Summoned | A ONE

I made it a means of survival to stay clear of Garren Adler's wrath even if it inconvenienced me. For instance, not signing up to take any of the advance classes because I knew he'd be there and if I remained in the regular ones, I would hardly cross his path.

Then there came the matter of Coeus.

Extracurricular activities and clubs were a dime a dozen in St. Sinclair but Coeus stood out amongst the rest. It was centred for scholars who excelled in the practical academic fields of science, maths and standard literature.

The club would engage in competitions like spelling bees, chess tournaments or the International Mathematical Olympiad, etc. It was originally founded by a former prime minister, an astronaut and renowned surgeon that birthed somewhat of a law.

Membership was deemed worthy only to the cream of the crops, nothing more or less. My streaks of full marks and perfect test scores would expose me.

Thankfully, enlistment wasn't mandatory. Once reaching Year 9, the eligible grade to apply, Garren and his two fellow Aces were one of the very first names to make the submissions list. With that, I bid farewell to dreams of membership. The price felt heavy each time I thought about it but knowing I dodged a bullet, I moved on.

Not long after Garren's enlistment, rumours began to spread that only assured me I made the right choice. Six members of Coeus had mysteriously resigned and word had it, Garren somehow got them kicked out. It sounded ridiculous but I couldn't completely dismiss it. From there, Garren's popularity sky rocketed to a national level now thanks to his big brain aiding in the competitions.

Escaping just the mention of him outside the academy walls became impossible. It was grueling but I'd keep myself going by constantly chanting inside that I only had to endure it for one more year. After that, I could graduate early and have my peace.

***

"My brethren, I have undeniable proof the apocalypse is upon us," Ashton announced as she approached us by the quad.

"How?" Liam asked. "You got a boyfriend?"

"Ha, ha very funny." She smacked the upside of his shaggy head.

"I take it he's wrong?" I concluded.

"Yes."

Liam massaged his head. "Then what else could it be?"

"The prince of darkness is on the cover of Daytime Scope."

Ashton held up the Daytime Scope paper for us to see and sure enough, it was those assertive grey eyes of the academy's dictator gleaming at me on the cover. I stubbornly told myself it was the filter or camera tricks that presented his skin complexion to be so spotless and capture the coy smile on his lips to appear enviable and endearing at the same time.

Deep down, however, from a handful of references derived from sightings at the lunch hall, the profile was identical to the real thing.

"Wow." Liam lowly whistled, nothing short of stunned.

I could only grimace up at Ashton, visibly sharing my tortured feelings. "How the heck did he manage this?"

"The junior regional tournament that held place in Sussex. Our school's team and the runner-up got interviewed by an employee who was watching," she explained, settling down on the bench beside me. "The interview is total rubbish too. He just went on praising Adler and calling him a 'New era of genius in the world'. Didn't even mention the captain who played a big part in earning our academy the win and only wrote one line for the opposing team."

"Definitely paid him off," Liam suspected.

"Yeah." Ashton sighed. "I need to find a new magazine to subscribe to. This one's gone under." She raked her hand to shove her thick, caramel coloured bangs back with a huff. They were a nuisance the most near summer due to the unpleasant band of sweat it caused on her forehead.

She would constantly make a fuss that she'd chop it all off, regardless of the howling her parents would put up. I knew she never would though as the risk of change immobilized Ashton greater than any fear she tried to hide with a haughty attitude.

I strongly believed that was why we complemented each other so well. Ashton Moore was an oasis amongst our peers in where I was wary of making friends in fear that they could turn into something else to appease whatever the Aces laid down.

What Liam brought to our trio was easily just as important; he prided himself on genuineness. That motto made him the black sheep of the Sherwood family that was built on milking off others people's efforts. It started with his great grandfather manufacturing an imitation of a popular stimulant. When the CEO filed a lawsuit for plagiarism, great old Sherwood bought the company.

Everyone in their sphere knew the story and growing up, Liam was labelled a 'cheat' and would've been ostracised if not for Ashton. It still wasn't an easy burden to carry since he was little so he did his best to distance himself. He kept low, made himself invisible and was hell-bent on never giving in to following the masses. Felt too much like forgery.

