Page 134 of The Commons

“Arghhhh! Let me go!” the same male voice cries out.

Then, we hear Levon’s voice. “My name is Levon Lerogaski, and a girl like me can defend herself.”

Thud… a loud punch, then we hear him crash to the floor.

“And trust me if you ever come near me again, I will not hesitate to kill you,” she whispers.

“Are you good, Levon?” I erupt in concern.

“Having the time of my life. I just typed in the password and going online in one… two… bingo! Judgment day, Londe.”

Click… Click…

“The Begon is live in The Lawtem.”

Walking through the O Hallway, I notice that several students are lined up outside the O Library toward The Commons phone booth.

The librarian is shouting, “Order. If you do not have a phone pass left for the year, you cannot place a call. For those who have a phone pass, all calls will be on speaker. Two minutes per call. Make it quick.”

I notice another student rushing to his friend. “Please! I’ll trade you a hefty sum for a call.”

“No, dude, you’re gonna get caught. Even Londe seems to have been caught.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Well, I’ll let you know what I find out.”

“Urgh.” The student sighs. It seems he’s out of phone privileges.

I overhear a girl who is on a call with her parents.

“Just stay calm. Do exactly what the Patrons tell you. It’s probably a farce. Don’t jeopardize your favor in The Commons by siding with those who are spreading these lies.”

“What if they are not lies, Dad?”

“Sweetheart,” the mom interrupts. “Do exactly as your dad says. The Commons is like paradise, and Londe is its god. No one can destroy him.”

I turn to see Jordan speaking to his father on the phone. “Dad, what’s going on? Is this true? Did you know about this?”

“The news just broke in Commonda today. It will become public knowledge to the rest of the world tomorrow. Of course, I didn’t know. But I’m certain the Patrons and Doctor Val have everything under control. Londe will probably be back there in no time.”

“I thought you said he was arrested?” Jordan questions.

“Don’t believe everything you hear, Son. Londe is the authority.”

Jordan sighs and drops the phone. He turns, catching my gaze just as the bell rings. I turn away and keep walking.

“Shantavia! Shantavia Lerogaski!” the librarian calls my name, stopping me mid-step.

Puzzled, I turn back and walk toward her. She’s never called me before.

She hands me a silver ticket. “Additional pass. Who have you been impressing lately?” she says with eager eyes. Silver Pass?

My forehead narrows, wondering what she is referring to. I look in her direction as she opens a small, private phone booth. “Come along. I don’t have all day.”

I walk into the phone booth and it closes automatically. I now realize what this is. An additional phone pass. Oh! That’s nice. For some reason, I didn’t quite comprehend it when she said it. I’m still recovering from the mind games of the Zariki, I guess.

I scan the pass, and that’s when I see it. 100 missed calls from my dad. I thought they couldn’t call us? Only Patrons must be able to see incoming calls from families.