Bound by Stars (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 3: New Bonds & Encounters

After scrolling on my phone for about an hour, I realized I had another class coming up. I jumped off my bed, grabbed my bag, and rushed out the door. Thankfully, this time I didn't get lost. I made it just in time for my second and last class of the day: History.

As I walked in, I spotted several familiar faces, including Percy, Emily, Natalie, and Elise. I headed over to sit next to Percy. Elise sat far away from my friends, talking to a girl with sandy brown hair, brown eyes, and freckles. It was the first time I had seen Elise laugh and not seem so cold. The sight caught me off guard.

"Aurora, hello? You started daydreaming," Natalie called out, snapping me back to reality.

I laughed softly. "Sorry about that. Do you guys know anyone else in the class?"

"Yeah, actually," Percy said, pointing to the girl sitting with Elise. "That's my sister, Olive."

"What about the girl next to her?" I asked, curious.

"Oh, Elise? She's the daughter of the headmaster," Percy explained.

That makes sense, I thought. No wonder navigating this maze was so easy for her.

The professor coughed, drawing everyone's attention to the front of the room. "Alright, class, let's get started. Today we'll be diving into the history of our planet, starting from the very beginning with dinosaurs and asteroids. I want to hear your theories."

Hands shot up around the room, and I raised mine too. The professor pointed to me, and I gave my theory about how an asteroid impact led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. A few heads nodded in agreement.

Then Elise raised her hand, and the professor called on her. Her response was more elegant and academic, touching on scientific research and providing a detailed explanation. She sounded incredibly smart.

The professor applauded her. "Excellent points, Elise. Now, let's move on to the next topic..."

After class, we all headed to lunch together. The dining hall was bustling with students. We grabbed trays and made our way to the food stations. Today's options included grilled chicken, a variety of salads, pasta, and fresh fruit. I opted for the chicken, a mixed greens salad, and some watermelon slices.

We found a table and sat down. I noticed Elise, Olive, and two unknown guys sitting together far away from us. I picked at my food, eating some of it while engaging in casual conversation with my new friends.

"So, what do you think of the history class?" Emily asked, taking a bite of her chicken.

"I liked it," I said. "It's interesting to hear everyone's theories."

"Yeah, and the professor seems pretty cool," Natalie added. "I'm looking forward to seeing what else we cover."

Percy nodded. "Same here. It's nice to have a mix of familiar faces in class."

After finishing lunch, we lingered at the table, enjoying each other's company. It felt good to be part of a group, even if everything was still new and a bit overwhelming.

"So, what do you guys do for fun around here?" I asked, curious about the social scene at this boarding school.

"Well," Emily began, "there's the student lounge, which is pretty cool. They have games, a big TV, and sometimes even movie nights."

"Yeah, and the sports facilities are top-notch," Natalie added. "I'm planning to check out the gym later. Wanna come?"

"Sure, that sounds great," I said. "I could use a workout."

Percy leaned back in his chair, grinning. "And if you're into more laid-back activities, the library is amazing. It's a great place to chill and catch up on reading or homework."