Pectrals Academy - Beginnings Novella

Chapter Two: Calling home

Chapter Two: Calling home

I dreamt of them again, so lifelike the smells of fresh night air continue to assault my senses even though I am now awake. It was the most vivid that I had ever had of the boys. I had almost seen the tallest males face but just as he had turned the dream ended. Had I imagined his gasp of surprise almost as if he were sensing me there? I style my white hair into its usual fishtail braids, throw on my light grey ripped skinny jeans and pair them with a pastel pink top and my light pink ankle boots. If you have yet to notice I'll point it out; I like my pastels. I do not have a favourite colour I have favourite tones of colours and my very favourite is the pastel family. You can always match pastels with shades and each other, cute yet practical and reliable. Pleased that I have made myself presentable enough I take the elevator back down to the ground floor and following the map provided to us I head in the direction of the academy.

As I am walking I notice the street lamps are akin to something out of an old movie, despite having an oil lamp look they are actually seem to have small solar panels sitting on the top of the lights cover. The streets are perfectly tidy not a single piece of rubbish to be seen and barely a speck of dirt. Humming "I dreamed a dream of time gone by" to myself as I walk along the paths an eerie feeling suddenly spreads through the entire of my body. It is far too clean and perfect here with no noises reaching my ears and no persons moving about, only a complete calmness. And a complete creepiness.

As I turn the corner I stop dead in my tracks. A large Queen Anne Victorian Plantation house sits at the front of several acres of green fields and forest. Even in the distance it is an absolutely stunning sight, I cannot believe I missed it while I was walking down. The closer I get to the Academy the more of the finer details I begin to make out. The building itself is two stories high and white in colour with a black roof and trimmings. Black railed verandas run the whole way around the building on both bottom and second stories, with three small sets of stairs leading up to the first level on either side and directly in the centre. There are no stairs leading to the second story that are visible from where I currently stand and I believe they are most likely within. The oddity of the building though is that it must actually be newly built as instead of windows, doors and walls encasing the mansion, glass sliding doors wrap the whole way around betraying its true age.

As I snap out of my day dream I glance around making sure that no one had noticed me wearily eyeing off the massive structure. After confirming that no one had bared witness to my reaction I make my way up the central set of steps of the mansion. I slide the glass door open with no difficulty at all and make my way inside. I walk down the hall and stop at the first door, 'Main Office' is written on a sign above and so knowing that I had reached my destination I gently knock twice upon the wooden surface.

"Come on in," calls a gravely male voice from inside.

I enter the office and find an older gentleman sitting behind a solid oak desk, his long greying hair falling to the top of his shoulders, his striking blue eyes baring into my own as if he already knows all there is to know about me.

"Miss Sybilla I presume?" he asks raising a brow in question.

"Yes sir."

"Mr Smith," he corrects with a lazy wave of his hand, "what can I help you with today Sybilla?"

"Mr Smith, I was just wondering why the Academy was not mentioned in the application forms for the University?" I pause wondering how might be best to word what I need to day next.

"To be Blunt Mr Smith not only am I confused I am also currently a little put off."

"Sybilla the university has this System in place for a reason and to be honest there is still no guarantee that you will be chosen after the year at the Academy. We have very limited space at the university and look for a very specific skill set during your year here, but at the end of the day it is what you make of it. You will not be out of pocket by attending for a year and you will leave with more skills than you arrived with. I'll be honest Sybilla," he leans further forward captivating my complete focus, "we like to have as many females that we can attend each year. We often have uneven ratios and this year is no different than any other so far in our history. I'll ask you to attend but I will not beg and if you leave today but change your mind in a month's time I will not be able to reinstate your enrolment. Orientation is not until day after tomorrow, have a look around and a think about what you might want to do and let me know at the end of the orientation."