The Switch

11| She's Somewhere Else

Crimson Hood:

      I enter the vast kitchen of Everadon Academy that boasted crown moldings, ingenious storage solutions, sophisticated amenities, and a design that integrated elements that when combined, were both rustic and traditional, as well as Mediterranean and modern. Gripping my bronze dinner tray, which is piled high with juicy, succulent meats from a rare cooked filet mignon, to Italian style sausages, I am almost desperate in my pitiful search through the sea of my fellow colleagues' faces as I seek out Serena to no avail. My mind grapples at Serena's absence. Where is she? Where is Serena? My heavy plodding footsteps barely sound throughout the boisterous noises of the castleteria, as I reluctantly head towards an empty table near the back of the vast room. The rest of my friends, most of whom are royal princesses, are off indulging themselves in a school funded trip to Egypt, one that is supposedly meant to educate them in the wondrous powers of the pharaohs of the past, and the current crowned Pharaoh, His Royal Highness, Prince Raoul of Egypt. The grip of loneliness holds me in place as I try to find a familiar face that I deem willing to dine with me. Unfortunately, I find no individual willing or capable of being a potential dining partner. With reluctance, I take a seat on a chair draped in black velvet at a table near the back of the room, keeping to myself. Initially, as I am never one to be left behind, I had intended to attend the journey to Egypt as well; however, I had no choice but to remain at the academy, as I must be present to instruct my team. For as captain of the track team, I could not afford to leave my team to defend its high ranking status within the eyes of the elite athletes without their leader. I may not be an heir to a throne, but I do have my own place of leadership. One that is relatively smaller than I would like...

      Serena had decided to stay as well, but for completely different reasons of her own. The girl's assurance in her capabilities, (surely rightfully so), made her remain at the school, ready for when she is to be cast as Helen of Troy in the upcoming play. Notice how I say when, not if, since equating Serena with the word "humble" would be a false statement, and I know better than to do otherwise. Serena's pride does not explain my own belief in my friend's abilities, though. Perhaps Serena's supercilious ways were rubbing off on me? A text from Serena interrupts my thoughts, and proves that my earlier determination to receive a response, a reason, for Serena's absence, has been worthwhile, given that I now have I finally received a reply, 'In the library, working on a project with Silver. Can't eat dinner @ caf. Ttyl, sorry.' It said. My jaw tightens in anger. When did Serena allocate her time, spend it, amongst someone that hated her with a viciousness that made even me, the animal that I was, feel uneasy? Silver and Serena, working steadfastly on a project, together? Did Serena not realize the threat that Silver posed to her? Was Serena that naive? "Hey Crimson, would you mind if I sat with you?" Adrian's voice, a deep malicious, yet comforting purr, is a welcome relief to my many unanswered questions about Serena. "Sure, that would be great!" I exclaim with rather embarrassing happiness. Laughing in amusement, Adrian sits across from me, satisfied with the reaction he procured. After a few moments of awkward silence, Adrian asks about the location of my friends, and I quickly explain the situation. Soon, of no account of my own, the topic of conversation turns to something we both find of interest: sports. Then to my surprise and delight, Adrian and I are laughing and chatting in the comforting way of close confidantes, of best friends. But instead of giving in to my rational way of thinking, and disputing the connection, the pull, I feel towards Adrian, I continue talking to Adrian with an odd sense of joy. To say that our intimate way of conversing is something I adore, is putting it quite mildly. But if not adore, then what is it? What is the word that may possibly describe, surmise, this wonderful, consuming, growing feeling that is stirring within me?