SONGS AND TRAILS (Book 1)

CHAPTER 40

Another day, another season and everyone was back at the Institute after a long winter break, including Arabella. Chattering could be heard, catching up, laughter, and so on. The Institute was alive when everyone returned.

Most trainees didn't return due to the death scandals but surprisingly the rates of the ones that did were more than the ones that didn't.

There were a lot of carriages going in and out of the Institute gates and a lot was going on outside.

Arabella walked into the room to find Mia and Rai seated on the bed as Mia unpacked her trunk.

"Bella!" Mia jolted up from the bed as she went for her and wrapped her arms around her.

"Whoa! Hey there, Mia." Bella balanced herself before they fell.

"Aww! I missed you so much." She then sniffed. "What's in your hair? It smells so good." She pulled away to look at her.

"Just one of Mima's concoctions." Bella's eyes met Rai's. "Hey, Rai."

"Hey! Good to see you!" He gave her a quick hug.

"What are you guys doing here so early?" Bella asked.

"Well, Mia wanted us to come a day before to give you company but sadly we didn't find you here." Rai sat on a bed.

"Sorry, I did say I would visit Mima." Bella put her small bag down as she dropped on her bed.

"You could've at least written to me. I told you I was going to come in almost all my letters." Mia complained.

"Stalker much!" A voice said after a door opened and it was Marietta.

"Marie!" Mia jolted again to her and hugged her.

"Whoa there!" Marie giggled.

"I missed you!" Mia pulled away.

"It's just been a few weeks." Marie told her.

"Six weeks are a lot." Mia said.

"Okay, I missed you too!" Marie's eyes caught Bella's. "Hey, you!"

She went over and hugged her and carried her off her feet.

"Whoa!" Bella laughed.

"It's good to see you." Marie put her down as they pulled away. "You look good."

"You too!" Bella giggled.

"Wow! You're a strong person, Marie!" Rai laid back as he bounced his throwing ball against the wall that had the headboard.

"Bella isn't even that heavy." Marie said as a man brought in her bags and trunks. "Thanks so much!"

The man left.

"I don't understand why people carry so many things for such little time." Rai said.

"Me neither!" Bella told him.

"You see? That's why Bella and I click." Rai smiled.

"Hey!" Mia finally complained. "I'm not a stalker. I was keeping Bella company." She slammed at her bed.

Marietta just chuckled at that.

"Thanks, Mia. I really appreciated all the letters." Bella smiled and then opened her bedside table drawer. "See? I kept all your letters."

Mia squealed in joy. "You see?" She went to Bella's bed. "That's why I love you." She hugged her.

"I love you too, Mia." Bella grinned.

"Urgh! All this emotion makes me want to vomit!" A voice that made Rai shoot up from his back position that his ball lost control and went flying across the room.