Wistcoástia (On Hiatus)

Chapter 16: Job Offer

Reena: The party last night was great. I have to admit that it was the first party I ever attended and I can say that it ended well and I particularly enjoyed it especially meeting the famous but elusive Bridgette Xaltaire. I know that my brother is much happier as well as he decided to set his eyes on her. He was really serious about it and I couldn’t convince him to forget about her since she has a lot of admirers. Well maybe I can’t understand him too well because I haven’t been in love and I don’t know how it felt. I know that my support will be enough for him as his sister.

I love my brother the most among my siblings and he was kind to advice me about what happened to my duel with Anisse. He told me that my greatest failing is my pride and arrogance that everyone in our family has. I do not want to acknowledge any weakness of mine and I felt bitter, but he told me that to beat a stronger opponent, I need to understand myself more and cease to be self-centered. I know what he meant but still…I know inside that I have a pride that can’t accept any flaws… *sigh* I’ll think about this later. I’ll have more time in the future…

It looks like I am going to miss the rest of my morning class today. I check my watch and saw that it is already 11 o’ clock. I woke up late this morning because of the party last night and was able to go at around 9:30. I don’t expect that my mother will call me from time to time. I know she’s busy with important matters but she told me that she’ll at least try to call, I don’t expect it though.

At last we reach the end of the highway and are entering Vierra. I tell my driver to hurry and within minutes, I can finally see again Philanter Academy.

The shrubberies and the cemented walk are still the same since two days ago and I laugh at myself for thinking of changes while I was away. I step out of the car then entered the main building. I see students in the hallways telling me that it is already lunch break. I hurry towards the cafeteria.

It is loaded with people like always and I scan the crowd for Mariella. I look for her by the line thinking that she might still be buying her food but she isn’t there. I walk a little then I finally see her sitting at the farthest end of the cafeteria. She also saw me the same time I did.

“Reena, over here!” she calls then I go to her and sit opposite her.

“Aren’t going to eat anything?” she asks me.

I shake my head. “I had a late breakfast. I’m still full.”

“So how was your weekend?”

Before I can answer her, I notice two new faces about five or six tables from where we are. Mariella notice that I am distracted.

“Transfer students?”

“Nope, they’re not.” Mariella says, following my line of sight.

“Really? But I haven’t seen them before.” I say.

“Because they just came to school today.” Mariella explains. “It has already been a few weeks since the term started but they just arrived now. Maybe they went to vacation in another country or something.”

“Who are they?” I ask, curious while watching them.

“They are brother and sister with the surname of Smith. The older one is Carmichael or Carl for short. He’s a third year and the captain of the basketball team and the student representative of his class. He has excellent grades and good combat skills.” Mariella says. “His younger sister, Alexia is in our year and class. She is very quiet and hardly speaks to anyone. I always see her reading a book and I can say that she is extremely shy.”

“Then why isn’t Carl a part of the student council if he is an excellent student?” I ask.

“That is what other people say. He was Vincent’s rival in the elections and their votes were always in a draw. They repeated the voting process until one became the winner but they were always in a tie. So in the end, they settled it in a fight and Carl lost.”