Time

I haven't even left for school but I already want to go home.

My parents were sending me to a boarding school for Christ's sake. I would have to spend 24 hours in the place I hate the most. What could be worse? Well, we weren't allowed to have phones as it would "distract" us from studying.

"Diana Claire! For the last time, get down here or you'll be late for school!"

Yep, that was me. Diana Claire, a 17 year old and a nobody. The hag you heard a while ago? That was my sister but she isn't important right now so I'll save you the details.

"Nobody cares!" I yelled back, staring at the hideous uniform that I was forced to wear.

White polo shirt, blue mini skirt, knee-high socks and a pair of black flats. The only thing I liked about it was the blazer. It had the school logo and my name on the pocket. Why did I like it? It was comfy, okay?

Let's skip to school. My home life is never anything to talk about considering how each and every day is just the same as the previous.

"Don't forget to brush your teeth, okay? And contact us as soon as you can," mom reminded, double checking everything. Basically, the typical mother stuff.

"I got to go. Bye!" I was able to escape from her grasps and I quickly ran into the school, not even turning back.

"Attention, to all students, please head to the auditorium for first day announcements."

Reality suddenly hit me, I gave up my bed and my phone just so my mom wouldn't embarrass me. Because of that, I ran straight through the gates of hell. Reluctantly, I walked to the auditorium and sat down beside two complete strangers.

At the front stood a tall guy with jet black hair and a middle aged man. I guess the tall guy was a student? He was wearing the school uniform and a special blazer. He was pretty cute but not my type at all. He was also half-Asian? He was probably half-Filipino or Korean. I just knew I couldn't tell. I'll call him Asian kid well, because he was Asian (not to be racist or anything). The middle aged man was nothing special. He looked like an average dad who failed at being a businessman. Really, he was just so ordinary.

The Asian kid walked up to the microphone and greeted the student body.

"Good morning. For those who may not know me, my name is Xavier Gomez, the Student Council President."

I saw a few of the girls in front of me squeal as soon as he mentioned his name. I wanted to slap them. I mean it’s probably because I’m new that I didn't understand what the fuss about this Xavier guy but I still wanted to slap them.

“We’re going to be having a few changes. Here is the new headmaster, Mr. Arthur Williams, to give you the details,” he continued then walked off the stage to join the students in the front row.

Business Dad wasn’t exactly what you would expect from Business Dad. He was professional (to some extent) but he wasn’t very Dad-like, if you get it.

He started explaining stuff but I zoned out. About what you may ask? Well, my bed at home is number one definitely. Next is my phone. How I dream to be with it once again. It’s locked up in my mom’s safe until the school year is over. The last one would be me finally getting out of this hellhole with all my brain cells still intact which was probably impossible.

“Hey,” I felt the person to my right poke me. “Come on, we have to get our timers and our chips.”

They gave free chips? Now that she had mentioned it, I was pretty hungry. It has been about 2 hours, 13 minutes and 53 seconds since I last had a meal. Yes, I keep track. Of course I use my watch, I’m no genius!

“What flavor?” I asked, still kind of spaced out.

“Techno flavor,” she rolled her eyes and dragged me to the extremely long line that went to the front of the hall.

They were stamping something on the student’s wrist. I wasn’t close enough to see but I knew it wasn’t Cheetos. Judging from the Xavier’s face, it really hurt. He was still clutching his wrist even if he was the first one to go. Wait, they were just on the second student. Oh…

The line kept getting shorter and shorter until the next thing I knew, I was next. The girl that was next to me a while ago finished and it was my turn.

“Is it gonna hurt?” Mindlessly, I asked. My head turned towards Xavier and I found him smiling. Why was he smiling? I was serious when I asked!

“Only at the start. It will get better,” the headmaster said and stamped whatever he was supposed to stamp onto my wrist. It kind of hurt? It was like getting an injection from the doctors but with a tiny electric current as soon as the pain was over.

I walked to the side and studied the things he put on me. There was a timer, like the girl said. It was counting down for something. Hopefully it would be how long I would have to stay here.

Soon, the students were being led to their dorms. Well, they were rooms to be exact. It felt like a prison cell (not that I've been to prison or anything) and all we had were a bed, a study desk and a tiny bathroom. Each student had an individual room which was weird considering most of my friends who've been to boarding school said you had roommates.

"Classes begin in ten minutes," the intercom announced. Outside, students were running as if they were in a marathon. Some were running to the classrooms, some to the cafeteria, some were even bumping into each other.

If this was going to be my life now, might as well enjoy it. Time isn't on my side according to the timer but hey, when is it ever?