The Secrets of the Aorta Ruins

Chapter Ten

Becca had somehow survived the week, although she wasn't sure how though. It was finally Sunday and the day she would be getting off the castle grounds and a chance to explore a new continent. She had spent more mornings waking up early since coming to Ravenwood than she had in her life, and this was yet another one of those mornings. She got up and began her usual morning routine; breakfast and a shower. Once out of the shower, she pulled on the clothes she had set aside from a few days ago and brushed her hair out wishing she had some way to play music in her room; but that would be taken care of later that day.

Instead of sitting around waiting for her traveling companions to arrive, the small girl had much to prepare yet. She emptied the books from her backpack but left the remaining contents in the bag and one of the blank notebooks she had been saving. She next added in a map of Shadefall, both of her lists, a flashlight, her new sketchbook from Davina, and her money from inside of her drawer. She closed up the bag and was about to begin to wonder what to do next when the first knock on her door happened. She opened it and let Dare in.

"You're here before the Headmistress? Weird!" she said cheerfully, hugging him.

"Well you only get to bring your friend to explore a new continent for the first time once, right? I figured I might as well be on time for once," he said, hugging her back.

"You're the best!" she said happily. She had text Derek and told him the news as soon as the Headmistress had approved the request, and foolishly she had been hoping that he would meet them, but she had already given up on that idea.

"Nah, not really," he said, turning red.

"Have you thought about who you're going to bring to prom?" she asked him, remembering this was going to be their only year in school together.

"Huh? What makes you even think I'm going?" he asked, surprised.

"Duh, you're a junior. Junior and senior year proms are kinda a big deal" she said laughing.

"Yeah, I've thought about it," he said turning shy once again. She hadn't seen him shy around her since she started at Ravenwood.

"Cool. What did she say when you asked her?" she said, hopeful for him.

"I haven't asked her yet," he admitted sheepishly.

"What? You'd better get on that before someone else does!"

"I-I don't think they will, Becca..."

Their conversation was interrupted by another knock on the door. Becca knew it must be the Headmistress. Normally she would call from inside the room for her to come in, but she didn't want to wake other students up. She opened the door and invited her inside.

"Good morning. No point in coming in since Darezot is already in here, let's get going," the Headmistress said cheerfully. Becca realized she didn't know much about the Headmistress but wondered if some of her curiosities crossed lines a student shouldn't ask.

"Headmistress, why do you insist on calling us all our given names instead of what we prefer to be called?" she asked.

"Whatever do you mean Rebecca?" Davina asked with a smirk. It wasn't an answer, but it was enough to silence Becca until the trio had reached the castle doors.

"Headmistress, if you already picked up a sketch book for the student you needed to, why is it still you that is our guide for the day?"

Davina shrugged before answering, "Its lovely to get out of the castle sometimes, wouldn't you agree?" Becca hadn't been out of the castle since arriving, so she honestly could agree wholeheartedly. The entire castle was grey and bland, and with all her classes in her room and working the library she didn't get out even on the grounds very often.