Chapter 5

She held my hand and 'dragged' me. As we went out of the door, the busy noise of students walking by and talking to each other greeted my ears.

I had the urge to grab Ferris’s elbow in consciousness. The students around the hallways differ in uniform and that’s when I noticed that Ferris was wearing a black uniform with a touch golden yellow. 

It seems that I was not the only one fascinated as some students were staring at her in awe before they could notice me who is in a very casual out-of-the-place outfit.

They started whispering but Ferris was just smiling and not minding them.

Of course, they’re probably asking what is a normal being like me doing here. Although they probably don’t know I am just a normal human being.

We reached a black door and Ferris courteously opened the door for me but…

“Oh, shoot!” Another sink hole!?

I looked down at the deep hole and I think I’m developing a phobia.

She laughed at my reaction. “You’ll get used to it.”

“Is there other means of transportation besides a sink hole or a cliff?” I asked but she just shrugged before pulling me into our death fall. 

Five seconds later…

“Lorcé! I, I can’t breathe!”

I opened my eyes and instantly let go of her. I didn’t realize I hugged her out of fear.

She then let out a breath before composing herself. She smiled at me. “Welcome to the Xenostra dormitory.”

I wandered my eyes and instantly fell in love. We are in a rich-looking living room which really fits the Victorian era.  

There were tall windows on both sides of the fireplace which is established in the middle of the living room. This is really giving me the Harry Potter vibes.

Unfortunately, there’s only a fireplace and no television. No television!

“This is a co-ed dormitory but we each have our own rooms.”

Before I could say anything, a woman came into view from the stairs that obviously goes into their rooms.

She immediately looked at me with dead eyes. I’m sorry about this but she definitely has a resting B-face. 

Ferris saw her and she was unfazed by the bored glare that the woman was giving us. Rather, she greeted her with her signature cheerful smile. “Venice! Come down! Immediately! Come and meet Lorcé!”

The woman named Venice rolled her eyes before coming down the stairs. I got to see a closer look at her as she descends the stairs. She had this light blue eyes, dark green hair and bangs that cover her entire forehead.

Her red lipstick made her look fiercer than she already is with her eyes.

Ferris introduced us when this Venice girl finally reached the last step.

“Lorcé, this is Venice Soderland. She’s an Aquasian and can do enchantments.” She waved her fingers in front of us while smirking.

“Enchantment?” I asked her, trying to know more.

“Yes—“ 

“Estofolorr.” The Venice girl suddenly spoke and Ferris disappeared.  My eyes grew large as it happened right in front of me! I turned around and looked for her.

“Where’s Ferris? What did you do!?” I asked the sassy woman in front of me. She just smirked while staring at me with amusement.

What the hell?

That’s when Ferris came out from the entrance door. She glared at Venice before stomping towards where we are. “Okay, nice one Venice. I’ll get you next time.” She threatened.

“Sure, I’ll be waiting,” Venice uttered before facing me again. “And who are you supposed to be? A new student?”

I was about to say no when Ferris beat me to it.

“Yes! Isn’t it exciting!? Now there’s six of us!”

Six of us?

That's when voices of two men talking from behind the door caught our attention. 

“Come on Mr. Prince of Ventorinia! I’m pretty sure you have lots of fancy cars back home. Can I just borrow one?” A pleading voice asked which was answered by a cold one. 

“No. I just got here Lucero so shut it.”

The doors opened and the two men both halted as soon as they saw us, three girls, standing in the middle of the living room.

“Oh, what do we have here? A guest?” Asked the guy who was pleading to borrow a car a while ago as he stared at me with surprise.

He had this energetic vibe that Ferris has. He has a white silvery hair like Jack Frost and with glowing light gray eyes.

I shifted my eyes to the taller guy beside him and he was wearing a rather too fancy outfit like those clothes worn by royalties in tradition. This one has black hair but what was more fascinating was his fiery red eyes.

My face seemed to show my confusion and interest as the tall guy gave me a smile that says I-know-what-you’re-thinking. 

He approached me and the white-haired guy followed.

