Sunlight High School

Deep in the high part of town was Sunlight High School, the neighborhood’s most lively and unique high school for boys and girls. It had beautiful pastel-colored bricks, sun decor, and a large park built entirely for students. The town’s highest-scoring students were allowed to attend.

Ocean proudly held her acceptance letter. During middle school, she worked hard to gain straight A’s. Her teachers praised her constantly and hoped she would get accepted into Sunlight. Ocean placed her acceptance letter in her desk drawer, then picked up her book.

She went downstairs to greet her mother, who was brushing her long, wavy hair. Ocean noticed her mother had prepared all of Ocean’s morning favorites. Her mother smiled fondly.

“Good morning, Ocean,” her mother said. “Are you excited? Not everyone gets to go to Sunlight High.”

Ocean beamed with excitement and hugged her. Her mother almost tipped out of the chair but regained her balance. Ocean pulled out the dining room chair in front of her and sat.

“Why wouldn’t I be excited?” Ocean grabbed her fork and played with the eggs slightly. “Maybe I can make friends there since most of the students live in the dorms.”

“You should consider dorming.” Her mother’s smile dropped slightly.

“Oh—” Ocean stiffened. She didn’t want to leave the comfort of home or explore freshman year on her own. She wanted her mother around in case the world got too harsh. “Um—I am okay for now at home.”

“For now.” Her mother hummed. Ocean felt suddenly uneasy and focused on her plate. “Ocean, you will meet many students older than you. Don’t get nervous and make friends. All right?”

“Thank you.” Ocean finished her breakfast and went off to school. She practically bolted out of the door as her mother watched her from the front window. Ocean watched her mother’s eyes turn dull and lifeless. Her mother didn’t remain there for long before closing the curtain.

Ocean walked through the neighborhood. It had always been silent except for the few children playing. Many strangers looked her way. Her school uniform clearly marked where Ocean was heading. Some glanced with silent pride, and others seemed displeased.

Ocean tried to ignore it. Perhaps it was jealousy or other reasons unknown to her. Once she reached Sunlight’s gates, Ocean noticed how empty the front looked. Despite the beautiful entrance, perfectly cut grass, and black patterned gates, no one was around. Ocean nervously opened the gate and checked her phone.

“School is supposed to start today.” Ocean scrolled through the high school’s website until she had confirmation. It was today, yet there wasn’t a single student in sight. Ocean cautiously walked to the school doors and opened them. She wasn’t late, and yet no one was inside the building either.

Ocean stared in awe at the glistening water fountain in the middle of the entrance hall. The floor looked freshly mopped, the stairs had new railings, and the walls had fresh paint. She took in the environment and wished her middle school had bothered to make regular repairs. Ocean didn’t realize someone stood beside her until they touched her arm.

Ocean jolted and found a strange girl in front of her.

She had blond hair, non-human eyes, and a beautiful ruffled dress that looked nothing like the students’ uniforms. Ocean regained her composure despite her racing heart before introducing herself.

“Hello, I’m Ocean. I am an incoming freshman. Where am I supposed to go?” Ocean nervously asked.

“Don’t be nervous. You’re the first commuter we’ve had in a while.” The girl folded her hands. Her eyes stayed closed now. Ocean preferred it, but didn’t wish to say that out loud. “The office is this way. Most students are already waiting in class.”

“Oh.” Ocean felt relieved. “Can I ask your name?”

“I am the school’s mascot.” The mascot smiled. Ocean nodded and assumed the mascot wasn’t allowed to reveal her true name. Her middle school had also kept its mascot’s identity secret until later in the year. Ocean accidentally met the mascot early.

Ocean followed the mascot into the front office. It smelled like ink and air freshener, a combination that made Ocean feel faint. The office contained stacks of papers, many of them piled on the floor. She wondered how many students were here until she heard a voice.

“You must be Ocean,” a woman’s voice called out. She popped her head out from underneath the desk, then dropped binders onto it as she breathed heavily. “Why didn’t you choose to live in the dorms? I am certain your mother wants you here instead.”

The woman looked disheveled. Her hair fell messily to her shoulders, and she had a lot of pen marks on her hands.

“Oh—I want to be home. Does everyone dorm?” Ocean asked. She tried to stay polite but didn’t like the wording the lady used.

“Yes, and you will too. Soon.” The front receptionist went to find a folder. “I will give your mother a call, and in no time your bags will be packed.”

