Clone Earth : MELVIN

By the time class rolled around Trevon’s shoulders and back ached, maybe they burned, or wished to be dead - he wasn’t sure how to explain it. However he knew it was going to make focusing on anything else difficult. Showering quickly Trevon rushed back to his borrowed room.

Though it was the third time he’d entered the room it still gave him the same feeling as when he first entered. Stepping into two separate worlds contained in a single room. One half had clothes strewn across the floor and over chairs, bed unmade, blue covers and pillows hanging over the mattress onto the floor. There were also rolls of what Trevon assumed were posters stacked in the corner, with more plastered on the walls - all sorts of people on odd contraptions that helped them defy gravity without technical support. Suspecting they came with an elaborate explanation Trevon wasn’t quite ready to ask Russ about them.

The other side of the room was completely vacant, with the exception of one bed, a set of drawers, a small bedside table, and an elaborate computer set-up opposite the bed. Other than using it to read the University’s extremely detailed policy, Trevon hadn’t bothered asking about the system either.

A loud crunch, followed by a crash came from the closet seconds before Russ stumbled out. Rubbing his shoulder until he noticed Trevon standing in the doorway, he smirked. “Have fun at work?”

“As much fun as yesterday.” Said Trevon, this time taking a seat on his borrowed bed. He brushed the remaining water from his hair with his hand. The decision to take only two changes of clothing now seemed ridiculous, as Trevon pulled his only belongings from his bag. “Do you have class this morning?”

“Yes. A stupid Elemental Ethics course.” Russ grabbed a small, nylon bag that was wedged between his desk and the wall, and started tossing things inside. “Forcing us to take it before twelve should be unethical.”

“Your hand seems in good condition.” Trevon motioned to Russ’ careless use of his wrapped hand.

Russ paused to look at his wrapped wrist, “Oh it’s fine. I had a friend finish healing it. She said you did a pretty good job. I told her she’s an idiot.”

Not really a nice thing to say about someone that was healing you, but Trevon decided he didn’t know enough about Russ or his friend to judge.

“Man, you can’t wear that.” Russ said sharply.

Trevon had barely found his second and last pair of clean clothes, and had began pulling them on. But upon Russ’ interruption he stopped, one arm in, one arm out. This added to Russ’ amusement. “Seriously Kana you crack me up. Wear anything in this room. My clothes are your clothes. If it’s on the floor it’s probably clean. Smell it just in case. Except for the ones under the bed. Those are always dirty. And careful in the closet it might eat you alive.”

He knew it was rude to stare, but Trevon just couldn’t help it. No one had ever been so openly generous with him before - he had no idea how to react.

“But don’t be too adventurous,” Russ reached down and grabbed a simple Green and white long sleeve shirt from one pile, and a pair of grey pocketed pants. He tossed them to Trevon, who gratefully caught them. “Later I’ll point you in the right direction to buy your own underwear.”

A laugh managed to escape Trevon’s chest. After that the words came to mind. “Thank you. I apologize I don’t know how to repay you.”

“Naw. It’s just refreshing having someone around that’s not warped by Clan hierarchy.” Russ pulled his bag over his shoulder. “Get dressed and let’s go get some food, before class. I’m starving.”

Trevon was still impressed by planet food. He knew he looked idiotic marveling over the variety of things to choose from. But colorful crunchy circles doused in cows milk. Trevon was amazed at the taste.

Insisting he was late, Russ rushed them out of the house and onto campus. They tracked their way down the well manicured sidewalks toward the main building where Trevon had first arrived. There weren’t many students out, leaving the walk quite peaceful for Trevon, more so after Russ rushed off in the opposite direction.

With the use of a downloaded map on his personal, it didn’t take long for Trevon to find the correct building. As for the correct room, his audit form was made of actual paper, which had the room number listed at the top. The paper itself felt strange in Trevon’s hand. It was rougher than he had imagined. However it slipped easily from between his fingers at the slightest motion.

The directions took him up a flight of stairs and down a hall. The windows at either end allowed natural light to flow freely through the space. The walls radiated a smell and feel of plant based material. Everything was so new, he had nothing to compare it to.

When he entered the room, Trevon looked around to see it held a similar set-up to a learning institution. Though twice the size of the space on Meckam. It had gradually ascending levels occupied by long polished tables, each equipped to fit four people.

The professor was already sitting at the desk at the front of the room. The man’s posture suggested he wasn’t looking forward to day ahead of him. Leaning forward on his desk he rubbed his brow just above his thin rimmed glasses.

Taking a deep breath Trevon approached to disturb the man. He placed the creased sheet of paper on the desk and took another deep breath before speaking. “Excuse me professor. I was told to give this to you before class began.”

