(And English is my 3rd language… so please understand.)
Chapter IV
FIRST TIME
Such a fine day… I'm looking outside the horse wagon's window. We are passing this dirt road again that leads to the town. This is the first time that I am riding a horse wagon and to look at the window to see a different view. This rural vibes, gives me the feeling of longing.
Paul smile to his younger brother. He is sitting at the other side opposite to him. "Don't worry, brother; all is well plan by our mother. Everything on the surface is flawless."
"Do I look handsome with our uniform?" I smirk.
"You look perfectly the person." Paul smirk as well.
I nod. By the way, we are on our way to the school; it is an All-Boys School. And today is the new beginning of a school year. I missed the entrance exam, because I was sent here in this period of time a little later and the exam already ended. But I am still one of the new accepted students of the school; because, my new mother made it possible. She is an astute lady and an important personality to the King and the Royal Palace (cool right?).
We are passing the branching dirt road, and drive towards the other part of the town. The caretaker knows very well of the places here.
Then, I look outside the window again. Wow… the view here is different. How can I say this, this part of the town is more favorable; more improved than the other part, that we just passed by. The road is more like a street now made of bricks; the buildings are much bigger and taller, it is constructed by cement I guess or not, whatever… And the people here are fancier as well, their appearance are a lot wealthier and educated. Wagon rides can be seen anywhere also; just like the wagon we are riding right now. Is this a city? I guess not.
Then the wagon stops in front of a big gate. "Were here, Masters."
Paul nod to the caretaker then he goes outside the wagon and wait for his younger brother.
So were here… I put on the sling of my fancy single bamboo culm bag, then step outside the wagon. The atmosphere of this place is very new. This is the first time I went outside the house and as The Person. Then I can read the big sign board of the school. School for Masters. This school's name gives me the idea that; I can become someone of high note if I will play well my part, as The Person.ThenI look around and take a deep breath, to take in everything that surrounds me.
Students are arriving also; some are waiting outside the gate while the others get inside the school.
"Ready to go inside the school, brother?" Paul gives him time to look around for a minute.
So this it now, my first day of school; here in this period of time. I exhale and nod to him. "Let's go..."
XXXXX
Paul parted from me after he accompanied me to my assigned classroom. He is in three years of schooling now and learning more experience subjects. Not same with me I'm just a beginner; a year one student. So that means I'm just in a beginner's level.
All the students are advised to go to the school main ground; there is a new school year program.
(School Ground: Beginners' side.)
The whole main ground is wide enough to accommodate many students. It is surrounded by buildings with same roof and wall designs, but the colors are different. Maybe the color signifies year level? I keep circling around, observing and getting amaze of everything that is around me. My first time to be in a place full of historical designed buildings. Is this a dream? Then an idea come into my mind. "Ouch…" I slightly pinch my thigh. It hurts so this is not a dream? Damn I so stupid.
"Friend…" a student call Sebastian.
"Me?" I point myself; hesitant if it's me he is calling friend.
"Yes, come, sit on the ground now. Don't wait that the teacher will scold you." he taps the ground beside him.
I raise my eyebrow. "So chairs are missing here?" I'm not sitting on that dusty ground, it will ruin my cool blue and white school uniform.
Then another boy laugh beside Sebastian. "Only the head masters of the school sit on chairs when there are programs here, what are you? not reading the school etiquette."
I just look at him. "The fuck I care." I said softly; only me can hear it.
"Sit here friend." he stands up and guide Sebastian how to sit properly on the ground. "Like that." then he quickly sits on the ground beside him. "I'm Jeo my friend; and you are?" he smiles very friendly.
"I'm Sebastian… a year one student." What's with this guy being friendly.
"I'm a year one student too!" he gets excited and happy to know that they are same year.
"Aha, okay." I replied shortly. Controlling to lower my voice to sound like a boy is very consuming of my presence of mind. I really don't want to talk more; I just want to stay quiet because talking irritates my throat.
"I'm Zack, a year one student too." the other student who just laugh introduces his self to them as well.
