PORYS ELITE HIGH School : Amanda Alyn
"Have you ever feel like jumping out of your skin to run away from your life? That is how I feel "
Scanning the words she just wrote, Amanda could feel her hole body and soul shrieking as she was tempted to post it for real on the blog she had opened years ago with someone she could called friend, her only friend for sure.
It had already five years to be precise. All with a pseudonym 'NYALLÂ my Thoughts'. Most of it were thoughts or life experiences in this old patriarchal and conservative place.
It was a pretty popular site, haven't been traced by Porys IT as many were closed. All thank to her said friend, lorelei, who knew some hackers, who helped them with VPN to mislead the authorities. That was what she told her, emphasising that she had nothing to worry about anymore.
At least with the new game of the Queen in all the medias, not that she was not famous before, but now her connections with the population had made all the difference. What she promised she accomplished. Meaning many things was better than before, more accessibility. More freedom.
Sighing a moment, Amanda rested her chin in the palm of her hand wishing for more productivity in her own life. But the reality nagged her, she knew none of this could ever be real.
Like her doing this on the open. Who was she kidding? It could be call propaganda, when all she wanted was to boast young people creative side.
No, the government would say, as they had already talked about the site, saying it was not helping. When they knew it was just opening people eyes on their day to day life.
How they felt, how they lived things. This was a normal thing to do in a land where talking to a psychologist cost a leg, like something reserved to rich people. This, it was something stress releasing to know you are not alone. That was exactly what they did not want though. Separate people was, for the government easier to lead here.
Looking around her she sighed more heavily, pressing her face in her hands wishing for more productivity. She was so alone sometimes it was like playing hide and seek with depression.
With all her heart, she could not want that to anyone else that is why she deleted her previous words knowing if she posted it, it would be more unproductive than what she aimed for. Giving access to dark thoughts was not the line of their blog.
Her task over she puffed out looking around her from her office. The library was so vast it could be unsettling for anyone who was not passionate about books.
So much for the great tittle she was supposed to work on in this school. She was in charge of academics ressources.
When the School was constituted with high rank students, whose parents rarely pay the school fees in the school ground but with theirs phones at home. Most schedule it with theirs Banks to pay all years or payment were made in one-time far all the cycle.
With all that in mind let's say, Amanda looked at the calendar on her desk office, her gaze falling on one particular month, really, one week of the said month, the last week of August was the only time she could interact with anyone about the job she was supposed to be doing. Even then for what? Ten to fifteen students at the top?
Leaning on her back she stared at her computer, her only door to this life, then moved forward to do something of her day. Nyall was pretty popular which mean she had something to live for despite some who did not.
Solitude , she had learned by experience, was like a knife, either you master it and become a reference in your life because you are the became the best. Or you let it destroy you, ending with a low life and unhappy life that most of the time leads some to suicide.
She had decided to not give them that win. So many people would often write just to say, her life was a blessing, that she give them hope in this world that suck people soul with it's harshness.
Others, at least thirty, had written saying they were on the verge of commiting the unthinkable, suicide, when they stumbled on this blog. Things like that was bigger than her life. For all of them she could not give up.
Breathing out she straightened herself on her comfortable chair, closed her eyes to focus when someone entered her office room, which was at the end of the library, they may have knocked on the already opened door, to get her attention, but she was not sure she heard that sound.
Looking up she froze a moment at the woman she was granted the pleasure to see. A dream come true, it was not everyday she could see her. The oldest one in this institution, that also happened to teach at the University. Of what Amanda knew the woman passed more time here than there.
"Professor Kelvin?"
Nodding at the sound of her name the charismatic woman who was wearing a beautiful kaftan that hugged her waist, showing all that needed to be seen to show the wonderful body she was gifted by God himself, stood right in front of her not making any attempt to seat.
"Doctor Alyn, you are requested out there. I hope this place did not mess with you mind. You look very off. I knocked for a good minute there."
"I, huh, am okay."
Standing like a doll, Amanda looked around her to locate her belongings. At her attempt to take them the professor shook her head sternly, showing her with a movement of her right hand that it was not necessary.
" But you can lock the door behind you. Sometimes you will think this place is hell for students. Out of five percent come here anyway those who do so are still in class "
"Humour me." Amanda thought after locking her laptop, she followed the middle age professor locking the doors as requested.
