CHAPTER 2
The sun shines brightly, the flowers are at its blossom, the atmosphere is indeed a warm welcome− it is summer after all. The alarm kept on sounding yet Lilia is still fast asleep.
“Lilia! Wake up already, you’re going to be late if you stay longer” her mom’s voice sounded from the kitchen.
She slammed the alarm clock, turning it off. Looking at what time it is, 6:30 am. “Oh geez, it’s just start of the school and I’m late” tone in a hurry. She randomly picked her clothes, wore them hurriedly, shoes, and then went downstairs.
“Don’t want some breakfast?” Her dad asked.
Not even turning to her dads direction, “No can do dad, I’ll be late”, saying just as she went to their garage and drove out her car to school.
The bell rang its last warning. “Just in time” Lilia said, still gasping for air.
“Geez Lilia, if you keep that a habit, then you’ll be late the entire year” a familiar voice sounded from behind.
“Oh it’s you Vincent.” She almost shouted. Everyone looked in her direction as if caught by her reaction.
Vincent rubbed her hair ‘till he’s contented, maybe it is a way of saying he’d missed her. “Try to at least look at a mirror before going to school will you” he said teasingly.
Lilia looked at the window to see her reflection. “Oh my, I looked this silly all the way coming to school, how careless of me” she said laughing at herself, “At least rubbing others hair isn’t necessary” she said with grin.
“Well it’s just my habit after all” he said tweaking Lilia’s cheek.
“You better stop it then” tone a bit sharp.
“I can’t, or it’s as if ending my life” he said teasingly.
“So you mean that you live to tease people” her tone now is abrupt.
“No. Just for you”
Lilia looked down hiding her blush. Her heart beats fast as if it’ll explode.
Vincent thought he crossed the line. He stood up and walked back to his seat. The students noisily gathered and picked their places.
+++
A tall thin man introduced himself as Mr. O’Neill. An unfamiliar person stood beside him. A long chocolate hair tied up neatly. The wind caressed his hair loose revealing a pair of deep ash mauve eyes. “He will be joining your class,” he said.
“I’m Laurent Fitzgerald.” He said impassively.
Eyes glared at him. Some look with awe yet dubiously.
“As class representative, Lilia Prescott, why not give him a tour around the campus later.”
Lilia looked around and stood up warily. “Yes.” She smiled. Her eyes met Laurent’s. She felt odd looking in those pair of eyes. There is something that she can’t put her fingers into, something from this person.
The class went on. Mr. O’Neill starts to pass booklets. Lilia kept glancing to him. She was about to tap him when a piece of paper was thrown at her.
Don’t attempt to talk to him Lilia; I have an odd perception towards him. You can just turn over your work to someone else. Believe me.
Vincent
Lilia nodded. “I know but I still have to do it. Thanks.” Tone audible.
The class ended. Other students noisily left. Lilia stood warily hefting her backpack onto one shoulder. She went to Laurent. “Are you ready?” She grinned. “We’ll be going first to the library. Are you fine with that?”
Laurent looked up at her. “Fine” His voice stern.
“Wait up,” a voice sounded from behind. “I’ll join.” It was Vincent.
“No”
“But” He insisted.
Lilia remembered his note earlier. “It’s going to be fine.” She insisted. She grabbed Laurence hand and walked swiftly away avoiding him.
The two of them scouted the whole campus. Each stop was remarkably fine. Lilia kept on talking about the elegance of the campus. She was indeed proud of its exquisite stature.
“Can you let go of my hand now?” His voice was rigid.
Lilia released his hand. She felt warm holding unto it earlier. She laughed out of embarrassment. “I’m sorry.” Her voice now is firm. “I was just trying to avoid others barging in.” She turned and looked at him. “Well I hope I was useful.” She looked at his direction. “I forgot to introduce myself. I’m−”
“Lilia Prescott.” He said.
“Oh yeah right, Mr. O’Neill called me earlier and that’s when you heard my name.” She said with a grin. “It’s the school library. Should we go inside?”
The library was packed with students. Soft voices reverberated in the area −barely audible. They went up to the next floor. More shelves. Fewer students are in here. The window sills are blocked by dark scarlet curtains making the room sullen for studies.
Lilia moved the curtains aside. Lights shone brightly in the room. “Here is the High School section.” She smiled slyly. “Maybe you should see this.” She pulled a wooden stack ladder and climbed up few steps before reaching into an old book by the corner of the shelf. It was a century old. “This book here holds the secret of the school foundation. There was a legend that here in what we stood now is a door to another world. This school had a legend that it was formerly an academy of magi’s. None were able to prove it except this book which had the same age as of this school. They believe it holds a secret to this school lore.” She turned around, lost her balance then fell on the floor. “Don’t worry I’m fine. It’s normal for me to fall or even lost my balance. That’s just me. Well I don’t believe in those myths. I just want to tell you though.” She laughed nervously. The fall hurts but she kept it all to herself.
Laurent picked up the book. It carries a carved seal maybe century old. As he put his finger on it, it shone a faint light. The light entangled him. He felt as if it was his. He was enraptured at that moment.
Lilia snatched the book from his hands. “Sorry for the ruckus I made. We should head back, lunch will be over soon.” She said looking up to him. “I myself feel odd when holding this book. As if it was calling me to open it. It was locked from the beginning; no one was able to open it until.”
He grabbed her hand and put the book back himself.
“Thanks”
The bell rang. Students are already heading back to their class. The hallway is quite packed. The students noisily went back to their rooms.
“You can head first to the lab. I . . . have to get something first.” She said covertly.
Laurent walked into the crowd. His shirt and loose fitting pants seems the same with others but there is something that sets him apart, His confident stride.
She lost sight of him. Lilia tried to muster strength into her stride but her fall earlier affected her much. She can hardly walk.
A hand reached into her. “Let’s go back together.” It was Laurent. His voice was low yet firm.
Lilia nodded.
