CHAPTER FOUR

Looking down at my uniform, I could only be glad that there were no restrictions in the choice of our footwear. I was not prepared to wear heels on a daily basis, and would be much more comfortable in my boots. As long as they fit with the school code, it was acceptable. This was the only highlight of my morning, as I woke up late and proceeded to stump my pinkie toe on the bathroom door whilst trying to hurry. 

"Let's go, you have your first lesson with me", I turned my head towards Lena who was waiting for me to finish my breakfast. 

"What do we have first?", How this girl knew my schedule was beyond me, but then I saw her waving my schedule paper in front of my face. 

"AP Calculus". She smiled with twinkling eyes. She must be a fucking psychopath. Who liked calculus?

We made our way toward the first period, Lena had her arm looped around mine and Tyler with his arm around my shoulder. Max and Harper separated from us in the opposite direction toward their first lessons after confirming they will see us at lunch. 

We rounded the corner of the hallway and made our way to the classroom where Tyler opened the door. The twins guided me near the back and placed their bags on the desks and I followed suit. 

"Are you nervous for your first official day at the academy?"

I glanced at both of them for a few seconds before answering. "Slightly". 

Tyler offered a reassuring smile. "You'll be fine, it's like any other school. Besides we'll be here with you". 

Our conversation was cut short as the teacher entered through the door. 

                                                                      _____

The first three lessons ran smoothly and I was currently sat in my fourth. This was the last lesson before lunch. None of the others took computer science and technology, so I was sat alone at the back of the room. But I had noticed that Jaxon Walters also took this elective. 

i glanced at the clock at the front of the room which showed that there were only ten minutes left before lunch. I wasn't really paying attention to what was being taught as I already knew the content. Thus, I  was on my laptop improving my latest designs, before analysing the latest reports that were sent by Joseph to make sure everything was smooth. 

"Class dismissed everyone, I'll see you tomorrow". 

I packed my belongings as the bell rang trying to make my way through the horde of students in the hallways and headed for the cafeteria. My head was down as I furiously typed on my phone sending an email to Joseph regarding the latest reports. Writing in my inputs, and telling him to edit the mistakes and discuss why these problems arose with my head manager Carlos, from the European district. As soon as I send my email, I bumped into someone and stumbled backwards. 

"I'm sorr-" I began raising my head, only to be cut off by some girl with six inch heels, reaching my natural height at 5'10. A glare was across her face which I'm guessing was supposed to be intimidating aimed directed at me. 

"Watch where you're going bitch", she spat as her eyes observed me in distaste. 

"I was trying to apologise before you interrupted me", I maintained my eye contact with her as I give her a blank face. One thing I hated the most were people who thought they were better than someone else, or those who bullied people. I could already tell that this girl- whomever she was, was spoilt. 

"How dare you answer back, do you know who I am! I'm Iris Reyes, I could ruin your pathetic existence in a second. Wait- who are you?" She screeched in the corridor, her loyal lackeys flanking her sides as they all looked at me expectantly. 

We were gathering a crowd. 

"Avalon Gracia". I replied in a calm collected manner- if only she knew who exactly she was talking to. 

"Oh you're the peasant that the school decided to pick up on". She walked closer to me with confidence until she was near my face. I could smell her overpowering perfume. I held my breath.

She shoved a finger to my shoulder. "Listen here trash, do not mess with me - take this as a warning an-"

"What's going on here?", a deep voice interrupted her, and we all turned our head towards the source. It was him - Elijah Easton. 

Iris Reyes practically skipped over and clung on his arm like a blood sucking leech before her water-works activated. I could see she has picked up her acting skills from her father, who was a famous actor.

"Oh Eli, it's her fault...", she sniffled. "She bumped into me and I tried to apologise before she started being rude to me and calling me dumb! She even broke my nail!, it costs two thousand dollars!". Fat tears rolled down her cheeks as her lackeys tried to calm her down, at the same time glaring at me. The crowd was quiet for Elijah's response. From the corner of my eye, I could see my group huddled waiting for the show. 

I looked back to Iris, who now had a smug look on her face as if to say 'you're over bitch'. Elijah stared at me with an emotionless mask, as do his group from behind him. He removed Iris' hand before walking over and standing next to me, facing the crowd. 

His gaze hardened over to Iris, who now gulped in fear. "I saw what happened Iris Reyes", he sneered her name, "as did everyone. You were wrong and what was it you said? Peasant? What's wrong with a scholarship?". 

I tilted my head slightly to his 6'3 height with my eyes furrowed in confusion, I was pretty sure that information was not shared during this confrontation. 

"It shows that she has a brain. If I so much as hear you threaten her again, I will be the one to ruin your pathetic existence. Am I clear?". He glared at her as the crowds jaws dropped simultaneously. Even his friends looked at him with surprise. 

"Oh and do not call me Eli. Now scram!", and just like that everyone ran away from the scene. The only remaining people were the Royal elites, and my group. He turned to face me, "Are you okay?". 

"Yes, thank you although I could have handled the situation myself". I respond to him. 

"Elijah Easton", he smirked with his hand held out for me to shake. 

"Avalon Gracia but I'm guessing you already knew that", I nodded taking his hand. He eyes widened in surprise at my statement. I explained his unasked question further, "You knew I was a scholarship student".

His smirk widened. From this angle, I could see his long eyelashes that covered his eyes. I had thought that his eyes were plain grey, but by being this close I could tell they were anything but. There were undertones of blue in the center before they faded into grey. I broke my stare with him and let his hand go. "Well, we must get going. Thank you again Elijah". 

He nodded while putting his arms into his pockets. "See you soon cupcake", he said as we started to walk away from him. 

I froze slightly at the nickname and turned my head over my shoulder, "My name is Avalon not cupcake. Oh, and next time let me handle my own fights".  

I turned back to my group as we made our way to the cafeteria in silence. I felt his stare on my back burning the whole way. 

                                                                     _____

"Do you understand how big of a deal this is?" Harper exclaimed with frantic hands flapping like a bird. We were currently in the 'entertainment room' lounging on some of the sofas. It was long after dinner, and as much as I would like to rest in my room and complete my work that was pending, it seemed like I had no choice as I was dragged here by Harper and Lena.  

"No, I really don't understand". I replied as I kept my eyes trained on my phone to analyse the digital reports just sent in from Tristan. 

"He never, never, ever stands up for someone. Hell, none of them do! They never get involved in other people's business. You're the first! You must've done something to them, think!" Lena practically shook my whole body by holding my shoulders. 

"Or... you've caught his eye", Tyler inputted calmly looking at me. 

I glanced at him briefly. "Oh no!, not my baby. I won't let him take you away from me!". Max dove on the sofa before crushing me in his arms, squeezing the life out of me. 

It took them at least five minutes before his arms were removed from me, all the while Max whispering how he wouldn't let them take me away from him. 

I slightly glared at Max, making him freeze with wide doe like eyes as he tried to appear innocent. I opened my mouth, but my ringtone interrupted the silence as I looked down to my phone. 

It was Joseph. "Well I must take this call, so I will see you all tomorrow. Goodnight". With this I made my way out of the entertainment room and walked back to my dorm to answer the call in privacy. 

I could hear Harper running after Max in the background whilst he was trying to escape from her abuse.