Blue Skies Academy

Chapter 4

I twist around in my bed. Sleep is definitely letting itself be expected. I sit up and look over at April. As soon as we got back from the academy, we chatted a bit, and soon enough, she was fast asleep. But for some reason, my eyes just did not want to shut together. I get out of bed, get my shoes, and softly exit the room. I am well aware that leaving after curfew is strictly prohibited, but I'm determined to be as discreet as I can.
I make it to the gardens once again. And I once again end up in front of that maze. Something feels so... Not off, more like... Mystical? I can't quite pinpoint it. As I take a step closer to the big mass of clean-cut bushes, I hear a voice behind me.

"I would've never imagined a poor, disoriented girl like you would have the guts to break the rules like that." The voice is full of mockery. "Then again, let me guess, you got lost on your way back from the salon?"

I sigh before turning around. That stuck-up brat. I never had a chance to really look at him earlier in the hallway. The moonlight gives his sandy, golden hair a shine that's almost soothing. His cheekbones are so sharp that they look like they could cut through paper. His eyes are of a deep, deep blue, so deep that they appear almost black unless the light hits them. And when it does, it feels like you're watching the whole universe expand and the flicker of every star in the sky. Despite the late hour, he's fully dressed: black suit pants, a navy button up and... a hoodie?

"I think the only one disoriented here is you. At least when you picked out your... sleeping outfit. Let me remind you that you shouldn't be out either."

He gives me a puzzled look before laughing. A lively, surprised laughter. "Let me remind you who has the power here, newbie. I can do as I please, my family owns this school!" He gestures at the buildings around us. He'd actually be handsome if he kept his mouth shut.

I roll my eyes. "Alright, mister I'm-so-rich-you-peasant-should-pay-to-look-at-me, you're also a student here, so the same rules that apply to me apply to you, too. Don't you have someone else to bother?"

His eyes narrow, but his grin doesn't leave his lips. "You have some guts to talk to me like that."

"Oh, forgive me, I'm shivering in my boots! Go on, call your daddy to fix the problem."

"I can't tell if you're brave or just extremely, very stupid. I'm leaning more towards the latter version."

"Ha. Ha."

The wind blows as some clouds I never noticed were in the sky cover the moon. I wrap my arms around myself. He raises a brow.

"What are you looking at?"

His arrogance is so present it's like a fragrance. He takes off his hoodie and walks towards me. "Are you perhaps... cold?" He leans in.

"Uhm... Only a bit. But I'll head back in." I try not to glance at the way that shirt wraps around his surprisingly muscled arms.

He lifts his hoodie up. My heart speeds up. I've never been this close to someone else, and most definitely not with a boy. What do I do, what do I say, I don't-
But nothing happens. He throws his hoodie over his shoulder, making sure to hit my face with it in the process.

I'm taken aback. "What the h-!"

"Now, now, it's not good to curse, is it?" I open my mouth to retort something back, but he stops me. "I'd watch my mouth if I were you." His eyes narrow. "This school has a lot of secrets and unturned rocks. If you do decide to remain here, be prepared to make sacrifices."

And with that, he turns around and walks away.

"H-Hey, wait! What do you mean?"

"Don't ruin my badass exit, please, newbie!" He looks over his shoulder. "And forget about this conversation."

I stood there for a few moments, puzzled. "He just- "badass exit" my foot." I roll my eyes and sigh.

I should get back inside before I get caught. But before I can move, questions swarm my head. Was this man high, or should I really believe all his blabbering? Maybe he's just messing with me. But there is something about this school that seriously puts me off... Also, what's up with those muscles? I catch myself blushing. Oh my God, why was I looking at his muscles?! It just... Why would such a fit guy need my protection? He looks tough enough, and unless his aim is truly worse than mine, then one of his punches would sting any body part that it connects to. Just what threat is he fighting? And what have I gotten myself into...? I sigh. It's too late for this. I carefully head back to my dorm room, hoping no one noticed me. Before I enter the building, however, I hear a branch crack. I turn around quickly, but... nothing. Nothing but the dark entrance to the maze, entrance where not even the soft rays of the moon reach. It definitely looks more ominous at night than during the day. I shiver. The lack of sleep is catching up to me.

Once I reach my bed, I slip into it and exhale. Truth be told, when I went outside, that strong, weird urge to let out my energy started building up again. When that guy came, I thought I was going to get busted. But his presence made my urge disappear, like a burden that I carried with me for way too long was lifted off my shoulders. Now that pressure is back, but the urge is no more. I'll brush it off for now. After all, I'm glad I could avoid destroying anything. And maybe it's just the new environment and stress that's messing with me. Yeah. That must be it.
I fall asleep.