KINGSMAN

XXI

START OF SECOND SEMESTER; THE AIR FRIGID WITH WINTER, THE ENTIRE EDGEWOOD STUDENT BODY GATHERED UNDERNEATH A CLEAR SKY.

Sylvi's mind strayed from Director Andrea's speech. Her mind was elsewhere, floating, stressing over Sienna. She fiddled with her collar again, wondering if perhaps Samuel might be able to sense what she'd been doing, like a bloodhound. April slapped her hand away.

"Take a breath, Jesus, Sylvi. You'll do great."

April was mistaken on the root cause of Sylvi's nerves. She believed it was due to her first appearance as Kingsman at a school event. She'd been to parties, she'd met people. But to the school, this was an official debut. After the Director finished, Samuel, as star student and the face of Edgewood, was to give a short address of his own.

"I know that," Sylvi said. "All I have to do is stand there and smile." Samuel would do the talking, Sienna on his arm. Roman, Archer, and herself behind them. She clicked the tip of her cane on the pavement, impatient. She would have a short window to corner Sienna once Samuel had finished and they left together. If Sienna wasn't with him or Roman, there were always other people vying for her attention. Sylvi would have to fight to even get a single word in.

Finally, Director Andrea finished and the audience applauded politely. Once she stepped off the podium, the Kingsmen advanced and took her place. Samuel adjusted the microphone. In the light of day he looked strange, monochrome against everything else. His hair was slicked back, his shirt pressed, the Edgewood coat of arms displayed on the breast of his jacket. When he smiled, he looked like the picture of everything Edgewood wanted to be.

"Good morning, everyone. I know you must all be exhausted after having to stand and listen to speech after speech, so I promise to keep this short. Welcome back to Edgewood, as I know you've all heard before and never want to hear again." Small laughs pebbled throughout the crowd. "Last year, this school suffered a great loss in the form of the untimely death of Benjamin Hill, a close friend of mine. This past year has been spent in mourning. But today, I want to institute a bit of light in the darkness with the introduction of our newest Kingsman, someone who I feel Benjamin would have been proud to follow in his footsteps." He gestured outward, turning his head, and Sylvi took a deep breath.

Everyone had already seen her, come to know of her in some form. But today was different. Sylvia cut through the crowd. There was a hush as all eyes landed on her. She caught the slight surprise in Samuel, and the shocked smile Sienna gave.

April had languished hours of the early morning working towards this. Sylvi had released her twists, the unbound hair crowning her head with coils, pushed back by a pearl headband lent by April. Her slacks were pressed, her shirt crisp, and her coat, displaying Edgewood's seal, was draped over her shoulders. In her right hand, she gripped the head of her cane. Sylvi finally allowed herself to relax and limp freely with all eyes on her. Rhamah was nowhere to be seen, but she looked for her anyway.

Once she reached the stage, all surprise was gone from Samuel's face, and he waved her over. "Sylvia Frances Carson. Truly, one of Edgewood's Best."

He stepped back as she took his place at the podium. Her hands shook and she felt like she was cooking in her clothes, but she took a breath. "Thank you, Samuel. To be completely honest, I never expected this would happen to me, and especially not considering the circumstances. If I could take it all back, I would, I'd rather have Benjamin alive than me standing here." she made a point to avoid all eyes as the words spilled forth. "But, unfortunately, life doesn't work like that. The only thing I can do, is my best. I may not have known Benjamin, but, as Samuel said, I hope to honor him."

Silence. Sylvi stepped away, still shaking internally. Samuel adjusted the microphone again, and began a slow, polite clap. The crowd erupted into applause and Sylvi bowed her head in thanks. Samuel smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes, it never did. "Thank you so much for being a part of this, Carson. And to all of you, I put my utmost faith that we, the fantastic students of his school, will continue to make this year a great one, just like all the others."