Without much words as predicted she led her through it all saying nothing to her as they walked through the many corridors of the school toward the professor office.
Really this school looked more like a boarding school, when it was a normal one, luxurious carpets were everywhere, silence, cushioned doors, elevated ceiling, elevators. It looked like Harry Potter schoo, with a very modern accent.
Professor Kelvin office was radically to the other side of the wide school, near the eating area. Which made Amanda wondered why it was her who was send to call her.
They were finally on the hallway leading to her office. The largest office of the entire school, with and integrated library of her own. Even the director did not have such. She was there at the opening of the elite highschool, started it even on the behalf of the Queen who had already many responsibilities at that time.
That certainly explained the tension with the director. In fact she just were not acknowledging him at all. Having double tenures in highschool and university made her someone to reverence.
Most of the time people would chose to see her rather than the actual director, which was ego wounding for him. He had tried to get rid of her in the past, but Amanda knew like everyone around that it was what made the Queen intervened on the national television to assert professor Kelvin was also representing her as well. it just came naturally while talking about her school programs. The only person mentioned was Kelvin and how a wonderful worker she was.
Something like an ambassador, which had made it worse for the director because it only made it difficult for parents to see him as of an importance for them to talk with.
Finally infront of the large cushioned doors, that she pulled opened, even elegantly, she beckoned Alyn to get in seeing the woman hesitation. The moment she entered she was really caught off guard by how bigger it was, she had never set her feet here. The smell that grace her nose tickled it calming her nerves. Coconut with a mix of lavender.
She knew it as an expensive odor decorum that was not found in Porys. Only by commanding it through an extremely expensive Jewelry in the rich west neighborhood. Alyn knew because of the mall trips her mother, a diplomatic wife, like to do there to spend her husband money.
Looking around she could see that there were already people there. Dory Sheil, the kitchen Chef, literally a five stars one. Near her was a man Alyn recognized before her eyes could fall on his chest where there was a crown intrusted with ambroided letters below it saying A&B. Everyone knew the Queen secret service, or even his face. He was everywhere with her.
Doing her best to not stumble out of a sudden, she managed to have professor Kelvin directing her gently toward a seat her hand on the small of her back and nudged her into it. The older woman could understand her state, because everyone would feel like that if they were at her place.
"You are not in trouble. You did nothing. Completely." The older woman emitted without moving her lips, a real frown on at how waste the young woman intelligence was trampled under this School administration feet. They paid her to do nothing just because she was born in a woman body.
A good thing the professor she was, herself and the other females teachers here were not in the same boat. Turning to look at the other invited woman she point at her before staring back at Alyn.
"You already know, Doris Sheil."
Pointing the obvious, Amanda nodded, then looked at the man since Kelvin shut her mouth implying he could continue by her silence.
"The Queen secret service, Commander Raphaelli" after doing a small reverence bowing his head forward, the man made a semblance of a smile to appear on his lips making her at ease.
Pointing at the large contener in front of them on the polished table he moved it toward her the shining surface not getting the tiniest scratch. The thing was like a big cushion.
"This is breakfast for students mentored by he Queen."
Stopping to let the information registered in the woman brain, the commander could see professor Kelvin retrieved to the seat not so far from them but enough to show she understood what was going on.
"Finally!" She even thought.
Doing her best to contain her puzzled expression as to why she was involved in food distribution now, Alyn gaze traveled from it to the man thrice, before she summoned herself to shut her brain for a moment thinking, that to have the Queen commander here certainly mean something.
The last time it was the now professor Kamali who had visited her years before. She could only wondered what was going on this time.
Letting her process untill he saw he could continue, Raphaelli lips formed a line in an amicable way to show her there were no harm intended propelling her to asked the question on she yearned to ask.
"Okay what am I to do with it?" Staring straight in his eyes with no fear she asked feeling safe doing so. Even surprising the two other women by her confidence.
Raphaelli on his side almost smile for real liking the attitude.
"That doctor Alyn you will hear from her."
Removing a phone out of his jacket, that she had to admit fit him like a model, so much it made him looked very handsome. The commander tapped once on it waiting for the line to be established.
At the others woman attempt to stand the commander shook his head negatively.