A smirk threatened the professors stern face, as he looked over the paper. “I heard a rumor about this. Pretty gutsy.” He flipped the paper to be sure there was nothing on the opposite side. It was blank. “Okay Mr. Kana find a seat.”

With mixed feelings of the professors reaction, Trevon turned back to the students seats. Only three other students had arrived before him, so Trevon had the leniency to choose where to sit. He picked one towards the center of the room; not too close to the front with the overly anxious students, and not too far in the back with the ones who would rather sleep through the lecture.

Students slowly trickled in, filling in empty seats until there were only three minutes before the start of class. In those last minutes the room filled dramatically, each student oblivious to the fact they had been close to being late. Trevon had chosen his seat well. Everyone else seemed to avoid that one spot, sitting in the far corners or around the perimeter of the room. All except one girl, who plunked herself down in the seat right beside his.

“Hi,” she breathed, seemingly exhausted from what Trevon suspected had been a long run to class. Before he could make any sort of response, or a glance in her direction, the course professor took control of the room.

“Alright, shut up,” he said loudly, projecting his voice over the din of students chatting with their neighbors and settling in their seats. “This is your General Science course, also known as the basics of Magic,” the professor announced, his tone taking on a repetitive quality. Trevon suspected he must have been through this speech countless times before. “It is a required course. If you do not pass you will not be able to proceed with your education.

“That being said we have a large range of students in this classroom. Some have been taught this material since birth, goodie for you. And others that know absolutely nothing and have been teaching themselves with what limited resources they have.

“I make a point in saying this because both extremes are equally annoying.” He smiled grimly. “Trevon Kana, please stand.”

Startled to hear his name and confused as to why he had been singled out, Trevon obeyed. “Yes?”

The professor frowned, recognizing the question in Trevon’s voice. “Don’t be surprised Mr. Kana, I know all my students and their backgrounds. Mostly because I’m unfortunate enough to know their families.” A few giggles sounded throughout the room. “As one who knows nothing and is just lucky to be here, I am going to use you as an example.”

“Have at it, Sir.” Said Trevon in his usual accommodating way. The professor’s frown deepened, creating a sharp crease in his brow but Trevon maintained his agreeable disposition.

“When it comes to magic you have been mostly self-taught, is that correct?”

“Correct.”

“This institution prides itself on teaching its students the proper ways to use their magic, so I would like to point out that you would be remiss to think your way is the better way.”

“I agree, Sir. My way is not very good.” hesitant giggles escaped his classmates.

“You are not in the Academy Mr. Kana.”

Trevon pierced his lips, “Apologies Professor.”

Slightly stunned by Trevon’s humble candor, the professor scrutinize him for a moment before nodding. “Very well. You may sit down.”

Trevon obeyed, feeling embarrassed as several eyes watched him with a degree of suspicion that was almost tangible.

“Congratulations on sneaking in the backdoor,” The whisper from the girl next to him took Trevon’s focus off the professor. Looking over at the girl next to him Trevon was delighted to see same girl he’d seen posing as the presidents secretary.

Trevon opened his mouth to respond, but stopped when the professor continued, “Nikama Kashida.”

The girl shot to her feet, earning a few stares herself. “I prefer Nicki,” she replied candidly.

“And your grandmother prefers Nikama.” The professor frowned, clearly disapproving, but did nothing to reprimand her. “Sit down, please.”

Trevon watched her sit, the smallest of scowls marring her face. He leaned over, feeling less embarrassed now, and whispered to Nicki as the teacher continued to call out to students. “What’s that about?”

“I think it’s roll call,” she replied.

Trevon smiled. “No, I meant the name thing. With your grandmother?”

“Oh.” She smiled back, but there was a tinge of exasperation in her eyes as she explained. “The staff tries to keep the clan leaders happy for funding purposes. Which puts us children at a disadvantage, because keeping us happy is secondary on the priority list. You know what I mean?”

He didn’t, but nodded with a smile instead of admitting his ignorance.

As the professor finished roll call, he passed out papers detailing the course requirements, as well as several assignment packets. Trevon frowned as he looked over the labeled packets. He wasn’t used to working with paper. Recourses on a space station were a lot different than planet based materials. If they hadn’t insisted on using stylists and digital writing pads in primary school Trevon wouldn’t know what to do with the pen and papers in front of him.

“Tomorrow we’ll start on the Collective History of Magic. But for today, welcome to your first assignment.” The professor continued over the following chorus of groans. “You have thirty minutes to answer as many questions as you can and just so you know the students that think they know it all, usually fail this assignment. So read the instructions, and discover for yourself that you know nothing.

“Once you’re done, you’re free to leave.”

Taking no questions, the professor promptly returned to his own seat and began reading quietly. Trevon’s eyes fell on the sheets in front of him. His palms began to sweat his mouth ran dry and it pained him to admit, he was not ready for what was in front of him.

CHAPTER END