The first day of the new academic year has arrived. Arabella reluctantly got out of bed and started getting ready with her favorite playlist. After finishing, she left the house and headed to the academy.
Arriving at the entrance itself, she saw the same scene she saw when she was graduating last year and happily exiting that entrance. The academy was a very old building, built of gray stone. It occupied a huge territory and was surrounded by the most beautiful trees on the planet Earth. They further emphasized her beauty. It had three entrances that were completely symmetrical in width. Each entrance consisted of a huge wooden door, built of gray poplar. The central entrance had a sumptuous staircase with a deep blue carpet. In addition to the obvious visibility of the lavish entrances, the many windows of which it was made were also visible. She owned numerous classrooms. Each of them had two windows, which spanned their entire length. Some classrooms also had small, luxurious terraces, which offered a beautiful view of the entire area around the academy. The whole academy resembled the castles of Edinburgh. The approach to it was like the approach to an old castle. It consisted of high walls and black bars. In the center was a huge gate with black and oblong bars.
Soon Liv joined Arabella as she stood alone in the courtyard of the academy.
– It's great to see you again! The new mission really affected your free time – she told her, and then hugged her.
– Of course it is.
– Did you hear that Orion also enrolled here this academic year?
– How interesting! – Arabella said ironically, observing the crowd that was entering the academy's courtyard every moment.
– Today's mission is to survive this day in a crowd that is usually more rowdy than it is – she continued
– And it's not so terrible, except that we won't have as many classes together as before.
– Don't remind me of that! – Arabella cut her off sharply.
– I'll have to socialize with other creatures, and that doesn't really work for me. And now most of them can't stand me, since Orion won them over and now they admire him.
Returning her gaze to the now even larger crowd that was slowly entering the academy from the courtyard, she saw that the class would soon begin.
– I think I should go now, unfortunately classes will start soon! Good luck with the rest of this stormy day!
– Thank you! And don't forget that Orion is also going to this academy now!
– I'll keep that in mind, thank you! said Arabella.
Arabella stepped away from Liv and entered the main academy's hall. It was huge and resembled the outdated museums of planet Earth, like the Louvre Museum in Paris. It is decorated with various works of art and sculptures. It was filled with the noise of numerous creatures, which hurriedly went to their classrooms or, on the other hand, lingered in its vastness. He was discovering an even greater number of classrooms than those that were visible from the outside. In addition to that "illusion," it was made up of still undiscovered secrets, places and mysteries. One of them was the mystery that is waiting for Arabella and that will soon be solved. Namely, due to the spaciousness of the academy and the lack of knowledge of the locations where the classes of her chosen science will be held, Arabella had to throw herself into the right search. This year, she chose literature and art as the subject of her academic pursuits. She has always loved to create. She considered it a wonderful ability, with the help of which she can record every emotion, thought and state, which will remain forever. She was a very sentimental creature and that choice represented the best and long-awaited option for her.
She pushed her way roughly through the crowd, directing her gaze to the numbers above each classroom. The crowd of creatures made a tremendous noise that filled every corner. Their orbiting in the premises of the outdated academy at the moment when the new academic year was about to begin created a very tight space. Arabella wanted to run away at any moment. She didn't like crowds like this. Finding a classroom was not at all easy for her. With books in her arms, she didn't register the existence of the majority. Being shut out like that, she suddenly experienced a strong collision that immediately brought her back to reality. The very next moment, she was on the floor with books. More precisely, she leaned on him. She leaned on Orion with her own hands.
Moments of hatred hissed around them, as they eyes locked. Still, she enjoyed his gaze. Leaning like that, she calmly observed every feature of his face. She felt the velvety soft skin under her fingers. Standing up, she suddenly pushed herself away from him, and he looked on. He held that look, then stood up and continued on. She stayed behind him gathering her books. Turning, she saw him slowly disappearing in the crowd.
She finally found her classroom and entered it, observinng every corner of it. It was almost full and noisy, just like the rest of the academy. She headed for the free bench, which was next to the window in the back row. She didn't know many creatures, so she turned her gaze to the enchanting courtyard, which she could see from the window. The bell rang for the start of the first class. Professor Betty calmly entered the classroom, despite the noise coming from it.
Namely, Syrinx was also inhabited by older creatures, who worked in public institutions. All of them, decided to live a solitary life, which they focused on providing help in the survival of the planet, where only young creatures lived now. One of them was Mrs. Betty. She belonged to a team of thirty professors who made up this academy. Also, she was alone and had no family. She didn't want to have it. She wasn't much of a romantic, so that's probably why she didn't settle down. She was extremely kind and good. She often collected her creamy hair with two pencils and additionally highlighted the look with colorful makeup. Arabella loved her very much and was happy to see her at the front door of the classroom. To all of them, Professor Betty gave her familiar smile, full of warmth and motherly love. After that, they started getting to know the curriculum. Her sweet voice was interrupted by the appearance of Orion at the classroom door. Entering, he took a free seat and sat two benches in front of Arabella.
