Everything Starts

CH: 6, STARTING FRESH

It had been a few weeks since the reunion on the beach, and it was now Winter in Blois. That time has been spent getting caught up with my friends and attending classes. As it turns out, Wesley and I both take Italian. He started the year in Spanish with the rest of the group but switched to Italian after the first few days. All of our friends take Spanish except Zena who takes Latin. After the first period, we all met up for literature. Then, I have physics, and after that, we all have our two-hour lunch period.

We all met up for lunch outside. There was a set of three picnic tables behind the main building that the group and I liked to sit at. The majority of the time the tables were free because it was common knowledge that there was a beehive in one of the trees that surrounded the tables. The wind was chilly and it was almost snowing. There was a mixture of rain and snow in the air, which had a bite to it. As we were walking I felt that feeling that made all the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I almost stopped in my tracks. When we made it to the relatively small wooden table I looked around, but no one was there.

For lunch that day the theme was breakfast for lunch. The whole group practically got the same thing; a slice of Brioche with jam, greengages, apples, blackberries, and a cup of café au lait, or coffee with milk. I was able to finish my lunch relatively quickly so I started on some work as I was hoping to get ahead. I was particularly struggling with geography as I never really cared about how old the mountains were, but apparently, it was important.

After lunch was geography. Thankfully our teacher had a physician's appointment that day so class ended half an hour early. My friends and I walked through the halls on our way to the library for study hall, but as we neared the corner we heard, what sounded like, someone whispering.

"What are we going to do? I thought she wasn't coming back to the school?"

"I don't know. Do you think she knows who her father is?"

"How are we supposed to know that?"

"Well I don't know, but the organization wants us to find out. We also need to find out if she knows about Project Snowdrop."

"Agreed," the one person finished, walking away.

That was weird I thought. Snowdrop? I have a necklace that my father gave me before he left, which is a snowdrop. I'm sure that's just a coincidence.

"Well that sure sounded secretive," Ethan said.

He was always paranoid about something. He likes to joke that there is some 'force' keeping him from growing past five-six. His hair looked like Niall Horan in 2012 but almost black instead of bleach blonde. His eyes match his hair. We used to joke that he always looked like he was high because we could never tell the difference between his pupil and iris.

"I agree," Fay replied.

"It's probably nothing," I said.

"Yeah but still. Maybe we should look into it?" suggested Wesley.

"Come on. Don't you think that's taking some teachers talking to each other a little too far?" Willa questioned.

"Maybe, but how often does anything exciting happen here," Ethan replied.

"You have a point," Zena agreed.

"All I'm saying is maybe we should look into it," Ethan expressed.

Convinced, we all agreed.

"We should check out the school library," I suggested.

"I agree," Wesley responded. "We have a study hall next period so it's perfect."

"Good idea," Zena replied.

"I will meet you guys at the library," I said.

"Is everything okay?" Wesley asked concerningly.

I've always loved how much he cared about me. "Yes, I just need to grab my laptop. I accidentally left it in my dorm this morning."

"Oh okay. Would you like some company?" he asked.

I thought for a moment. What I said the other day was true. I was not ready for another relationship, especially with him, and I didn't want to send him mixed signals. On the other hand, he might have just wanted to make sure I was safe.

"Oh, um... sure. So we will go grab my laptop and meet you guys at the library?"

"Sounds good," Zena replied, smiling.

We set off in opposite directions with Wesley and me heading toward Hollowgate. We stayed quiet through the majority of the walk, but that changed as we neared my dorm.

"So. How are you?" he asked.

"I'm good. You?"

"I'm good."

"Good."

"So have you thought about us at all?"

There it was. The reason he wanted us to be alone.

"I have."

"Really?"

"Yes, does that surprise you? I told you I would."

"Yes... Well- no I guess. I just assumed you were still hurting so I didn't know."

"Well, I am a little bit. You have to understand that being back here brings back a lot of memories. Memories that for years I tried to shove into the back of my mind."

"I understand."

"You do?"

"Well as much as I can. I hurt you and I would never expect you to just forget about that."

"Thank you, and to answer your question. When I am ready, you will be the first to know."

We arrived at my dorm and I unlocked the door. He laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"Well, I just realized you have the same taste."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No, it's an adorable thing. There aren't many people who would have the guts to bring their stuffed animals to university."

"Yeah, I guess," I laughed whilst also blushing.

I grabbed my laptop and we headed back toward the library. This time in complete silence.