Blue Skies Academy

Chapter 11

I had overestimated the mountain of people present at the fair. As it turns out, students were allowed to bring as many extra people as they wanted. Kids and elders alike were happily moving across the land. And yet, as I carefully scanned each face, there was no sign of Dominic. No glimpse of that golden hair or his everyday cocky smirk.

"Who are we looking for?" I hear a whisper behind my ear.

I turn around. "Jeez, April!" I give my friend a look. "I'm not looking for anyone."

She raises a suspecting brow. "You were studying the crowd even when we were at the very top of the Ferris wheel." I look the other way. "I mean, there are students missing..."

"Missing?"

She nods. "Dominic and his minions. He never comes to the fair. At first, I thought that he just thought of himself too mighty to mingle with people out of his 'budget'. Turns out he's back at the dorms, setting up the party."

Right. Of course. The party. His father owns part of the school, and April did mention that the party can only be heard because of their capacity to break those rules. If he's organizing the whole thing, it means there are people all around him. He should be fine.

***

I look at my reflection in the mirror, April behind me.

"Kamari, you look beautiful." She beams.

I give her a tight smile. We came back from the fair, and as soon as we stepped foot into our room, we rushed to get ready in time. My friend's dress was stunning. But it was even more beautiful on her. As she requested, the dress was a creamy green color, soothing to the eye and making April's skin glow with golden shades. It reached her knees and was cinched at the waist. Small cream fabric flowers crawl up from the bottom of the bodice and cascade down the tule of the skirt. Pinched straps of fabric wrap around her arms, forming some off-the-shoulder sleeves. Her hair is tied up with a golden clip, dangly earrings framing her face.

"You're stunning as well." I tell her before focusing my attention on my own garment.

It's obvious the tailor we went to is more than skilled. The dark royal blue color he chose sharpens my features and brightens my face. Just like April's, it reaches my knees but is a bit longer in the back. Ruffles form a full skirt, and a corset top is molding the fabric to my torso. Subtle sparkles peak through the material, glinting in the faintest light. My hair is half up and held by a matching bow. Two pearl drops shine from my ears. I've never felt better about myself than I do now. I suppose that's what good money gets you.

"You're ready?" I hear April ask.

I give her a nervous nod, and we begin walking towards the party. We met Sarah and Fab on the way. Their dresses aren't any less magnificent. Sarah's is somewhat of a dusty pink and has ribbons all over, adorned with the tiniest of pearls. Fabian's is the embodiment of confidence and opulence in her blood red gown, fitted to her curves, lace dropping over her knees to create a short train.

"Finally." She mutters.

"Sorry, Fab, I couldn't find my other earring." April says sheepishly.

The redhead head shakes her hair and walks towards the glass doors leading to the veranda. Doors that I used frequently for sneaking out. Once outside, lively chatter fills our ears. Our extravagant gowns don't stand out against the mass of fabric worn by others. As we begin to Mingle with the other students, my eyes start scanning the crowd for Dominic. I find him at a round table, circled by his friends and a flock of girls, all giggling and twirling their hairs around their fingers. Good. As long as there are people around him, I doubt anyone will just gauge his eyes out. Or maybe they would. I know I would. I move to another small round table. A server passes me, one last drink on his tray. I take it, giving him a polite smile in return. I watch Dominic's table once more. Right next to him stands Rowan, Fabiana's twin, expression stoic. I've never seen him smile. Even at combat training, his expression remains blank. But then again, I've never really watched him. I look down at my drink.

I never liked big parties. Every time we had an event at school, I'd limit my movement to minor dancing in a corner with my friends. But at least there I was with people like me. I might be living as Kamari De Verre for now, but I don't even know what that should be like. I drown my drink. It's sweet and savory, the tingling sensation of the bubbles pinching my tongue. A mixture of flavors swarms my taste buds: orange, strawberry, grapes, watermelon, pineapple... I let out a content groan. I don't know what this is, but it's amazing. I look around for another server. Once I spot him, I scurry over to grab two other glasses. In a few moments, one of the substances is gone. As I attack the last one, my eyes lock with Dominic. His grin spreads from his left to right ear, sly, malicious, venomous. I narrow my eyes at him. What's his problem? Ruining my view like that... Suddenly, it feels like the chattering around me increases, the music becomes too loud, and the world has taken its turn on the dance floor with some fouettés. I need some peace, some calm, some air. I walk around, letting my steps follow the incline of the ground as it spins. Before I notice it, I'm in front of the maze. Oh. Well, I've wanted to go back in there every night since the first, so why not? I stumble through the entrance. I take so many turns that I start feeling nauseous.

As I trip over my own legs again, I hear one of my heels crack. I almost fall on my nose, but a hand stops my fall, grabbing my waist. I feel a toned chest press against my back as they steady me. I hear the soft puffs of air coming from their nose skim my ear. I stand petrified, not moving a muscle. The hand remains on my abdomen. I turn around slowly. But it's no one I expected. Rowan is standing right next to my nose, his light blue eyes just barely widening. He looks so much like Fabiana...

With a swift movement, he lets go of my waist and takes a step back. "Thank you..." I say, the encounter sobering me up. He nods. So much for a savior. I blink twice as the world moves again. "Good God..."

"How many glasses of Edenly have you had?" He asks, his eyes narrowing.

"Eden- what?" I squint.

"It's a strong drink...tastes of fruits..."

"...With sparkling water? Yeah, that. Three glasses? I think three." He shakes his head. "Hey, I'm allowed to have my share of fun."

His voice takes a sharper tone. "No doubt you are, but that drink has..." He pinches his nose, lowering his tone. "That drink has drugs in it. How did you forget that? It's popular at all rich parties. Are you that closed off that you don't attend any?"

Drugs? What even... I blink again. "No, no, of course I didn't forget..." Does every wealthy kid drink that? "My bad, I just got confused..."

He sighs. "You shouldn't be here either."

I attempted rolling my eyes. "Can y'all stop telling me that? I belong here, actually."

"I meant in the maze. Students don't come here."

"Then what are you doing amongst these walls?" I ask, my speech slurred. "You all go around criticizing me for my actions, but you're no better." I grab my broken shoe, Rowan watching me with slight concern. "I'm tired of you, mighty wannabe royalties..."

"Hey, hey, let's keep it civilized-" He lifts his hands towards me.

"I will be courteous, even...!"

My blabber is interrupted by an air ripping scream. Both Rowan and I freeze. "What was that..." I ask, my hand shaking and my shoe dropping.

"I have no idea..." He says quietly before giving me a look that I understand all too well.

We start running through the maze, rounding corners, and avoiding the eventual stray twigs popping out of the bushes. Rowan runs ahead, his pace quick and determined while I trail after him, moving as well as I can with my blurry vision.

We come to an abrupt stop. I almost slam into the guy's back. "What is it-" I peek over his shoulder and cover my mouth with my hands. All the alcohol's fuzziness drops from my system.

Before us is Fabiana, dress darkened where the blood would be, kneeling next to Mrs. Henrig's mutilated body.