Is freedom truly real or is it all an illusion? Is my freedom really freedom if it costs me my life, costs me those I love?
Sometimes thoughts like this sprung into ky head. Truly many people think I'm always happy and energetic. Shrouding myself in the mist that hides my inner sadness.
I worked hard to get this far, to this point. It was finally long enough I can return to school. Still, the spirits around me looked worried.
"Relax, my father has probably stopped looking for me. He hasn't even tried to call me home in a long time." I tried to reassure their worries as I straightened the neckline of my outfit. It was very bubbly, not something you'd see at prestigious schools like this.
I wore a colorful paint splash shirt on what I could only describe as cartoon cat and pastels skirt. Under that, I had stocking up to my knees which were covered in colorful matching pastel stripes.
I certainly stood out. That's fine. I looked over my look to make sure it didn't look dorky, just soft and cute with a tad of eccentric. I let my curls fall loose around my shoulders, clipping in cute bunny hair clips and spinning around.
Next I looked at my wardrobe that hung on a metal wrack by the concrete wall, and grabbed a watermelon design of a bag and put it on.
"How does someone like you that is essentially homeless have all these strange clothes" Santiago said.
I just glared at the ghost. "I am very good at finding second hand stuff and stuff they toss. Some even give them out at charities. Mind you, I am not homeless look!" I said sassily waving my hand around the room, moving my purple painted nails around showing off.
"Yes it's a very nice storm drain you have" he commented.
"You're one to talk, you're the one who died here" I stuck my tongue out at him. "Now enough of that, do I look good enough Isabella? So I can go to school again?"
"Yes dear, you should get going, you don't want to be late. I'll watch over Eco" she said to me.
"Not that you can do anything anyway since you can't even touch him" said Santiago to her. She picked up her sandal about to smack him.
I grabbed a piece of bread, patting Eco's head and kissing his temple as he just stared at me with his usual blank look. "I'll bring you back some fun math's to do!" I said to him. He nodded to me with what I could only interpret as enthusiam in his otherwise bored look.
I wove through the streets as usual. I had begun to know my way around very well, avoiding the dangerous spots in the city where men preyed upon people like me.
I stopped briefly for a street cat "hiiii kitty!" I said scratching the chin of the black cat. I never understood why people thought of living beings as bad luck. I picked the kitty up and set it in a safer spot with some food I now pulled out of my watermelon bag.
"I don't have much kitty, but I hope this helps fill your tummy a bit baby! I'll bring back more if I can!" I said.
All of a sudden I felt a presence as if I was being watched and observed. I froze and let my insticts stay on high alert. I saw a shadow in front of me like the silhouette of a person behind me. I turned around instantly trying to catch them.
Instead, I saw nothing. I turned back and the shadow was gone. I squinched my brows a bit finding it odd, yet I didn't sense anyone around. So I relaxed a bit deciding I should probably get going anyway.
I walked up to the gorgeous sprawling building in front of me. It was etched out with large looming pillars and stones reminiscent of european architecture on some areas, other buildings attached looked like a modern eco utopia with hints of spanish mixed in.
It was breathtaking, the greenery was vivid and well curated all around the building. Not something most street people probably had the chance to step foot into.
I walked in with a confidence in my demeanor. Not letting anything faze me. At first no one seemed to particularly notice me, I was just one of the many.
Some whispers started because of my very unique outfit. A few people pointing. "What a waste of those pretty looks if she wears that"
"She looks like the bestfriend side charecter in a show" another muttered.
I thought to myself the comparison was amusing "well thank you, because the best friends are underated and my favorite"
I just put some books I was carrying now into my locker cubicle thingy. The whispers around me increased a bit. I wasn't the only one either. They continued to gossip about a girl around that auditioned for football, that was notorious around for having broken the rules and beating up some guy in her last team.
It was only day one, and every single person in this place had something to say about everyone. Gossip didn't interest me much. Still though, I was a social butterfly and just hoped I could fit in enough to make some normal friends.
I entered my first class, taking note of the very large fancy desks that each person had. They were like full office desks, classes seemed limited to maybe only 20 to thirty individuals tops, possibly as low as 15.
I sat down my stuff looking straight ahead and fiddling with my rubix cube bored. The teacher that entered looked just as eccentric as myself, perhaps even more so. He looked like a nice man, with colorful clothes and hair that seemed out of place in these fancy walls.
Some students luaghed a bit now looking between him and I, snorting "she looks just like him. She's dressed like a teacher, is she is child or what?" They said.
"Alright enough class. To answer that question, regardless of it being inappropriate. No, that girl isn't my child. In fact, would you like to introduce yourself to the class today?" He asked motioning his hand out for me to get up and speak.
I nodded and rose up from my chair. "I'm Myst! I am from Escazú. I love studying mythology, horticulture, and going snorkeling, spelunking and doing parkour!"
Everyone's eyes perked at hearing where I was from "Wait... isn't there only one Myst from that area" one muttered.
"Myst whats your last name" another asked.
"Now now students, we're all equals here. We try not to talk about status in class or school okay?" He said gesturing with a random school item. "Now Myst, care to tell us what brings you back to this school?"
"Probably daddy's money" one muttered.
I scowled at them as the teacher hushed them. Him now gesturing at me to speak "I had to take a long absence because of family issues, but now I'm back and I want to study in my field passionately. I think this place has many opportunities for me to grow"
The teacher nodded with satisfaction. "Alright class, lets treat each other with respect. You can call me Mauricio. No need for formalities. Alright so are you guys familiar with The Ham Sandwich Theorem?" He asked as the whole class luaghed.
_______
I walked through the gorgeous halls now looking for a place to eat lunch outside from the whole flurry of students.
I walked to a green spot amongst trees and flowes sitting down. Finally now that I was back in school I could poach more meals. My head thinking back to earlier I used my powers to ask a girl from earlier that brought extra.
Now I needed a bit of quiet, to distance myself from the noise. Right as I was biting into my meal I saw a girl sitting next to me by a pot. She was cussing at the dirt in frustration.
I debated just minding my own business and not asking but instead I said "are you okay?"
She turned to me as if waiting for someone tl ask "no not at all, those imbeciles out on the field said I'm too violent."
Without even asking she grabbed my food and munched on it nonchalantly, now sitting next to me on the bench.
I just stared at her blankly. What odd behavior. Some students walked by us now, pointing and whispering about the both of us.
"Look its that rich girl and the bully" one said. The other turning to ask "the girl who doesn't need to wear the uniform?"
They nodded to each other "it's so unfair that the prestigious students with the connections and influence get to get away with saying and doing whatever they want without being repremanded"
I couldn't tell them I couldn't even afford their uniform, if I was to survive here it was best I let them believe I am someone important.
While munching on my food the girl looked at me amused, clearly hearing what the students were saying. She eyed me up and down. "Afraid now that you've stolen this important girls food?" I asked raising my eyebrows at her.
She just shook her head and quickly shoved the rest of it in her mouth in one bite.
"You're cute" she said with her mouth still full.
"Excuse me?" I asked taken completely aback. She just smiled at me leaning back.
"I'm Akasha, I think we'll be getting to know each other quite well"