The room was warm and clean, the curtains drawn tight, and, steadily, the table lamps turned on, before the overhead lights followed.
Elayna Barlowe, by this point in time, was no stranger to the routine that followed like clockwork every day at LaConranneâs academy. At six oâclock, the lights came on. Seven thirty, breakfast. At around eight or half past eight, according to speciality, is when classes commenced.
And, as always, she got herself out of bed; she fit the corners tight, got herself dressed (in something quite simple, but not unremarkable) and followed the lights to the heart of the academy into the commons. They casted a warm glow on the deep mahogany floor, which only further characterized the rouged skies, dipping faintly from under those tight curtains.
Elayna loved every day at the Academy. However, March first was always her favorite day of the year, because every March first, new students arrived to begin their Academy careers. Despite the fact that she would have helped the (extensive) kitchen staff with breakfast as she did every day, instead, that morning she crept along the northeast corridor and peered out of one of the most front-facing windows.
A small crowd of new students had already begun to form in front of the Academy. So far, most of the students had arrived by bus; though, many had been carred over as well. She wondered how many of them actually had to fly over to the Academy -- after all, Elayna knew people everywhere from Alaska to Maryland. Every corner of the country, really, is what she should have thought.
Her delight was not stifled in the early hours of the morning as she continued her observation, smiling fondly at all of the potential in the front garden. Every March first was an opportunity to make new friends and discover new perspectives, and Elayna loved it dearly. In fact, Elayna remembered the year she had arrived at the Academy; she had been 11, going on 12, full of exuberance and curiosity in the world. It was good for many to know that the Academy hadnât squashed that out of her.
There was almost a tension in the air because of the new emergence of students. Although Elayna didnât see the newcomers as a threat, there was one person who definitely did.
âElayna,â said a voice from behind her.
She squeaked, flinching, and turned around only to find a gaunt young man behind her. He absolutely towered above Elayna; his eyes were sunken and situated tiredly, face pallid and hair messy. His placid demeanor quickly put her at ease, though, especially as she realized who it was.
âAustin? What are you doing here?â
âWhat are you doing here?â He asked instead.
âIâm waiting for the new students. I thought you had extra classes.â
âI do not have my classes on Mondays. Why are you watching them there?â
Elayna blinked. âWhat do you mean?â
Austin didnât falter, and instead added, just as monotonously, âIt is weird that you are watching from a window. You could go outside to watch them and meet them earlier.â
Elayna, in fact, wondered why she hadnât thought of that. But then again, some of the most common-sense endeavors were lost upon her at times. What was she going to do once Austin graduated?
âI could. Youâre right. Iâm going to do that,â she said as she brushed off her clothing, and sat up right. âDo you want to come?â
âNo,â Austin said. It should have been obvious; he never wanted to do much of anything if it didnât benefit the advancement of his studies. Elayna remembered when he still liked playing chess with her, until he got so good that he âwould have more success playing against himself.â Although it hurt, she guessed she understood. As Austin snaked past her to adjust the curtains from between which she had been spying, Elayna said, âWhy are you up, then?â
âI couldnât sleep.â
It was a simple, but telling reply. Elayna understood.
âOh. Alright then.â
And with that, Elayna pivoted through the corridors with a newfound sense of excitement -- in her frenzy, she wasnât quite sure of where she was going, (or necessarily looking where she was going, either,) but now determined to go outside herself. After all, she realized as she glanced down at her watch, it was only seven oâclock. She had time! Why, she had nothing but time! To put it simply, any obstacle in her way would barely put a dent in her sunny disposition today.
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