The tall guy offered his hand for a handshake. “Pleased to meet you, my name is Geoffrey. What’s—“

Geoffrey was cut off by the other guy. “Why aren’t you completing your introduction ‘Prince?’” He laughed. “Let me do it for you then but first, I’m gonna introduce myself. Hi! I’m Trun Lucero. Nice to meet you.” He was about to grab my hand but a vine suddenly grew between us.

“Na ah.” Ferris shook his head and index finger as if saying not-so-fast! “He’s a seer, Lorcé. But it includes seeing what’s on your mind for ten seconds. He’s also a Caelinian which fits his brain. Full of air.”

Trun mocked Ferris with a face and the latter just stuck out her tongue. The grey-eyed guy then continued his introduction of his tall friend. “Anyways, this is Geoffrey Galdova, Lord of Ventorinia. An ignisian and because everyone seems to tell you about our second ability, he’s also a shapeshifter.”

So does that mean he’s a real prince!? And a shapeshifter? I'd like him to do the shapeshifting thing but since he's a prince, no thanks.

It was my turn to speak. “Hello, my name is Lorcé Callora and I ‘m just here to—“ I stopped talking as their foreheads creased simultaneously before looking at each other.

Suddenly, they all moved forward to where I was except Venice and I had to take a step back. Why do they do this every time they hear my name?

“Are you hiding something from me?” Ferris hysterically reacted.

“What?”

“Callora?” asked the Prince. I reluctantly nodded.

“Lorcé Callora…” Trun uttered before continuing, “are you perhaps related to Lathré Callora? Is he your brother or cousin?”

“Or Professor Zeke?” Ferris carefully asked.

I shook my head at the names mentioned. “I don’t know a Lathré Callora or a Zeke. I don’t have a brother. My father died a long time ago.” The last sentence was a lie. I never asked mom about my father so I don’t have any idea who he is.

“Is that so?” Geoffrey pondered.

Ferris’s eyes grew wide at me. She whispered, “Are you sure? Because your names Lorcé and Lathré seems to be too uncanny and Callora is an unusual last name!” Then she gasped. “Are you perhaps Professor Zeke Callora’s daughter!?”

“Now that you said it, I can see her resemblance with Lathré,” Venice commented with her arms crossed.

I looked at every one of them and I felt like I was being pried like a prey. I suddenly remembered mom. Oh no! I have to go home!

I nervously took out my phone and saw that my time is stuck at 10:45 AM. Probably the time where we jumped off the portal from the coffee shop.

“Lorcé?” Ferris asked. I didn’t respond.

I don’t know but I feel like a switch was turned off on my mind. I suddenly feel lost again. Am I just in a dream? Everything is not real, isn’t it? 

“Lorcé, are you okay?” Ferris was about to approach me but I backed away immediately.

She halted and I just shook my head in denial.

None of this is real.

Now I’m suddenly having a breakdown.

“I’m sorry. I’m not supposed to be here.” I immediately walked out of the room and walked fast away from there. I heard them call my name but I only fastened my pace, afraid that they may catch me.

Until I realized I was no longer just walking. I was running.

I was running through the empty hallways and I don’t even know where I’m going.

This feels like a dream. A nightmare actually. I could feel my heart beating rapidly. Maybe from fear.

And now I’m starting to lose breath from all the running.

I stooped down on the granite floor with my hands flat on the surface.

I tried to catch my breath. When I looked around, I noticed the dim lighted hallway.

Shoot! Now I’m literally lost. 

“Hello? Is anyone here?” I called in mild panic, hoping any person or student is around.

I turned around when I felt a presence but no one was there. I walked backwards as I wandered my quivering eyes.

I turned around again when the same feeling that someone is there came back. Yet no one, not even a shadow, was there.

Because of constantly turning around, I forgot what direction I came from.

Unfortunately, I’m in the middle of a cross section. 

I groaned. “You’re so stupid!” I scolded myself.

But when I turned around once more, I saw that I was no longer alone. A pair of rare stern yellow eyes met mine.