Kaleidoscope

|| Chapter 3: Waldorf Academy ||

Florence

The auditorium was bustling, as students filed in, filling the seats row by row. Excited chatter filled the air.

We had finally made it, Waldorf Academy was no longer a pipe dream. We were students of the most selective high school in the state of California. But more importantly... we were high-schoolers.

The clicking of heels on the stage floor echoes throughout the space, she taps the microphone three times, silencing any chatter among the students. "Welcome to back to Waldorf Academy, I hope you all have enjoyed your summer. To those of you who don't know me I am Ann Tilden, headmistress of this school."

Aria latches onto my hand and looks around wide-eyed as everyone applauds.

"I feel privileged to lead such an exciting and vibrant school, which offers great opportunities for our student. It is our goal to make each and every student succeed in their future endeavors. We offer our students the best possible opportunities to become confident, thoughtful young people who are prepared for any challenges, in an exciting and increasingly global world. I trust that you all have come through these doors, ready to learn?"

Emily squeaks as everyone responds in unison, "yes headmistress."

Beckett rolls his eyes at her, though that wasn't a novel occurrence. Beckett stays annoyed at us and our antics.

Headmistress Tilden continues, "we are an institution that prides itself in not only molding a students' intellectual capacities but also instilling sense of character and morals."

I lean over and whisper, "Aria, you're kinda crushing my hand over here."

"Oh shoot sorry Flore, I didn't even realize, I think I'm just nervous" she grips my hand tighter "this place is so intimidating, everyone is out here acting like they already know what to do, like Jesus when was the orientation?"

"I know it's alright, just could you let go..." I felt for her, I really did. I just could no longer tolerate her cutting the blood circulation off in my hand. 

She immediately dropped it, "sorry!"

Leo turns in his seat, "guys, could you shut the fuck up? I'm trying to listen."

I shake my head, "wow how long did that take?" I look down at my wrist, "twenty minutes?"

Leo looks at me confused, I smirk "It's been twenty minutes at this school and you already have a stick up your ass, Leo." I say as I stick my tongue out at him. Aria and Emily crack up next to me.

His face scrunches into a scowl. Leo mocks our laughter, and then turns angrily in his seat. The three of us continue to goof around receiving sporadic glares from Leo, which causes us to snicker even harder.

"You are dismissed, go forth and be the best selves you can be."

"Shit," Aria says, her eyes widening, "that was so fast, I can't believe I actually missed her speech."

"Whatever, it's not that big a deal. She was just telling us to just be upstanding students blah blah blah... honestly I just can't believe we're finally here, guys," Emily replies.

"I know it feels kind of surreal," We stand in silence, taking in the moment. Until, I look at my schedule, "so... anyone going to Biology right now?"

"Wow," Emily laughs, "straight to the point, huh?"

"Dude we can't be late!" I say as Emily rolls her eyes at me.

Leo decides to chip in, "yeah it is our first day."