Clash of the Zodiac » Places

         

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Darren sat in his assigned chair, his back rigid straight and his hands placed neatly on his lap. Underneath his hands was a pamphlet, a piece of paper and his bag, the only things he had retrieved from his suitcase when he had arrived at the school. His luggage was safely tucked under his bed back in the dorm room he had already visited, faster and earlier than nearly all the students that now surrounded him in the large auditorium. There was a din of excitement and anticipation that surged throughout the crowd, though the Headmistress was able to silence them when needs be- but it was still rather loud. Especially since Darren sat beside a group of giggling girls, their eyes roaming the crowds around them- stopping on a few- as if predators searching for a new piece of meat. But their giggles suddenly stopped the moment they saw Darren as he squirmed uncomfortably under their gaze, trying to hide his left cheek with his shaggy, long hair. It didn’t work. Immediately, the giggles turned into whispers as the girls constantly glanced at him, looks of amusement on their faces as they regarded Darren as if he were nothing but a dead butterfly they had found in a playground. He sighed as he returned his focus to the headmistress, trying to force on a nonchalant look on his face. People are the same everywhere they are, huh. Darren thought dully as he stared lifelessly at the podium. Ever since other students had started to fill in the school, Darren had been pointed at, whispered at, and actually called out due to the large scar that covered nearly half of his face. But Darren was used to it; the reactions here were no different from those at home.

But at least this place seems better than it was back home. Contrary to most of the students that sat in the large auditorium, Darren had personally signed up to enter the academy. When his powers had awakened, when he had received the acceptance letter, Darren worked in enough part-time jobs so he could travel and land himself a seat in Seraphic Academy of Zodiac Magic. He had craved to escape the clutches of his clinically depressed mother and his heroin addicted sister- and he had jumped the first train he could get onto. I hope they’ll be fine… It was obvious that the two would not be fine. Darren had been the one doing the chores for the past few years; he had been the one working while studying, at least trying to make sure that the bills were paid. But it hadn’t meant anything to his mother and sister. When he had left the house, telling them the reason for his leave only when he had already stepped out of the small dingy house that they lived in, his mother and sister had shot him eyes of utter hatred- and the door had been slammed in his face. I don’t think I’ll be going home for holidays. Darren sighed as the Headmistress finally finished her speech and the students that sat in the rows were finally free to go.

Contrary to the beckoning of the headmistress, many of the students stood up and immediately turned around to talk to the other students that now surrounded them. New year, new students- I suppose this means new friends. Darren turned to his right, opposite to the direction the gaggle of girls from earlier, and looked at a new student- a girl- whom sat right beside him. A taken aback look flashed on Darren’s face, as he had not sensed the girl throughout the opening ceremony. It was almost as if she were a surprise gift- but the look on her face said otherwise. It’s too late. I’ve already turned- might as well say hi. We’re going to have classes with one another anyways, right? Darren coughed once before putting on a beaming smile, looking at the girl as he raised his hand to shake hers. “It’s nice to meet you! My name is Darren Boreaux, a Leo Zodiac…you are?” Keeping his smile in place, Darren surveyed the girl’s expression and made sure to not move. She looks like a ticking bomb. Darren did not want to set a fuse off on the first day, even if he did control fire and explosions.