- Good afternoon, Orion, I can see that you are comfortably settled, so I will wish you, as well as the others, good luck for the new academic year!
Professor Betty calmly looked at him and continued: – First, you could deign to say good afternoon and show me some respect!
– I am the leader of this planet! – said Orion indifferently.
– I'm much older than you!
– That does not change the fact that I am the leader here!
– That's right, but you, as the leader of this planet, should show some respect for your people!
– Good, now you can continue with your plan and program intended for this year!
– Before that, I'm interested in why you came to literature and art classes, if you chose the field of mathematics?
– Because I obviously wanted to attend this class!
– You break the rules like that!
– I am the leader here and can do whatever I want!
– It's not fair to other creatures!
– Do I look like someone who is interested in that?
– Okay, let's continue with the lesson and calm the tensions.
Everyone in that crowd, who had been waiting for that moment, ran out into the hallways of the academy and blended in with the others.
Arabella was left alone in the classroom, just like Orion. He gave her one look and left. After packing her things, she went out and joined the crowd of students.
After the fourth lesson, Arabella readily headed to the sumptuous hall for the big break. She made her way through the crowd, which, like her, headed towards the hall. In the great crowd, she heard someone call her name. When she turned around, she saw Professor Betty.
– How can I help you, Professor Betty?
– I was going to ask you if you are interested in the ecological section, which I will lead this year?
– I will think about that offer!
– The first section will be held on Thursday and soon we will have a project, so I would like you to participate in that project.
– I'll let you know.
– I'm glad. Enjoy a great vacation.
– Thank you, and you too. Goodbye.
She continued walking to the lounge. When she arrived, she saw that the hall was huge and freshly painted in a light shade of gray. It had two huge windows with rich dark blue curtains. Its walls were decorated with various paintings that represented the art of planet Earth. The murmur of a crowd of creatures now emanated from her and once again brought the charm of life into her. In addition, she smelled of the most delicious dishes that were prepared for the students. Arabella was trying to find Liv in that crowd. Just when she thought her mission was futile, she saw her coming towards her.
– Well, how did you spend these four hours? – asked Liv.
– Actually, they didn't go badly.
– I'm glad then. Let's take a seat.
When they finally found a seat and got comfortable, they fell into conversation.
– Have you found new friends yet? – with a great deal of irony, asked Arabella.
– I have to admit that I found potential!
– How unexpected!
– Did you socialize at all today?
– No... I actually got an offer from Professor Betty!
– What kind of offer?
– An offer to join the environmental section that she will lead.
– Well, that's a great offer.
– Don't you think it's a little strange?
– What's so strange about it?
– It is strange that she will lead that section instead of Professor Brenda.
– Why?
– Maybe because Professor Betty is a professor of literature and has nothing to do with biology and ecology.
– Come on, you're overthinking a little too much!
– It's not true.
– Yes, it is. You get a great opportunity to socialize and then you make up some stupid excuses not to go!
– I didn't mention it at all, besides that, I will think about that offer.
– I hope so.
At the end of their conversation, Arabella tuned into the environment in which she found herself. She noticed a number of creatures passing by her table and giving her pitying looks. A large number of them even whispered to each other. She continued to sit still. She started a new conversation with Liv. They were talking and having fun, and then she spotted Orion entering that hall. He was wearing a white shirt, black pants and black converse. His hair fell over his eyes hiding the darkness in his gaze. He had headphones in his ears and ignored everything around him. He walked proudly through the hall. All the creatures present began to gather around him and smile at him, and he just continued to ignore them, looking in the direction he was moving.
– Ah, here he is – Liv told her.
– They are already completely under his influence – Liv commented, observing Arabella who was closely monitoring the situation.
The end of the break was fast approaching. Arabella and Liv headed for the hall's exit. They met Orion who was proudly walking down the hall.
– Where do you go assistant? – Orion asked, stopping right next to Arabella.
– I think I have my own name that you should call me.
– Your name lost its importance, when you lost your title of leader, now you are an assistant and not so important!
– Listen, I don't have time for this bullshit. Leave me alone and mind your own business – Arabella said, becoming more aware of the creatures that had gathered around them. She turned slightly, then headed for the exit. As soon as she took the first step, she felt his hand pull her back. She looked into his eyes right after the pull. They looked at each other for a few more seconds, and then she tore her hand from his and took slow steps towards the exit. As she walked down the hall, she heard various whispers and muffled giggles. In spite of this, she exited the hall without caring.