Blackwell Academy

Chapter 2

I walked to the exit of the mess hall that led to the classrooms. Everyone in the mess hall was starting to get up and head for class. Ella looked back and saw all of the students coming towards the exit, which we were already in. Her eyes widened and she started shaking like a madman, Alfred noticed this and gently put his hand on her shoulder. She flinch at his touch but looked up at him.

"Ella it's okay. Come on, we need to get to class. I know the people scare you, but you gotta fight your fear. At least a little." Alfred tried to comfort he in a calm, soothing voice. She hesitantly nodded and turned back to the hallway, still shaking but not as much. I grabbed her shivering hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Ella started to walk again, slowly step by step going back to her normal pace. I let go and looked around, other students were all around us, and some were having the same experience as Ella. Panicking at how many people were around them. Threatened by every step of every student around them.

I then saw Ash who was stiffly walking, trying to stay calm even though inside she wanted to scream and run. We had the same class together so I took her by the hand and rushed her to the classroom. She let go of the breath that she was holding in and smiled at my slightly.

"Thanks Ava. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack, and I probably would have too." She straightened her posture, which made her already tall height look even taller.

We took our seats and waited for the bell to ring for class to start. Our first class of the day was algebra. I didn't love this class but I could bear it. The teacher, Mr. Karous, was a middle aged man with black peppered hair, which he always seemed to have slicked back. He dressed as all male teachers did, in the crimson based tuxedo with black trimmings. Female teachers had a formal dress to wear with the same color scheme. Mr. Karous went on about parabolas and what they were about. I took the notes he wanted down unto my notebook until the bell rang. Math was never really exciting. I put away my notebook into my designated folder and walked out of the classroom with Ash.

Now, we had to go out of the building and rush over to the orchestra hall. It took a while to get pass the stampede of students and the occasional comforting of one's with panic attacks, Ash included, but we finally made it out and ran to the Orchestra hall.

We arrived just in time to hear the bell ring. We both got out our cellos and took our assigned seats. I looked over to Damon whom was my stand partner, he noticed my glance and smiled at me. I smiled back, here in orchestra we were all happy. It was relaxing to hear others play and move your bow with the song, either fast or slow, happy or sad sounding, it was all calming.

I looked up to our teacher, Mr. Harrison. He was my favorite teacher, not only because of what he taught but also because he treats us like we are normal. Mr. Harrison was the kindest man I had met in this school (besides my friends of course).

He had silver hair and gentle hazel eyes. His build was average, not to large and not to thin. I liked everything he did, to his little jokes to his focussed expression when he played a complicated song.

I glanced around the room to my other friends in orchestra. Raven, Damon, and Ash. Ash, Damon, and I all played the cello while Raven was a violin.

Then I heard a small tapping and looked up to Mr. Harrison who was calling our attention. I readied myself into playing position as Damon put out the required sheet music. Mr. Harrison gave his conducting stick a flick and we were of playing to the tempo, shifting and placing different fingers down while bowing until the final note was played. We all cheered at how we played with no mistakes made. We played a few more songs until the bell was about to ring. We all put away our instruments and waited for the few minutes we had. I took this time to talk to Mr. Harrison about the upcoming concert.