“I thought work studies were for second years and up?”
“Ahh yes, you are still currently in the first-year program which is…unheard of…very rare at this school. Let me be frank with you,” she said as she took another bite of her food. I waited for her to chew and swallow before she wiped around her mouth with another napkin. “You will need to take on extra classes in order to catch up. This is a carefully designed academic system that does not thrive in students being left behind. It’s either you are or you’re not. Yes or no. Student or not. There is no in between…Looking at your file, you will need to take an addition of six more classes on top of the four you’re taking now.”
My shoulders fell as she continued talking, listing all the classes I needed which just sounded like more money. All of this sounded like a money grab to me.
“Our new dean, Dr. Joy Vaughn isn’t exactly tolerant of students being left behind. According to your records… You’ve been involved in a fight, kicked out of your legacy row accommodation, dropped from Legacy status––”
“You all had me there to fucking breed with Solomon King,” I reminded them.
“Well that wasn’t personally my decision or choice,” Ms. Maronie added lightly before clearing her throat. “I have no part in that. I’m just reading what’s on the file.”
“The fight was retaliation because they tried to drown me.”
“You’re…a siren?” She questioned.
“Taluwi,” I corrected.
“Which is a type of siren, yes,” she added. “You’re a siren and they tried to drown you?” She asked as if it wasn’t makingany sense before moving forward. “Look, there is no need to get hostile with me. I’m not kicking you out. I’m not telling you to leave. As I said, this is more of a formal warning about your academic status and record as a student here at Drew Collins. Coming directly from the Dean herself, should you step out of line again this year for whatever reason. Whether it’s missing class more than three times, to assaulting someone on the Grounds–––”
“I was defending myself.”
“Uh huh,” she let out sarcastically. “You will immediately be removed.”
The finality in her tone was not missed. She was serious.
“Let me put it to you this way, you are being watched, Ms. Avery,” she said as she leaned in to look me in my eyes. “It doesn’t help that you are closely affiliated with Ms. Grey who I personally have no issue with, but I realize others do not trust Ms. Grey and her intentions here in the Underground. You will need to be conscious of how you move going forward. I have a daughter a little older than you and if she was sitting here in front of me, I would tell her to focus on school first. Figure out what you want to do in life. You’re still young, and more importantly you have room to take time and figure out what works and what doesn’t work. What are you into and what you’re not into? What do you like to do, Ms. Avery? Drew Collins has everything from cooking courses to space and time technology as it relates to magic. This place can feel like a wonderland of magic and freedom for those coming above ground such as yourself but then you blink. Then it’s time for the real world. Reality sets in and you realize you’re not quite prepared the way you need to be.”
We stared at each other before I lowered my head, deciding I could no longer make eye contact without breaking down. A part of me wanted to scream I’m being targeted and then there was the commonsense side that knew she was right.
“Any who,” she went on as she cleared her throat. “I suggest you join academic clubs…do a little volunteering and maybe join a sorority or organization. Drew Collins is all about socializing and networking. There are communities here that can and will protect you in case of emergencies or changes such as this. You are a part of the siren community and have so many women already vouching for your stay here. We haven’t had any complaints and you’re correct, you have not missed any of your classes, but it does not change the fact that you’re still behind and you’re being watched.”
Mrs. Maronie leaned in again with her hands clasped together.
“You know, there are some feeder schools above ground,” she whispered as if she didn’t want to say it out loud. “A few schools that Drew Collins collaborates with have some online programs. Just in case this truly isn’t your path, there is no shame in going back either. You can go back home, get a job and just take some online courses to gain credit before applying to Drew Collins again whenever you’re ready.”
…
I let my locs down as I sat on the blanket sprawled about underneath the oak tree. It was the first time since we’ve been here that we were able to link up due to our busy schedules. Isis was in the middle of opening her food she bought from the second Dining Hall. Quan circled the blanket to find a comfortable spot while Souxie leaned up against the tree wavingto the few men that walked by. The wind was blowing her hair against her face when she began digging into her pasta salad.
“Okay so before Maggie gets here,” Isis started as she began eating. She had her cute shades on that sat on the tip of her nose. She had gray shorts underneath her gray skirt and her white Polo shirt was buttoned just enough to still see she would turn a man out in the bedroom when given the chance. “This blood contract. I’ve actually been looking into it and asking my mother about it. You know she out of anybody would have seen all types of spells and roots placed on someone. I think this weekend we can go up there and just gather some information. You think she’d be open to my mom doing a water reading on her?”
“What is that?” Souxie asked, seemingly uninterested.
“It’s when she reads you…takes her hands and draws a faint of sweat or blood, blood usually works better, and she can pretty much know your history. She’s the only one that can do it. I’m not even remotely curious to find out if I can because that’s gross,” she gagged.
“You all are literally the First Family underwater,” Souxie teased while Isis laughed.
“That’s what they say,” she said before flashing her fangs. “I’m sure they’d never claim us.”
“Why would they?” Quan retorted. Isis rolled her eyes and turned to look at me.
“What do you say, Asha? What do you think? Are you free this weekend? We can all go to my mom’s house and stay in the Wetlands…We can come back on Monday midday…” Her words trailed off as my gaze became distant and my eyes started to water. Please not in front of the girls for the love of fucking God. “What’s wrong?”
“Asha?” Souxie called out. I shook my head with my lips curling to fight off the breakdown.
“They’re threatening to kick me out again,” I admitted. Quan was the first to laugh as he rolled his fat ass over on the blanket like a rotisserie trying to fully cook.
“That’s not funny Quan,” Souxie said.