"Professor you can stay, Mrs Sheil too"
Looking at his phone where the light had changed to green he said "Your highness the ones you requested are here"
After saying that he made sure it was on speaker, then leaned forward to put the phone on the table. Silence embraced them for a moment before a voice Alyn would have never dreamed addressing her pronounced her name
" hello ladies, the Queen on the phone. Thank you for giving me a bit of your time today. I hope you are all safe. Doctor Amanda Alyn. How are you?"
" Fine my queen."
"Good my commander brought food for my scholarship students. I need you to be in charge of it from now on. I know Mrs Doris this is your work, but do not worry doctor Alyn will never trespass. You will be the one serving the kids, personally. Make sure they are comfortable in your hands and all that goes with it. I want the best treatment for them, you do as if it was me. Start of today the foods will be receive by doctor Alyn who will bring it to you, the cutlery have to be given back to my men at the end of the day. It was all Mrs Doris, you are excuse. Have a good rest of the day. "
Still amazed the woman stood wondering what was to be done next, the pause the woman made did not give it away meeting this man gaze, he nodded toward the phone making her stress disappeared. Rule for addressing royalties where not found in kitchen books she thought wondering what to say.
"Thank you your majesty. It will be an honor serving you. I wish you the same."
"Thanks you dear. You are very welcome. I really am the one to be honored to have someone like you working for my institution. It is a stress reliever."
A smile on, Mrs Doris walked out, closing the door behind her.
"Professor Kelvin, my regards."
"My QUEEN." Short greeting respond have always been the professor way, all for acknowledgements which the Queen knew came with a real nod of her head, she did not have to be there to see.
" Dr Alyn, your work with professor Kamali makes you the best choice to perform this task. Mind me, I am well aware of the sexism directed at you."
Almost opening her mouth both to ask why she used work as in present tense, and to protest into why nothing was done to prevent it. She prefered to close it but a line creased between her eyes showing her discontentment.
"Why doing nothing then? You certainly asked me in you head and heart with valide indignation."
Blushing profusely for being caught which Raphaelli found cute, the doctor picked the wise option to keep silent.
"You mature through adversity dear. Your blog is something I am personally proud of. Yes I know. You should know that nothing pass my security. Now you know why it was never shut. Associating yourself with professor Kamali who is under my mentorship has been simply what is still protecting you. It was who made sure your blog stay unharmed. It is an amazement to see what you have been doing to use all the free time given to you in salvation for our youth. That is why I decided that a creative writing club will be open to link both highschool and the university all under your leadership."
A small moment passed as she stopped talking to let it be processed in th doctor mind. No one daring to talk.
" You will first hand mentor students that are on my scholarship. It is important for someone with a high IQ potential like katiandra. Management of how it has to happen will be send to professor Kelvin later. "
Going from surprise to surprise, Dr Alyn were just opening and closing her mouth. Then again closed it for good, eyes focused on the phone infront of her.
"Katiandra loves writing, I do not want it to be bribe. You understand that your blog will now get features with my name and professor Kamali one to keep you out of troubles. Technically she is one of the owner, been outside of here, it would make less noise, plus they could not backlash at you. We all know the truth here that is what is important. All questions that would be asked from you direct them to me . Got it? "
"I, huh, yes m, my Queen"
"I will forward professor Kelvin all the changes in your statute and Dr Alyn"
"Yes ma'am, umm, my"
"It is okay dear you will leave the tittle for now. Do not worry from now on. Do your job. No one will bother you anymore. As long as the scholarship exist you do not depend on the direction anymore.That mean dear from now on the only one you will be responding to is professor Kelvin. Suit you?"
"Yes professor. Yes. I. Thanks you."
"Do not mention it. You should thank yourself. You stood out by yourself. Not giving up pay off. It does. Be safe."
The line went death. Still daze, Alyn looked at the commander who looked more like a very attractive statue than a living being by how still all his feature were, then at professor Kelvin who looked the same, the difference being that she was a woman, more older, with more softer lines.
Not knowing where to start or whom to address between the two, her questions stayed stuck in her throat.
"As the Queen said we kept a close eye on you since the moment you started getting involved with professor Kamali and her daughter. No one get close to her family without being thouroughly checkup. Nyall my thoughts became our duty then and still are. We keep it safe from the radars."
