Legacy of secrets

7

The next morning at breakfast, I spotted a girl sitting alone at a table, her dark hair cascading down her shoulders. She looked friendly, and something about her demeanor made me want to reach out.

"Hi! Mind if I join you?" I asked, offering a smile as I approached.

"Not at all!" she replied enthusiastically. "I'm Mia. Nice to meet you!"

"Blair," I introduced myself, taking a seat across from her.

As we chatted over our meals, I felt an instant connection. Mia was funny and genuine, and it was easy to open up about my experiences at the academy. She shared stories about her own challenges of fitting in, and I found comfort in knowing I wasn't alone in feeling out of place.

"I hear the first few weeks are the toughest," she said, nibbling on a piece of toast. "Everyone's trying to establish their social circles. But once you find your crew, it gets easier."

"I hope so," I replied, feeling a flicker of hope at her words. "I just moved here, and everything feels so overwhelming."

Mia nodded. "I get it. It took me a while to find my footing too. Just be yourself, and you'll attract the right people."

Her encouragement made me smile. "Thanks, I really needed to hear that."

Just then, I noticed Oliver entering the dining hall. He caught my eye and waved, a bright smile lighting up his face. My heart skipped a beat.

"Hey, Blair!" he called out as he approached our table. "You're here!"

"Oliver, this is Mia," I introduced them, a slight flutter of excitement stirring in my chest.

"Nice to meet you, Mia!" he said, taking a seat next to me. "Did you two just meet?"

"Yeah, we were just chatting," I replied, feeling a warmth in the atmosphere.

"I hope you're thinking about coming to the welcome party this weekend," Oliver said, looking at me. "It'll be a blast."

"Actually, I was just telling Mia about it," I said, glancing at her for confirmation.

"Oh, you should definitely come!" Mia chimed in. "It's a great way to meet people, and I'll be there too."

I felt a surge of determination. "Okay, I'll go," I said, surprising myself with my boldness. "It'll be fun to get out and meet new people."

"Awesome!" Oliver said, beaming. "I'll make sure you both have a good time."

As we talked, I found myself laughing and enjoying the moment. With Mia's presence and Oliver's charm, the heaviness from my father's call began to fade away. I realized I was taking a step toward independence, carving out my own identity at the academy, one choice at a time.

"By the way, have you settled into your room?" Oliver asked, his eyes bright with curiosity.

"Not really," I admitted. "It's still a bit chaotic. But I'm getting there."

"Need a hand? I could help you carry some stuff," he offered, his genuine tone making me smile.

"I appreciate that! But I think I'll manage. I can't keep taking your time," I replied, feeling a bit guilty.

"Nonsense! It's what friends are for," he insisted, making it hard for me to refuse.

"Alright, if you insist," I said, feeling a sense of warmth from his kindness.

After breakfast, we finished our meal, and Oliver and I exchanged numbers. He made sure I had his contact information so I could reach out whenever I needed.

As we walked back to the dorms, I felt a flutter of excitement at the thought of attending the party with new friends. It was a chance to break away from my father's expectations and just enjoy being young, carefree, and... me.

And in that moment, I felt hope blossom in my chest—a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time.