Chapter 2 - Drastic Change

Chapter 2

I was currently inside a train heading towards north where Uncle Simon’s house is, since he told me that he would be the one to take care of me, I would be living with him. I left our seat when I finally felt bored just sitting there and staring out the window. I decided to explore the train before we reach our stop.

I explored the train going to different cabins and I looked at the beautiful sceneries as we passed them. I tried to absorb what my new neighborhood would be like from now on.

The train passed high mountain ranges, adorned with luscious green forest. I stared outside as I reminisced on our old house, a lone tear streaked down my cheek as I remembered my dad.

I sighed as I stood up feeling hungry from all my exploring. I went to the restaurant part of the train and ordered a steak then I plopped down on an empty table and started eating.

I surveyed the people inside the cabin; all of them look just like normal average citizens. There are not that many people inside that time, seeing nothing interesting, I looked back at my plate and started to eat again.

While I was eating, I pondered about the plan Uncle Simon thought to conceal my identity which he proposed to me the night my dad got killed but he still haven’t told me how exactly he would hide me. Well whatever it is I just hope that it would work.

Somehow while thinking, the image of my father’s killer flashed through my eyes and I quickly froze. Every time I remember those cold eyes, they always instill fear upon me. More so, now that I know that he is on the pursuit and he wanted me to be dead.

I sighed, my eyes full of sadness as I nibbled on the steak not really tasting it. Just one night, my life was taken literally away from me. But no matter how much fear I have I'll still find that man and bring him to justice, for my dad and for myself.

Unconsciously, I finished my meal as I thought of those things. I hurriedly stood up went to our seat when I heard the speaker announcing that we are near our stop.

As I neared the cabin where our seat is in, I stumbled to someone and I fell on my butt. I winced at the impact as I closed my eyes and cursed in my head.

"Ouch' I groaned as I scrambled to stand up, rubbing my back and bum in the process. I hope that wouldn’t leave a bruise.

"I'm sorry" I said as I looked up to the person I stumbled with. I was met with two cold blue eyes that glared at me, I froze. The killer's eyes flashed through my memory as I stared at him, at his penetrating eyes. I was almost hyperventilating as fear started to envelope me. I was only broken from my trance when he spoke.

"Can you get out of my way and look at where you're going" he said emotionlessly then strode pass me and he left me there, I blinked rapidly as if I just got out of a spell which I really just did.

I reached our seat looking seemingly dazed, when Uncle Simon saw me he looked at me worriedly.

"Are you alright? What happened?" he asked and I shook my head as I tried to snap myself off my fear.

"Nothing" I said and smiled to assure him.

"You looked like you saw a ghost" he said, inspecting my face.

"I'm alright, don't worry about it. I just remembered something" I said. I was glad when the speaker announced our arrival. That cut him from prying, for now.

We left the train and rode on the car waiting for us in the terminal. When we entered the car and relaxed, he pries again, just as I thought.

"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked and I nodded as an answer, I smiled warmly reassuring him that I was alright. I looked outside, the roads we're taking are full of trees and we're getting farther and farther from the town. That got my brows to furrow. Where the hell are we going?

"Just where do you live, Uncle?" I asked him with a little hint of nervousness, I turned my head around and looked at him through my shoulder. He glanced at me and smirked, he seems having fun seeing me nervous.

"You'll see, just wait" he said smiling and I looked back at the window as I precede my observation. Plopping my head on my crossed arms, my eyes fluttering close and a small yawn escaping my lips as I was lulled into dreamland

--

I was roused from my sleep when I felt a hand shaking me.

"ay... May wake up, we're here" It said and I begrudgingly opened my eyes. I blinked furiously and held up a hand as my vision adjusted to the piercing light.

I straightened myself and looked around the car bemusedly fixating my gaze on the person beside me. "What happened?" I asked while rubbing the sleep off my eyes. Uncle Simon chuckled, it seems I looked like a cute little girl to him he says. I pouted making him chuckled some more I just pouted more in annoyance.

 Uncle Simon cleared his throat first before answering my question. "You fell asleep while we're on the road" he said and I nodded. I saw him open the car's door then he went to my side and opened it. He extended his arm, and I took it and exited the car.

"We're here" he said while he gestured his arm. I followed it and I gaped at what I saw. There were huge buildings that looked like a mansion, the place is complete with a garden, fountain and gazebos and seems to stretch mile away. A huge sign was posted that read:

'Hidden Garden Private Academy'

"You lived in a school?!" I questioned him and he laughed.

"Well technically, yes" was his answer I looked at him questioningly.

He sighed, "You see young lady, I'm the principal here and I owned this institution" he said as an explanation.

"No way, really? That's awesome" I said looking excited at the buildings in front of me.

"Follow me to my office and I'll discuss to you what I'm planning for your concealment" he said and I nodded.

I followed him and we went through the garden. I observed the place, it was beautiful, there are burst of color everywhere courtesy of the different flowers. We rounded the garden and squeaked as I hit Uncle's back when he suddenly stopped.

"Here's my office" he said motioning his hand on another big building but was isolated from the other structures. We entered the building and went inside an elevator. The inside of the building was decorated following a Victorian style design.