" Now with the change in you status, there are scrutiny that will be on you. You understand that been the king only nephew it is not recommend to keep jabbing in each others territory. The Highschool while being under the tutelage of the majesty our Queen still is a private school in regards of her family. But she had always kept things separated. What is happening is proof the Queen does not want any mix with her own."
"Let me guess commander. It has to do with the Belair Emirates kid?" More a statement than a question professor Kelvin said entering the conversation for the first time. "This man is stubborn.."
" I guess by it that you warned him. Yes it is . That is why all will be separated now. Our majesty want them to be treated with the rank her mentorship attribute them"
"Queen Katiandra mentees are not to be push over. My dear you will need your toughness from now on. After this breakfast, war will shattered all over. You have at least the right people with you. That my dear, in all war, is the most important. It determines the winner."
With those last words the professor said liking the way the young woman straightened her posture at the end. She was a tough one that was for sure.
Twelve minutes was what it took Dr Alyn to get the words passed to all the four students scholared by the Queen to meet at professor Kelvin to some checkup.
At exactly 12 on the dots they were there having been released before the others discretely.
" Good you are all here. If you do not know me already, call me Miss Alyn."
"Why not doctor? You don't like being call doctor?"
Okay cut from her next line Amanda examinated the young girl. Katiandra it was, a really petite girl for her age but the smartest of them all. She had always thought she had the finest IQ brain most like an artificial intelligence. The way her eyes bored in her like a grown up was what put the doctor off for a moment.
"Katiandra. I can call you like that?"
Nodding at those words the small girl brows knotted for a moment then she shrugged.
"Kate will be all right. In case you want to know, I love my name but too long it is."
" I don't mind." Smiling at how chilled she was doctor Alyn responded bending to be at her level.
"Okay then " the small smile on her lips was one that showed her appreciation of the lady making the others students looked at her differently. It was like she just passed a test she did not know she had to.
"Katiandra. I do love my tittle. So if you prefer Dr Alyn. It suit me too."
"Super." Looking to her peers, she made a firm nod. "We will call you dr Alyn. Right guys?"
In response they all nodded, apparently she was the head of the group even though the youngest.
" We have a change in your lunch time. Since you are from the Queen program. She decided to send you breakfasts and lunches from now on."
"Wait like when it was her children? My sister went to school with Prince Lincoln, the future king here. She said it was Chef foods they ate at launch, they are friends."
Laughing in her mind at Gabe Hisn who got accepted in the program too. Dr Alyn knew it all was the Queen doing to not let the young Katiandra by herself in all her classes.
The child parents could have afford the scholarship of a normal student but he said when he was interviewed by herself that her program was what he wanted. His parents too, which also just made it better for him at his now fifteen years old he looked younger.
He was a force to be around. Really smart too. She had to admit...
"Yes Gabe. It is pretty much the same "
"Yes. Kate I told you. She will not let them move you. Tell you what? This is a F. Off if you ask me."
Kelvin and Alyn met eyes not surprised. They could have figured the act out . High fiving themselves, they started doing that thing were you do not know If they were still standing or jumping by the prospect of the news they had received.
"Yeah. Mom said she will not let that happen. I knew. Plus Lorelei said it too. I was not that worry." The way she said it shrugging her small shoulders could pass for condescending but it was how she was, it really was not a worry for her.
Being acquainted to high society had came naturally for her. It was normal where the others struggled to cope. She would look at a student, who was a total legend in the media since she was born, her face was on all publicity posts around the country, and ten years her would say to her face " So what?" She had done that two years ago when she had started to be in the same class as her elders siblings. She did not last in the previous one much longer since she already knew all the answers. How? "I just know " was invariably her answer.
That confrontation with the model student had left the said girl boiled, breathing fire. But she could not do a thing.
She may have frightened her siblings but the young girl knew who she was too. Professor Kelvin was the one who had to talk with Onera's parents the day after. Telling them to let it go. No one want to start a fight they could not win. That was how powerful this child had become around, the director thought he could played with it.
"Oh Ms k..."
"Professor Kamali. She had her PhD almost three years ago. The best and the youngest. I will do the same although she said I will be younger. Like that I can do law too." Before Gabe could go further young katiandra cut him sternly not liking the lack of tittle dr Alyn concluded.
