FIXated

Frustrations

“I hereby propose to extend their suspension for violating and disregarding the terms and regulations as stipulated in the disciplinary sanctions handbook.”

Yana dropped the stack of papers firmly onto the thick dark oak desk before pushing it towards the man in his late forties seated across her, his chin resting on his hand.

This was her first time submitting reports to the principal without Drew Harland, the Student Council President, who usually did most of the reports, meetings, and negotiations. She made observations from behind whenever she got the chance to come together with him. While trying to understand his reactions to the proposals, Principal Schneider always had that unreadable expression on his face, calm on the surface yet dead serious depending on the matter discussed. Unlike her previous interactions with other administrators in the Academy, she never felt shunned or mistreated for being a scholarship grantee.

He listened to her attentively.

He took the papers from her hand and skimmed through them before responding in a nonchalant voice. “Hm, so they still managed to violate them, huh? Students are getting frustrating these days….”

“Yes, sir. I want to implement a harsher punishment, this time.”

He nodded his head once. “Alright, Ms. Hawliet. So, what do you think about them? Do they deserve to stay here in the Academy, or would you recommend them for expulsion?”

Yana was surprised upon being asked such a question. To form an opinion regarding students' suspensions was a heavy responsibility beyond her purpose of reform and rehabilitation.

“I still need more time to assess them, sir.” She answered, not in confidence but with unease. “We’ll have to go through the process as always.”

“Well then, I’ll leave it up to you. I know this is a difficult decision, but you will have to be facing this often when you take over the position.”

“Understood, Principal Schneider.”

“That’s all. You’re dismissed.” He said with a wave of his hand.

Yana gave a small nod and watched as his chair spun, facing away from her while a phone was held closer to his ear. She did not stay any longer and approached the door to leave. Her business here was finished, and it turned out better than expected. Well…not entirely true.

Having the final decision for the fate of those two delinquents? She let out a deep sigh. …. What was Sir Schneider thinking?

The knob handle felt cold to the touch as her fingers held it a second longer before deciding to twist it. The door creaked open on its hinges as the hot summer breeze hit her face, a stark contrast to the cool air-conditioned room. Then, she stepped out.

---

Raphael had been walking along the corridors, heading towards the principal’s office to visit his uncle once more. The Academy’s official records were the only reliable source of information about Elena’s whereabouts, whether she was really enrolled here. He had made no remarkable progress in his investigations ever since his first week. Now that the second week had passed, there was still no sign of her.

All he got was trouble after trouble, especially that incident from yesterday. It was his first time getting assaulted, and that hurt a lot more than he thought.

He wondered. Was coming here even the right decision?

When he was a few feet from Uncle Schneider’s office, within a hand’s reach, the door swung open as another student exited the room and closed it right behind.

Dirt-blonde hair tied neatly in a bun, a well-toned figure built from years of experience hidden beneath the uniform, sun-kissed skin became evident in the natural light, and her distinctively blue eyes that reminded him of the clear blue waters reflecting the sky.

Their eyes met, causing her shoulders to flinch.

He recognized her from before.

Yana Hawliet, one of the members of the Student Council, appeared right before him.

“Ah— good day, Vice President.” Raphael greeted her before bringing his body forward to a small bow out of respect. He noticed other students did the same whenever they met anyone from the Student Council.

Silence.

Raphael lifted himself in wonder, only for him to see her staring at him with her eyes wide open. It was a strange sight—the expression on her face was a mix of fear and shock, as if seeing a ghost right beside him.

Raphael looked from side to side and saw nothing out of the ordinary. He asked. “Is there anything wrong?”

Without a word, Yana looked away and turned in the opposite direction, her strides as wide as two or three regular steps, a pace so quick that her figure eventually disappeared into the distance.

H-huh? Did I do something wrong? Why did she ignore —uh. Never mind that.

Raphael just shrugged his shoulders. He felt she was different from the other Student Council members that he had interacted with, but he never thought she would react like that. Guess he was proven wrong.

Just another group of snobby elites, peculiar personalities, and annoying brats.

His hand reached for the doorknob and held on to it. Then, he glanced over his shoulder, checking the surroundings once more. The coast was clear, so he twisted it open and entered the office, locking it shut right behind him.

Upon walking into the office, the sound of his footsteps got dampened by the carpeted floorboard and his Uncle Frederic’s voice over the phone. There, he was seated in his leatherette office chair, his direction facing towards the French windows behind his desk. He was still busy talking on the phone, discussing business-related matters. It was none of his business, regardless.

“Ah- I understand what you mean. Of course, we’ll take care of it.”

“…..”

“Y-yeah. Don’t worry too much. I’ll get it done as soon as possible.”

Raphael stood at the foot of the desk, pacing slowly around the room in circles while waiting for him to finish. There seemed to be a nervous edge to his voice, stuttering at times as if his confidence had waned. A few back-and-forth arguments happened before he suddenly let out a hearty laugh, saying a few words of goodbye before finally ending the call with a beep.

He cleared his throat to get his attention.

“Oh, Raphael! What brings you here?” Frederic exclaimed once his chair spun facing towards the front.

“Hey, Uncle. Just came by to check the progress.” He smiled at him. “So, did you find any?”

The expression on his face turned grim, and he let out an exasperated sigh. “About that… I still could not find it. I had other business to take care of.”

His shoulders dropped over the sides in disappointment. He had been expecting him to find it within this week, but unfortunately, that did not happen.

“Uncle… I am starting to doubt whether I made the right decision coming here.” Raphael admitted. “Like. I’ve been here for a week or two, but there is still no sign of her.”

“I know you are getting frustrated now, Raphael, but maybe she needed more time?”

“Why?”

“It’s been so long…. That means things have changed for the better or worse. I want you to understand that it may be the reason she has not revealed herself to you.”

“I-It does not make any sense…”

“Just trust me, Raphael.” He reassured him. “Give it more time.”

Raphael only sighed once more in frustration, running a hand through his dark locks. More time…? How long would that be? I could not wait for that long….

But still, he respected his uncle’s advice and muttered under his breath. “Guess…I’ll wait then. What’s taking you so long?”

“Had to deal with some students causing a ruckus in the Academy. Have you heard about them, the Predators?”

Immediately, Raphael’s eyes widened when the name Predators was mentioned. What happened to them after that? Did they get punished? Most importantly, was his involvement discovered?

…. Or the photo? Did he see it too— ah, what am I thinking?

“Raphael?”

He snapped out of it and came up with an answer on a whim. “Perhaps.”

Frederic continued. “I hope you understand the situation, Raphael. It was a serious matter.”

“It’s alright, uncle. I understand.” Raphael huffed in relief. At least, he did not press him about it.

“Well… I promise to work on it after this, okay?”

“Fine, uncle. I’ll take your word.”

After that uneventful meeting, Raphael took his leave and found himself in the corridors, walking aimlessly deep in thought. What could he do at the moment? The Academy is too vast for him to search every student. If only there were some other ways to get a student list or something like that. Hmmm… wait. How about the library?

Surely, there must be some public archives or records in their system. Perhaps that could be the best place to gather some information. Without a second thought, Raphael rushed down the hall with excitement and curiosity etched on his face.