It's problematic. The teenage years, people say, are indeed problematic and that's a fact. Just like Luke now, when someone told him to sleep, Luke just couldn't do it.
It had been two hours since Luke had seen the ceiling, the walls of the room, and the other bed after the lights had been turned off. The sound of snoring was also heard one after another. Though Luke is very sleepy, but his eyes do not want to close. Luke tried to analyze and he felt it wasn't insomnia or something. But because they still feel foreign to the room and the atmosphere in it. Because of that, Luke wanted to tell what was delayed earlier.
As the wrecked van entered the gate, Luke saw a large stone sign which read; SAINT MONTERO JUVENILE – YOUTH CENTER. Do not forget the tagline that sounds grandiose.
'Repairing what is broken down to its smallest pieces, for the sake of a better future for the country.'
The front yard was wide enough to park dozens of cars, Luke could even see three buses in the open garage to the west of it. Also there were several caretakers standing in front of the terrace, waiting for their arrival . However, Luke had some doubts if they really wanted to welcome them —the juvenile detainees —or out of curiosity about the police car convoy. Because the administrators look like surprised and confused. What's more, one or two caretakers pointed at the wrecked van Luke was in with a horrified face and shook his head.
And so they immediately got out of the van and were driven to the clinic without being asked questions or having to explain anything first. Well, back to the present. Luke was really sleepy. Luke's brain was hot and the nerves above his nose were twitching. But, it's really hard to fall asleep. Unlucky.
The moonlight was too weak to penetrate into the room even though the window was not curtained. Even so, the light was able to illuminate a little what was out there so that Luke could realize that there was a small farm in the backyard.
Anyway, this room itself wasn't that special, but it wasn't nearly as bad as a holding cell. Here, each person has his own bed and blanket. Minus, this room has a mixed aroma. Maybe the effect of many people in one room without proper ventilation.
And to save time, let's just jump to the next day. Again, the bell rang. This time only once and sounds a bit long. Instantly and almost simultaneously, everyone was startled awake. Not out of discipline, but out of surprise. The proof, some guys then pulled the blanket again while cursing in annoyance.
“Ah, damn it! Every morning it's always like that! You see, tomorrow I will destroy that bastard bell!”
Yeah, Luke agrees with him. That bell is a jerk! Even though Luke had started to fall asleep and now Luke had to wake up again. But since Luke didn't want to give the caretakers a bad impression on the first day, he decided it would be best to get up quickly and queue up for a shower. Because last night, the caretaker had also said something like not to be late. Luke also grabbed the towel that had been provided and walked towards the bathroom, following the direction where everyone who had a towel on his shoulder went. Josh too. He felt she was trying to follow him since they were on the same seat in the van. Even so, they barely spoke to each other. Just shut up and follow to the bathroom.
Talking about the bathroom, it consists of two rooms. One room for toilet cubicles with a yellowish and crusty floor. Then the other room is a kind of small hall with, like, ten that is only separated by a plastic curtain. This curtain doesn't really help much. Because the curves of a person's body will still be visible even if they are faint because of the transparency of this plastic curtain is really worrying. Fortunately, the boys' and girls' bathrooms are separated. Luke couldn't imagine what happened when everyone was in the same room. Oh, come on let's get rid of those dirty thoughts.
Furthermore, Luke was wearing his designated uniform. Damn it. This uniform is too baggy and smells sour. It must have belonged to a student who used to live here and hasn't washed it since. Luke sniffed with displeasure.
“Mine stinks too.”
It was Josh talking, not Luke. He turned and found Valetnina smiling awkwardly. He also reached out.
“You can call me 'Val'. No need to mention your name, I already know your name from last night's caretaker."
So Luke took the handshake for two seconds. He said again, “I'm sure the uniforms we wear are only washed with a glass of water…. Or even not washed at all. The smell really sucks.”
"Yeah, it looks like the place is running a go green program ," Luke chimed in and made her laugh.
The bell rang twice and it moved everyone to another room in the next building. Past the field and down the hall and into a hall styled like a dining room. Long tables and benches were lined up rather untidy. One by one people walked towards the window waiting to be given a ration to eat with their respective plates. Queuing up while joking and cursing.
Two guys in front of him also queued. They were tall and Luke noticed they had tattoos on their arms. The two of them were chatting about smuggling weed and such in whisper mode. However, when one of them realized that Luke was eavesdropping, they immediately fell silent.
“What are you looking at?! Do you want me to gouge out your eyes, huh?!” asked one of them a little reluctantly.
God, what's wrong with Luke? It's only the first day and someone has questioned annoyingly what Luke saw. Who is he anyway? Be patient. All right, don't make trouble in the first days. Luke didn't want to be sent to the holding cell again just for breaking someone's neck.
Actually, last night Luke thought that this place was quite okay because all the caretakers looked nice even though many of them looked cold. Plus, no one bothered them in the room. So, he thought this place really lived up to their slogan; Fixing what's broken down to the tiniest bit.
But Luke they had forgotten that the tiniest bits were too many and, just as it had just happened in plain sight, three boys were fighting. Slamming and punching each other. Ignoring the few tables they bumped into or messed up someone's breakfast or trashed the room. The two of them didn't want to let go of the other person and tried to gang up on them.
“Stop! Hey, stop it!” shouted an administrator carrying a baton.
The male caretaker was big and his face was fierce. Fearlessly, he walked towards the three fighting boys, then grabbed one of them by the collar and threw a fist until the boy crashed into another table behind him. Blood flowed instantly from his nose and the corners of his eyes.
“ I said stop! he shouted again. This time it was more like growling, then hitting the arms of the second and third guys with the bat he was carrying.
“Now stand up and have your breakfast properly, you three! If Luke sees anyone screwing up again this morning, they won't hesitate to dip your heads in the soup! Understand?! Remember this is also the children who just came last night!”
He looked around and then his gaze landed on Luke. His eyes were sharp, one eyebrow rose, then—if Luke wasn't mistaken—he seemed to smile. grin.
***