Four

Today was the most eventful one in the history of eventful. At least in my history. I got to meet a staircase whose main purpose was to rate people power level, something which I still don’t completely understand and then I flirted with a guy and asked for his number first, to be fair it was not my fault. My attraction to him was not just strong but still real because I just need to think about him and I am blushing like crazy, met with my guide who seems like a decent guy that was on his way to be my best friend. Apparently, I am clicking well with every member of the tour Team at ATI. And before I forget, I was dumped by my father at a new school for magical brats, in a whole new world which I had only heard about in stories and because my father is king and I might have people who will be after me by default, I have to tell the Principal to keep my identity secret, something which I had forgotten to double check because of the whole excitement for today. 

And it was still before dinner. 

“Hey, are you sure that you don’t want me to escort you to the Principal office, it is my job as your guide and it would not look good on me when you get loss which is a definite positive.” Finn suggested after drawing me a stick figure map, something which I was still trying to figure out. Thankfully, he did not make it any more complex for me.

“I am sure, besides if I miss my way, I am sure that the Principal would be kind to provide a meal for me.” I replied. 

Finn chuckled before tapping me in your back. “You still have a long way to go about learning from ATI.” 

I left Finn and followed his map without a hitch to the principal’s office. Before I could knock, the door swung open, it was not the weirdest thing that I have seen today and I entered carefully, only I see the Principal reading. 

“Well you took your time in entering, why?” He asked not looking up and when I could not reply because telling the Principal about horror movies you watched which you were not supposed to is not the way I envisioned going down for the first report for my dad.

“It does not matter, I have a strange request for you to help me with.” I said to the principal who moved his hand in a universal gesture that says that I should go ahead with my request, I guess the gesture was indeed universal. 

“Can you tell all the teachers that my identity should be hidden at all cost? I am here for protection and it would not be protection if the whole world know I am here, let me be anonymous.” I begged. 

The principal laughed before he replied. “There was a safe that was left blank on your form, that space requires if you need to fill any important position. Yours were not filled so you have no extra identity, also teachers would need to know what you will be called by in class.” 

“I could not help the smile that blossom on my face. I had the right to choose, something which I was sure that other students did not. 

”I would prefer being known as Miss Iris.” 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Now I know why Finn was worried, he was not worried about me finding the office but rather, me getting lost afterwards. The halls and passage ways tend to change and something about it was not natural. Still after so many twists and turns, the ones which I knew that I definitely did not take while coming here, I ended up in from of Cirdan. 

“This is a surprise.” He stated behind me as I jumped while turning, my hand already flying out in a punch which he easily evaded. His gaze moved from my outstretched punch to my face. “Certainly a surprise.” 

“Sorry, I did not mean to attack you but you know better than to sneak up on someone like that?” I griped, mortified by my actions even as my fist fell to my side. This really was not a good way to meet a guy who you are attracted to. 

“I did not turn invisible or hide my aura, there was no sneaking in what I did.” Cirdan replied confused because of course, their version of sneaking behind someone here was different from the one I was used to. 

“Still you shouldn’t have stepped so close to me, you were infringing my space.” I retorted and I watched Cirdan free expression hardened before he stepped back again. 

“You are right, I guessed that I over stepped my boundaries. Apologies.” He stated and immediately, I felt bad like I did said something wrong and I wanted to apologize. 

“It’s okay.” I replied instead as I turned my face away from him, cheeks fully red now but he nodded. 

“So what are you doing in the males quarters Iris, I don’t think that you know anybody well enough to visit them in their rooms yet. Especially during dinner hour, are you sure that you do not want to eat first?” Cirdan asked.

“I am not here on purpose. I got lost from trying to find my way to the dinner room, Finn drew me a map since I refused to let him follow me but I somehow got lost.” I responded showing Cirdan the map but he made no move to take it from my hands neither did he look at it. 

“Today is your first day here and somehow you are not using your senses. I don’t know how you did things in your former school but here, we assign guards for a reason, what if you were misled and pushed into being expelled today, when Guides are assigned, it is best that you let them do their work. Understand?” He growled at me and I nodded in shock, I don’t remember the last time I was talked to like that. 

“You don’t have to be mean about it.” I said in a small voice. 

Cirdan sighed. “Follow me let me take you back to your guide. You honestly should have known better.” He stated as he moved past me, I did not want to following growling Cirdan anywhere but I did not have a choice. I ran after him, keeping the space between us that he had requested for earlier that day. I did not want to make him have another reason why he would be mad at me. 

When we got to a huge hall where dinner was taken by students together, small tables with cluster of students around them each, all paused to take us in… no not us but Cirdan. From the way the girls tittered earlier on, I knew he was somewhat of a celebrity in school but I never knew how much until the whole place went quiet.

“Follow me.” He said as he stepped into the room, weaving between tables that looked clustered the more I was in the room, like the people sitting in it divided the room into different territories for them and their friends. 

I saw Trixie in one of the tables and waved her as she beamed a big smile at my direction. 

“That will be one strike against you.” Cirdan voice, made me look forward just in time to stop myself from plowing into his back as he stopped walking, standing in front of a table. A table where Finn was sitting with people that looked extremely like him down to the pointy ears. 

“What did I do?” Finn complained. 

“You left her to her devices, believing the words of someone who cannot tell friend from foe to wander around. Do you know where I saw her? The Dormitory for boys, I don’t need to tell you what would have happened if he has ventured close to any of the dark fae parts, do I?”

Finn face had a panicked expression as he looked at me, with his eyes roving around my body like he was trying to see if I was unscathed. “I am sorry for leaving her alone. I gladly accept the strike.” Finn replied, a contrite look on his face that Cirdan nodding. 

“Good and it was not like you had a choice either way.” Cirden sneered. Turned on his heels to face me. “Don’t die easily. It would be a waste of your power.” Cirdan added as he left me with Finn and walked away. 

“Oh Iris. What did he do?” Finn asked softly, his words enabling me to keep the tears in, I will not cry in public. 

“Is he always that much pf an asshole?” I asked Iris on a laugh that was hallow but thankfully, Finn did not comment on it. 

“Nah, he was been nice there, come sit beside me let me introduce you to good people.” Finn offered as I moved to his side to take him up on his offer. Hopefully, I will see someone to stop whatever affection I had growing for that douche.