Blooming Affection

Chapter 1

I stared at the large building erected sumptuously with big bold letters of gold and black displayed on the front part of the arch saying Archie Academy.

The school was undoubtedly beautiful and very stunning, it was like designed by famous Neoclassical architects like Robert Adam. The pathways were built with red bricks that covered the whole path with only a single color. Greens enticing you as well as the various colors of the flowers planted in rows.

The atmosphere was very congenial. Observing from the arrangements and designs of the school, it was well disciplined.

I fixed the loose strands of my hair as they fell down on my face, blocking my view. My eyes roamed inside the school once again as I stared at the students climbing and running up the stairs. I was not yet late for it was still very early. I heaved and breathed a long deep breath before stepping on.

My hand was placed on the bar handle tapping my fingertips on it as it seemed as the destruction of my boredom. Arriving on top, there was a large door made of tinted glass with a color white frame. I pushed the door and engulfed the smell of the school; acrylic paints, oil based paints and thinners and that underlying rich earthly smell of wet ceramics.

The hallway was almost flooded with students, filling every corners of the halls. I transposed my sling bag on my right shoulder, caressing the rough texture of the leather. My palms became instantaneously sweaty as the feeling of queasiness attacked me. I passed the thought of chance of socializing with them and that am fully aware that I was having a low self-esteem when it comes to socialization.

"Registrar, registrar," I reminded myself. I fought the urge to glance at the people who were looking at me, whether I was going to reply them with a smile or a frown. My feet continued to do its job as I tracked the school's registrar.

I casted my eyes over the staff busy talking to a student, giving his schedule  as she gave him a lustrous smile that could cost a million bucks. I opened the door and then sat down on the empty seat. A petite girl with shaggy hair went to the registrar and waited patiently as she tapped her fingers on the counter.

"Schuyler here's your schedule," the staff said and smiled at her, "have another good year! I hope you'll be hanging out with some of your classmates already."

The girl named Schuyler responded with an awry smile as she went back to her seat right beside me and gathered her belongings. She looked at me for a moment and shifted her gaze on her bag, shuffling through it. I stood up then made my way to the staff.

"What's your name?" The staff with a name tag Abegail said.

"Avalone Jennings ma'am, my schedule please," I said in a respectful manner and flashed her a grin.

"Avalone Jennings..." She trailed off and went shuffling on the drawers. She picked up a binder and took a piece of paper with my schedule on it, "I assume you're a transferee?"

My eyes went wide for a bit and chuckled at her instincts. I rubbed the back of my neck and nodded.

Abegail smiled once again and looked behind me. I traced her eyes behind and saw the girl still in the same spot where I left her. She was ruffling in her bag and everywhere, the aggravation was evident on her face.

"Schuyler? What's wrong?" Abegail went to Schuyler's side and caressed her back. Schuyler glanced at her with worried eyes and an annoyed face.

"My phone's missing... I forgot to zip this and it probably slipped out!" Schuyler combed her hair in frustration, her body flexing from left to right.

I went back to my seat and tried to look for her phone. My eyes weren't that much strong in fact, I have an eye defect and I was currrently using my contacts and trust me it sucks. My eyes continued to shift from inch to inch until I saw a gadget with a bitten apple as its logo. I took the phone and gave it to her.

Her face lit up and smile was immediately pasted on her face, tears of joy slowly streaming down her face. She hugged me for a brief moment, making me shock, and retrieved.

"Thank you so much! I looked everywhere but how did you find it?" She asked curiously with her brows furrowed.

I scratched the back of my neck in embarrassment, my face getting hot. I glanced at Abegail, her arms crossed and twitched her eyebrows.

"Okay so first of, your phone color is color black and the color paint of the wall is also black, that making the phone camouflage except for the apple logo," I caught up with my breath then kept on talking, "and second, you should've persisted for a longer time in looking for your phone because is valuable? Maybe. Next time, make sure to put your things in order."

She nodded in comprehension and took her bag on her shoulder. Before she could go, Abegail spoke.

"Schuyler, I think Avalone here is new to this school. Would you mind touring her?" She said in a compelling manner. She grinned and nodded her head in agreement.

We both walked out of the office on our way to our first classes. Schuyler offered a tour but I suggested that we could do that after the class. She was also a senior, very surprising about how small she was opposing from my skinny and tall figure.

"By the way, the name's Schuyler. Schuyler Elizalde but you can call me Sky." Sky said.

"My name's Avalone Jennings but you can call me Ava." I replied and both of  us chuckled.

I took the piece of paper Abegail gave me and took a look at it. My first class was AP English which was one of favorite subjects. I glanced down on Sky who was busy browsing through her phone.

"What's your first subject?" I asked her, looking down through her phone as she fished out her schedule from her pocket.

"AP English, what about you?" I twitched my brow at her question and smiled. Perfect, we have the same class together. I won't be having to communicate with other people, just her and that was enough.

We arrived in a classroom that was nearly full, Room 27 it said. Some of our classmates were busy communicating with each other while some have their own worlds which was always my habit.

Sky and I went to the vacant seats at the back as the bell rung loudly yet sonorous. The teacher came in exactly after the bell has rung.

"My name is Priscilla Washington and I'm going to be your teacher for English for the whole semester, and now," she paused for a moment and smiled at everyone, "introduce yourselves."

The room was jammed with groans and wails as those words left our teacher's lips.

I hope this day ends soon.