The two were the only ones I trusted could understand me and were the anchor preventing myself from going insane in this crazy world I found myself in.

"Can I keep this?" asked Liam, gesturing for the magazine in Ashton's hand.

"Why?" I questioned.

"It would make a nice target for my dartboard."

Ashton groaned. "My god, get rid of that thing already. You nearly gouged out my eye the other day."

"That's why I need this. I learnt this tactic in the psych class I take..."

Ashton and I rolled our eyes in unison. As much as I could admire the boy's resolve to carve his own path of originality, there were one too many to count that he dabbled in. Currently, he was fixated on training himself to be a renowned psychologist and wouldn't shut up about the classes.

"An image that speaks to my subconscious and emotions such as dislike will intensify my precision," he said. "It's basic mind over matter. This will improve my aim."

"Then why don't you stick the photo in your toilet where you really need work on your aim?" Ashton countered and I covered my chuckle with a cough. "If I hear about piss on my bathroom floor from the maid one more time, Liam, you're banned from my house for life."

"That only happened one time. One time, because that toilet of yours is tiny," he argued. "It makes me wonder how small your anus is that you can fit it in that thing."

"So is that a common thought on your mind? My anus?"

"Well yes, a couple of times."

Ashton let out a scoff. "Oh, proud, are we?"

"I'm purely concerned, as your friend. If you can't confide in us about your tiny butthole then who can you tell?"

It was moments like these ones that made me want to caution the pair, as I would only cringe in wonder at what others would think in overhearing the conversation. Very much like right now as I noticed my lab partner, Jamal stood right before us.

"Hey, Stevie," he calmly greeted, seeming not to have overheard. Thank God.

"Hey. You need something?"

"Headmaster Shepherd wants to see you."

The statement had my brows sewing together in befuddlement. I wasn't a squeaky clean student but I'd never gotten summoned to the office before. My friends shared an equally perplexed look as I got up from the bench to go.

-

I hit my knuckles gently on the doorframe twice.

"Enter."

Permission granted, I slowly edged the door open and saw the academy's sixty three year old administrator sat behind her oakwood desk cluttered with sheets and folders. An antique looking desk lamp at one corner.

"Ms. Powell." She displayed her perfectly straight teeth with a smile. "Please, come in."

I nodded and nervously brought my feet forward into the premises, hands behind my back. "Um, I heard you wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes. I've just been looking over your grades over the last term," she stated. It was then it clicked to me that the sheets spread out in front of her were my records. "I must say, they're very impressive. You hold the top marks in all your classes. Truthfully, I see few pupils in this academy's history that have such perpetuating handle at their schoolwork. It's exemplary."

"Thank you, miss."

"You're welcome." She leaned her elbows on the polished desk, not a single crease or crinkle forming on her beige blazer. "It's just... it had me curious as to why you don't push your skills out there. Set them on wings."

I lifted a brow. "I don't quite understand, miss. Wings as in...?"

"Take part in something to challenge it. Hone it. Like for example; Coeus."

My breath hitched.

Her pale, blue eyes were surveying. "I reckon you're familiar with our school's academic club?"

"Yes."

"Well you're in sixth form, you're eligible to join— I thought someone of your caliber would sign up the moment you got the chance."

I pursed my lips, eyes falling to the floor. "W-Well, I tend to be a bit anti-social and if I signed up I'd have to participate in the contests which I just couldn't. I have severe stage fright."

I was lying through my teeth and dampening my conscience but I couldn't take the risk of telling the truth. The headmaster could've be an adorer of The Aces as some other teachers were.

"All the more reason to join, dear," Headmaster Shepherd insisted. "With potential like yours, it shouldn't be bottled away. Don't worry about social skills, in a community like a club those things can be taught. I used to be quite the introvert myself as a young girl. Besides, I highly doubt you're planning to stay in the shadows if you're attending a grand academy such as this."

I shuffled my feet awkwardly at her compelling argument. She wasn't the head for nothing but I couldn't give in.

"It's not just that," I started. "I'm also a part of my local church's choir so I won't always be available for the competitions."

This one wasn't false. I was technically in the choir... just played on the keyboard at times when the regular wasn't around. Either way, it was far more important than any club with the Aces.

