Today was like a hurricane in my head. Mr. Davis made me clean the hallway and the steps with a small scrub brush since I haven't been very 'attentive' with my chores. He was always such a stubborn bull when it comes to chores. After that I had to do all my laundry, clean my room, and then go downstairs and help the kitchen staff with dinner. We had lasagna which was good except for rolling bread for about two hours. Dinner was mostly quiet because it's close to the end of the week, no one wanted to get into trouble and have a punishment interfere with their weekend plans.

Nevertheless, I was definitely excited after we were dismissed from dinner so I could hide away back to my room and finish chapter one. Mr. Davis and I would be meeting after tomorrow and I have to make sure I'm prepared for whatever he may throw at me. I had reread the beginning of the first chapter at least twice because half of it was in Spanish with very little context clues and Yo hablo español no muy bien. It also bothered me that I didn't have my cell phone to google things. But Mr. Davis definitely speaks it well, so I made sure to highlight some of the quotes that I couldn't make out.

Sprinting up the stairs and closing my bedroom door, sending a clear message to everyone that I was not to be disturbed, I grabbed a pen and the novel and tossed it on my bed. I slipped into my silky nightgown and turned off the light while turning on my lamp for an intense night of reading. I will no doubt be scolded by Mr. Davis for scribbling so much in my book but it relaxed me. I would often write quotes or my own thoughts with the page numbers on the front and back cover of whatever book I was reading. My teachers in school would holler at me and at times my parents did as well but it was a habit that I never could break.

____________________________________________________________

JASPER'S POV:

I threw my shirt and jeans into the top of my laundry bin, hoping that the Administrators would turn their heads at how much was there at least for another day. I wasn't in the best of moods to do laundry with everyone today. To be honest, I think I didn't do it today because I don't trust myself. I have no idea what would have happened if I was forced to run into Ryan during the two-hours that it would take my laundry to be finished.

Looking down at the picture of my parents and I at our beach trip last year made my entire being clench in anger. I just got off the phone with my dad who, not surprisingly, was discouraged to hear that I committed an offense great enough to land me an extra month here. It was hard enough hearing that from Mr. Patry after he painted my backside red but hearing my father tell me that I deserved it was like pouring salt on my wounds. Ironically, my short-temper definitely stems from my father but he feels the need to point out every little infraction of mine when it comes out.

"Jasper," Mr. Davis stood in my doorway, glancing around the room as if he were avoiding eye-contact. "you're to go to the kitchen after breakfast tomorrow morning to wash dishes and then you will mow the font lawn."

I nodded my head and looked down at the ground.

"I heard Mr. Patry recommended that you remain at the Academy for another month." He came inside now and closed my door.

Wow, that was very sympathetic of you sir. Thank you. I took a deep breath to prevent me from saying something I'll regret or from rolling my eyes.

"Yes sir, I just got off the phone with my dad and he reassured me that I deserve to stay." I unraveled my bed sheets, trying to show that I was tired.

"Do you feel like you do?" He leaned against the wall near the light switch and folded his arms.

I sighed, quickly becoming annoyed at his attempt to make small talk. "No sir, not at all." I took a stance; I'll probably regret it but it's necessary.

"I know you probably felt like you needed to defend yourself but doing it with violence just shows your lack of common sense in that moment."

"With all due respect sir, it was not I who needed defending." I spit out, I didn't mean to say it but his comment was something that added even more salt to my wounds.

"What are you trying to tell me Jasper?"

I was caught now, he would get it out of me one way or another. "He was acting...inappropriately towards Naomi."

That was the nicest way I could have said it without going into greater detail about the entire event. I could see his nostrils flaring instantly like I struck a vein of his. It felt like his eyes were burning right through me but I know that they did not mean to be directed towards me. Ryan might just end up digging his own grave tomorrow.

_________________________________________________________

NAOMI'S POV:

"I saw the old woman who had delivered me from my mother's womb. I knew she held the secret of my destiny." This is what Antonio saw in one of his dreams about, what I am assuming, is his birth. It's incredible that a six year old has such a driving obsession about discovering his fate, which personally I think is very existential for someone of his age. I don't even know my own fate but I will admit I think about it very often. But that's different, I'm fourteen and my parents had just disappeared from my life. What else would I be thinking of? But what even is fate anyways? Who determines it? Should you be the person who decides what you do in your life and what happens to you? When I grow up, no one will decide for me but me.

___________________________________________________________

MR. DAVIS' POV:

I left Jasper's door open after I forced him to explain the situation to me. Ryan has been in and out of the Academy for months now and I was ready to give him a lesson he shall not easily forget. Walking quickly down the hall to his room, I knocked once before entering but I didn't wait for him to respond. I came right inside and spotted him sitting on his bed.

"Mr. Davis..." He stood up and put his phone in his back pocket.

"Come here." I snapped my fingers, beckoning him near my feet.

