Slumber Four

As they neared the city, Bijou started to feel anxious. This place was much bigger than she imagined it would be. And her stomach started twisting in knots all over again. There was no way she'd be able to wander the city. Not even if she wanted to, she'd get lost much too easily. And her hands twisted her shirt as she looked at Onyx. He seemed to be monitoring her reaction and thinking of how to react. Of his own accord, he grabbed her right hand gently and started rubbing it soothingly. In a calm voice, he said,"You'll be alright, Bijou. I promise that I'll be with you all the way."

"I know, Onyx. I just wish that we didn't have to go.",she said under her breath. It didn't feel fair. This was the only time she broke the rules. Why did it matter so much if she made a friend or not? Her Aunts didn't expect her to just do what they said forever did they? Well they shouldn't had. After all, she was a teenager. She deserved to make friends and not be punished by being forced to move to some boarding school three towns over. It felt like overkill to her. And as they neared the school, she felt this anger well up inside her. Her frown deepened as she glared ahead of her. Onyx said in a low voice,"I know that this'll be difficult for you. But you need to remember that your aunts aren't doing this to be cruel. They love you."

"Whatever, Onyx.",she mumbled. Taking her hand away from him, she looked back out the window. Crossed her arms tightly across her chest and tried to think of what to do. There was no way she'd be able to convince her aunts that she didn't need to go. But she doubted that she'd fit in very easily. After all, she had been home schooled for so long that she didn't know anything about other teenagers. Aside from what she'd seen on TV. Which wouldn't be much of a help for her, no one acted like they did on TV. Nothing was solved easily in real life like how she saw it on television. And she wished there was a way to give some heart felt speech on how she'd do better. How she'd obey their rules from then on. Her Aunts were more clever than she was and they'd catch on easily. So she'd have to just bear with all of this for a while. When they parked in front of the school, she couldn't believe her eyes. It was as big as a castle and twice as ominous. Like something bad was going to happen once she was inside its halls. And she asked,"This is a school?"

"Yes, Bijou. This is a school.",Sethunya answered her. Looking just as perplexed as Bijou did. She obviously never been there herself. Zina and Afua didn't look as impressed. They must've been there a few times. And she decided not to ask them if they had been punished similarly. After all, they were angry enough with her. So, she instead helped Onyx out of the car, then got her suitcases out. Giving him the two and taking her one, she looked at him with a small fake grin. It looked like it wasn't convincing so she stopped smiling. This place was terrifying and she felt scared to go into it. But she had no choice as Zina ushered her quickly inside with Onyx following after them. The courtyard was full of young girls that were around her age. Each of them looking at either a textbook or a fancy device. A handful of them had their own personal droids. But they were much more sleek than Onyx was. Even shinier than he was too.

What made things worse was the fact Bijou seemed to be the only dark-skinned student. And it wasn't going by unnoticed by the other students. Some were whispering already; she felt her stomach drop as she heard someone whisper about her hair. This place was going to be Hell, she knew it. Barely there for even a few minutes and she was already sticking out like a sore thumb. At least she wasn't staying around to hear more of this as Zina was tugging her into the front office. Her other Aunts were staying by the car, she briefly saw them waving to her. Afua looked like she was crying. A small part of her felt guilty for making her cry, but she couldn't fix anything now.

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When they were in the office, she noticed that some of the teachers were like the girls. Pale as snow. She hoped that the other teachers would look like her or some of the other students would. It couldn't be possible that she was the only black student. It just didn't seem possible to her. And she felt a little relieved when the principal came out of her office. She was just as dark skinned as herself. Wearing a beautiful lavender suit with a purple flower in her large hair, just above her left eye. Bijou wondered if it was a clip or if she had slid it into her hair and styled her curls around it. Instead of asking, she smiled as the woman asked,"Bijou and Zina?"

"Yes. And you must be Ms Obidile.",Zina said. She shook hands with the woman who smiled at her. Then shook hands with Bijou as she said,"Indeed I am, it's quite a pleasure to meet you both. We're pleased to have you in our school."

