Elite Affairs - Book one

Chapter Five

"The truth is, I don't know how to love you the way you need me to"

Açelya woke up early in the morning when the church bell rang. She got out of bed and started getting ready for Mass. The dormitory was already bright because of the fluorescent lights. She showered, brushed her hair, and put on her clothes. She wore a white blouse, a black skirt, and black tights. She also covered her hair with a white scarf.

Açelya left her room and joined the other girls in the hallway. They were all heading to Mass, and the exhaustion was palpable. No one was chatting or laughing, and even the usually boastful girls were too tired to brag. But as Açelya glanced around, she couldn't help but notice that many of them were wearing stylish outfits. She saw luxurious fabrics, precise tailoring, and impeccable accessories. It was as if they had spent hours getting ready, despite the early morning wake-up call.

Açelya wondered how they had managed to look so polished when she could barely keep her eyes open. She herself was wearing a simple but modest outfit, and she had barely had time to brush her hair properly.

Açelya stepped outside into the crisp morning air, shivering slightly as the cool breeze hit her. It was hard to believe that August was ending, but the weather seemed to think it was already December. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to warm up as she followed the path to the cathedral with the other girls.

As they walked, Açelya felt a hand slip through hers, and she turned to see Mariya yawning beside her. "I'm so tired," Mariya whispered, her eyes half-closed. Açelya smiled and squeezed her hand reassuringly. Mariya leaned her body against Açelya's, and Açelya supported her, feeling a sense of camaraderie with her fellow student.

As they entered the magnificent cathedral, Açelya's gaze was drawn upwards to the soaring vaulted ceiling, adorned with intricate stone carvings and stunning stained glass windows that filtered the morning light into a kaleidoscope of colors. The air was alive with the soft murmur of voices, the scent of incense, and the gentle rustle of movements as the students found their seats.

The cathedral's vast interior was a masterful blend of ancient architecture and elegant simplicity, with rows of polished wooden pews stretching out like a sea of brown and gold. The walls, adorned with towering pillars and majestic arches, seemed to whisper stories of centuries past, their stone surfaces worn smooth by the touch of countless hands.

As the students settled in, the boys and girls mingled freely, choosing their seats without regard to gender or social status. Açelya and Mariya, both found themselves sitting alongside a group of boys from their class, who were all impeccably dressed in their designer uniforms. One of them, a tall, blond boy with a haughty expression, gazed at Açelya with a mixture of disdain and amusement.

"Look what we have here," he sneered, his voice dripping with condescension. "The scholarship girl. How...charmingly rustic."

Mariya, who sat beside Açelya, shot him a withering glance. "Julian, that's enough," she said, her voice firm and commanding. "Açelya's worth isn't defined by her financial situation. And besides, I think she's more refined than you'll ever be, despite your trust fund."

The boy's smirk faltered, and he looked away, chastened. Açelya felt a surge of gratitude towards Mariya, who had defended her with such fierceness.

"Thanks, Mariya," Açelya whispered, smiling at her friend.

Mariya smiled back, her eyes still flashing with indignation.

As Açelya gazed around the cathedral, her eyes scanned the sea of faces, searching for a familiar figure. She had been hoping to catch a glimpse of Léon, but so far, he was nowhere to be found. The pews were filling up rapidly, with more students streaming through the doors, chatting and laughing with each other. Açelya's eyes widened as she took in the sheer number of students, all gathered together in this magnificent space. She had never seen so many people in one place before, and it was almost overwhelming.