The Paranormal Academy

First Day at Paranormal Academy

Neo counted 20 benches. Two benches behind empty. He was in the classroom, sitting behind Vio. Vio told him to sit there. Also have Jet and Jag shift backwards. Neo's position on the leftmost row. But his attention was fixed on the front bench on the rightmost row. Because the Cherries are there. The pale-skinned red-haired child looked ready to wait for the teacher to arrive. Neo deliberately twisted his gaze. Until he could see the clear eyes again.

            Neo shifted his gaze backwards. There's a girl wearing a leather jacket. Her hair was on her back, her front was white, like it was painted white. Neo remembers one of the X-men group's female superheroes in Marvel comics. Then right next to the Cherries, there were two girls sitting on one bench. Neo also had to endure his shock when he deliberately shot his gaze past the benches. From the stomach up, the boy was seen by two people. But stomach down they're one. Neo once read the news about babies born with conjoined twins. But this one's big.

            Then Neo saw on the back there was a child whose skin was very black. Behind him was a very tall boy. Then there is the child whose mouth is always muttering. There's a kid sleeping on the bench. The rest of the children wore white and black tie clothes like Vio and Jet.

            Not long after a female teacher came in. He's about 50. Her hair is rolled up. His facial lines were firm, as firm as his attitude. The classroom was silent. But he just briefly stood in front. As soon as he saw Neo, his face turned astonished. Then he got closer to Neo's bench.

            “You're the new kid?” his voice firmly asked Neo.

            Neo who was still stiff could only nod.

            “He lives in my house. She's a maid's son at home.” Vio interrupted. He lied intentionally. “He has more ability, so I told the school here.”

            The teacher approached Vio,

            “Sound ya miss! Not that you are the son of a school donor, you can do as you please.” The teacher's face grew stronger. “All procedures. I'm the principal here. I have an obligation to make sure all the rules in this school are executed correctly.”

            Vio was silent. He doesn't seem to like it but tries to quit.

            Then the teacher turned to Neo, telling Neo to fill in the administrative data in the after-school office. Also ruled Neo advanced to the front of the class to introduce himself. Neo's voice was stamped in front of the children he had not yet known. Actually more because Neo was embarrassed. I don't know why he had to admit to Vio's lies. The children in front of Neo knew him as a maid. Moreover, Neo could see, Cherries were always paying attention to him.

            Before starting the Basic Metaphysics lesson, the teacher asked the students to pay close attention to the news that will be conveyed. Because from today students are forbidden to go out of the school fence. There was news of the discovery of an unidentified corpse not far from the Snake Forest. The police are investigating it. Students are asked to be vigilant. Because this could be related to those who do not like Paranormal Academy.

            At 2 pm, Neo finished with the papers stuffing his data. He looked for the principal's desk to return the papers. While confused in the teacher's room, Neo meets Bu Sari. The mother looked younger and fresher, smiling, greeting Neo first. He also showed the principal's room, Ms. Raihan.

            “May you feel at home here yes Neo,” said Bu Sari before leaving Neo.

            Neo nodded, thanking the mother with that kind pale complexion. Neo remembers the Cherries.

            The papers Neo put on Ms. Raihan's desk. But before moving on, he glimpsed the door to the next room. A mother and her son were seen there busy with stuffing sheets like the one Neo had filled in. Neo deliberately shot his gaze into the wall. He could see how young the boy was. That kid of his age should be in elementary school. But that's not what Neo's more concerned about. The child's mother was painstakingly accompanying her son. Neo remembers his mother.

            “Whatever your advantages, in using it, keep using ethics.” Bu Raihan's voice in the back shocked Neo. “Learn to use your strengths wisely.”

            Neo felt guilty. Means that Bu Raihan knew when he used his ability. As is Ms. Sari. Neo apologized and quickly asked himself.

            The pedestrian that Neo passed by was full of shady trees on the left right. Neo is heading to the science building because Vio is there. There's a class meeting. Vio is the class treasurer. Neo has to wait for Vio, because he's coming home with Vio. Neo feels like a maid. Vio's statement this morning that the whole class heard was still ringing in his ears.

            From afar five children walked towards Neo. Jet and Jag are there. Jag and the child whose mouth is always chattering is memapah child who from the morning in class sleep continues. Another Siamese twin. But his legs are only a pair of it looks can walk normally even though it must support two bodies.

            Once they were at the intersection, only Jet walked over to Neo. The others turned the other way. As usual, still with his sunglasses, Jet was grinning when he met Neo.

