Trixy's pov
The school bell cut through the hallway din to mark the conclusion of our free period. I got up from my chair, tossed my luggage over my shoulder, and followed the others towards the elevator.
Zyron pushed the button and the elevator doors opened very quickly. We all filed in, but I observed Zyron stopped.
Hey, are you not joining us? I enquired, wrinkling my brows.
He shook his head somewhat. Not quite; we have PE now. Straight for the locker room I am headed.
The elevator doors closed between us.
Inside were simply myself, Luna, Erlyn, Phoebe, and Sydnee. No other person came with us.
So what class is it right now? Luna inquired, glancing around.
History Erlyn responded.
History, Phoebe echoed.
History, Sydnee said, fixed on her phone.
They all turned to me.
I verified history.
Looks like Luna said with a smile, we were all in the same class again.
And that pointed to only one conclusion.
Sir Hugo.
Let me tell you, our history mentor was not kidding. Strict as always. The sort of teacher who, five minutes late, would not let pupils in. You were finished if he arrived the room ahead of you. Not here. And throughout assessed recitations? If he found your response unsatisfactory, even if somewhat right, he would automatically fail you without giving it a second thought. Every first-year student admired him yet was also terrified of him.
So who is brave enough to report today? Erlyn inquired.
I said, I am.
Trix, are you sure? Luna stared at me like I had just volunteered to enter a lions den. You are the first in his class to report.
Phoebe questioned as the elevator chimed open.
We headed out and continued along the corridor.
I murmured, squeezing my laptop tighter, the mystery of the disappearing civilizations.
Everyone stared at me.
Luna said angrily, that seems like a lot.
Well, she seems sure; Sydnee jumped in without glancing up from her phone.
Sydnee burst the door open and entered first as we got to the classroom. One at a time we followed, and then settled down in our chairs. I reached the front, reached into my bag, and brought out my laptop.
Right as I was turning it on, Scarlett arched a flawlessly groomed eyebrow at me from across the room.
Standard.
Good morning, students.
Everyone turned their attention to that recognizable, refined voice.
Sir Hugo came in walking with a clear goal. He had his trademark scarf coiled around his neck, a matching blazer, and a black button-down shirt on. His smooth head reflected the classroom lights, so they called him Brighter than the Morning Sun.
He marched straight for the desk, opening his attendance file.
Happily, everyone was on time.
Who then our initial reporter is?
Standing straight, I responded, sir.
And once more your name? he inquired, looking over his spectacles.
Trixy Stacey Catherina Austen, I declared categorically.
He nodded once and said, "Go on."
I moved ahead, aiming the remote toward my computer. The title "The Mystery of the Vanishing Civilizations" lit up behind me on the projector screen.
Good morning to you, everyone. Good morning, Sir Hugo. I started, glancing at him before going on. Today, I'll be covering a few ancient civilizations that mysteriously vanish from history. Although many of them abandoned relics and ruins, their unexpected demise still baffles historians now.
I selected the following slide. Pictures of Easter Island's spooky remnants, Mayan temples, Mohenjo-daro's ruins, and the remains of Easter Island appeared.
For example, the Maya were among the most advanced civilizations of their time. They were good at astronomy, math, and architecture. But around 900 AD, they suddenly left their cities. Nobody knows precisely why.
I went over some of the ideas behind political breakdown, battle, and drought.
Mohenjo-daro, from the Indus Valley, and other civilizations were quite advanced. They vanished even with organized cities and plumbing systems.
Seeing a couple of peers really interested in listening gave me some more courage.
I kept talking about the Olmecs, the Anasazi of North America, and the strange Nan Madol builders. My speech had rhythm now slide, explanation, pause, inquiry.
Scarlett, meanwhile, murmured something to the girl next to her.
Let her be. I would not let her divert my attention.
And then I added, pointing to a map, we have the case of Atlantis, maybe fake, maybe real. Plato referred to it as an evolved civilization devoured by the ocean.
Somebody sneezed behind there.
I breathed and smiled. Although many dismiss it as a legend, the vanishing of whole civilizations remains a historical mystery. There are still many questions about what they had, what they accomplished, and how they disappeared.
I faced Sir Hugo once I at last finished.
Thank you. That ends my report.
Sir Hugo waited a bit before answering.
Arms crossed, he got up, strolled to the front and gazed at the screen.
Trixy started. Why did you pick this subject?
I straightened up a little. I think learning from what vanished sometimes involves knowing what happened, not only what happened but also These societies were formerly glorious. They did flourish. Still, they are vanished. That enigma helps us to understand the value of humility, leadership, and sustainability as well as their interconnections.
He examined me for a long time before offering a single, favorable nod.
That is fascinating. Excellently executed. Ten point.
A wave of relief washed over me. I nodded politely and resumed my seat.
Luna said from next to me, wow. You survived.
Not only made it. She crushed it, Erlyn remarked, grinning.
Phoebe leaned over for a fist bump. We stan an old mystery queen.
I leaned back in my chair and at last took a big sigh as Sir Hugo went on with the following exercise.
But toward the back of the room I saw Scarlett glaring at me.
Good.
She ought to know by now; I am not one to be readily scared.
We gathered our belongings after class. Luna wrapped an arm around my shoulder as we entered the corridor.
That was a report, so you ought to rejoice.
I am hardly slept last night working on it and too weary to celebrate.
nap then today. Phoebe grinned and advised celebrating later.
Fair enough.
My phone rang as we strolled along the hallway.
Zyron: Locker rooms anarchy. Later we have to chat.
What now?
I added a fast answer: Everything good?
Not respond.
Just a bit compressed my chest.
Whatever it was, it felt like more than just locker room conflict.