to have a boyfriend yet?”

She stopped walking, which made me do as well. I notice her heavy sigh that worries me because maybe I am talking or asking too much already. That I am being too nosy already but she answered me in a calm way so it made me relieved.

“More on she is not allowed to be with a normal person.” She says which confuses me suddenly. Normal person? She let out a short and small laugh. “There are things in the world you will live in now that might seem odd to you but… that’s how this world works. You will learn everything about it soon but for now, you can get inside this room and go to the door where a plaque says head teacher.”

It’s what the only thing she says before leaving me alone in front of this door. I stare at the door first. A heavy sigh escapes my lips as I knock first before opening it slightly. I thought I would encounter a room full of tables just like in the usual teacher’s office but this one is different. The room is really big. Though there is a big table and numerous chairs with it, I didn’t see any messy tables or anything in here. There are other doors that actually lead to a different room so I followed what Eli says and looked for the head teacher.

It didn’t take that long for me to talk with the head teacher actually because they seemed nice. I can really tell that they are very careful with how they act in front of me, probably because of that title of being the owner’s son. They acted as if I am far ahead of them and I am bigger than them when they are the older ones.

“I know you will feel a little different on how the school system works but you can ask your homeroom adviser anytime. We will accommodate you whenever you have something in mind. You can just come here and ask us.” The head teacher says.

I let out an awkward smile and just heaved a sigh. I am really not used to this. My homeroom teacher brought me to his own office. It is really neat compared to the usual teacher’s office. There is a cabinet where I assume all of the students' records are in. A shelf full of books and some folders are placed on the right side of the room. There is a table and a chair behind it placed in the middle of the room with two additional chairs in front of the table. Everything is just complete in this room.

“This is the list of all the extra special classes you are required to take.” He handed me a paper full of different sports classes. There is golf class, tennis class, horseback riding and many more. This is an extra class? “You can choose up to 2 classes to attend there. You need to fill up that paper and hand it to me whenever you want this week. I’m sure your brother can help you decide.”

“Can I ask something sir?” He nodded. I was hesitant but I just really needed to know. “Do I really have to take these classes? The extra classes that I know are usually extra tutoring from the teachers or just some simple classes… not like this.”

A small smile forms to his lips, understanding what I meant. “I know it might seem unusual for you but that is the school system. They made these classes because it is beneficial for the students at some point. I will be frank with you. Families coming from high profile ones usually use these kinds of sports while talking about business. They use these sports as a gateway to create business with a fellow businessman. That is why these sports are designated here.”

All I can do is nod because I have nothing to say anymore but everything is different. Things are unusual. The system is far different from the one I got used to. Will I even survive in this school?

The hallways were already empty when I walked out of the teacher’s office with my homeroom adviser. This is much more comfortable than earlier. No eyes watching me like a hawk. It’s like I cannot even make a single mistake because they will be able to catch it immediately.

We entered a room where familiar faces are seated on their designated chairs. There are only 28 tables and chairs inside this big room. It is fully furnished with white board, projector, automatic projector pull down screen and two aircons which made the room colder. Those who already know me have smiles on their faces except for my brother. Some who don’t look really curious and have their eyes on me.

“Everyone, we have a new student which I am sure you all are aware of already.” Our homeroom adviser said as I stood in the middle front in front of his table awkwardly. “Please introduce yourself.”

I cleared my throat because it feels so dry inside. Another introduction.

“Hello, I’m Nathan Tuazon, nice to meet you all.” I only said.

My heart is speeding up. It speeds up more when my brother’s friends look confused. My brother shook his head as if he already expected it to happen.

“Uhm… Zane, I asked you to introduce yourself. Who is Nathan?” My homeroom adviser asked as reality kicks in now. What a dumb move Nathan!

“Sorry, I mean… I’m Julian Zane Thompson.”

It was enough for whispers to be heard around the room. Some of them are giving glances towards kuya Liam who is just staring in front, acting unbothered at all. It looks like he doesn’t even give a single care to whatever they say.

“Do you have any questions to ask your new classmate?” Our homeroom adviser asked.

One of them raised their hand as expected. I felt nervous because I just made a mistake and now I have to answer their question as well. I felt much more nervous here than competing in the academic competitions before.

The moment he spoke out his questions, I immediately looked to my brother to ask for help. He remains shut just like what I expected, leaving me struggling all alone.

“Why did you introduce yourself as Nathan? Are you Liam’s brother?”