“Where are they going?” Neo immediately asked while still looking at Jag and three other children in the distance.

            “Go back to the dorm,” replied Jet. “The transfer children of JIPA call them freak.”

            “Means?”

“Ya... Strange kids.”

            “That JIPA transfer boy who wears a white shirt and a black tie?”

            Jet nodded.

            “You are also moving from JIPA?” sergeant Neo.

            “Yes, but I'm not like them. Me and Vio have different principles than other JIPA children.” This time Jet's face was serious.

            “The boy was conjoined twins huh?” Neo pointed to the two-bodied daughter who had walked a long way with Jag and the others.

            “Iya. His names are Mimi and Mitu. He's Jag's foster brother. They do have a disorder. But that way, his inner power potential is greatest of all the schools here. And that no one knows.” Jet explained.

            Neo mangosteen, still looking at conjoined twins from a distance. The two children, Mimi and Mitu, have faces that are difficult to distinguish. Both have cute faces. Like a child. Her hair was cut short by the neck. Freak or weird kid. Neo felt that. But now Neo realizes that he is not disabled like Mimi and Mitu.

            “The one sleeping on the boat is called Solos.” Jet added to the explanation. “He did that when his brain was tired. When he wakes up, his brain is working too hard. His brain can absorb a lot of memory in a short time. And he will never forget.”

            Neo back mangosteen.

            “Which mouth commits his name Anteno,” Jet continued. “He was a crazy person. But sometimes among his words that ngawur tucked away the secrets of the universe.”

            Neo doesn't stop the mangosteen.

            “You want to catch up with Vio right,” Jet said. “I'm going there too. Said the class officials were again talking about the corpse in the Snake Forest.”

            In front of the science building there were already three white-tiered and black-tiered children waiting on a bench near a tree. Jet invites Neo to wait on another bench.

            “The one with the glasses was Lisa, whose hair was brondol Natila, whose fat name was Pato. “ Jet pointed at the three children waiting far across them. “Pato plan to get out of here.”

            “Why?” ask Neo.

            “She's not here kayaking in JIPA. Here a lot of freaknya he said.”

            Neo imagines Jag, Mimi, Mitu, Solos and Anteno. Also a pale-skinned and red-haired Cherry.

            “You can see in there no?” Jet pointed to the science building. His face was grinning but his tone was a little pushy.

            Neo doubtful. “Ntar teachers know,” said.

            “Quiet aja. The teacher room is far from here,” Jet replied with a confident look.

            Neo began to take concentration, although still hesitant. Then his gaze began to pierce through the spaces within the building. Until Neo finds a room where five children gather at a table. All wore white shirts and black ties, including Vio.

            “What are they?” ask Jet.

            “One child stands up, is talking to another,” Neo replied.

            “How much is it like?”

            “Chick. Her hair is straight shoulder, wear red bando.”

            “That's Prita, Bu Raihan's son. He's the class leader. What did he say?”

            “Where?” Ask Jet impatiently.

            “Mmm... Yes he said, we do not need to be provoked, because we came here to bring kindness.” Neo is trying harder to listen. “He said, we as human beings who are given advantages should not hate people who do not like us. Because we are present in this world to do something for others.”

            “Bullshit,” cut Jet while grinning.

            Neo stopped his activities, looked at Jet, why did he say that.

            “Well, Prita is a good boy. The principal's son. The class manager again. It's natural that he's proud of all his kindness.” Jet.

            Neo doesn't understand why Jet said that. Maybe because Jet envies Prita.

            Before long, five kids came out of the science building. Jet and the other boy flocked towards the dormitory. Neo has to go after Vio. He walked behind Vio towards the parking area. Like a servant child who is driven to pursue his master.

            In the parking corner, Cherry is seen preparing with a helmet in her hand. Next to him, the girl in a leather jacket whose front hair was dyed white was turning on an old duck motorbike.

            “That's Dru, Cherry's cousin. They should go home. Ntar the night they work at a fast food restaurant.” Vio explained to Neo before getting in the car.

            From a distance, Cherries look new realized there is Neo at the other end. Neo rushed into the car. She's shy. Especially looking at one car with Vio.

            “Prita actually wants to have a special team of the most talented children in this school.” Vio made a sound in the car, after before exiting the Snake Forest was a silent atmosphere. “But he doesn't know, who exactly is talented. I felt a waste of time joining the meeting.”

            Neo sat next to Vio. But somehow he was lazy to respond. He felt Vio was not a friend. Now Vio is like an employer.

            Vio seems to be reading Neo's turmoil.

