"would you sacrifice yourself for the greater good,"
Something about the question irks me. I'm tired—mentally and physically exhausted. Not they I did anything special or tedious, I'm just always tired and avoid people alot. I want to sleep so badly. So I do exactly what my body begs for.
I close my eyes and let my head drop to the table.
A few seconds later, the voice rings again, louder this time, and more annoyed.
"Hopeee! Would you sacrifice yourself for the greater good, why or why not?"
I groan, dragging my face off the table and blinking at the panel of grim-faced school authorities like they just interrupted the best nap of my life. My voice comes out hoarse but honest.
"Depends on the day."
My Class teacher leans forward, her soft ivory shoulder beckoned on me. "Care to explain?"
I shrug, blowing up the wispy Bangs that fell across my forehead. "Some days I wake up feeling like a hero. Other days… I'm just trying to survive high school without being shoved into a locker"
The room falls awkwardly quiet. I hear a stifled cough—maybe a laugh or snare. I don't know.
Still, I sit straighter now, meeting their eyes.
"But if you're asking if I'd die for people who don't see me as worth living? Then no. I won't and will never do such a thing."
A pen scratches against paper, and I sense the collective judgment of the panel, viewing me as a lost cause.
Today is the D-Day—the day when 12th grade high school students, one from each supernatural faction, are selected to attend Brookshigh Academy, a prestigious institution for Alphas.
For the past century, this tradition has persisted, rooted in a prophecy that believes only an alliance between an Alpha and another supernatural can forge a bond potent enough to stop the impending apocalypse unleashed by humans upon all supernaturals.
It's funny how the humans are bent on doing everything to get rid of us.We didn't create ourselves; we merely balance the Earth's equation.
"If you had the chance to form a bond with an Alpha, what qualities would you look for?" Principal huckleberry asked a drop of moisture cling to his forehead.
I blink, caught off guard by the question. All eyes are on me like I'm the final piece in some twisted puzzle.
Come to think of it, I've never thought of this before but now I'm being asked. I think Asher from my favorite dark romance is a perfect description of a sweet man.
I know it sounds creepy—really creepy, like fan-girl creepy if I say it loud.
"Should the question be repeated? Hope"
I swallow hard, thinking fast. "Someone who's strong, but not just strong with power. Strong enough to protect, not to hurt. Someone who leads without breaking others."
"What's your thoughts on loyalty and Trust?"
I shrug, "Trust is earned, not given. And loyalty? It's for those who prove they deserve it."
A flicker of surprise passes over their faces. Maybe they expected me to say something better.
I look back at them, feeling a little fire stir inside me. "An Alpha worth bonding with has to be brave but smart. Strong, yes, but wise enough to listen."
"Last question, Why do you want to be chosen for Brookshigh Academy?" his temper flared.
My stomach churn with anxiety and frustration as I reply" I want to find my sister. Dead or alive "
"We will let you know of the results once it's ready" The panel dismisses me with a wave of hand , and I step out of the room, fulfilled.
I breathe a sigh of relief. Wait—I just controlled my breathing. I take another breath purposely.
That's new.
I hum a tune and hop into class, only to find a crowd gathered around my locker. Their hushed whispers and stifled giggles halt as I approach.
"What's going on?" I ask, trying to peer over.
Vanessa turns, with a mocking smile on her face, she is holding a piece of paper and shoving it to my face. "Oh, look who's here. We were just reading your little essay."
She waves the paper dramatically. "'Why I want to attend Brookshigh Academy'—really? After what happened to your sister?"
I snatch the paper from her hand, my cheeks burning. "Give that back."
She steps closer, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "You do remember your sister went there and never came back, right? Still missing. And you think you'll fare any better?"
I straighten my shoulders, meeting her gaze. "My sister's fate doesn't define mine."
Vanessa scoffs. "Keep telling yourself that. Brookshigh isn't for the weak."
I clutch the paper tightly, the edges crumpling in my grip. "We'll see."
"You'll just embarrass yourself," she adds, her eyes gleaming with malice.
I take a deep breath, steadying my nerves. "I have as much right to apply as anyone."
She laughs. "Right. Because Brookshigh is desperate for witches who can't even light a candle."
I ignore her and make my way to my locker, which has been decorated with crude drawings and mocking notes. I tear them down without saying a word.
I'm simply respecting my sister's wish not to fight anyone here again, if that was not the case, I would have plucked every single hair in Vanessa's hair by now.
I kick my locker hard, the bang echoing through the classroom. Frustration boiled in my chest, spilling out before I could stop it.
Vanessa didn't waste a second—she charge at me with her fist clenched, and eyes blazing.
"You better watch yourself, charity case," she hiss as the headmaster suddenly entered
She was just lucky—born into wealth, with a powerful elemental gift she liked to flaunt whenever she got the chance. She didn't have to work for anything, and yet she made it her life's mission to remind me I didn't belong.
In her eyes, scholarship students like me were stains on the school's perfection. A fluke. A pity admission.
She intentionally hit my shoulder as she walk pass me, forcing me to fall.
"So, it's no news selection process have started and ended already. Brookshigh tuition is high. But the goodnews is that out selected student this year will be on full scholarship with a little something as monthly stipends."
I feel a little bit favoured. If I'm chosen then I won't have to worry about dropping out of school.
" Now y'all should go home as the final result will be out tomorrow "
I pick up my backpack and leave the class even before the headmaster finishes. They always turn a blind eye when students from wealthy families bully others. And today, I honestly have no strength or enthusiasm to argue or allow Vanessa and her crew to beat me up, simply because I don't want to disrespect my sister and fight back.
I clutch my backpack tighter, walking faster down the shorter and narrow route . Not that I can avoid the constant whispers and eye boring stares from other students but at least it's more crowded here and no one would easily single me out.
I'm used to it—the stares, the comments, the constant reminder that my mother cheated on my father, killed him when he found out and eloped with her lover leaving I and my sister in the hands of my womanizer uncle.
We live in an old house in an abandoned pathway. My uncle sold my parent's house after the whole killing and eloping, forcing us to move to his hut looking trenches.