My Fantasy World: The "Academy"

A letter came for me. A scholarship from some university with the coolest name - Draganov Academy. I never thought there existed such here in the Philippines. It’s either they’re asking me to work for them or to study for them. Or both. They didn’t specify in the said letter. They were just asking me to come. I managed to convince my parents to let me go. So I did. It took me hours on the road to arrive at the place. Good thing there was a map attached at the back. I was wondering what kind of school this is since they don’t mind me finishing my dissertation. It seems that they want me that badly.

While walking from the parking area, I cant help notice how big the place is. It was a huge place located almost the edge of the country. It has this tall dorm tower at the edge of some big rock. It looked like it was taken from a movie or something, but I never saw it in any. It was scary. I’m afraid of heights. But that was the least of my concerns.

I was at the gate and surprisingly, no guards. So I just entered and tried to look for where I should go. I had this tingly feeling as I entered the gate where I was either being paralyzed or being mildly electrocuted all over my body. It stinged but I assumed it was out of nervousness. I tried to read the letter again if there are any instructions where I should specifically go inside this academy. But there was none. How am I supposed to get there on time? I hate being late for interviews – if it was an interview.

As I was wandering around, a very tall guy approached me.

“Hey, where you goin luv?” he said almost shouting at me.

He was around 5”10’ - taller than my dad. He had this smiling face of a teenager. He was wearing black coat and tie, despite the hot weather. Come to think of it, it was supposedly hot here in the Philippines but why am I not dripping of sweat yet? By this time, I was supposed to be parched.

The idea didn’t bothered me much as I was thinking to myself. The guy approached me then.

“sweetie, you didn’t answer me. Are you okay?”

“ah yes. I was supposed to have an interview here. But it didn’t specifically say where to go.”

“ah right. It won’t hurt to ask right? Come on, I know the way”

I followed his back while he kept talking. I was lost in my own world because the academy looked as if it was in another world as well. I was a skeptic but I never knew such architecture exists.

There were a lot of fields, buildings, or are they classrooms? There were no students or even professors around. There might be some event here today.

“right, luv?” he said looking back.

“uhh sorry?” what was he saying?

“oh I thought you were so quiet back there, guess you were awed by the architecture of the
school huh?

“oh yeah. Uhmm is there –“

“here we are then. Welcome to dragonov academy.” Cutting me off with the biggest smile.

I know he meant well so I gave him a little smile and a thank you.  He looked so shocked after that. I just noticed by then that he had this Australian accent. Maybe he’s Australian.
As I look in front of me, another amazing architecture greeted my eyes. A building with baroque features and also modern textiles. I really don’t know what I’m talking about. I entered the room in front of me, with the guy following my back, and I saw this classroom full of people, one talking in front. But the weird thing is, there aren’t any chairs. There were four-seater sofas. Very modern, indeed.

“Seat anywhere you like, I’ll be with you.” He said whispering as I became more aware of his Australian accent.

I found 2 sofas at the back. One has two seats available and another with all four seats available. I want to sit with people so I went for the first one. I guess the guy didn’t like it and sat on the one vacant.

I wasn’t listening at the beginning because I was too busy admiring the environment. It was like a café. Very comfortable, but inspires work. I also can’t help notice that the guy sitting next to me was either very itchy or he’s just not comfortable. But I can’t see why because this is such a soft and comfy sofa.

As I decided to listen to the speaker, he made a joke.

“it would really be fun here in the Philippines if only the weather wouldn’t kill you for having too much fun.”

It was funny because it’s true. As hard as I retain my composure, I can’t help but bring a grin. And then he shocked me.

“DEAR GOD! She’s here! Miss at the back, are you Niccola Carmen by any chance?”

Wow I guess they were expecting me. But WHO THE HELL IS NICCOLA CARMEN? But of course I
was only thinking about it and answered very calmly – “Uhmm no. I’m Parker. Leila Parker”

The speaker’s eyes grew bigger and stared at me with his mouth open resulting everyone to look at me. They were all whispering and eyeing me as if I was someone very familiar. I didn’t get it. I looked back at my companion and he looked the same way, but he was rubbing his chin. He went forward and whispered something to me.

“Let’s talk later. I’ll buy your lunch.”