A warm June evening found the lecture hall to be a jovial place. The three remaining first year students of the Gifted Studies program, Valentina, Julianna and Naveen were being celebrated. Surrounded by their six upperclassmen, the three girls were applauded. While no one was dressed quite as well as Eli – wearing an ivory waistcoat and pants over a black button down shirt, everyone looked great. The fourth years had arranged a catered dinner, the fifth years set up a modest bar, and the second years, Jamie and Mike, brought in a stereo with some music. Valentina was dancing with Eli, still marveling at the grace of his movements. She wore a dress he helped pick out, a black sheath dress, accessorized with a bone-colored belt and matching lace half-palm gloves.
The night had been filled with a delicious food, drinks, and dancing. The research classes mingled and joked, not about their work but about their lives, their interests, and their experiences in the program.
Patrick, a handsome fifth year student cleared his throat to get the attention of the others. It was Patrick that had stepped up to help the first years while Eli was in the hospital. “Naveen, Julianna, Valentina! You have survived your first year at Denvellia! You will go down in the books as our first all-female research class! To our lovely ladies! Congratulations! You are second year students!” Patrick announced in his thick Irish accent.
Hayley and David, the other fifth, now sixth year students, passed out confetti poppers to everyone. The students set them off one at a time, at first, but after the first four, it became a chaotic rain of colored paper and glitter. Eli surprised everyone by pulling three bottles of champagne from behind the lectern, and then set eleven glasses on the desk. His class applauded his generosity, until he took one of the bottles by the neck and started shaking it vigorously. A chorus of playful screams rang out as Eli popped the cork, and he sprayed the others with alcohol. When the champagne shower subsided, Eric and Gianna helped pour and hand out the glasses, and the Gifted Studies program began their toasts.
“To Valentina, Julianna and Naveen, the newest members of our family!” Hayley lifted her glass.
“To Patrick and Elijah, for leading them into the fold.” David toasted.
“To Elijah, for having the balls to take Dr. Utkin’s place!” Eric laughed through his toast.
“To Valentina, for finding a way to get that stick out of Elijah’s ass, even if she had to go up there after it herself!” Jamie joked. Eli was too drunk to be embarrassed. Instead, he pulled Valentina into his arms for a kiss as their friends laughed.
“Who do we toast for Duke’s dropping out?” Mike asked, getting another round of laughter. Pulling out of the kiss Eli raised his glass, pointing to himself. He didn’t let Valentina go, keeping her close to him.
“You did not!” David accused.
Eli nodded insistently, and let Valentina speak for him. “He says that he conquered Duke’s woman and shamed his masculinity. Also, Eli’s drunk, and lusty. But really, it was Billy Duke that led to his own undoing. He is now the unhappy father of a bawling baby girl.” Valentina felt a little guilty for making a joke of Leibe and Billy Duke’s misfortune, but they did bring it on themselves. Before she could feel too badly, Eli pinched her butt.
Around them, their friends toasted and celebrated. She wondered if every June was like this for the Gifted Program. Did the other programs celebrate this way? She had never seen Eli so happy in lecture hall. He was wearing a smile he usually reserved for more private scenarios. Ignoring the rest of the room, Eli caught her mouth with his, giving her a passionate kiss. His hands slipped around to the small of her back, pulling her to his chest. Valentina put her arm around his neck, placing the other hand to his face. Around them everything stopped. They both expected to have drawn attention with their affection, but everyone was in shock when Eli finally let Valentina go. The room was silent. The music had stopped.
YOU ARE READING
Looking For A Legend (Book 1)
Mystery / ThrillerA young telepath is unexpectedly left with leading his class when his teacher takes leave. One of Elijah's new students Valentina leads him down a path where mysteries only get more mysterious and nothing is as simple as it looks.
