Kristal||ONC 2020|| {Complete}

Chapter 8: My Bliss

Cobalt Academy.

That would be his new home.

His new sanctuary.

Picking up the black file from the passenger's seat, Harold clutched it tightly across his chest. He walked past a large bush of red roses before taking a peek at the window to make sure he looked presentable. He straightened his back, adjusting the collar of his attire before stepping into the large halls painted in gold. Apparently, gold had been their significant colour. It made him feel magical as he watched the large chandelier swayed a little when the doors were shut.

Harold made his way up the stairs easily, taking in the signs that were hung across the walls to provide easy access for the visitors. Several students were running across the hallways, rushing to their dance lessons while some were lounging near the corridor with lunch boxes in their palms. He smiled, waving back to a group of smaller kids who had just exited a dance room. Once he saw the sign by the large, slender cactus, Harold headed to the dark red door, giving it a soft knock.

"Careful with your choices, Ryan. I want everything to be set precisely. No different hues, no different patterns. Just the similar ones we both agree on. Do you understand me?"

Another voice echoed behind the door before Harold heard the knob being twisted gently and Ryan exited it with a respectful bow before carrying himself away from the office.

"Come on in, Harold," said the Director when he noticed Harold, standing in confusion by the door. "Please have a seat."

Harold made his way into the director's office silently, closing the door as he heard the sound of ice tingling between the walls of the glass. He settled himself in the dark brown leather chair, immersing himself with the beautiful paintings on the ceiling. They were paintings of graceful dancers, animals that represented them by the side, a huge waterfall and thorny veins that covered the possibly messy edges. He shifted his attention towards the director upon hearing the glass placed in front of him.

"Thank you for agreeing to join our academy. It's a pleasure to have you to work alongside us," the older man said, adjusting his silver-blue spectacles before taking the portfolio Harold had prepared as promised. "I hope there is no stress about being a tutor and a performer at once?"

"No. Not at all," said Harold with a wide smile on his lips. "It's an honour to be able to be both. I hope I will manage to provide the best for the academy and the students here. Are there anything I need to be aware of, for now, Director?"

A soft chuckle echoed through the walls.

"I like that attitude, Harold. Please, call me, Jeremy," he said turning around to face the large shelf behind before pulling out a dark green file. "We do have an upcoming event on 10th March. I have a few requests from you, actually. Can you do that for me?"

"Well," Harold started, trailing his voice off for a while.

As much as he was excited to be here, he did not want to leave a promise for something he might not be able to cope with. Settling his palms on his thighs, he met Jeremy's brown eyes with a nod.

"I'll try my best to. I will put in my effort for what you need. What is it?"

Harold watched Jeremy chuckled at the response, bouncing his head like a floating helium balloon and pointed to the file in between them.

"I want you to debut under the name of our academy during our upcoming event. I want you to perform. Solo," said Jeremy firmly, wrapping both his palms around the cold glass that contained his alcohol. "While training my dancers for a competition a week before that. Can you do that?"