CHAPTER ONE: New Beginnings
Looking at the dorm building of Kadic Academy, I found myself instantly missing Florida. Although the scenery of France was beautiful and much more interesting than Saint Petersburg, it wasn't home. Also, looking around, only one out of twenty people here were black. It kinda made me feel like I was going to be a token to the society here. I was standing next to the school dean, who was also the janitor, and the P.E. coach apparently. Jim Morales was his name.
"This here is the dorm building. The first floor houses a few classrooms, the second floor belongs to the boys, and the third floor belongs to the girls. Basic rules apply, no boys on the third floor, and no girls allowed on the second floor. Now, luckily you are here on a Sunday, so classes are inactive for today and you'll get a chance to meet a few of your fellow classmates. Now, if you'll follow me, I will show you who you'll be rooming with." He explained to me. I followed him into the building, where a few students were conversing beneath the stairs. They turned and stared me down, causing me to turn away. I hated being the new kid... you never know if you'll be the outcast or if you'll be the new popular kid. "Now, your roommates name will be Jeremy Belpois, one of our top students here at Kadic Academy. He's only been here for a week and he's not real big on making friends, as he has none. But you two should be able to get along quite well." Jim said.
The second floor seemed more like a hotel than a dorm house. A few doors down, he stopped and knocked at a door. It was immediately answered by a blonde kid with glasses; Jeremy.
"Belpois, meet your new roommate, Isaiah Johnson. You two get acquainted and then show him around the school. Because you're in the same grade, you'll have the same classes." Jim said. He then walked away. Jeremy walked back inside the room and sat at his computer. Seeing that one of the beds was neat and the other was covered in text books, I knew whose bed was who's. So I immeadiately began unpacking my things and grabbed my laptop, beginning to place some of my things on the available desk. "So, where are you from?" Jeremy asked me. "Florida." I replied. "Must be nice there. Is it really just palm trees and white sandy beaches?" Jeremy asked. "Like hell. There's mosquitos and dangerous spiders and snakes and bi-plar weather... The closest thing you'll get to paradise is a sunburn, unless you're me, who's permanently crispy." I said. Jeremy chuckled a little. "Why did you end up here in France?" he asked me. "Well, I was selected out of my entire school for a foreign exchange program that would last until I graduated High School. I accepted, and left three days later." I explained to him. "Oh? Were you selected because you were smart? Talented? A genius?" "No... It was a lotto. Ten random students who applied for the exchange were selected, placed their names into a hat, and then one was selected. It was me, luckily."
"That's cool. Well from what I've experienced so far, Kadic's classes are pretty tough. Tomorrow, we've got Physics, then Gym, and then we have lunch for an hour. After lunch is free time, then we end the day with Math. That's a typical Monday." Jeremy explained to me. "Sounds interesting." I said, placing a five-subject college rule notebook onto the desk. "Yeah. I can show you around if you want." Jeremy said. "Yeah! That'd be really cool." I said.
Jeremy showed me where the restrooms and showers were on our floor, then showed me the classrooms downstairs that we would attend. The only two classes that we would be in were Math and History. Outside the dorm, he showed me the Science building, the Cafeteria, the Administration buliding, and the Vending Machine area. As we were heading towards the gym, we were stopped by three teens; a girl and two boys. The girl was pretty but seemed like a bitch, and they other two were weird looking. One was dressed like a total dweeb and had very large glasses, and the other was wearing a jersey and really short red shorts.
"Looks like we have a foreigner in our midst." The girl said. "I was wondering what smelled so weird." The dweebish guy said. "What was that?" I said, taking a step forward. "The guy in the jersey stepped up as well. "Relax, boys." The girl said. She then looked at me. "This isn't America, my foreign friend. Remember that. I'm Sissy, and these are my followers, Herb and Nicolas. We run this school, and you'll answer to us if you get out of line." She said. The three walked away away in the other direction. "Not to worry. She may be the Principal's daughter, but she runs absoluely nothing but the empty minds of Herb Pichon and Nicolas Poliakoff." Jeremy said. "They don't look a day older than us." I said, shoving my hands in the pockets of my black hoodie. "They aren't. They are in the same grade as us." Jeremy said to me.
