Headmistress NarissaAthena, come along, now. We have to go!
Athena couldn’t stop staring at the portrait of the Royal family of the Palace of Lucifer, which was now called Decelis Academy.
At first, Athena didn’t hear Narissa, until…
Headmistress NarissaAthena! Now! Come along!
Athena gave a death glare towards the headmistress.
Athena<If you alert me to the N-word for the final time, I shall have you decapitated!>
But she didn’t want herself to get into any trouble, so she followed.
Headmistress NarissaWe haven’t had a new student since forever! So, you are pretty lucky that you’re here.
AthenaI’m sure it has been.
Both young women were silent for a matter of two seconds. And then Narissa cleared her throat.
Headmistress NarissaErm…your name, please?
Narissa had suddenly gasped.
Headmistress NarissaWhy…how magnificent! Our school’s mascot had the same name as you! What a coincidence!
Athena nodded.
Headmistress NarissaAs you can see, our academy operates as an evening school. Classes start promptly at 9pm. It might be a little hard to believe at first, but I’m sure you will learn to adapt.
They both reached to the oldest room in the dormitory aisle. The door had such details in the front. Athena was stunned.
Headmistress NarissaI know, it may be strange to show up at a room a little further away from the others, but to be honest, there wasn’t any new dorms available for you, so I had to pick out the oldest one, which happens to be the room of the Princess Athena of the Serpentine. Well, look at that! We have now got a second coincidental moment! Isn’t it amazing?
Excruciated, Athena nodded slowly. Narissa cleared her throat again.
Headmistress NarissaWell, I’ll let you settle in, and I’ll have someone to check up on you.
Before Athena could open the door to her new dorm room, Narissa stopped her for a moment in time.
Headmistress NarissaI forgot to tell you: it is forbidden to somewhat exit this school no later than after sunset. We established this rule after we discovered the murder of King Rothbart of the Serpentine. We don’t want any of that to happen again. Such as pretty girls like you. And, regardless of any of the rules I had mentioned to you previously, you should stay inside for your own safety. They say that the murder was done by someone from a Serpent. I know an Angel couldn’t possibly do such a thing, because Angels only bring gladness in the world. But since Angels are also forbidden in this school, due to our strict entrance system, I’m sure you won’t run into one, even within the school’s campus.
AthenaI shall be certain I won’t run into one.
Headmistress NarissaGood. And my apologies if the room is a bit untidy, no one really uses this room.
AthenaThat’s fine,” said Athena, “I actually quite like it here.
Athena opened the door halfway, and as Narissa was about to walk away, she said:
Headmistress NarissaI’ll be down at the office if you have any questions. Enjoy!
Athena nodded. And soon, the Headmistress disappeared. Athena opened the door wider *creek* and found the place completely empty and spotless!
Athena"A bit untidy, huh…"
thought Athena
Athena"Well, this place is clean! I don’t know why you lied to me about this."
But after looking around, she smiled.
AthenaAnd she didn’t even notice how excited I was! Awesome!
Meanwhile, on the same day, there was another new student that had been enrolled. But this student had a secret: she wasn’t a Serpent…she was an Angel!
Decelis Academy never allowed anyone to enroll an Angel in a Serpent school. But this school was less expensive than Riverfield Academy, Decelis Academy’s rival.
But she was more excited than Athena: the name was Odette, named after the Queen Odette of the Angelics. Odette closed the door and made a thud.
Odette"I just can’t believe it…"
she thought ecstatically:
Odette"This is my room! Woo-hoo!"
She jumped for joy up and down.
she finally said:
OdetteThis has to be the best school in all of Riverfield! And it’s known for their strict policy against Angels! So that means I’ll never be suspected for one! Ha-ha!
A dirty room was no trouble for Odette, as she liked to tidy up quite often. As she finished, Odette sat on her new authoritative bed and rested.
––––––––––––––––––––––
In Athena’s room, someone knocked on the door. This startled the girl silly, as she gave a yelp. The person knocked on the door once more. Athena was bothered enough and answered the door.
The person standing in front of the threshold between inside and outside the room fluttered his eyelids. Athena froze.
The boy stammered.
HeliI left my book here. If I could just retrieve it, please?
Athena replied with a straight expression.
The student was stunned by Athena’s facial features.
he thought, vigorously
Heli"No one could ever look this beautiful! Not even a Serpent like her. I feel like she is not a Serpent at all!"
HeliI feel like you’re not a Serpent.
Athena hissed and stood up.
AthenaI am certainly not what you think! I know you might not believe me after seeing my face for the first time! No one believed me at first. But I gave them the best explanation as I had given them. I really am not an Angel!
AthenaDo you not know how much I’ve been stereotyped every time someone walks up to me?! They always say that I’m as ethereal as an Angel! But I keep reminding them that I’m a Serpent! And because of that, me and my family always had to move! This will be our final time to do so! And I worked so hard to get into this school! It cost more than an arm and a leg!
Athena huffed and puffed as she was out of breath.
The student smiled.
HeliI know you’re not an Angel.
he said
HeliIn fact, I’ve seen a lot of Serpents that look a lot like you. But you are much more radiant than the other girls I’ve seen.
Athena blushed.
Athena handed the book closer to the boy.
he said.
HeliI can tell by your teary-eyed expression.
Athena quickly wiped away the tears. She didn’t want to cry in front of anybody on her first day of school.
AthenaThank you for understanding me, and here is your missing book.
The boy slowly brought the book into his two hands.
AthenaI see it’s antique…
said Athena…
AthenaIs that the reason you came to Decelis Academy?
The boy nodded.
HeliYes, I have a thing for reading. My favorite genres are thrillers and romance.
AthenaI have a thing for romance and mystery.
Athena then giggled, but then her smile faded away. She covered her mouth.
she said, looking down.
asked the boy.
AthenaI’ve kept you too long, haven’t I?
AthenaIt’s just that…I’ve never interacted with people in many years.
HeliI wouldn’t worry about that, I actually enjoyed talking to you, too! I guess we both got too excited.
AthenaYeah…I guess we did.
The boy stepped back a little.
HeliI best be going, I’ll see you a little later.
As the door closed, she then turned back and was immediately about to reopen the door. But she stopped herself.
Athena"Gah! I should have asked him about his name and the date to meet again! This was my one damn chance to make a friend…and now I’ve messed it all up…again!"
Athena groaned in frustration.
Suddenly, the door reopened on its own. Athena yelped and backed away, against the wall. It was the boy again.
he said,
Athena was completely flustered.
AthenaM-me?! My name you ask?! It’s Athena! My name is Athena!
The student gave a chuckle.
AthenaWhat is so humorous?
HeliYou! You’re all flustered for some reason! And a good choice of words for your sentence. Also, Athena is a very beautiful name.
There was an awkward moment of silence.
HeliDon’t you want to know my name?
the boy asked.
Athena shot her head up.
AthenaHuh?! N-no, of course I do! I want to know! What is your name?!
The boy laughed.
HeliNow you ask. Still, I shall tell you. My name is Heli. I am in the 11th grade of Decelis Academy. Why don’t we start out by being friends.
AthenaCertainly, I approve of your enthusiasm.
HeliI’ll see you around, then?
HeliBye, then! See you tomorrow!
The door closed.
she thought,
AthenaI guess Ms. Narissa chose him to check on me. She picked a good one!
Athena laid on her bed and fell fast asleep, dreaming of meeting her new friend again.