"How about we see that later Chestnut. First we eat." Nodding her she head at her big sister who intervened, she leaned on her while her brothers played with her hairs, apparently de reason of the nickname since theirs were all black.
"Yes, Chestnut. We got to be eating like royalties. Soo good. Who is the boss now?" The way her brother almost shouted made the little girl laughed carefreely.
Shaking her head at their silliness professor Kelvin led the way as they all jumped out with trepidation in their collected young bodies. Adults in children body. Kate was so mature for her age it was unsettling. It was like it was not her speaking in that small body of here.
So much that her siblings kept doing silly thing they would not have done normally to have her react like a child. All to keep that younger side of her alive, some may said it was painful but she was their little sister and they knew her. The two older siblings had decided to unite their strength in the matter doing their best to involve Gabe.
Their dynamic was one of a group very closed. They finally entered the lunch room where things were moving differently than the others days. Raphaelli had already walked the food to the kitchen before the kids came.
As soon as their group started moving where new additional tables were added, it was like everything including people became still in the room for a moment.
Almost a three minute of total calm, they could hear the sound of theirs feet all the way to the table before it all came back to normal. They were helped by the service people near the teacher area, where cushioned chairs were placed as in five stars restaurants. The moment the students were settled , one place was left vacant at the top of the table.
Looking at her fellow teacher Alyn, professor Kelvin in all seriousness pointed at it.
"Dr don't you eat?"
Plate were then placed by a man she knew well, Chef Sheil assistant, Alain, a foreign man, a Chef himself but four Stars. He pulled the chair for her to sit, aware of what was going on. Nodding at her he kept a hold of the chair with a small smile thinking at how weird life was.
Yesterday, the woman like years before, was eating lunch in her office never showing her face in the lunchroom. Now she was being served like no one else. He had always thought it was unfair. How she was treated.
The only reason she was still working here was because of her good grades in her thesis, she was the best of her promotion that is why the Queen herself had hired her. Even though the director wanted to put someone else at that place. Unfortunately he could not fired someone the woman had chose herself.
The others teachers were wife of rich people or children of old dynasties families. For her to be there just for being intelligent was never respected by the others. She was never a fit.
Leaving the room it remind him of his own experience in the foreign land. If it was not for Chef Sheil, he would have certainly not be around, the woman had threatened to go if he was fired at some point of his time here.
Those people could be despicable sometimes. All to keep themselves in a well known group, family and friends that is how it work here. All outsiders was requested someone to vouch for them even with good credentials.
"Thanks ." Taking the seat she said to Kelvin. She could feel behind her head the weight of all the pointed stares of all the others teachers and administratives staff.
"Royal service, huh? Bon appetit" Playfully professor Kelvin said causing a ruckus from the young students.
"Dr Alyn, if you need anything you know where to find me. Or I will find you just like today." Looking right in her eyes the professor said with something rare this time, something that made her more alluring.
A smile, everyone eyes was on her from afar. The woman was not dumb. She knew what she was doing. Even for the many students around but mostly for the staffs, the meaning was simple, a friend of hers was someone to not play with. She NEVER smile. Smirk, maybe, pulled her lips to show she was listening, but never did she smiled.
"Thanks you professor." Happy for no reason at the sight of that smile, the doctor uttered softly nodding her head.
Leaving them reassured they were good, the older woman walked straight, like she own the place, to her spot on the staff lunch side. Where all gaze was now on her.
"What is this about." The voice of the director, again, impolite and demanding addressed her which she ignored doing the one who heard nothing.
Shrugging she took the glass of water the server gave her while placing the food infront of her. By the schedule eating food she held here she could easily be poisoned but again the culprit will be known.
Mrs Sheil was the only one to make her food while the same server, Bradley, a young man she had seen growing was assigned to her. She knew all about his family, she was the one making this job possible for him.
"Professor Kelvin, please, what is going on?" That was more politely directed to her by the science head of department Dr Amon, the last daughter of the eldest senator of their homeland.
The man has been around as long as the early king. But his daughter had some manners for some who had more money in her bank account than she could ever use. It was in fact a rare behaviour from her kind. Looking at her she tilted her head to take her in appreciating her good look.