Headmaster Shepherd tilted her head. "I thought you said you had stage fright."

It was one of the most tense, awkward silences in my life as my face froze in what was probably screaming, 'Oops.'

The Headmaster patiently waited for me to recoil and answer. Which I did in a mouse-like voice, "I-It's a small church?"

I couldn't place what was more miserable. My pathetic response or that it sounded more like a question. To my surprise, the headmaster let out a light-hearted chuckle.

"I see, I'll have to come and visit this small church sometime but don't worry about time management. There are members who also have external activities that coincide with events which the club coordinates to meet the necessary appointments without neglecting the other," Shepherd informed me. "There, all sorted."

"But miss, I can't... I just can't." I shook my head. "Thank you for having confidence in me, I sincerely appreciate the acknowledgment but I simply don't believe I'm suited for that place."

I was speaking forwardly which was a brash move but I couldn't get carried away in her momentum. Whether she knew the truth or not, I had to make it clear I had no intentions of signing myself up for a hazardous path. All I wanted was a peaceful school life.

Headmaster Shepherd's thin lips fell to a flat line. She shifted her eyes to her desk, sighing. "How are your parents doing?"

The change in her tone and topic was so abrupt, it nearly gave me whiplash. I repeatedly blinked. "Um, fine..."

"They own a bakery, don't they?"

"Yes they do but what—?"

"And they even have you living out in a room of a hotel owned by your uncle in order to shorten the distance from school. How generous. They have quite some faith in you, don't they?"

There was something in her voice that rubbed me in all the wrong ways. "I guess."

"It's just a pity though. Their bakery has been depleting in sales since last June. That's when your tuition fee came in three months late from the appointed date, I can see the connection. They'd even resolved to take out a large loan which has consequently put them in the red. They're endangering themselves into bankruptcy just to keep you here. How endearing."

It was clear what I was hearing now. Malice.

It wasn't like I particularly cared for how other's perceived my less than impressive background but to claim I wasn't scared of becoming a spectacle from it was also lying. "I don't see how that's any of your business... miss," I added feebly.

I could feel the restlessness bubbling inside me was the guilt now that I'd been burying away. I knew my parents were having a hard time making ends meet but I didn't stop them because I loved the academy. Even with its faults, I had great friends I treasured deeply and how many more chances would I have left to work my way to secure a career practicing medicine at some big, fancy hospital or an attorney to some highly acclaimed law school and give my

parents the life of luxury they deserved? St. Sinclair was likely my one and only shot at attaining it.

I slowly brought my gaze back to the conspicuous headmaster. "Where exactly are you going with all of this?"

She intertwined her wrinkled fingers. "Statistically speaking, there's no way for your parents to pay your tuition after this term unless they miraculously win the lottery but I hold no philosophy on luck. In other words, you'd have to drop out."

Her words jabbed my chest but I'd done the calculations too— it was a likely probability. "So, you want to kick me out before hand?"

"Oh, heavens no my dear. I'm here to offer you a proposition. The school will cover the remaining financial cost to your admission. Think of it as a... late time scholarship."

I narrowed my eyes. "This academy doesn't do scholarships."

Her wide smile made her eyes crinkle. "We can make an exception."

"Why?"

"Because you're worth it."

I scoffed. "No offense but I really can't buy that."

"You really are a smart girl." She sorted the files back into a neat single stack. "Okay, there is one condition for this offer."

"Which is?"

"Join Coeus."

My stomach dropped. "I don't understand."

"Which part?"

"I don't understand why you want me to join so badly. It's just a club."

"Ms. Powell, St. Sinclair is one of the most noble in the country for its excellence and sophistication in intelligence. Are you aware we receive benefaction from one of her Majesty's Dukes?"

"Must've missed that part on the brochure. Your point?"

Headmaster Shepherd pursed her lips. "Coeus is our academy's pride and glory. We've had consecutive wins in major national and international events for nearly half a decade. We have to maintain that streak."

"I'm sure your current members are very capable of keeping that, miss if you haven't noticed they're thriving."

"I don't take chances!" Her hand fanned out and sent the desk lamp flying to the floor with a loud clatter that had me jolting.

I stared in bewilderment at the broken pieces scattered on the floor then back at the woman with a menacing glare, on her feet.

