5

~Anika~

The clashing metal against metal was the one to rip me from slumber, and only then did I admit I am so tired but there doesn't seem to be a choice for me.

Groaning, my frown deepened under the blanket as I hope it was just a dream and not the reality but it wasn't.

A heavy hand landed on my shoulder, shaking me awake. "Get up!" A voice called there my ear. "It's time for class, you lazy ass."

I wished I can punch at the person's face when I realized it was a guard and a persistent one at that.

I swatted at his hand, muttering something under my breath about needing more sleep.

He wasn't having it, my matter what I said

"No time for excuses." He barked rilling me up as pulled me out of bed. "You're going to be late."

I wanted to bit at his arm since I hate unnecessary touches but he practically dragged me to the bathroom, tossing me a grimy towel with a grunt.

I was so groggy I can't even yell at him, his flared nose the only thing I saw before he shut the bathroom door down.

After a minute of shaking my head to clear away the sleep that's still in my eyes, I stumbled to the sink, splashed cold water on my face, bathed and then threw on the first pair of leggings I could find when I was done.

Something I can say is the only perks of being here; clean recently bought fresh clothes.

Back in the room, the guard was already waiting for me with a plate piled high the same thing I was welcomed with at my first arrival. I paused but don't glance back at him, "What's this? You guys can't even afford a food time table?"

"Eat." he repeated still yelling, shoving the plate towards me.

I picked at the tasteless food that still terrifies me, if it wasn't for the fear of dying of hunger I won't be touching this but rather pour it down on him and gladly spent another night in that stinking dark cell.

I was not a morning person, and this was hardly the way to start the day.

When I was done, he guard practically shoved me out the door, and what surprised me enough is I am still so calm towards him.

"Give them some time Anika, they don't seem to know you yet." I tossed my backpack across my shoulder and I trailed behind him, my sneakers slapping against the floor.

The walk from the dorm to the classes was shorter than before. I laughed, perhaps because I am now getting used to the suffering. My eyebrows pinched together when I finally took the time to look at the faces and found they have one thing in common to me: frowned face.

Right, I thought so. No one wants to be here.

The guard pushed me forward, his hand on my back exactly when I was not expecting it. "Go on. Don't be a bother."

"Don't you push me ever again." My face heated up and my expression must show my outrage because he quickly smirked, "You have what you deserve girl."

I slumped into a seat at the back of the room, feeling utterly out of place and I logically believe the heaven doesn't want me listening to the crappy teaching because my eyelids slowly becoming heavy. The next day too...

I was tired, and probably was grumpy and out of place too. and I was absolutely, undeniably, going to be late for class.

My head bobbed twice then slumped against the desk with a heavy thud.

Truth be told I didn't think I'll be caught so soon.

"Ah, so you do find it boring," Mrs. Colter- just learnt of her name not long ago- said moving away from the front of the class to stand before me. "Well, then let us change that, should we? Twenty laps around the classroom, Ms. Lorenzo. You can meditate on the importance of why you are here while you run."

I groaned as I thought of her stupid smirk.

A couple of snickers ran through the class and cheeks burned angrily as my classmates watched me stumble to my feet.

I felt like a circus clown, forced to perform an embarrassing act for their amusement. On a scale of one to ten my desire to tear them apart stand at nine.

The first lap was excruciating and I almost fainted. I struggled to breath and even the mocking whispers weren't helping.

"Look at her, is she going to fall asleep mid-lap?!" someone called out and the class hollered meanwhile I shook my head slowly from side to side.

The fear of that cell the only thing keeping me in place.

I have never been punished in my life but all gratitude to my parents for breaking my oh-so-neat record.

As I completed the twentieth lap, my legs were shaking and my lungs ran out oxygen.

I rose up staring straight at Mrs. Colter who's till rambling on and on.

"I'm done!" I shouted with a harrumph and she threw the most deadly glare my way. Who will tell her I equally find her annoying?