"A new way. Something that should have been done from day one for God sake. And for us to not forget who those students are. Royal pupils. "
Swallowing her water, she kept her red lips shut for a moment, the tip of her tongue darted out sensually licking some droplets of water that was still moisturizing her lips, before looking towards that table again.
Her actions she knew had most of them entranced with what she knew was lust. That she was used to, the thing she had already done to keep them away form her no one could believe. She was married but that means nothing for them.
Doing her best to not rolled her eyes she turned back to Doctor Amon who was still looking at her a bit flustered but she kept her dignity not lowering her gaze. That was a game she liked to play, it show she was still in the game, a good thing her husband thought the same.
"And Dr Alyn is their new encadror. Soon enough the paperwork will be forward later to the university board too. Since you asked so gently." The woman face moved in a weird way as she was trying her best to not show how surprised she was.
To herself the professor wondered why the need to transfer almost all the credentials of Dr Alyn to the university board. That almost meant giving her tenure there, not one, but she will have a pass between the university and the highschool. It made a sense to think she would continue to follow them there.
She was not an idiot. That was in many ways similar to her own status, which was particular because at some point she knew she was an important tool for the school.
The Queen said as long as the program exist. Like her Amanda Alyn was certain to have double tenure which mean business. Meaning jealousy, it was good she was already warned and ready for that.
All of this was weird of the Queen, like she was preparing to leave. Maybe, she wanted to focus more on her others duties and felt like trusting someone whose live was showing perseverance and focus.
She knew she would chose that too. She hers was at Amanda place almost two decades ago, when the Queen had chose her. But the older woman felt it was not only that, even at the university changes were made that was not common.
Refocusing on the present she fought to not arched her perfectly trimmed brow, at what was growing in front of her. Red was not even the word to describe the director.
The man literally had smoke coming out of his ears and nostrils. But tied he was. If he did not want to go straight against the Queen which was equal for deciding an open war with his uncle the king. He knew it as everyone else.
Swallowing all his water he motioned the server to put more, the table full of the entire staff, was silently death.
Most of them wearing on an indiscutable look of jealousy as predicted by professor Kelvin. For sure there were no future for any form of friendship with most of them for Dr Alyn, but who care? They never accepted her at the first place.
"At least she will excercise, her work now. I must say, all the time as she wants." Looking her way again professor Kelvin understood why she never disliked Dr Amon, the woman was fair, never fearing to speak her truth. And she, like everyone knew what was going on with the Belair kid.
"Huh huh. " Kelvin hummed like she could not before meeting the already mute director "Prick!" She thought but kept in her head.
" Why? Though you certainly wonder. What the Queen said earlier a lot of things will changes around. She will really work dear Amon. Not that she did not before."
Turning her gaze to their director she arched her eyebrows.
" Did you know with all the time you have been giving her so kindly, she have been working along side professor Kamali under the Queen tutelage? They are the founders of 'Nyall my thoughts' that is the reason why it was not able to be closed. Yes! Right my dear? I was myself flabbergasted." That was like a punch onto the face of the man everyone dislike.
They were all starstruck. With reason, 'Nyall my thoughts' translated "Heal my thoughts", was in their local language, what made it particular was the fact that it was available in many others languages. Even in sign language. Something that had turned many people out of the depht of depression and was appreciated in most parts of the world. Even in Porys.
"What!? You can not be true!!?" Here came the tantrum.
" Hmm, I wish. Our Dr Alyn is one of the minds begin it. That is why a creative section that was projected but never put in place will be open under the Queen orders. Dr Alyn will be the one to supervising it here. And at the university. Huh uh. Mostly with professor Kamali since she already is involved with Alyn. I must said maybe the Queen wanted to see how it could reach her people. If it works on the youth out there it will work on the youngest one here. 'Doctor Alyn did a number there' the Queen words."
"The university? That means she will have tenure?"
Chewing her lettuce slowly the professor took her time to swallow it then take a sip of her lemon juice before shaking head negatively.
"No my dear, I believe you should make it two." Rolling her tongue expertly in her mouth to move out whatever was stuck in or around her teeth she met Amon gaze keeping her eyes in hers then lifted her eyebrows at the stupefaction on the woman face reverberating on the others too, before going back to her food. Chewing slowly.
At least she was sure none of them would open their mouth soon after that bomb.