Chapter 9

Fifteen minutes after they left home, Henry came to a stop in front of a building. A very large building almost as majestic as Mr. Dadnelion's home. It's painted in a unique colour. It has the colour of the short he is wearing. 

"Is this the school?" He asked. 

"Yes," Henry answered. 

"So should I get down here or you will take us inside."

"You will walk inside," Henry answered. Mark came out immediately. He looked at the school once again. It has two gigantic buildings by the side. And looking through the gate, Mark saw lots of students dressed like him, hanging around the school. Some were in pairs, and some alone. 

He liked the atmosphere, but he tried hiding it. It would be the first time he will be around so many people of his age range. He felt like it would be an interesting adventure. An exhilarating experience. One he is looking forward to. 

"By the way,  Mark, before you find out or you know places, you would have to stick with Anna for at least few weeks. You got that Anna?" Henry reminded Anna of the last order her father gave her. 

"Oh okay!" He did not care about whatever reaction Anna had. He was just excited to be there. The education he had ever since he was born was taught to him by his master. He never really had lots of friends except his master's friends. They were mostly adults or even very old people. He enjoyed their company, but he felt it would be more interesting if he could be with people of his age. 

"Henry, this is nice," he admired the school. He peeped through the car's window. Anna raised her head, and looked at him. 

"We have to go," he mouthed silently. 

Anna came out of the car, she adjusted her dress well, walked towards the gate. She didn't say anything to Mark or Henry. Mark began following her. 

"If you need anything, food or anything else, just tell her okay?" Henry announced after Henry left. He nodded and waved a goodbye to Henry. 

Anna entered the school gate. It felt surreal for Mark. 

"Hey Anna!" Students greeted her. She replied with smiles but she didn't stop walking. After she had passed, Mark noticed people's eyes were after him. Some gave questioning look. But he did not want to show how flustered he is, so he just keeps walking without smiling or waving back. 

Both of them got to their class. 

"You are supposed to be in the same class with me, but you don't have to sit by my side," She said. He nodded. He was so excited that he moved away from her quickly and went to the end of the class. He arranged the seat and sat on it. Other students came in, and they all showed their surprise at him. They were not expecting a new students. They all sat and kept their composure till it was the beginning of the first period. 

The teacher started talking about biology, and it all seemed so easy to Mark. All though he did not answer any of the questions asked. While still teaching, the principal came in. 

"Hey guys! Good morning!"

" Good morning, Mrs Patricia," they all answered in unison. She nodded her head with a smile. 

"I know you guys already know why I am here," she said. Some students looked at Mark. 

"Mark! Can you come forward?" She called him. He stood up and moved quickly to the front. 

"This is my first time seeing you. It should not be this way but welcome to our school," she whispered to him. 

"Thank you ma'am," he replied with a smile. 

"I like you," she said. 

"Well guys, this is Mark. He is your new classmates. I want you all to be nice to him. Treat him with respect, and Mark, you have to be respectful to everyone too okay? Treat your juniors well, and be nice to your seniors too," she said. 

"Yes ma'am," Mark nodded. The principal giggled. 

"Now, go back to your seat. And please, continue the class," the principal excused herself and left. 

"Mark, welcome. Glad to have a new student being a science major," he commended him. 

"My pleasure."

"But he sure acts like am art students major. Being all polite with his choice of words. He gives me the Elizabethan period vibe but only with modern English," a guy said. Others laughed. Mark laughed too. 

"Well Mark, welcome once again. So, let's continue the class…"

Anna was petrified when the principal came to introduce Mark to the class. She feared her father would tell the principal to announce what's between them. Even though she didn't expect that from him, but with the stunt he pulled yesterday, she expects literally everything from him. She feared he might do just the exact thing she is scared of him doing. 

After the principal left, she was a bit relieved. She knew what would be left will be how to handle Mark himself. She will need to caution him. She does not know what to expect from him. Now that she knows there is nothing that can save her from marrying him, she just has to at least break up with her boyfriend first. 

And before the break up, it would mean she would have to live life to the fullest, have sex with him, explore with him. Enjoy her days of teenage love before she submits herself to her father's will. And maybe even by then, she would be able to convince her father. 

She had her hands on her chin throughout the class. She could not even make out one word the tea her said throughout the entire class. It all sounded gibberish to her. 

"Good lord please! Please save me," she prayed within herself, even though she always claimed not to believe in God.