CHAPTER 18: THE ROYAL PARK INSTITUTE
1360 Words
Royal Park Institute
Zane left their home around four o'clock in the morning and arrived early in the city by seven o'clock. Holding his backpack and his archery bag, he walked from the city bus stop towards the school.
He hardly noticed it, but people on the street were looking at him, some were even whispering while staring at him. His focus was on the new student's orientation and finding a cheap dorm or room to stay for the whole semester. A bed space would also work for him as long as he could save up money.
Zane stopped in front of the school gate. His jaw dropped while looking at the enormous infrastructure in front of him. The school campus was huge, with several buildings inside, painted in white with a gold accent. Its wall fence is high, and the gate is metal gold. The school had security guards, two of them were stationed at the gate. This was quite far from the Third District where he lives, which he needed to travel for three hours, one way, just to go to school. That was the reason why he was forced to rent a room near the school. He chose to accept the one hundred per cent scholarship grant Eurus gave him rather than study in college within their district and spend thousands of dollars per semester.
He received a special invitation from Eurus, but he still took the online examination for formality, though he aced the exam and got a perfect score. He was a valedictorian and scored with flying colours on the entrance exam; no one would question why he got the full scholarship grant.
He was planning to find a room or bed space right after the school orientation for newcomers. He was nervous and worried about living alone, but he needed to face his new life ahead. He cannot be dependent on his family, and he wants to be the one providing for them. "I will make my family live a good life, and this is the start of my new journey," he said to himself.
One of the guards stopped him and asked for his identification or invitation for new student orientation. He took out the admission letter from the school.
"Zane Cole," the guard read his name. He looked up and pointed at the flashing screen on a building across the school. "You are the Third District Archery Champion? Whoa!"
He looked back to see it. His face is right there, flashing, with Third District Archery Champion below his name, and the name of Archery Aces Club. He did not notice it earlier. He slapped his forehead. "Manager Hanks... Maybe that was the reason why some people I saw earlier were all staring at me."
The students around him turned their heads and checked him out, then looked at the flashing screen behind him.
He sighed. He does not want to be the centre of attraction. He wants to avoid bullying, he hates it.
"Welcome to Royal Park Institute, young man. We have an Archery Club here." He handed the admission letter back to Zane. "The auditorium is on the left side of the main building in the middle. It has its entrance."
"Thank you, Sir." He fixed his backpack and lowered his head to avoid attention. Some students who heard the conversation at the gate were still whispering and talking about him.
He walked towards the auditorium. The campus grounds are so big. The pathway is surrounded by trees, and there is a huge lawn where students are spread out and sitting on the Bermuda grass. "This is different from Montessori."
He went inside the auditorium. It is starting to be crowded, and there are only a few seats available at the back, and a few more in front. He planned to sit in the back row but he saw troublemakers. "Not again." He saw the three bullies: Cullen, Alfred and Winsor. "What the hell are they doing here? Why here?"
He quickly avoided the three and walked to the side aisle going to the front row. He picked a good spot in the middle of the row so he could listen to the speaker.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," the lady in her forties said. She held a microphone and stood at the centre stage. "Welcome to Royal Park Institute, where dreams become reality. I am Mrs. Grace Klein, the Head Administrator of RPI. The institution will mould you to become the best of the best in each field you choose to be in. Our school accepts the best students from different schools because we aim to be one of the top institutes in our country. We also encourage everyone to participate in various clubs and sports to develop their skills. It will boost your potential, interpersonal skills and your confidence."
She looked around, looking for someone. Her eyes focused on Zane, who became startled when he realized that the Dean was looking at him.
"We have the Pious Montessori Valedictorian, Zane Cole, who also happens to be the Third District's Archery Champion. He is good in academics as well as in sports, not to mention he is a handsome young man. His future is brighter because he opens himself to different challenges, and he overcomes all of them."
All the students' attention went to him. "I want the ground to open and eat me right now," he said to himself. "Why am I the topic today?"
"Are you joining the Archery Club, Zane?" Mrs. Klein asked him.
He nodded slightly. "Y-yes, Ma'am."
"That's brilliant! We have a high chance of winning Archery in the inter-school sports competition a few months from now!" She scanned her eyes. "I am expecting everyone to study hard, but do not forget that you are all young. Join the club that you find interesting."
Another person went up to the stage and talked to the Head Administrator. He looks prim and proper in his black tuxedo.
"I would like to introduce you to the Dean of Physical Education and the Head of School Clubs, Mr. Mario Bryan."
The students clapped to welcome the new speaker.
"Good day, everyone. Thank you for choosing Royal Park Institute as your second home. We promise to provide everything you need in studying and nurture you to become a better person before you graduate from our Institution. For those who are fond of sports, academic clubs, book clubs, and other clubs, We have a registration booth outside the auditorium. We have set it up for you. Thank you, everyone, and welcome again to Royal Park Institute."
Another speaker went up and introduced the history of the school, achievements and plans for the future.
"Excuse me," a male voice behind him called his attention.
He looked back to see who was calling him. "Yes?"
"Y-you are the one on that billboard outside, right?" he asked.
"Y-yeah. Why?" He became nervous, praying it was not the start of bullying him.
"My father said you were the one who saved the kidnap victim years ago, the son of the city councillor, and my father solved the case because of your help. My father's name is Police Inspector Thomas Smith."
Zane suddenly remembered the name of the police officer who visited his father in the hospital. "I remember him!"
"He always says you are brave and kind, that I should also learn how to be one." He suddenly remembered to introduce himself. "I am Tommy Smith." He reached out to offer a handshake.
"Nice meeting you." Zane accepted his hand. "What department are you in?"
"Fine Arts. How about you?"
"Business Administration." He stood up. "I'm sorry, I need to go now. I have to find a room or apartment to rent."
"Do you need a vacant apartment? The unit next to mine is vacant. Do you want to see it? It's just a walking distance. The units there are all spacious. I'm sure you will like it," Tommy said.
"That's cool!" He thinks today is his lucky day. No one bullied him and he found a room for rent through a new friend.
- Writer
