Chapter 15: Golden

The rest of the day flew pretty quickly. Levi tried his best to join Affiliate clubs, but every club had its restrictions. The only club membership attainable were those limited to grey academics only. Levi felt that their activities were so arid, he helped himself to an early and large dinner.

Surprisingly, a lot of academics were already seated in the cafeteria. With boldness, Levi walked down the middle aisle, looking straight ahead. He could see a girl and a boy walking side by side towards him, Levi sensibly scooted to the right, giving them enough space to walk past. But, the couple maintained an unwarranted space in the middle as the male crashed his shoulder into Levi.

"Watch it Freak!" The boy yelled, holding the girl beside him like a priceless item. Levi quietly tolerated the action as he kept on walking, ignoring the stares.

[That was on purpose]

"You think?" Levi asked ironically. He made his way to the buffet, grabbing a tray. He sniffed in the delicious aroma of chicken as he opened the stainless pot.

He padded his plate alongside a bowl of rice noodle soup. If he was going to the South Wing, he might as well eat the best food he can while he has the chance. Levi turned, he took a look around, searching for empty seats. All tables were occupied with a few academics on them, leaving empty positions in between.

I rather sit on the floor, Levi thought.

He could see from his side, four boys had gotten up menacingly and were stomping towards him. One of them was Chase. Levi noticed he had a cast on his arm, he couldn't help but smirk at the view. Serves him right, he thought.

Levi totally forgot the trouble coming to him, he quickly composed himself and walked the opposite way. Another male close to Levi, got up from his seat and shoved him, spilling the contents on the tray.

The crashing sound called the attention of everyone in the room. There was silence as the first group caught up with Levi, who was staring at his soiled chicken and soup.

"You broke my arm you idiot! Did you think I'll forget about that?!" Chase's voice boomed from behind. The boys surrounded Levi, all eager to throw him punches like he's hurt any of them before. Levi slowly turned to meet his gaze. The chicken issue still hurt him a lot, that was a perfectly roasted one.

"No," Levi replied boldly. "I actually expected this to happen sooner or later, but can we postpone it? Because right now, I want some chicken." Levi finished as he tried to wiggle past the clique, but was pushed back. He sighed.

A boy next to Chase chuckled. "He thinks he's funny." He took closer steps to Levi and grabbed him by his collar. "Let's widen that smile shall we?"

"You will be doing nothing!" A voice from the door interjected the unravelling scene.

Everyone turned to see Loras at that door. He stepped in with a few documents tucked in his arm. "Nine? Follow me," he ordered loudly facing the other end of the room.

Levi skimmed his confronters, a mischievous look in his face. He made to leave as one of them grabbed him by the arm. "This is not over psycho," he said. Levi unleashed his arms forcefully before taking the long walk on the aisle back towards the door. He had really wanted to eat that chicken. What do Loras want anyway? He thought.

Loras stretched forth his other arm, welcoming Levi beside him. "Sorry about that," he said. "And sorry about this too, I just wanted to run you with the ongoing crew before tomorrow morning." They made their way out of the Cafeteria.

---

Loras and Levi walked for a long time, before entering a room resembling a library. It felt kind of odd, Levi noticed it could be the only room throughout the institution without a modern look.

There was another door which Loras opened, revealing a chamber with desks and chairs. It looked like a classroom, but a bit darker and no chalkboards. Six academics were already in the room, some sitting, standing and one pacing about. Abby was the one pacing all around.

A female academic cried in contempt once she saw Levi. "Fuck no! No way! It just gets worse!" She said, throwing her arms into the air and over her head. "You didn't say it was him!"

Another unfamiliar male just blurted a short "What the hell?" He was resting slightly on a desk, next to another female.

"Relax Pink, it's the Director's orders," Loras said, arranging the files in his hands into a shelf nearby.

Levi recognized Brody and Box too. Brody was already walking to him with his usual soothing smile. Box was seated at the far end, while Abby had a look of death on her face.

"These posts are meant for golden and red academics, " the unfamiliar male spoke up again. "Now we have a blue and a fucking grey with us? You must be kidding me," he finished with a look of disgust on his face. Levi noticed his black sleek hair. He was very handsome, no argument. Broad shoulders, green eyes with a playboy face, what a lot of girls would want.

