Creative Non Fiction Prompt #143: All That Glitters Are Not Gold

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When I first transferred to my new college, I found a lot of things amiss. Everything feels odd and weird. I guess it's because I just transferred to the school, one of the biggest colleges in the country.

I found the real definition of Hierarchy and Power in Orwell's College. I remembered I once asked for a way to the cafe from a lady who looked at me like a strange person before walking away. There was nobody to talk to. I couldn't approach anyone because they all look big, wealthy and expensive. For the first few weeks, I managed to survive on my own.

It's a new week and each department is bustling with its activities. The most popular girl in class Lucy, walked abruptly into the class, with her footsteps audible enough to gain the attention of everyone. She appears as the top student in the class. As her heels clicked on the marble floors, her long flowing hair danced along with her. Behind Lucy were her two friends Jane and Scott. “The Two Fools” as they were fondly called among the college girls. Lucy stopped in front of a lady who was sitting in the middle row of the class.

“Hey! Are you new here?" The lady looked at Lucy surprised.

"Are you deaf or something?" Jane shouted from behind.

"I guess she is.”

"What's going on here?" The lady asked.

“Well, in case you don't know, this is my seat and nobody sits there.”

"How is this your seat? Anyone can sit anywhere, isn't it? The lady fires back.

“Oh my gosh! She's gonna get herself in a big trouble." Someone whispers to me from behind.

"Oh….who are you?”

"Hi, I'm sorry, I scared you. I'm Brenda”

"Hi, I'm Kate. Who's she anyway?”

"Lucy, the Vice Chancellor’s daughter? She is the top in class”

"Really? And those two behind her?”

"Her slaves! She shouted."

"Slaves??”

“Yes, It's obvious they are hanging around Lucy because of her money and influence. I'm not surprised she orders them around as she wants.”

“Really?

"You need to see the way she shouted at Jane in class the last time. She shivered in fear that she almost wet her pants.”

"What?"

“Now, you don't believe me. You need to see for yourself."

A male lecturer walks in, the whole class maintains orderliness as Lucy fumes in anger. Her two friends compelled her to sit somewhere else.”

"Thank God, Dr. Henry walks in right on time."

Brenda and I became friends from that day. We got so close that I no longer have to worry about walking around the college alone.

Not quite long after, Brenda fell sick and she had to return home for a few days to rest. I was alone in the library that night reading for the mid semester exams. It's quite odd that a lot of people were not in the library that night even though the exam was fast approaching. I suddenly remembered a party was happening that night.

Suddenly, I heard a soft sob from the room behind me, it's clearer and closer. Out of curiosity, I tiptoed to the window of that small room to catch a glimpse of what was happening. There, I found a girl on her knees with an older woman standing in front of her.

“Wait? Is that Lucy?” I said to myself.

“Please mum, I'm sorry." She begs in front of her.

“I won't do it again. That was the last time."

“But I tried my best mum. It just didn't work."

"What do you mean it doesn't work?”

"You promised me never to set your foot at the club again?”

"But mum, what if I fail?

“I told you I'm not helping you again. You will have to find your way."

“Do you know how much I spent the last time you came last in class?"

“I paid a huge amount of money to make sure you are the top student in your class all this while. And now, you want to get caught in another drug scandal. I covered it up for you the last time but this time, I won't.”

“If you don't help me this time mum, I will let everyone know what we have been doing.”

"Are you threatening me?”

"You taught me to learn how to survive.”

There was silence for a few minutes. Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my hand which caused me to jerk in fright.

“Who's there?" The woman called out.

“Go over there and check."

I took to my heels immediately, returned to my seat and pretended as if I knew nothing. I felt lost for some moment. “Do people alter results here?” " I mean, isn't that a crime?" “I got a lot of gist for Brenda when she returns.” I got lost in thought till I realized it's almost midnight and I returned to my room.