“My mom won’t—”

The receptionist cut Ocean off. She handed Ocean a class schedule, which Ocean snatched from her before storming out of the office to find her classroom. Ocean didn’t notice that the mascot had already left. She didn’t appreciate someone else deciding where she should live.

Ocean eventually found her homeroom on the first floor. She hadn’t realized she had been assigned to a math group. Ocean wanted to ask about it, because she didn’t feel she was any good at the subject. She only studied math endlessly because she couldn’t understand the material and wanted high grades.

Ocean noticed several math-themed decorations outside the classroom. She found it cute until the teacher spotted her through the window in the classroom door. He slowly opened the door and gave a faint smile. His eyes were dull and droopy. Ocean noticed a numbered tag on his ear, but before she could ask, he led her inside.

“You must be Ocean, our new student. Please, meet our class leader, Sammuel.” The teacher motioned to him. He wore a brooch with an equal sign on it. In fact, every student in the room wore a blue uniform, dress shoes, and a brooch with a math symbol on it. Ocean didn’t feel out of place because she wore the same uniform, although she didn’t have a brooch like the rest.

“Hello. As class leader, I’ll help show you around. Most of us are juniors, so don’t be surprised if others have different classes,” Sammuel said as Ocean nodded. Everyone stared at her before going back to speaking.

“Welcome to the math group. I am our school’s head of the mathematics department.” The teacher drew Ocean’s attention back to him. “To make math fun, we wear blue, have special brooches, and participate in team competitions.”

“Will we compete against a science group?” Ocean asked. It made the most sense to her.

“Correct. They wear green uniforms. Students whose homeroom teachers aren’t department heads wear gray.” The teacher showed Ocean a packet. It contained a list of all the annual academic games in which students participated.

Unlike the math group, the gray-uniformed students could choose any team. The competitions also showcased how well the teachers had taught their students without requiring large amounts of paperwork.

“That seems fun.” Ocean smiled and folded the packet. Sammuel showed her where to sit. Ocean would sit next to Sammuel and a student named Miley. In front of them would be a pair of twins.

“Professor!” Miley raised her hand. “What brooch will Ocean have? I can order one.”

“Miley is our class treasurer,” Sammuel explained. Ocean didn’t see the point of having a class treasurer, but she didn’t comment.

“I already have one for her. Thank you, though, Miley.” The teacher reached into his desk and searched for it.

“Which symbol?” Miley stood up and went to Sammuel. She tried to wrap her arms around him, but he pushed her away. “Sam, be nice. Aren’t equal signs supposed to be unbiased?”

“What?” Sammuel sharply glanced at her. “Don’t add social rules to math.”

Miley made no comment, especially not after the teacher presented Ocean with a plus sign brooch. The class went silent as Ocean grew uncomfortable. She didn’t want to touch the brooch anymore because several students were glaring at her.

“She shouldn’t have that one,” Sammuel protested. Ocean didn’t want to grab it, but the teacher placed it into her hands. Its freshly polished surface shone.

“Why not?” Miley stood by the wall. Her long, silky hair fell over her shoulders as she leaned forward. “The previous owner can’t wear it.”

“Why not?” Ocean glanced at her. Miley’s eyes went dark as she grinned. Sammuel took the brooch from Ocean and refused to answer any more questions.

“Our classmate passed away. This belongs to her and no one else.” Sammuel snapped at the teacher. The class murmured in agreement. Ocean realized their former classmate must have been deeply loved. “Martha wore this brooch, and it should be saved.”

“It will be.” The teacher didn’t flinch, but Ocean noticed his hands trembling. “Ocean can wear the brooch and bring the class together.”

“It’s a great idea.” Miley took Ocean’s hands in hers. “Please, get to know everyone. Everyone has a special role here.”

“Uh—” Ocean glanced at the brooch on Miley. It looked old, slightly cracked, and had a division symbol. Miley squeezed Ocean’s hands before sitting down. The twins seemed displeased but made no comment.

“Ocean, don’t be afraid.” Miley smiled and brushed her hair behind her ear. “You will love us!”

Ocean nodded, unsure. Sammuel reluctantly gave the plus sign brooch back to Ocean, then promised to give her a school tour. He seemed upset but tried not to take it out on Ocean.

Ocean pondered what had happened to the previous classmate. The brooch she now wore carried Martha’s history, and Ocean wanted to learn more about it.

Perhaps then her classmates could rest easy, knowing the brooch wouldn’t be misused.