Abby chuckled sarcastically, "Paige is a green you idiot." She had said, gesturing at the girl whom Loras referred to as 'Pink' earlier on. The girl had short undercut hair, dyed pink and purple to one side. Was it a coincidence they named her Pink?

Paige had wanted to speak back but Loras interrupted, "That's enough, all of you. You're teenagers doesn't mean you should behave like kids." He paused, beckoning Levi and Brody to take back seats. Abby refused, she kept on standing.

Loras continued, "You all will have to know yourselves better. You will be staying with each other for up to a month in that horrible place. And you will have each other's backs." Loras finished with scoffs coming from his audience. He ignored the sounds, "You'll have different quarters at the other end of the institution. Tomorrow, you'll have medical tests and the day after that...the voyage." He looked at them faces to faces, "I'll be right back, behave yourselves and get along." Loras excused himself out of the room.

There was a short silence, before the 'Pink' girl stood up with anger. "You slutty bitch!" She started, facing Abby.

Abby's eyes widened with fury, "You're in lavender aren't you?! Greens are just advanced greys if you don't know."

The girl stood dramatically and pointed at Levi, "Don't you dare categorize me with this piece of shit," she hissed.

"Watch your mouth," Abby threatened. Her eyes turned white and sparks of electricity danced around her body as she lunged forward.

"Woah woah woah!" The boy had interjected, stepping in front of her. "Abby what the fuck's wrong with you huh? You trying to start a fight in this room?"

"Get out of my way Nate," Abby said coldly, her gaze unremoved from her prey.

"Or you gon' do what?" The boy replied, his eyes and fists turning a scary glow of golden.

"You guys should stop it!!" The other girl, blonde, next to Nate finally cried out. "Don't tell me you're thinking of having a brawl here?" She said, standing up.

"No one asked for your opinion," Abby said, still matching chest to chest with Nate.

"And I didn't ask for yours either," the blonde girl replied quickly. "I've been to the South Wing before, me and Nate. So, you should understand why he's sceptical about the crew that's following us. That place is something else, we're the last golden academics left because of it."

Levi couldn't help but stare at the blonde girl. She looked awfully familiar, too familiar, but he couldn't make out.

"I dunno about how relevant he can be," she turned, taking a short glance at Levi. "But, he'll surely increase our chances of survival by at least 1%"

What the hell? Who's she? Levi pondered. Her pale white skin was attractive as it was elegantly laid under the red and black sweatshirt.

"He dislocated my best friend's arm Jamie!" Nate yelled annoyingly. To Levi's surprise, he and Abby were still facing off.

"Ugh, cut the crap Nate. You know how Chase is such a bully. I'm sure...Levi had to do what he did." She took another look at Levi, her straight blonde hair shielding her left eye.

Brody leaned on Levi and whispered, "Don't tell me you don't know who she is?"

Levi turned quickly to him, 'who?' he mouthed. She really looked like someone he had had in his memories for a long time.

"Jamie Greyson, remember? Your crush in school," Brody said with a shrug of his shoulders, he felt he wasn't meant to be here.

Jamie? What? It can't be! Why are some of his old mates showing up in The Academy?

She still looked beautiful, Levi noticed. The glittery blonde hair was still there and the pale skin, everything Levi liked. She didn't have much curves, she didn't have curves at all, but Levi had always adored it the way they were. Now, she is fully grown.

Jamie pulled Nate away from Abby. Levi didn't like the way she held his arm, were they dating?

"I say we all get along quickly as possible, for the best." Jamie turned to Paige beside her, "Whether you like it or not, he's on the team, so as his friend, Brody." Jamie then faced Abby and Nate who had relieved their abilities. Red and golden academics must have good ability time span, Levi noticed. "You both should do the needy, we can't survive out there as lone wolves."

The room was quiet for a while, cold gazes passing amongst each other.

"Fuck you," Abby spat loudly, rolled her tongue before stomping out of the room.

"Bitch!" Paige yelled, hoping Abby could hear it. She turned and gave Levi a scorn look. "I would rather suck a dog's balls than have this psycho on this team," she quickly tramped out of the room too.

"Pai-" Jamie tried to call. "Ah, fuck me," she wailed as she dropped back to her chair. Nate came closer, trying to touch her. "Don't... fucking touch me," she whispered.

Levi looked around, spotting Box seated at the end of the room with arms folded. He looked unbothered at everything that just happened.

Levi and Brody both shared a glance. Was this the crew he was going to team up with in that deadly abyss?