SONGS AND TRAILS (Book 1)

CHAPTER 3

"Dragon's flame." Daya started by making her order known.

Arabella knew by that start, there was no way out of it. Once people started introducing their Orders, they didn't stop. Moreover, they felt offended when you tried to hide yours and she knew that was about to happen.

Mia said, "Hawk's Eye."

They all turned to Arabella who was quiet.

Mia pressed, "What's your Order?"

Arabella looked at her food, nervously, "I... I don't... I can't say."

"You can't say?" Mia was confused and Bella just stared at her food. "Everyone knows everyone's Orders."

"Yeah... what's so hard about saying yours?" Daya added.

"I... I'm sorry!" Arabella said in almost a whisper.

They all looked at her in confusion and a hint of disappointment. They all didn't understand why she didn't want to tell them of her Order.

"Oh!" Mia's voice carried a hint of disappointment. "It's... It's okay. I mean if you don't want to be... friends... Did we do something wrong?"

Arabella cut her off, "No! It's not like that!" She looked for a way to tell them then turned to Daya. "You're from the Dragon's Flame..." Daya looked at her in total confusion. "I hear you are the only one in the institute."

Daya said, "Uhm!... yeah, I guess."

"How does it feel?"

"Overwhelming... I guess. I mean I don't have anyone to relate to in here."

"Imagine being the only one of your Order in the entire realm."

They looked at her and finally caught up in a few seconds.

Daya exclaimed silently, "Oh shit!"

Mia's eyes widened at Bella.

Arabella said, politely, "Now you know why I can't tell you."

Mia said, "Oh it's okay. It's okay. I'm so sorry! I misunderstood you."

"That's okay." Arabella told her.

Mia blew a breath, "Phew! For a while there I thought you didn't want to be our friend. Maybe you didn't like us."

Arabella gave a small smile.

Marietta said, "It's okay. We understand why you find the need to keep to yourself."

"Sorry for judging!" Mia apologized again.

"That's okay!" Arabella's tone was still silent.

Arabella sighed silently in relief. She thanked everything she had, that these ones weren't going to press on her like the others.

Some had snorted at her for not telling them where she was from. Some thought she was being rude for not sharing. And others thought she was weird.

Arabella's eyes met Rai's in her line of sight. He was staring their way. Mostly at Daya. She angled her head and looked at Daya who was busy lounging on her chair.

"I know..." Mia said and Bella turned to her, "...he's being creepy." Mia grinned.

Daya's eyes captured Rai's and he quickly averted them. Caught.

Daya grinned, "Oh! He still can't get over his loss."

Marietta said with a small smile. "I doubt that's why he's staring." she looked at Daya.

Both the girls do. Arabella also smiled a little. Before Daya could say anything, a blonde male stood before her, blocking Rai's view.

They all recalled him from their class. He was also in their year.