Jeremy and I headed towards the cafeteria. It was seven o' clock, which was weird for me. Usually I didn't eat dinner until about nine. "Is the food here any good?" I asked him. "Most of it. I usually enjoy it for the most part." Jeremy replied. "That's reassuring." I said sarcastically. However, the food was actually very good. There were two options: Chiken Picatta or Spaghetti and Meatballs. Not feeling adventurous, I got the Spaghetti. It was absolutely delicious, and even came with a small container of Tiramisu for dessert. "So, breakfast is at seven, and classes start at eight-thirty. Stick with me and you'll get where you need to be on time." Jeremy said between bites of his Chicken Picatta. "Awesome. You're a huge help, Jeremy. Jim said you weren't very social." I responded. "Yeah, because no one here really talks to me. You know how it is... being the smartest kid around only attracts people who want you to do their homework for them or people who just wanna punch your face into a wall." he said. "I understand." I said. "I half expected to be jumped on my first day here... but it turns out that this might be one of the better decisions of my life. With my Mom sending me money every two weeks to spend however I please and no at home distractions, these next four years seem as if they are going to be good." I said, staring out a window.
A guy with medium length blonde hair with a purple blotch in it came over to us.
"You guys mind if I sit here? My roommate doesn't want me anywhere near him." he asked. "Of course not. Pop a squat." I said. He sat next to me. "You must be the new guy I've been hearing about. Is it true that you almost got into with Sissy?" He said. His plate was piled high with spaghetti. "I didn't get into it, she just said some things and walked away." I said. "Word is that you and Nicolas were going to fight." he said. "No way. I only stood my ground." I replied. "Well, I'd be careful if I were you. She's the Principal's daughter and she usually gets whatever she wants." he added. Jeremy scoffed. "She's nothing but a brat. I doubt she'll do anything drastic." The blonde began eating. "By the way, my name's Odd. Odd Della-Robbia!" He said. "Yeah," Jeremy said. "You're the one that sleeps in Math, Chemistry, and History." Odd laughed. "Nothing like a few extra Z's to keep my face young and zit-less!" "Z's attract F's." Jeremy added. Odd turned to me. "What's your name?" He asked. He had a smile unlike most other people... it seemed like it was a happiness that wasn't easily penetrated by earthly upset. "Isaiah Johnson." I said, beginning on my Tiramisu. "Well, since you're hanging with Jeremy here, it would seem that we have the same classes as well." Odd said. I nodded. "Cool! You know, we three should stick together! Like the three musketeers! Valiant, brave and devilishly handsome trio who stands up to all of Kadic with no fear!" He said. I looked over at Jeremy. He shrugged. "My, you have an explosive imagination." I said, smiling. "It's the artist in me! I either put all my ideas on paper or say them out loud." Odd replied.
After dinner, Jeremy, Odd and I headed back to the dorm I shared with Jeremy. "What time are you gonna be up tomorrow, guys?" Odd asked us. He was sitting on the floor. Jeremy was writing down a list of some sort, and I was still unpacking. "Probably six-thirty so we can grab a shower." Jeremy said. "Wow, that's early. I usually get up at like seven... then lay around until about seven forty-five." Odd said. "That explains why you're late most of the time." Jeremy said. "Whatever. I'll meet up with you guys in the cafeteria tomorrow morning. I'll get up early, since my roommate hates my guts." Odd said, leaving. "Alright, see you tomorrow." I said.
"It seems we've already formed a small clique of our own." Jeremy said. I shrugged. "Better than braving Kadic on your own, I suppose." Jeremy tossed the list he'd be writing out to me. I began reading it. "Um, steel and aluminum?" I asked. "I'm building a robot for Physics class, and then for other uses throughout my stay here. These materials are easy to buy... but there's this old abandoned production factory in town where I think I can find this stuff. But I'm small and weak... so can you go with me tomorrow during free time?" Jeremy said. "Sure, as long as we're back in time for class." I said. "Two hours should be enough time to get what I need. I apreciate your help." Jeremy said with a smile.
I was beyond happy. I made two friends, and things were looking up. After showering, I made my way back to the dorm. Jeremy was already asleep, so I decided to e-mail my Mom and let her know everything was alright. I already missed her teenage humor and motherly wisdom, but time away from each other was bound to make us both grow. I set my alarm for six-thirty, then got underneath the sheets of my bed and fell asleep not even minutes later.