Winter, Mandy and Layla trotted through the luscious, carpeted hallways of Golden Academy High arm in arm. Mandy whispered, "I hope Mrs. Scrimen is absent more often. I love joint classes with Star's potential. We get to be privy to all the gossip first hand." Layla laughed. Winter rolled her eyes, smiling, "What are we doing in the audio visual room anyway?" "We usually watch movies in there." "Educational movies?" Layla shook her head, "All kinds of movies." Winter laughed, "I forgot about how unconventional this school is."
They reached the audio visual room and Winter's eyes met dark blue ones. She tipped her head at him in greeting before looking away. Layla nudged her in the ribs. "What was that for?" Mandy smiled, "No more secrets." Winter laughed, repeating her words, "No more secrets." They all hugged in what seemed to be a notion of agreement. Layla pointed, "Let's go sit over there." Winter followed Mandy and Layla while internally scoffing at the term audio visual room, "This is nothing less than a glorified movie theater." When they sat down, Winter heard a rustling in the seat beside her, "Hey sparky. Another joint class. You must be feeling lucky today." Winter turned her head to observe Jax reveling in all his arrogant glory, "Just when I thought I was going to relax and actually enjoy this movie. How unfortunate." Jax just chuckled.
Cornell stood at the front of the audio visual room, "Alright as you know due to Mrs. Scrimen's absence we are having joint classes for the rest of the day. Both my class and class eight have been mixed together. You morons are here to watch a movie. Which means I don't want to hear any of your nasally, underdeveloped voices." Winter smirked at how uncouth Cornell was. She felt Jax staring at her and turned to look at him. He rested his chin in his hand, "What I wouldn't give to know what thoughts are running around in that pretty little head of yours." Winter laughed sarcastically, "What I wouldn't give to keep from knowing yours." The movie started and the boisterous conversation filling the room, morphed into a dull whisper. Winter studied the characters displayed on the screen. She noted their roles, attitudes and behaviors, body language, and backgrounds. Winter knew what the ending would be before the movie was halfway through. She mumbled, "She finds her sister and gives back the money." Jax raised his eyebrows and Winter shrugged before getting up and whispering, "I have to go to the bathroom." Mandy nodded, "Want us to come with?" Winter giggled silently, "No. I think I can find my way there." Winter walked out of the movie room. She rounded the corner and ran into Sam. He scoffed, glaring. His dark, crimson eyes seemed to pierce into her very soul, then they seemed to look right through her as though she wasn't even there. He walked away as though nothing happened. Winter leaned against the wall, watching him leave before she rounded the corner and kept walking.
Winter put her hands in her pockets and strolled around the campus, finally finding herself with a moment to explore. She looked around examining the decorations. Her mind wandered to the headmaster, contemplating all the possibilities surrounding his identity. Winter shook her head realizing there wasn't enough information to develop a conclusion. Lost in thought, Winter stumbled upon the library. The walls were lined with rows and rows of books. Crystal chandeliers that were expensively designed hung from the ceiling. Arches with painstakingly detailed patterns were found encompassing the area. The entire library was lined with carpets of the highest quality and inspired with the grandest style. The drapes were an eye catching scarlet silk. It was dimly lit, as to protect every word on the pages of each book from harsh, unflattering light. Winter's eyes sparkled as she attempted to take in the lavish display. Winter pondered for a moment, eyeing the scene. Such careful attention to detail of a library also means someone cared an awfully lot about the books.
Winter wandered aimlessly through the breadth layout of books. She noticed someone further down the isle and hid to observe them. Winter recognized the individual immediately and thought, "How did he end up here if we walked in opposite directions earlier?" Winter was able to really look at Sam Tudor for the first time. She was could finally depict all of his qualities and physical attributions thoroughly, unnoticed and undisturbed. Her eyes ran over his dark brown curls, muscled figure, demanding stance, and towering height. She recalled his vermilion eyes, struck by the memory of their impact. For the first time, Winter understood his magnetism. She understood the charisma others found in his appearance and the demand for attention that someone could read in his eyes. It was a command that refuse to be ignored. Sam looked around and Winter actively suppressed her presence to avoid detection. Sam placed the book back on the shelf and strolled away. When Winter was sure he was gone, she walked to where Sam was standing and picked up his discarded book. Winter read the title of the book "Stories Untold" and turned it over in her hands. She examined the cover, tracing her fingers over the golden lettering of the title.