GOD FORMULA

07 The Academy

The Shepherds always pushed Noah to attend Concord Academy. It was because adoptive parents wouldn't get the allowances if at least one of the foster children didn't attend classes.

Noah covered his sister with two old blankets and put her to sleep. He left food and water beside her mattress before leaving.

It was the final week of senior high school at Concord Academy. Noah had already planned his future after graduation. 

The young man aspired to secure a paid internship as a skilled worker at Providence Technologies, one of the world's leading conglomerates. Then he could rent an apartment and provide healthcare for Lia by himself. Right now, every day was agony, tolerating the horrible Shepherds and their abuses.

Noah walked on the footpath with a canvas bag slung over his shoulder, daydreaming about his future. He reached the Academy's gate and pulled down his hood. The watchman looked at his ID card and scoffed. Area G's children had a G watermark on the ID. 

Noah entered the Academy and reached his classroom shortly. Students filed in, and he recognized a few faces.

There was Cory Gilbert, the Class President. He was a jerk of the highest order—constantly demeaning others and praising himself. His father was the Chairman of Gilbert Enterprises, which boasted of managing a sub-project of Providence Technologies.

Cory never stopped talking about how influential his father was. He even promised several beautiful classmates he would get them internships at Providence.

Alice Harper entered with her entourage of girls. She was a blonde beauty, the campus belle—voluptuous, and most desirable. Her father was a prosperous businessman.

Alice was Noah's crush since he joined the school. However, he never had the courage to ask her out. Even though the girl hung out with Cory, she was reported as single. Alice was also kind and polite to everyone.

"Why don't you ask her out?" a voice asked from behind. Noah turned around to see another familiar face.

Piper Lee was another foster child like him. Piper constantly tried to befriend the young man, but the latter was not interested.

"Who? Me? Ask out Alice?" Noah replied with a nervous smirk. "Are you crazy? We're graduating this week."

"Hence the need for urgency," Piper whispered with a wink. "If you don't propose to her soon, Cory will swoop in and steal her. Nobody wants that to happen."

Noah sighed. Cory, Alice, and their retinue were from wealthy families. A poor foster child like him with no future wouldn't dare approach the class diva.

His internal monologue was cut short as Mrs. Samantha Gosling, the Headmistress, entered the classroom. She immediately demanded silence. Samantha was a tall redhead in her early thirties and was known for regularly failing students. 

"Today, we have a representative from Providence as our guest," she declared. "Please gather in the auditorium after class for an important conference."

The students let out a collective gasp as Samantha turned sharply and left the classroom.

"Is Providence finally recruiting from Concord?"

"The last time our alumni joined the company was a decade ago!”

"Did they send a hotshot manager to speak to us?"

Even those from the well-to-do families aspired to join Providence. It was one of the largest tech-business conglomerates in the world, worth a trillion dollars. Even if you joined as an intern, your future growth was limitless.

Today was a splendid opportunity to suck up to the Providence representatives.

***

The conference was to be held in the auditorium after lunch. Students gathered in the cafeteria for snacks and gossip.

The Shepherds never gave Noah any pocket money, so he always skipped lunch. However, the Academy cafeteria had a stall with free lemonade for the janitors. The latter always offered him some. He drank a few glasses until he was full.

"Hey, wastrel!" someone called from behind. "Leave something for the other homeless kids!"

Noah turned around to see Cory Gilbert and his group eyeing him from a nearby table. They had delicious snacks and soda in front of them.

Cory beckoned him to come over. Noah normally didn't speak to others, but he pulled up his hood tighter and walked up to the guy. Cory was the Class President. It was unwise to ignore him, or trouble would find you.

At the elite round table were seated Cory James and Alice Harper. Also present were Dave Smith, the athletics champion, Katie Bell, the Math and Science Club President, and Ron Davidson, the martial arts champion. There were a few others from prominent families.

"Settle an argument for us, wastrel," Cory began, sneering.

"My name is Noah."

"Whatever! My friend Dave here believes you are the poorest in the school. I told him that the old lady who cleans our toilets is actually the most stricken with poverty."

Except for Alice, the entire group broke into laughter.

"You versus Cleaner Lady," Dave said, sliding a plate of fries towards Noah. "Who is more miserable? Care to weigh in and share your expert opinion? We'll compensate you with leftovers…"