"Thank you, ma'am.",Bijou said in a polite tone. It was important to make a good impression on her principal. She probably wouldn't see much of the woman. Since she planned on being behaving herself and keeping to just herself and Onyx. Who was being directed by another droid towards what she guessed were the dorm rooms. And she was assured when Ms Obidile said,"My personal droid, Ruby, will be taking some of your things to your room. I could have her take your other suitcase if you wish."

"No thank you, I can carry it as we go.",she said. For some reason, this made Ms Obidile frown and shrug her shoulders. As she led them out of the office, Zina gave her a slightly annoyed look but said nothing. Her face turned bright pink as she realized that she was being a bit rude. And mentally kicked herself for refusing the offer. As she walked after them, she noticed that some of the classrooms were led by droids. And that there were projection screens instead of chalk boards. It was a strange process but she felt she'd be get used to it. Ms Obidile showed them a classroom that was full of students who were being taught by the only human she'd seen so far. An older woman with some facial scars. Her name was Mrs Dormir. And she was teaching history of the world. Bijou took a peek at the other students. They were mostly girls like her with a few boys. It seemed strange how she'd only seen girls so far. But she didn't dwell on it as she was hurried to a second class room. An obvious science class where there was a wiry young person with an outrageous hairstyle.

They introduced themself as Professor Rebelle, then gave out glasses as they turned on a switch. Lights displayed on the wall next to Bijou. Who jumped slightly but recovered when it was turned off. Professor Rebelle's students giggling as they apologized for the scare. Ms Obidile giggled slightly then ushered the women off and said goodbye to her employee.

The other classes were much too busy to interrupt but they were a language and Mathematics. Both of which Bijou found incredibly dull. But the last class was slightly interesting for her, it was a class on art. And all of the students seemed to be drawing the teacher. A gorgeous man in possibly his fifties or so. He was wearing a costume that she didn't recognize. Though he looked really lovely in it. Ms Obidile had the students pause their work and introduced Zina and her to him. He was cordial as he introduced himself as Dr Faucher. He shook each of their hands and then went back to modeling for his class. Who looked very intense for what they were doing. She guessed they just wanted a good grade.

When the tour was over, Ms Obidile took the pair to where she'd be living. The dorm hall was like what she'd seen on TV, and it was nice. When they finally arrived at her room, Ruby let them in. She was oddly silent as she led them into the room. Though Onyx was making up for this, he kept trying to ask her questions. None of which the other driod was answering. Ms Obidile shushed him as she said,"I hope this room is to your liking, Bijou. We pride ourselves on keeping our students comfortable and feeling at home."

"I'm sure I will.",she answered truthfully. The woman told them polite good byes,collected her droid and walked away. Zina gave her a huge hug. Telling her that she'd miss her and asking her to write. Bijou promised to do so. They said their goodbyes and her aunt left her to herself. When she was sure that Zina wouldn't hear her, she sat down on the bed. Letting out a long sigh, she asked,"So how was Ruby? Friendly?"

"She wouldn't speak to me the entire time. It was like she was programmed to only speak when asked to.",Onyx raged. He told her how they had gone to the dorm room in complete silence. How the other droids seemed to be strangely not speaking either. It made him feel so out of place and she felt a bit sorry for him. She said,"I'm sorry the other droid ignored you. But at least we got each other."

He nodded, then helped her unpack her last suitcase. It had her toothbrush, hairbrush, and other toiletries inside. Which he got into the bathroom for her. Looking around the room, she smiled a little. The room was nice. So maybe the other student would be nice too? As she got ready for the day, she said,"I just hope I have a nice roommate. I wanna make at least one friend here."

Onyx nodded and was about to say something when the door opened. Her roommate was finally coming in. A girl with long, straight, and shiny black hair. Pale as a ghost. Taller than Onyx and thin as a rail. Her eyes are an almost luminescent emerald. She smiled in an unfriendly manner as she said,"Hello. I'm Eleanor Delacroix and I'll be your roommate for the rest of the semester."