Adelaide

Chapter II

Sapphire Gibson

I watch fondly as the boys disappear into the corridor without a breath of hesitation, accustomed to sneaking inside and out as they are. Ablaze with emotion as always, Ruby rolls her eyes and turns back to her school work, leaving me to maintain conversation with the newcomer.

"How long have you been here, then?" Adelaide prompts.

"Rue and I enrolled in the same cluster three years ago, I believe. Topaz arrived sometime the following year, then finally Ral during the one after. From there, everything just sort of pieced together for us four," I supply, before mindlessly adding, "Some left behind more than others in coming here."

Ruby stands abruptly. I half-expect her to quit the room; instead, she seats herself beside me at the table, reaching an arm behind my shoulders. Her slender fingers tangle in the wispy strands of my blonde-brown hair, combing out knots that return incessantly throughout the day. Having no siblings herself, Ruby can only pity the absence I feel in my brother and sister. Still, she understands when I allude to them and finds ways to comfort me accordingly.

Adelaide watches this show of affection without a word. I recognize the intelligent curiosity that passes behind her eyes, so alike to Emerald's when he first happened upon us last year. He, too, had wondered how two antipodes could be such close friends without clashing. Anyone from the outside may regard the general openness of character surrounding the students of Soventi as lacking in prudence, but after three years we've learned: within a castle built upon a hierarchy of secrets and enigmas, no place remains for one's own. The school is no prison, of course — students can return to their families as called at any time — but something unnamed and peculiar binds a piece of each our souls to the paradox within these cool stone walls.

"You'll find your place in time," Ruby drily reassures Adelaide.

"I hope to."

I'm glad to see my friend engaging even just a bit more. Of our little tetrad, Ruby is inevitably the least friendly one, the proud and desirous and inordinately emotional, especially in comparison to Emerald's affectionate and nurturing influence. Her snide outlook reminds me to always practice kindness, in an indirect and twisted sort of way.

"What activities do you find attractive in this place?" Adelaide continues, her curiosity igniting.

"Classes span from ten to five in the evening, as I'm sure you've already gathered," I elaborate with a shrug, "Most of our pastimes consist of reading, studying language, and taking turns at chess, while on finer days the school grounds open for cricket, horseback riding, or archery. Personally, I love to draw. Nothing unordinary."

Ruby, however, withdraws her hand from my hair and leans forward, her smile ambitious and vaguely nihilistic.

"But if you're searching for the unordinary, these corridors ring an altered tune past curfew, abound as they are with horror and romance alike. The headmistress does quite a sound job of keeping it all a secret from the benefactors, but ... we've found our ways."

She exchanges a clever glance with me, while I linger on the verge of shushing her. Although, I know my efforts would prove to be futile, anyway; Adelaide's wintry gray eyes brighten at the sound of Ruby's sinister words.

"Could you show me to the library? I'm afraid the prefect skipped over it."

The brunette shakes her head, as if her guide offended her mildly by failing to tour such a significant spot. This benign change of subject relieves me. Ruby's summertime green eyes meet mine, alight with a mutual eagerness to revisit one of our favorite places in the citadel.