Page 4 of Swamp Princess
Walking together, he looks down at me. “You know, if you end up in that preparatory uppity school, you better cheer for me while I'm on the field.”
“Always cheering for you, forever.” I slam my mouth closed. My statement revealed an emotion that I've never told him about before. I know he catches it because I watch his eyebrows raise before he lets off a small chuckle.
“Always, huh? I think you have a little crush on me, Brin.” Before I can slam my elbow into his stomach for his smart ass reply, we make it to our classroom. He leaves me to go sit with the other football players while I take my normal seat in the front. I'm not scared to admit that I'm a little bit of a nerd, but I have a reason for busting my ass so much.
Our teacher walks in with the same bored expression she has every day. She doesn't like her job just as much as we don't like her teaching us. In this school, we don't have the money to separate kids who are behind to kids who are surpassing. We're all stuck in this limbo, and I'm probably farther ahead than everybody else in this class.
“Everyone, please have a seat. First, I would like to start by saying that today we will have a small assembly because the administrator of Skystead Preparatory we'll be here to announce the winner of the essay and the full ride scholarship.” Now she has my attention and my heart races. I didn't realize the announcement would be in person. I thought it would be more of a general letter; all my hopes and dreams land on today.
I turn in my seat and I notice Blaise is already looking my way. He gives me his signature wink with his half smirk, and because I'm fluent in Blaise, I know he's telling me he believes I'm going to be the one to get it. I smirk back at him until a floozy decides to drop herself into his lap. Shaking my head, I turn around as Blaise grabs her hips.
* * *
The day drags on and the closer we get to the assembly, the more antsy that I am. It doesn't help that I literally have nothing to do in my classes because I'm further along than everybody else, besides Blaise.
Right before we are supposed to go to our extracurriculars, which I love because I'm in hip-hop dance and so is Blaise, we are told that we can head to the assembly. Blaise meets me in front of the doors with a few of his football friends, and together, we all walk in.
The first thing that I notice is the well-dressed man standing very uncomfortably in the front of the gymnasium. He looks like he'd rather be anywhere but here and it's kind of comical. He looked at all the students like one of us would give him an airborne disease that he can't get rid of, and that's what pisses me off.
“Look at that clown. What the hell is he even wearing?” One of Blaise’s football friends says what we all want to say. Our principal is standing next to him having a chat and I can tell that the man is repulsed by our principle. Rich isn't a shock. Our principle is kind of gross. I swear they found some homeless guy slapped a tie on him and told him he got the job.
The man in the suit is looking down his nose at our principal, and even though I don’t like the principal, he is from the swamp, and we hate anyone judging someone from the swamps. Fuck that guy. The principal moves to the microphone and motions for everyone to be quiet.
Once everyone is sitting and silent, my principal steps up to the microphone. “As you all know, there was an essay contest held that offered a once in a lifetime opportunity. A full ride scholarship to Skystead Prep. You all by now have noticed the man standing here with me today. He is one of the board members of the school who came to personally give the award.”
He steps back and the man moves forward. Blaise reaches down and squeezes my hand. I am so nervous, there is always a large chance that I will not get it. I look around for Nicole. She is the only other top student in the school and she is brilliant. I have known her since grade school and know she writes without feeling, which has always been her downfall. I hope that she maintained the unemotional part of her. The essay was to write what you hope to get out of Skystead Prep and what you would like to see in your life in ten years.
I wrote and put my whole heart into it, telling them I hope that I am chosen because I see Skystead Prep as a winning opportunity for me. That going to the school will help me achieve my dreams and yata yata.
“Welcome, students. My name is Lucas Darrington and I am one of the board members. I am pleased to be here today to officially announce the winner of the scholarship and tell you that the board will allow the student to move this year. Since you all just started school, you will be transferred next week. The scholarship comes with room and board and all your books that you will need. Including the school uniform.”
“Wow, this guy looks like a pompous asshole.” Blaise snickers in my ear, but I am too focused on Darrington to reply back.
“This year's winner spoke to the other members, and the essay was so heartfelt that it was a unanimous decision.” Nicole turns and I catch her eyes before she glares right at me. I can also see the steam pouring from her ears.
“This student shows real academic achievement and shows that they care for their future which is what we strive for at Skystead Prep, so without further ado, the winner of the scholarship is Brinley Venice.” Shock hits me and for a moment, I don’t move until the principal eyes me and motions me down.
I stand on shaky legs and make my way over to Mr. Darrington who eyes me levelly. Once I am standing in front of him, a shiver runs up my spine. He is an attractive man wearing a suit that probably costs more than my home and he even smells expensive. He holds his hand out and as I go to shake it, the thought that he is going to go home and scrub his body hits me.
He doesn’t like the people from the swamp. I can see it written on his face as he forces a smile onto his perfectly handsome face. He shakes my hand and I feel just how cold they are. Once our photo is taken, he turns to a black briefcase on the ground. Quickly opening, he pulls out some fancy folder with the Skystead Prep insignia on it and hands it to me.
“Everything will be in here and I already received your address from the school, so a package should be arriving with your uniform in it. Please make sure to wear the uniform on your first day.” He nods and I move back to my seat next to Blaise, feeling his eyes the whole time on me.
“I’m proud of you,” Blaise whispers as I get comfy again.
“Thanks Blaise,” I whisper and the principal goes on to say his peace and how proud he is, which I have to try to not roll my eyes at him. He didn’t even know I existed. I don’t play sports and I am not a cheerleader, which is the only thing that makes us better than Skystead Prep. Our football players destroy them every game and they have never beaten us.
The assembly comes to an end about twenty-minutes later, and we are released for the day. “Brin, are you going to wait for me today?” Blaise asks as we walk to the lockers;.
“I may stay for a few minutes, but I’m going to walk home today.” I usually wait for Blaise to take me home after practice, but not tonight. I want time to think about everything. I watch him walk away and head out to the field.
I can smell the hotdogs and fries in the air, even though there is none. This field is the pride and joy of Warren, and this is where we dominate. Since Blaise became a captain during freshman year, the team has been undefeated. After a few minutes, the guys start coming out of the locker room and onto the field.
A few say hi and others nod their heads at me. They are used to me being there since I always watch Blaise. He is the last one out, and as usual, the boy can make a nun swear. He turns to smirk at me and I smile back. He knows he's hot in his uniform and when the females start coming onto the bleachers, I decide I’m going to leave. I don’t have the energy to deal with how they talk about the players, especially Blaise.
I wave him goodbye and turn to leave. Walking is not bad. I just haven’t done it since we got Blaise’ Mustang running. I will have to see if he will drive me to Skystead this weekend, so I can be there on Monday. Once out of the school parking lot, I take a turn to head to the tracks.
The track for the train is the thing that separates North and South Warren, and soon I will be crossing into a better life.