"We don't care." I roll my eyes.
"You two should care, I am the son of the family, Landswide. My father is the governor of this town." Zack boasting to them the position of his family.
I roll my eyes again. Seriously, I don't care. Even your father is the president! I want to tell him that but I need to stay away from trouble. This is my first day of school.
Jeo who is sitting in between them, he put around his arms to Sebastian and Zack shoulders. "Then let's be friends guy." He is smiling to both of them.
Zack look at Sebastian "What family you from?"
Sigh… Why do I have to deal such this… this kind of person. "Hastings." then I push Jeo's arm away from my shoulder. I tap the thigh part of my school uniform; it's all dusty now. "This is the reason why we need chair." I tap my uniform few more times.
"I see; so you came from a noble family too. Your mother is a well-known astute lady of knowledge and arts." Zack realizing his not the only rich kid in the town. "About you Jeo?" he looks at him now.
Jeo smile. "I belong to a merchant family, Spicery…"
"The traders you mean?" Zack
"Yes, the number one trader to many islands." Jeo nod same time. "So let's be friends, okay?"
"Fine, but I am the leader of this group. Even we all came from rich family but still my father has the authority of the town; so I reign here." Zack looking at them; he fancies recognition, that he is above everyone.
"Yes of course, my friend." Jeo agreed right away. He is not the type to disagree.
Then Zack look at Sebastian.
"O..kay, okay." I exaggerated my agreeing expression. Seriously, this guy is like a kid.
Again Jeo put his arms to Sebastian and Zack shoulder, he is very happy. "Today is the mark of our new found friendship. Let us do our best to be successful of this school year."
"Yes!" Zack agreed right away, he is very pleased to become their leader.
"Okay." I just shake my head but agreed the same time. Not expecting to find new friends.
After an hour the new school year program ends.
XXXX
After lunch we are advised again to visit the School Student's Elders (the only student organization of the school). There will be an acceptance ceremony; and only the year one students are required to join. The three of us, Me, Jeo and Zack and the rest of the year one students are already there; standing in an open space in front of the SSE building.
"Welcome, year one student. I am Chris, the Head Elder of the SSE. And this is Paul, my assistant head."
That made me smile and proud to look at my brother; I did not expect that he is one of the student's elder of this school.
"As a yearly tradition of SSE, we welcome the beginner students to play a game. Everyone is obliged to join no one can say no." Chris delivering his speech smiling.
Everyone murmurs about the game and why it is obligatory.
Chris and the rests of the SSE members can hear the murmurs and hesitation of the new students. They smile at them; because they're loving it (the confusion and pressures of new students).
Paul is just silence and watching his younger brother among the crowd of students.
"It is a search and retrieve game. All of you will be given a piece of paper. What it is written on the paper is a task that you need to accomplish before today's sunset."
Students murmur again.
Then a year one student raises a hand and ask a question to the SSE elders. "Head elder, what if we cannot accomplish the task before sunset; let say we fail the task."
Most of the SSE elder's smirks to hear that question; what if fail.
"An easy punishment awaits…" Chris smile
The students feel at ease to hear that there is no pressure if they fail.
"It is a public punishment. The student or students who fail to accomplish the task will be tie to a tree trunk; that tree there." Chris point the location of a lavish green tree and its trunk is medium size. "And everyone in our school is invited to throw rotten fruits and vegetables to whoever who fails." Chris smiles about the idea.
Then some SSE elders show-up at the open space to display the big baskets of rotten fruits and vegetable. "This is for the motivation of everyone" they laugh.
"Okay now my dear new students; let's get started." Chris move his right hand to instruct his member to open the draw lots boxes.
After a few minutes of queuing. Sebastian and friends got their task's papers and meet up at the middle of the open space.
"What are your task my friends?" Jeo is scratching his head, his task seems like it's difficult for him.
"Retrieve a flower inside the town's lady's bath house." Zack read his task. "What?"
"Wahhh really?" Jeo push his head to also read Zack's task paper; then chuckles after reading it. "What about your task, friend Sebastian."