The elevator door opened and we exited it, we entered a large hallway, it had pristine white walls, a carpeted floor and an elaborate designs.

Uncle called out to me and I looked at him. He was holding an opened door from a doubled door room. I entered behind him then he offered me a seat as he called someone.

"Take a seat and relax, do you want a drink or food?" he asked and I shook my head, as I declined his offer.

"So uncle, what kind of plan did you thought of?" I questioned, his plan has been nagging at me all day. He took a sip from his wine glass before answering.

"Well my plan is, for you to enter this academy" he said and I looked at him confused.

"What do you mean? How does that help me?' I asked him frantically, I was shocked when I heard him laugh.

"You see here May, my plan will work but I'm pretty sure you'll kill me for it" he stated and I furrowed my brows in confusion more.

"I don't see entering an academy will help me in hiding my identity and making me want to kill you" I argued, a frown was already setting on my face.

"It's not entering the academy that will help you hide your identity, but making yourself a boy and entering an all boys school will" he said calmly. I stared at him for a moment then suddenly I freaked out when I finally understood where he is getting at.

"You're making me a boy then enter me on an all Boys school? Are you freaking mad?” I questioned him outraged, he was right when he said I'd kill him for his plan.

"Calm down, May, with this we can hide your identity and make you safe as we try to find your father's killer. It will also enable me to guard you closely" he explained and I slumped back on my chair. I ran a hand through my face and looked at him again.

"How did you see a girl entering as a boy on an all boy school safe?" I asked again.

"Don't worry I'm here, I won't let those boys lay a hand on you" he said smiling and I groaned, what he's planning is insane but it’s possible to help me. I shook my head as I agreed on the plan; oh I can see myself regretting this later.

"Good, now all we need is to make you look like a boy, I already entered you on the school and you'll start tomorrow" he said and I let my mouth hang open.

"Tomorrow?" I shrieked both my eyes widen at his announcement.

"And how do you plan to make me look like a boy?" I questioned him. Seriously this is insane.

"That's why we have our great stylist is here, Louis come here" he said and a beautiful man entered from the door. He had baby blue eyes, a small face, and white hair that’s beautifully styled, he’s handsome in a feminine way. He bowed when he reached us.

"May this is my stylist Louis, Louis this is my best friend's daughter May" he said as an introduction then we shook hands.

---

Louis led me to a room and made me sit on a chair facing a huge mirror.

"Aww, it's a shame that we need to cut this beautiful hair of yours to make you look like a boy" he said as he started to comb my hair. I smiled a little at what he said but I agreed with him.

"I heard everything that happened and I want to say my sorry" he said after a few seconds of silence and I just nodded my head, I have nothing to say.

"Don't worry child, you'll be fine. I'm sure Simon won't let anything bad happen to you and I'll look after you too" he promised and I smiled, I mumbled small thanks of appreciation. I just met Louis but I’m feeling that he would become a dear friend of mine.

"Can you please close your eyes and open them when I told you to? I want to surprise you with the change that I'll make" he said excitedly and I obeyed closing my eyes giggling a little. But my excitement change into nervousness when I felt him cut my hair.

I can feel every cut he's making and I winced at that. I really loved and treasured my long black hair and it saddens me that it was being cut. After that a few things was done on my hair and face, which I don’t have any clue what.

When I opened my eyes I was looking at a different person. A boy exactly and I looked up in Louis in awe, he's good. I looked back at the mirror examining myself.

My hair was cut up to my ears and above my neck, it was colored too. It was now auburn and it was tousled beautifully. I didn't know I was quite handsome as a boy, I grinned.

Louis then handed me a pair of black pants, a shirt, a vest and also a grey contact lens.

"Change into this" he commanded me and I obeyed taking the clothes from him.

"Ah and this one too" he handed me a bandage and I looked at him confusedly.

"It's for binding your chest" he said and I nodded understandingly. I step out of the changing room and Louis look at me approvingly.

"You make a good boy" he said and I chuckled. I looked at the mirror, now that I'm dressed like this and my chest was bind, I really looked like a genuine boy.

The door suddenly opened and revealed my Uncle. He looked at Louis and then to me and nodded his head.

"I presume this is May? You did a good job Louis, and May you looked handsome no one will suspect you're a girl, just act manly" he said, I raised my brow, crossed my arms and I huffed, irritated.

"I'll take your words as a compliment Uncle Simon" I said sternly and he smiled apologetically.

"Well it seems that everything is in order, you'll be ready for your classes tomorrow" Uncle Simon said and I nodded.

"And remember, May, your new name is now Marvin Stanford and my nephew, oh and you'll be sharing a room with three other people" he said suddenly.

"I'm going to share a room? And with three boys who can probably know my secret easily?" I shrieked, surprised at what he’s doing. I don’t see this working at all.

"It's needed as to not raise suspicion and don't worry I have everything under control" he said and I sighed not really convinced. I bit my tongue and my complaints down, I just have to suck it up and pray that everything will just be dandy. I sighed again.

Ugh this is crazy, I can't believe that I am now supposed to be a boy, and is supposed to enter an all Boys school. Then try my best not to let them know my secret while sharing a room with them. So easy… not.

When I got that killer I'm going to torture him. I sighed, I certainly don't look forward to what tomorrow may bring.