CHAPTER EIGHT

I woke up the next morning. My stomach was growling. I hurried toward the washroom and took a long shower with warm water. I dressed in a dark green blouse and white trousers. It was the weekend. I was starting my classes and job from tomorrow. I was planning to explore the academy but first breakfast. 

       I grabbed my phone and headed out of the door. I locked the door and halted. When I found all the gazes on me. It was crowded. Were they waiting for me to walk out of the room? Of course, not.

       Plucking my gaze from the groups of girls and their curious gazes, I headed to the elevator. Two girls blocked my way and eyed me with distaste on their faces. They were wearing bright red short dresses, red lipstick, and red shoes. Red girls! 

       "Freshers can't use it," She said, crossing her arms over her chest. 

       "But I used it yesterday." I didn't mention, with the headmaster. 

       Her expressive face screwed up into a tight knot of annoyance. "That was yesterday," The left one stepped forward. She glared at me. 

      The elevator behind her opened. I let the air out of my lungs that I was holding, "Good morning, Alessandro." I smiled, waving my hand at him. 

      Their eyes widened. They didn't react, "Nice trick," The right one rolled her eyes.

      A smooth smirk lifted his lips but a small frown was also visible over his forehead, "Good morning, Emma." 

      The girls twirled with big eyes, horror over their faces, "Headmaster!" Left one squealed.

      "Good morning, sir. We were kidding," she grasped her friend's hand, rushed away.

      "Can I join you for breakfast?" I didn't know. How was he holding the door? 

      His gesture was friendly, "Sure, thanks." I hurried in, ignoring the stares at me. 

      "Are they troubling you?" He asked in a whisper, his gaze returned to them.

     "I'm not supposed to use the elevator, I guess." I sighed, averting my gaze from his stormy grey eyes. The door closed, "Thanks for saving me." He didn't mean that. He just said to save me from bullies. But he's the headmaster, he could have scolded them. Breakfast?

      "There are no such rules." He paused, "Well, you can't use your cellphone." 

      I pulled my phone away and curled it in my grip, "Is this a rule?" I asked. 

     "Yes, you can call them once a week and you can't use your phone for that." He said. 

     "Then, how am I supposed to talk to them?" The elevator opened and we walked out. 

     He must be kidding me.

     "It would be provided to you like first year's students," 

     I still wasn't ready to give him back my phone. I looked at him with half desire to give him my phone, "Can I text my sister to let her know?" I asked, forcing my expression to remain calm. 

      "Morris would have already explained the rules of the academy." He said. There was nothing to cry about. But my eyes turned glassy, "Ok, just one message." He nodded. 

      Immediately, I retrieved my phone and began to hover my thumb swiftly over the display. 

     After sending, I waited for the reply. She replied immediately. I thinned my lips. Mr Morris had already told her. 

     Alessandro cleared his throat. Not really waiting for words, I placed the phone in his hand, "When can I meet them?" I asked, sadly. I was already feeling nostalgia. Anything for family. 

     "Holidays," He said. 

     Sighing, I nodded. I wanted to say a lot of bad words. They weren't getting me anywhere, "Thanks for rescuing me." I swallowed roughly, pushing the tears back that were threatening to spill out.

     His smile appeared, I know it's for show, "I can't join you for breakfast. Duty's call." He said, looking at the other side. 

     "Sure, " I managed a smile. 

    I want to be alone.

     I turned to the door of the canteen. It was going to be a difficult day. I could hear the muffled voices of other students. Ignoring the gazes on me, I trotted toward the canteen. 

     Stopping in the huge doorway, I peered in. The giant hall was filled with students' buzz, long tables encircled by chairs. I drifted my gaze around. Heading toward the queue, I lowered my head to keep from drawing attention. 

     I watched the queue for food. I walked ahead grabbing a plate from the table where all the utensils were placed. 

     Piling my plate, I glanced for an empty seat. A VIP table caught my attention, it was a group of three boys. They were gorgeous. When I felt their gazes on me. I averted my eyes away. 

     I relaxed, exhaling slowly when I saw an empty table. I headed toward it. 

     When I began to place my plate down, "That's our table," A sharp female voice came from behind me. 

     My head snapped at the voice. My eyes rested on them again. I didn't wanna look away from the troop of handsome people. But I just couldn't drool over them.

     A girl in tight skinny jeans and a black tank top was frowning at me clenching her tray in just one hand. Her hair was jet black. Her face was round, blue eyes. She was beautiful. Her tray was piled up. Mine only carried salad and water bottles. I gripped the tray in both hands and shifted on my feet, "I'm sorry." I wanted to snap. I didn't want these beasts as my enemies. 

     "Hey! You're the human girl," The boy next to her said. He was tall, lean and had fine features. His spectacle was telling his one hobby, books. 

     'Every person is beautiful here. Even the headmaster too.'

     Tense feelings pressed into my chest, "Yes," I nodded and turned away to find another empty seat. Where no one would shoo me away because I'm human. 

         Sounds ridiculous! No choice.

     My gaze drifted around but there were seats vacated on the handsome men's table. I would like to sit on the floor and eat, but I wasn't going to walk over there. 

     'No one will allow me to sit next to them. They aren't any different from bullies.'

      A tap on my shoulder made me swirl on my heels. My eyes widened when I saw someone from the handsome men's table. I gulped. Did I do something to upset them? I shook my head. What was I thinking? 

      He was tall, above six feet, with dark blue eyes like a stormy ocean out like the stormy day, a strong jawline, and his hair was honey brown. 

     "You can sit with us," Without any indication. He threw his arm around my shoulder and began to lead me toward the table where I didn't want to go. 

     The girl who had banished me from her table, her jaw dropped to the ground. She began her walk toward us. His stormy blue gaze halted her.

     "It's not a good idea. I'll eat out on the lawn." I muttered, nervously. 

     "All these chairs," He swiped his hand toward the canteen, "For us. You're also a part of the academy." He smiled, looking at me with kind eyes. 

      "Yeah, true." 

     Hurrying his steps, he pulled the chair out for me. I looked at his friends and waited for them to object. This could be a prank too. 

      "I'm Jasper Quarles," He extended his hand. 

     Hesitant, I placed the tray on the table and forwarded my hand. I was waiting for something mischievous from them. 

     "Emma," I shook my hand. 

     He gestured at the other two boys, "Daniel," Daniel's hair was dark and wavy, his eyes dark, chiselled oval face. 

     Daniel tipped his chin with a slight kick of his lips' corners. 

     "Carlos," Jasper motioned at the second boy. His hair was blond, amber eyes, chiselled face.

     "Hello, Emma." He twisted the one side of his lips. 

     "Hello," I looked at them, smiling. I sat down, waiting for their prank to start. They began to eat their breakfast. It was unbelievable that they didn't bully me. 

      I grabbed my fork. I watched them through the corners of my eyes. They would have done it if they were planning anything. I lowered my gaze at my plate.

      At least, I can eat peacefully now. 

     "Are you guys football team's members or basketball?" I asked, popping a cherry tomato in my mouth. 

     They laughed. I stopped chewing, "You can say that." Carlos said, grinning. 

     I nodded, not wanting to ask more though, a lot of questions were hovering over my brain. My breath came out in a harried gasp. I was trying to calm my nerves.