Castleside Academy

Chapter Three: Lexi

Our special day off starts smoothly. Henrietta throws a pillow at my face to wake me up and Maya attacks her when Henrietta tries to do the same. Usual morning. We head down to breakfast.

            “Wow, a lot of people are gone,” Henrietta mutters as we look around the dining hall. Only about half the school is left.

            “More room for us,” Maya says shrugging.

            We get our trays and head to our usual table. I glance around the room and spot Luther sitting at a table with Toby, Brice, Falcon, and Wayde (Toby’s brother). He has guy friends—I get that easily because I have girlfriends.

            “Hey, guys,” Violet Austin says, setting her tray down beside Maya. We smile at the radiant blonde-haired girl.

            “Hey, Violin,” Maya says with a snicker. It’s their own inside joke that I don’t understand, but I guess it’s just a play on words. With her name.

            Dawn sits down next to me. “Hey, Lex,” she says, smiling. “I heard you went out with Luther.”

            I nod. “He’s great.”

            “I want to hear all about it. Of course, as soon as all the girls get here.”

            Henrietta looks around. “Who’re we missing?”

            I spot her and reach out dramatically. “My dear, Lynna!”

            She reaches to me with one hand holding onto her tray. “My sweet, Lexina!”

            Dawn chuckles as Lynna sits next to her. Then she curls her lip. “Where’s your stupid sister?”

            Lynna rolls her eyes. “Off on some jet with her friends. Kailey is just getting under my skin. Yeah, we’re sisters. Whatever. She’s such a know-it-all.”

            “Be nice, girls. We’re all family here.”

            Lynna straightens up and nods slowly. “Heard about you and Luther.”

            I look right at Maya and Henrietta, who have directed all the girls’ attentions towards our conversation. They look down. “I might’ve told a few people,” Maya says.

            “Well, now everyone knows,” I sigh. “But that’s okay. It’s not like Luther and I are in some serious relationship. We just went on an outing together.”

            “And he holds your hand and flirts nonstop with you,” Henrietta teases.

            “Oh, hush!”

            Gabriella and her sister Emmeline sit down next, leaving two seats left. We have tables that fit only ten people. Which means that our next two best friends will be here any moment.

            “Hey, girls!” Taylor Brisk says, setting her tray down next to Gabby (Gabriella, of course). “So I heard Lexi and Luther went out on, like, an outing. Did you two kiss?”

            Anna Grace Leeson drops her tray down next to Lynna and Taylor. “Of course, they didn’t!” she hisses. “Lexi just had her first outing.”

            Taylor gasps. “Seriously?”

            I nod. “Never been asked before.” I lean in and whisper so all the girls can hear but no one else. “I found out that Luther’s never asked another girl before, though.”