Eternal Symphony

3. Crime and Prejudice

The following several months before the Autumn semester couldn't end soon enough. Since the dance, Alice did her best to stay occupied, but she couldn't shake away Elijah's and Scarlett's harsh words. When her mother noticed her dark and dreary attitude, Alice caved and explained the unpleasant exchange the morning after the party.

"Oh, the nerve of them both! I thought he was such a fine gentleman, too. Well, he's not worth the headache or the time. I'm so sorry, Alice, but don't let that bother you." However, since the party, all Alice heard her mother say was, "Did you see the way Miles swooned and fawned over Camellia?"

The week before classes was no different; barely seven in the morning, Alice blearily ate her cereal while Lia was buttering her toast. Their father had stopped listening to their mother after first mentioning the affair. Ignorant of their mother's nonsensical speech, James read the news through his phone as usual before replying, "That's nice, Lily," now fatigued with the raptures of his wife. Before their mother could say more, he finished breakfast and took his coffee in a thermos. "I'm running late. I must make sure everything is ready before Monday. I love you."

He started returning to his classroom last week, preparing for when his students would return at the start of the new school year later next week in September. They kissed goodbye, and he left Alice and Lia with their mother after giving them each a hug, who continued with her talk that the sisters heard a million times since the party.

"With Lia marrying into the Kingsleigh family, at least one of you will have a future to look forward to."

"Who says they're going to get married?" Growing weary of hearing the same day in and out, Alice groaned and immediately went upstairs after she finished eating and washing her bowl and spoon. Lia, however, couldn't help but blush, but Alice saw that Miles wasn't as keen on her sister as their mother had exasperated out of proportion.

However, her mother turned a deaf ear to her daughter's pleas to stop, and, to her dismay, Alice couldn't escape her speech. "And I noticed you and Emil were growing close, too."

"Oh, Mom, please. It was one dance."

"So? You two talked an awful lot and danced for a while. If Elijah is already taken, maybe his younger brother would be better. He's definitely handsome, and he's your age, too—"

"Emil was only being friendly and nothing more." Alice wanted to avoid being the topic of conversation, so she fled to her room and closed the door. Since learning of Elijah's betrothal, her mother wouldn't stop prattling on about Alice being with Emil instead. Though he was friendly, Alice wasn't interested. She didn't believe that Emil was making any advances towards her; flattering, maybe, but not in any way to convince her to seek a relationship.

He was only acting like a gentleman, unlike his brother.

Doing her best not to be vexed by ill behavior, she spent her time reading and drawing, serving as great distractions. The week before school, she ecstatically picked out her classes for her third year. Alice systematically reviewed her books and bag, ensuring she had all she needed, though the class workload would keep her busy. She was at least thankful for a long four-hour stretch between her morning and evening courses: this allowed her ample time to complete homework.

Though teachers and peers commended her skills and intelligence, she wished she had other talents. Treated like an outcast throughout her high school career, Alice was used to being ridiculed by her classmates for working too hard. The only niche she clicked with was outsiders like her; they were constantly mocked and trampled upon by popular groups. Unlike Lia, Alice never got along with other people her age. She remembered her vain attempts to socialize initially, and all she accomplished was making herself the laughingstock of the entire school. She was finally happy to graduate so she could move on to a better future.