Black Lion Academy

~2~ Black Lion Academy

Black Lion Academy

Chapter 2

After passing through a couple winding passage ways moving towards the western side of the building we came to two beautiful ebony doors with a lion head carved across the middle. Penny lightly banged the lion's head knocker, a faint reply of 'come in' came from the other side. I followed Penny into an amazingly decorated room. The walls were a dark beige, the desk and sufaces were made of a dark ebony wood with white vases, white electronics, a gigantic white sofa in the corner, and a huge rug spread out across the floor that matched the walls exactly. There were painting on the walls from Matisse, Picasso, Renaldi and a few other famous painters covering the walls, as well as one huge one on the wall across from me of a gorgeous black lion. I looked in the bottom right corner for the name of the painter and saw 'A. Negrescu' in swirling script.

Sitting in a regal-looking white chair behind the enormous desk was a small lady with a delicate-looking oval face, light brown eyes and flowing caramel hair. When she stood up I saw that she was quite short too, probably 5ft.

"Arabella Negrescu. Niece. It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person." She smiled a small smile and I could tell she was genuinely happy to see me. Walking until she was three feet away she gave me a small bow. I half smiled at her. "Nikola Willows. Aunt. The pleasure is all mine." I retuned the bow. I learnt to bow properly from watching dance shows on T.V.

"Wonderful! So graceful and elegant. I can see we shall have no trouble with you at all. Though perhaps that clothing needs some re-adjustment, no worries, Penny will take you shopping." She smiled sweetly. That don't work on me lady. So sorry for you.

"Ehem," I cleared my throat, "I mean absolutely no offence, but I'm quite happy with the way I dress. I have no problem with shopping for new clothes, but I don't think you should expect me to wear something I would rather not wear to my grave." Nikola's eyes narrowed.

"I cannot have you walking around here looking like you come from the slums!" She exclaimed and I laughed.

"Unfortunately I do come from the slums, I like the way I dress and have no intention of changing that because you disapprove." I said.

"If you refuse then you can go get into that piece of junk you call a car and go back to them!" She shouted, slamming her fist on the desk which shook for all it was worth. I think I felt the floor vibrate even. I just lifted my chin, straightening to my full height and looked her straight in the eye.

"Gladly. I was nice to meet you and I hope you enjoy the rest of your life. Goodbye." I inclined my head in her direction and turned around. I pushed open the double doors and started making my way through passages, hoping to find the exit/ entrance. Head held high I walked towards what I assumed was the exit to the parking and pushed through the doors.

"Arabella! Arabella! Forgive me! I was but testing you! Please, listen to me!" I heard my aunt Nikola's voice calling from behind me as I walked across the garden which I had come upon. I wanted to go home. I didn't want to be here with all these strangers. The sound of running footsteps behind me, drawing closer, brought out an instinct buried deeply inside of me to run. I took off like a bullet towards the edge of a forest which I had noticed to my left earlier. As I had turned I felt wind across my back as something flew by me. I spared a glance back to see my aunt rolling across the ground. I heard what I could have sworn was a raw come from the doors I had run through earlier and looked over to see a group of guys dashing out the door heading straight for me with glares promising death upon their faces.

I stood frozen for a second before running as if my life depended on it towards to the line of trees. It probably did. My legs felt like they were on fire and I pushed myself harder and harder until all I could see was a green blur while focusing entirely on getting into that forest. Heart beating like a wild drum, legs burning as if set alight with a cold fire I burst through the trees and made my way through the underbrush. Leaves caressed the skin my open skin where branches had ripped small cuts into it.