"It says: Retrieve a music scroll from Lotus School, a very easy task for me…" Actually, I have no idea where is the location of that school; but I don't want them to think that I don't know so many things about this town. I don't want to give any clue to them that I am not from this period of time.
"Nice, you're so brave friend." Jeo is admiring Sebastian's boldness about his task. "My task paper is to retrieve a guard's belt." he scratches his head again.
"Isn't this illegal? What they are making us to do is illegal!" Zack protesting about their tasks.
Many students also are hesitant about the task they got from draw lots.
The SSE elders are having fun watching the new students are in problematic situation of the search and retrieve game.
(SSE Building: where the elders situated)
"Look at that one student, he keeps scratching his head. Might be a very tricky task he got there." one of SSE member.
"Paul, where is your brother among the crowd?" Chris ask Paul who is sitting beside him.
"The one, in the middle. Together with the son of the governor and the son of the trader." Paul move his head to the direction where his younger brother is standing and chatting with friends.
Chris look to the middle of the open space in front of them. He looks at Paul again then look back again at the youngest brother. "His pretty handsome. Hmmm… and he is the same height like you." he complimented and smile; then tap Paul's shoulder.
Paul just nod.
"Isn't he a bit skinny? I doubt if he can accomplish his task." Malcolm join their chatting; he is behind them.
Paul gets serious. "Don't start with me."
Malcolm laugh slightly. "Come on, Paul; I'm not starting anything. I am only stating what I'm seeing and your boiling already?" sarcasm in the air.
"Hey both of you. Malcolm, cut it out." Chris stopping them. He taps Paul's shoulder again. "He will be fine; I can see he is an intelligent youngster."
"He is…" Paul focus his attention to his younger brother in the middle of the open space.
After few more minutes.
"Okay everyone. Let the game begin!" Chris give the signal, then some SSE elders starts beating the drums.
"Good luck to us my friends." Jeo do the two thumbs up hand signal.
"Remember, if you find yourself in danger and threated do not risk anything, just leave right away and escape the circumstances. We are from noble families but there is no shame if we fail; it is just rotten fruits and vegetables." Zack giving his advice to them if they fail; after all he is the leader of their friendship, it's his duty to remind them.
I look at Zack after he give his leadership speech. "I'm scared of bacteria and viruses; don't underestimate them." Maybe there are bacterias and viruses inside those rotten things. Sigh… seriously, I don't want to suffer organism invasion inside my body.
Zack look at Sebastian. "What are you saying?" he has no idea what is it.
"Let's go now, friends" Jeo pull them both to walk out of the school.
I shake my head; ignore Zack's question then I walk with Jeo. I better stop talking the nonsense things to them.
XXXX
(Lotus School)
So after an hour of searching; I found the school. I ask few people about this school's location; they point me here in this place. Some of them told me, that this school don't accept strangers and visitors; only the enrolled students and teachers are allowed to get inside. So, I went straight here at the back part of the school. This ladder is heavy; I borrowed this from a tree, a little further distance from here. I guess? No one cares if I borrow this ladder? And of course I needed this to climb the towering fence of this school.
The ladder is a little rickety; so I climb slowly, one step at a time. I climb my way up to the fence and reach the top and I look down. "What a lucky person I am…" my brain is smirking. There are piles of wooden crates against the fence; easy for me to go down and go back up again if I needed to leave. My feet reach the low ground without pain. Perfect landing… You're doing well myself; just need to reach the music room. But I have no idea where to find this building.
Navigating through buildings; I hid behind walls, creeping around like a ninja (Not a ninja really! I'm clumsy and not use to do this sneaky maneuvers; but I manage to evade detection). Passing through the pathways at the back. This school is very nice… (buildings are draped with colored cloths and decorations), beautiful (wonderful landscaping is everywhere and beautiful flowers are blooming) and clean (clean means not dusty, because their pathways are made of brix and cements). "Is that their ceremony ground?" I look up ahead to see a huge roofed open building. "Good for them, they don't get their uniforms dirty sitting on the ground." This place is… I can say, built for the comfort of the students (better than my school). Then a group of well dress girls passes by; watching them, makes me happy, it makes me smile. Whatever, I need to focus to my task so that I can leave this place as soon as possible. I keep sneaking around, searching the music building.
