Blackthorn Academy - 1 - In progress

14 - L Squad

The classroom was very dusty. Rory's nose tingled and her eyes stung, turning the rims slightly red. Professor Locke's voice drawled on, talking about Ancient Civilisations. Sure, there would be homework set about this but surely she'd still find stuff about this? I'll just go to the library if I have to, Rory thought, as she laid her head further on the desk, drifting off to sleep.

The presentation was rather boring, even to Oliver, who was trying hard not to close his eyes. Professor Locke had pearly white eyes, a sign of blindness. It was rather clear he'd never cleaned the classroom, as there were also cobwebs in the corners.

Looking around, he saw that nearly all the students had their heads on their desk. Looking behind him, he saw Rory, who was facing the window and probably sleeping. On her left, Finley had his head turned towards her, but was also probably sleeping. And Liam, who was in front of Rory, had his feet on his desk and had his hands behind his neck, leaning back with closed eyes. Florence, who had taken a few notes, got bored of that and was doodling some small flowers on a spare bit of parchment. Luke and Selene had moved their desks together and were having a game of naughts and crosses. William had his eyes closed against his face which he was propping up his hands. 

Turning back to the Professor, Oliver tried to pay attention, but his eyes wandered up to the clock on the wall, watching the hands tick by.

Rory felt something light hit her shoulder as she woke up, taking off her glasses to rub her eyes. She placed her glasses back onto her face and saw everyone getting up. She put her books back into her satchel and saw a plane made out of parchment fall to the floor.

In Alchemy, they were creating vials of a sleeping draught, simple. Or it would've been, but double-trouble were placed in partners, Rory and Finley. They were stirring in the wrong direction, adding a few unnecessary ingredients. The draught was supposed to be a soft lilac shade, their's being a lime green. Florence stared down at her draught with William, which was a pale blue, then stared across the table to Liam and Oliver, whom was trying to keep Liam away from adding random bits of what looked like a flower petal into their draught. 

The time to present came up, and Rory and Finley were still laughing at something. Professor Grimwald gave the two a fierce and stern glare as some of the draught spilled down the side of the vial. The Professor had a bald spot and thin grey hair slicked back along the side. 

The eight students followed other years down to the Grand Hall, where sandwiches and other lunch meals where spread along the house tables. Rory wasn't really hungry, but she served herself a small portion of salad, then picked out the tomatoes and placed them to the side. Unconsciously as she ate, she lowly moved the salad pieces around her plate, separating them into pieces and grouping them by their types; lettuce together, cucumber together, avocado chunks together.

Finley stared at what Rory was doing. She didn't eat much but she ate peculiarly, moving the food around and grouping it on her plate. It was fascinating, just like how her eyes had turned a slightly navy shade when she was mad, or before when they were laughing how they turned a brighter electric blue to her normal eyes.

Liam nudged Finley with his arm, grinning as Finley realised he had been staring at Rory. He turned slightly red, shoving his sandwich in his mouth. Still grinning, Liam leaned slightly into Oliver who was studying his schedule in his lap.

"We're going to need to get changed into our sports uniform for Physical Movement and Beast Management." Liam read Oliver's schedule.

Rory looked up when he said sports. She loved most sports and this had been the subject she was looking forward the most to. She had spoke to one of the fourth year students in the Emberflame Common room and had learnt that for games, they verse other houses. The house winning the tournament would get a house cup per sport.

Leaving their lunch plates for the waiters and waitresses, Finley, Liam and Rory walked ahead of Luke, Oliver and Selene, with Florence trailing behind with William. The first group of three placed their palms on the entrance flames, then hurried up the stairs. 

"Wait for us in the common room." Liam reminded Rory, then followed Finley into the boy's dormitory.

Rory quickly got changed into her sports uniform. Her black t-shirt was slightly loose, showing a small part of her collarbone. The Blackthorn Academy logo was threaded in red embroidery on the left, above her chest. Rory wore the black shorts, with the same coloured logo above her hip. She took off her glasses and placed contact lenses in, blinking as they stung her eyes. She tied back her hair into a ponytail, then braided it into two plaits. Leaving her sport shoes untied, she moved away from the mirror and walked into the common room, waiting for the others.

Rory looked up at the footsteps as they entered the First Year Common Room. Three blonde girls entered. One was tall with short hair, another was slightly shorter with a stockier build and the last girl was the shortest from the three. Rory smiled at them, trying to be welcoming.

"Who are you?" The stockier built one had her nose scrunched as if she was talking to someone who was way less.

"Rory, you?" After seeing the looks painted across their faces, she didn't bother being friendly.

"Lana Beaumont," The tallest one introduced, drawling out her last name as if it was a massive trophy. "Lucy Hayes," Lana pointed a pale, slender finger at the stockier girl who had her arms folded over her chest. "Laura Sterling." Lana pointed the same finger to the shorter blonde girl. Rory raised her eyebrows skeptically, as Lana spoke in a French-Like accent.

The three girls were still staring down at Rory who was sitting in the armchair by the window. She looked up again at the sound of footsteps coming from the Boys stairwell. Oliver walked down with Liam and Finley, all in their sports uniforms. They had the same fitted black short sleeved tops just like Rory's, however the neckline was slightly different. The shorts were slightly looser and longer as well. A moment later, Florence and Selene came from the girls room. Luke had kindly waited for William, so the pair were the latest of the lot. 

Lucy twirled a strand of her blonde hair in her fingers, scrunching her nose slightly. Selene and Rory noticed this, rolling their eyes at each other. Selene was taller than Rory, but not as tall as Florence.

"How many minutes 'til Physical Movement?" Liam asked Oliver, as he had a watch on.

"There is a clock there, you know? But we still have half an hour of lunch." Oliver smiled down at the boy who grinned, but Oliver had a feeling he would soon be the 'Time Manager' from the lot. 

"Why don't we go down to the lake? We are allowed to." Luke spoke up, looking at the others, completely ignoring the three blondes in the corner. 

"Alright," Selene decided and the eight headed down the stairs, making their way out of the castle and to the lake that was on the bottom of the small hill.

"Who were they?" William asked to Rory.

She rolled her eyes. "Lana Beaumont, Lucy Hayes and Laura Sterling." She imitated Lana's French accent perfectly. 

"L Squad!" Selene had linked arms with Rory and Florence, piping in on random conversations within the group. Rory giggled at the name, as she was sure to think that Lana would take this as a compliment, and not think of the trio as losers.