"Ms. Powell, this is more than a social responsibility. This is bigger than you or me. It is the integrity of our country on the line here. The world must recognise that Britain will always remain the elite of the elites, the universal revolutionary leaders. Not the stupid Americans, not the bloody Russians and certainly not the Asians but us! Is that clear?"

My eyes darted about, apprehensive about where her ambition lied and the absurdity ended, the shivers running through my spine didn't dare to dwell that. My lips were moving on their own. "Yes, ma'am."

She ran her hands down her blazer. "Then you'll join Coeus if you know what's good for you and trust me, Ms. Powell, kicking you out would be the least worst thing I could do to you. I am one enemy you do not want to make."

She'd done enough in those few minutes to convince me to take her word for it. I swallowed and nodded.

The darkness in her eyes dispersed and she peeled back the scowl to a soft smile. "Splendid. Go and submit your application sheet by noon. You may leave now."

I didn't need to be told twice and took my leave from her office. I shut the door, trying to make sense of what had just transpired. A few things weren't adding up to me but before I could worry about that, I gathered from the large grandfather clock by the corridor that it was a quarter to twelve. I'd need to go and organise my papers for a death sentence to a pit of lions.

***

Ashton and Liam immediately queried me on my summoning to the office and I told them everything. I desperately needed someone to spill out my horrendous predicament and who better?

When I had said it all, the two wore identical gobsmacked expressions.

"So let me get this straight..." Ashton began. "The head miss went ballistic and threatened you into joining the Nerd Cave?"

I nodded. "Yes, and I'm greatly concerned about her sanity... and I think she's slightly racist."

Liam scoffed. "Slightly? Steves, the woman sounds batshit crazy."

I could've tried to defend her because I didn't like badmouthing but then I reminded myself the batshit woman threatened my family so, yeah.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm actually glad you'll be a part of the club," Ashton confessed.

"Actually, yeah, me too," Liam agreed.

"What? Why?"

"Come on, Stevie. You're mad smart. You've probably got one of the highest IQs in the entire school," proclaimed Liam. "And you geek out about the club too. You were practically drooling over that pass they got to attend the convention hosted by that German video game programmer you love."

I rolled my eyes but it was completely true. I'd wanted to be a part of it so badly, I tortured myself by looking at all the images of the convention the club members posted on their social media accounts.

"You let yourself miss out on something so great all because you're scared of The Aces." Liam's statement was a direct blow to the gut.

"I'm not scared of them," I denied with folded arms. "Just Adler."

"Well if the twat tries to give you a hard time, tell me," Ashton ordered. "I'll give him a right uppercut on his pretty chin."

"You could get expelled for hitting him, Ash," I pointed out.

"It would be worth it. Plus, I'd be leaving the school as a badass legend. Actually, why wait for an excuse? I could get my fame now." She stood up from the table, cracking her knuckles.

Liam quickly held the girl back down. "Please don't, Ash."

I was surprised to find myself able to chuckle at despite the grim circumstances I was in. It had to be because I wasn't stuck keeping it alone and I felt even more grateful for these two.

"Anyway Stevie, this may not have been the way you wanted it— neither do we," Liam hastily clarified. "But let's look at the silver lining here. You'll be where you deserve to be. That's what matters."

"Yeah," Ashton chimed in. "Go show that Garren who the real brainiac is."

I coyly smiled, feeling blessed to have such encouragement. "Thanks, guys."

"No worries," said Liam.

"You can just name your first child after me and I call it even," Ashton replied.

"Alright then," I accepted.

"Aw what? No fair! I want my name passed on too," Liam whined.

"Fine." I caught his face light up only to fall when I added, "I'll name my future pet dog after you."

"Ooh, brilliant!" beamed Ashton. "Make sure it's one of those really ugly dogs too like a pug so that he and Liam will be identical."

Liam tossed a pea at her but it missed by miles and ended up hitting an innocent Year 7 in her eye. We winced as she went crashing into a platter of mashed potatoes.

"Sorry!" He apologised, ears turning red.

He really did need to work on his aim.

***

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I've debated for months on whether to publish Adler on here for several reasons but I figured experimenting was better than the risks that could occur. Let me know what you think of the story so far.