"Hey! Why are you here? Strangers are not allowed in this school!" The girl uniform guard shout a warning to him.
"Oh shoot!" Alerted by the guard's yelling at me; I conceal my face right away and scram running to the buildings and hide.
The alerted guard follows Sebastian and somehow couldn't keep up, the guard lost track of him.
My breathing is heavy. That's quite a quick dash I did there to escape. "Woooooh…" quietly I let go big breathes through my mouth. Almost get caught… "Woooh…" still letting big breaths, I'm starting to feel normal again, my heart is not pumping blood rush anymore.
A slight sound of music is playing in the air.
I focus to the music. This piece sounds familiar to me; this is like; hmm… Mother taught me this music… I sneak around the buildings and find out that it is coming from the inside. Slowly; I open the slide door in one of the rooms, then sneakily get inside and gently closes the door behind me.
Now the music playing is clear and just the right volume to say that this room is where the music coming from.
I tiptoe towards the shelf, and stay hidden behind it. Nice, whoever this person is? his quiet skillful. Playing the music very well and commits no error even at the tricky part of the piece. Very nice… I stay hidden behind the shelf, listening and imagining the notes string each sound produces.
The music comes to an end.
Listening the music ends makes me smile; I want to applaud this person's performance. Then I peek at the gap of the shelf; but I can't really see through clearly the person. I am so curious to know. Who is this person? So then I walk out behind the shelf and stand in the middle of the room to see clearly who played the zither well. I look at the person who is sitting on the mat with a string instrument in front. What is this feeling? I keep looking at the person. She is very beautiful. I can't take my eyes off her. It came into my mind that maybe it is a girl's performance. But I was not expecting she could be this beautiful.
The girl did not notice that there is guy standing in the middle of the room, she is focus on reading the scroll beside her.
"Ahemmm…" I clear my throat purposely; so the girl will notice that I am there standing two meters away from her.
The girl raises her head to find out a guy is standing there in front of her. She gets startle but then looking at his appearance; her expression becomes curious.
"I was walking outside; when I heard a lovely melody playing in the air." I walk slowly towards the girl; a meter closer now. "I searched for it and to find out; it was played by an angel." then I express a suave smile. Yeah, some pickup line, maybe!
The girl slightly raises her left eyebrows; she did not expect to hear bold flattery greetings from anyone. This guy is intriguing. She stands up and carefully pick up her zither.
I watch her as she leans the instrument against the shelf. I stare at her and look down to check out her butt; then the side of her breast. This sudden unexplainable feeling it gives to me by looking at her body through her clothes. Then I look at the side angle of her face. Why I can't take off my eyes to her.
The girl notice that this guy is staring at her. "How did you know that the music was played by an angel?"
"Because your beauty is like an angel…" without any second thoughts; those words just came out naturally from my mouth.
The girl unconsciously smiles to hear that praise; but she looks at the other way to conceal that this guy's flattery is winning her. This guy… "Don't you know, that, strangers are not allowed here in our school. Particularly, a male like you."
What she just said makes me think for a moment. "Hmmm…" I smirk sweetly "Why I'm not allowed? If there is a beautiful girl like you in a school, then a guy like me will definitely come here to witness; even just a glimpse of your charm…"
Then a silhouette of a person on the walls is can be seen walking outside the room.
Alarm by the presence of someone else outside the room; it may be the guard still searching for me. I quickly duck behind the nearest shelf from me.
The girl is a little surprise that this guy quickly duck behind the shelf where she is standing. Then she looks downward to him and the look of her eyes is asking what's going on.
I bite my lips, this nervousness again of getting caught. I look up to the girl. "No, don't open the door." I whisper in a very low voice.