Confused, he slowly walked towards me but he stopped a few feet away. I motioned him forward again but he still did not come as close as I wanted him to be so I reached across to grab him by the back of his collar and brought him close to my face.

"I know what happened the other day in the hall." I raised my eyebrows and given the expression on his face, I could tell he knew instantly what I meant. "I know you were punished for it but you were not punished for the right reason, so I figure it's best to warn you," I stopped to stare into his frightening eyes, making sure they are focused nowhere but on me. "Braxton doesn't take too kindly to bullies."

"Sir, I..."

"Quiet!" I barked, causing him to flinch. "If I hear of you acting in such ways again, especially towards the female students..."

He looked up at me and was almost trembling by how fiercely I was holding him.

"I will break whatever confidence you have of yourself Ryan. Is this is anyway unclear?"

"N-No, sir." He said sheepishly.

I remained as I was, keeping him close to me to intensify the moment so there would be no doubt that my words would be forever in his mind. I released him and slammed the door shut after I excused myself. I took a deep breath once I was back into the hallway and began to venture back to Jaspers room. I could tell he wanted to go to bed but was patiently waiting for my return so I intend to keep this brief.

"Jasper." I came closer to him.

He stood in my presence, eagerly waiting to hear what I have to say about the whole event.

"I know it's hard being here and believe me I know at times you feel as though you're trapped with very few options. This causes many of our students to lash out but you've elected to remain very well." I could see that he wasn't as interested in my life speech but that he did appreciate it. "What I'm trying to say is, from one man to another," I put my hand gently on his shoulder. "you made me proud and I am grateful for what you did. Thank you."

_________________________________________________________________________

NAOMI'S POV:

I jumped in fear as the covers were quickly pulled off my entire body, causing my hair to fly right onto my face since the top of the blanket was tucked behind my head. It took me a few minutes for my mind to register the darkness around me and I made the mistake of angling my flashlight up to see a very scolding Mr. Patry standing before me.

"Naomi." He said with his hands on his sides.

"Yes?"

He reached over and turned on the light, holding out his hands so I would relinquish my flashlight.

"Read me the time." He pointed to my clock.

I glanced quickly at the clock on the desk, I already knew what time it was but if I hadn't of looked at the clock it would have irritated him.

"It's 1:37 a.m. sir."

"Lights out for you is 11 p.m. Naomi, would you care to explain why you are awake?"

I clutched my novel against my chest, keeping my index finger curled over the top so I wouldn't lose my place. I know he means well and is asking if there is anything bothering me, this wouldn't be the first time one of the Administrators have caught me awake throughout the night because of my insomnia, but I didn't want to lie. The truth was I am actually really tired and could sleep if I wanted to, but I wanted to read more.

"Give me your book." He held out his hand after growing impatient of my silence.

"It's a novel." I corrected him.

He narrowed his eyes at me. "Give me the novel."

"But Mr. Patry you can't! Mr. Davis and I are in a book club."

"Well then he's going to be disappointed now isn't he?" He leaned forward and held out his other hand for the book.

"No." I clutched it even tighter against my chest.

"Excuse me?" He placed my flashlight on the desk and crossed his arms. "Do you really think now is the time to question my authority?"

I figured I was already in trouble, so why not add fuel to the fire? I have to make him change his mind. I can't let Mr. Davis down again.

"You have no right to take it away from me! It's mine and you..." I exclaimed.

"Naomi Taylor lower your voice!" He barked over me. "You think I have no right? Mr. Davis and I gave you that book so don't be inconsiderate!"

I rolled my eyes before turning to my side and crossed my arms over my chest. I could feel the intensity in the room growing but I didn't care. I hated how the Administrators always enjoyed pounding every ounce of discipline into you so you would feel embarrassed for whatever it is you are doing.

"Stand up now." He almost whispered and that gave me a chill.

I took a deep breath and did as he said, making sure my nightgown fell below my thighs so I wouldn't expose anything. He held out his hand once more.

"Give me the book Naomi."

I opened it quickly to check my page number, 27 before surrendering it into his calloused hand. When the Administrators confiscate something, you almost never see it again. I crossed my arms again to show him my dismay but I don't think he cared at that moment. He started to walk towards my door.

I could feel my rage traveling down from my head and going direct to my mouth, "This is bullshit." And there it was. The last three words I'd ever speak again.

He stopped, slammed the book down in front of him before slowly turning back to me.

"What did you say to me?" He put his hands on his hips and gave me a cold stare.

Realizing how screwed I was in the situation, I turned away further and refused to say another word.

"Now you're turning away from me?" I could hear his footsteps getting closer, and I was suddenly yanked forward by my elbow. "Where do you get the gall to speak to me this way?"

I closed my eyes and kept my head down, trying to keep the rage inside of me pent up so I won't say do anything more stupid.

"We'll, you've clearly woken the floor so we can continue this conversation in my office." HE let me go and quickly swiped my book from my desk and headed towards the door. "Now!"