            “Sori, this morning I have to say the same to Ms. Raihan. So that you can be free. Not locked in a dorm. Especially now that there is a ban out of the school fence. Cherry same Dru can come out because there is a guarantee Bu Sari. They have to work to shore up the economy of the Bu Sari.” family Vio tried to understand.

            Neo nodded. He'll understand. He forgave Vio. But somehow there was still a feeling of not accepting in him.

            After the afternoon shower, Neo did not leave the room. He just sat on the side of the bed. Returning to Vio's house made Neo even more humiliated. Bi Tumi had twice looked at the door, conveying Vio's request to make fried rice. Neo wants to get out of this place. He was thinking of staying in the dorm. Until Vio appears in the doorway. This time Vio wasn't wearing fake legs. He's in a wheelchair.

            “Neo, are you sick?” ask Vio.

            Neo shook his head, he got up and stood before Vio.

            “I want to stay in the hostel only,” said Neo flat.

            “Why?” Vio shocked. “There you will not be free.”

            “Nothing, I want to go there now.”

            “Now? Crazy you Neo.” Vio was surprised. “Here you are free to do what you want. Where do you want to do?”

            “I'm sorry Vio. I have to get there now.” Neo had already walked past Vio who was in a wheelchair.

            “Neo wait!” Vio half yelled. “You're better here. You are needed here. What about our mission?”

            Neo paused for a moment. So this is all more because of the mission Vio once told me.

            “Yes, it can be discussed later.” Neo continued his steps without turning away.

            “Neo wait!” This time Vio loudly shouted.

            But Neo's going through the door. Suddenly a loud noise fell. Neo also looked. He saw the wheelchair already lying on the floor. And Vio, with his stump legs, crawled towards Neo.

            “Don't go Neo. Please, don't go.” Vio's voice raspy. As vigorously as he used his hands, crawling closer to Neo.

            Neo's riveted. He saw Vio was now so helpless. But he doesn't know what to do. Until Vio has clenched both legs Neo.

            “Please Neo, don't go,” Vio said repeatedly. Her tears spilled down her cheeks.

            Neo's still sculpting. Hands shaking. It was hard for him to describe his feelings.

“Please Neo. I promise I'll treat you better. I won't ask for fried rice again.” Vio's voice mixed with a whimper of his cries.

            Until Neo came to his senses, Bi Tumi was in the corner of the room one more watching anxiously. Neo nodded a few times at Bi Tumi, noting that everything would be fine. Then with all his might, Neo picked up Vio and carried him. Overwhelmed Neo stepped with the weight of Vio in his arms. Vio was getting closer and closer, like a child would not

left by his parents. Neo sat Vio on the side of the bed. And with the rest of the breath, Neo

sitting next to Vio.

            Long they remained silent. Vio was still with the rest of his will. He began to feel ashamed of what had happened. Neo is still thinking about the possibility of leaving for the dorm. But it's dark. And the pity for Vio diminished his intentions. Neo stood up, turned on the lights, closed the windows and sat in the chair opposite Vio.

            “Why do you really want me to stay here?”Neo's questions break the silence. Vio. Now he's so embarrassed. But he tried to move his lips.

            “In that day I already knew you were coming.” Vio's voice is flowing. “Will come someone very talented to Paranormal Academy. But that's all. Until I shake hands with you. I saw you as a chosen child. You will unite us. The one in front of us saved Paranormal Academy. That's why I'm really keeping you from getting into that mission.”

            Then Vio was silent, waiting for Neo's reaction. But long ago Neo thought of Vio's words.

            “You believe in me?” ask Vio flat.

            Neo nodded. “Yes, I believe in you.”

            “What's your reason for coming to Paranormal Academy?” Vio's voice is clearer now.

            Neo is still. He didn't know why it was so hard to answer that question.

            “Mmm... Yes I want to school who I am.” Neo's voice dashed. “One day I want to find my missing mother.”

            The room was quiet.

            “Get your hand Neo.” Vio's voice plan.

            Neo doesn't know what it's for, but he's moving his chair closer to Vio. Vio held Neo's hand. Vio. Eyebrows wrinkling. Her lips were like they were going to say something. Before long, Vio took off Neo's hand. Neo was silent and waiting.

            “I saw you,” said Vio. “I see you're more mature. You hug a middle-aged woman who looks just like you. And you call her mother. Neo, someday you'll find your mother.”

            Neo stared at Vio. Something made her want to cry. But he didn't want to cry in front of Vio. Neo turned his face towards the window. Letting her tears out. In that window, a full moon was seen in the corner of the sky.