Then the person outside the room open the door, and is surprise to see that there is someone inside the room. "Apologies of my intrusion, Miss. Have you seen a skinny guy running around here?" the female guard asked her; then keep stretching her neck to check the inside of the room. The female guard can't enter the room because the Miss is not inviting her to come inside.
"Miss, no." I mouthed the words, and keep making a begging expression.
The girl just looks at him.
"Please, no…" I'm shaking my head slowly to express my plead to her.
"Miss, allow me to get inside this room. The perpetrator maybe hiding somewhere…" the female guard interrupted.
"No, I haven't seen anyone. Please leave now, I need to be alone to do my music practice." The girl glance at the female guard.
The female guard vows. "I will take my leave right away, Miss" then she steps back and close the door then leave the scene.
A minute passes by. The female guard is surely not there anymore.
"Wooh…" I stand up and let go a breather for seconds; then I'm back to normal again.
The girl saunters to the other shelf; then browse some scrolls there.
I look at her whole physique again, then focus to her face. "Thank you." after saying that I walk towards the door. I better leave now, prolonging my stay in this school is risky; I almost get caught.
"What brought you here?" the girl stops browsing the scrolls, then pause her actions and waited to his answer.
I halted my steps. "I don't mean trouble coming here. I was tasked to retrieve a music scroll inside the music building of this school. But instead, I got distracted by a sweet melody and ended up here." I pause for a moment, realizing I was a jerk a while ago. "I'm sorry, I got overwhelmed of your physical appearance. Forgive me of my uncontrolled flattery to you." I should apply the etiquette manners that mother taught me.
Silence between them.
The girl thought well every words this guy is saying right now.
"I should take my leave now" her silence just means one thing, she's not interested.
"Wait." the girl then saunters towards the table then take a scroll on a rack. "Here." she walks near and hand to him the scroll.
I look at her hand "Why are you doing this?"
"This might help you with your task." The girl
I accept it. "Thank you."
The girl nods then saunter back to the shelf, now she is focus browsing some scroll.
After that I take my leave.
XXXXXX
(All boys school: SSE part of the school)
"Friend! You're back!" Jeo callout Sebastian who just arrive.
I walk leisurely towards the center of the open space in front of SSE building. I look up the sky, the sun is almost setting down, then I look at the front of the SSE building and nod at my brother who is sitting there.
Paul nods as well. I hope you completed your task, my brother.
"What took you so long? You got as worried!" Zack acting like a worried mother.
"Sigh… I run into trouble, but I got this." I show to them the scroll.
"Congratulation friend!" Jeo rejoices. "I completed my task as well" he shows the belt. "This is a guard's belt, but I ask my personal servant to get it for me." He shyly admitted.
"Good job, Jeo. That's a smart move." I complement his strategy.
"That shameless." Zack reacted.
"Hey, be nice." I reprimanded him.
Zack rolls his eyes. "Let's go now, and present our items." He then walks first to go to the submit table.
"Come on, Jeo. Don't mind him. Follow me." I walk first, then Jeo follows behind.
They submitted the items; they passed and become one of the many winners of the SSE yearly Search and Retrieve game.
XXXXX
(Hastings place: Upstairs bathroom)
The mix of cold and warm temperature of the bath water gives a soothing sensation to my body. I move my head sideways; and my neck make a cracking sound. Ahhh that feels good, just what I needed. In time; I will improve as The Person. Then I hold my right hand to my left shoulder blade and rotate it, and do the same to the other. After that I scrub my arms down to my torso then to my legs. Everything today; is, all my first time. I lean back to the backside of the bathtub and closes my eyes. And I start to imagine and replay everything about today.
First time to go out of the house as The Person; first time to wear a male uniform (cool uniform, makes me pretty handsome); first time to ride a horse wagon; first time to attend an all-boys school; first time to have male friends; first time to do something reckless and stupid.
I am pausing my replay imagination. Something stupid; but is very beautiful and in right proportions. I can't stop smiling; imagining the beautiful person.