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| ❛ C H A P T E R T W O ❜ |
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2 years ago

"So, this is your school?" I asked, stepping out of the car alongside James and his twin sister, Lydia.

"Yes, and now it's your school too," James replied, taking my school bag from me with a grin.

"You'll love it here," Lydia said, her smile warm and reassuring.

As we walked towards the entrance, I couldn't help but feel a mix of nerves and excitement. The school grounds were vast and impressive, with ivy-covered buildings and students milling about, chatting and laughing. It felt like stepping into a scene from a storybook.

James led the way, pointing out various landmarks. "That's the main hall, And over there is the library—it's huge, you'll love it."

Lydia chimed in, "And the art studio is fantastic. We have some really talented students here."

As we entered the main building, I was struck by the grandeur of the place. High ceilings, intricate woodwork, this place was a castle. It was a far cry from my old school in Italy, but there was something inviting about it.

James nudged me playfully. "Ready to meet our friends?"

I nodded, trying to steady my racing heart. We made our way to a large common area filled with students lounging on sofas and chairs. James spotted a group of his friends and waved them over.

"Everyone, this is Aurora," he introduced me proudly. "She's just moved here from Italy."

They greeted me with smiles and friendly nods. One of them, a tall boy with messy hair, extended his hand. "I'm Alistair. Welcome to the madhouse."

I laughed, shaking his hand. "Thanks, it's nice to meet you all."

Another girl with striking blonde hair and a contagious smile introduced herself as Elaine. "You're going to love it here, Aurora."

Their warmth and openness eased my nerves. We spent the next few minutes chatting, and I quickly realized how close-knit this group was. They made me feel like I belonged.

James glanced at his watch. "We should get going, classes are about to start."

He handed me my schedule, and we compared classes. To my delight, we shared several. "Looks like we'll be seeing a lot of each other," James said with a wink.

As we headed to our first class, James leaned in and whispered, "Don't worry, you've got this. And if you need anything, I'm right here."

His words were comforting, and I felt a surge of confidence. The classroom buzzed with chatter as we took our seats. The teacher, a tall woman with a kind smile, introduced herself as Mrs. Campbell

"Welcome, everyone," she began. "Today, we have a new student joining us. Aurora, would you like to tell us a bit about yourself?"

When Aurora stood up to introduce herself, her eyes swept across the classroom, scanning the sea of curious faces.

Amidst the students, her gaze landed on a cute brown-haired boy with glasses sitting near the front. He had been quietly listening, his expression thoughtful yet friendly.

"Hi, I'm Aurora Bianchi," she began, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach. "I just moved here from Italy, and I'm really excited to get to know all of you."

As she spoke, the boy with glasses looked up, his eyes meeting hers with a warm smile. He seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say, and Aurora felt a small rush of relief. The class responded warmly, some nodding in welcome and others offering encouraging smiles.

After she finished, Mrs. Campbell, the teacher, clapped her hands lightly to regain the class's attention. "Thank you, Aurora. We're delighted to have you here. I'm sure you'll find our school to be a welcoming place."

Aurora took her seat, feeling a mix of relief and excitement. She glanced over at James, who gave her an encouraging thumbs-up. Beside him, Lydia flashed her a reassuring smile.

Throughout the rest of the day, Aurora found herself stealing glances at the boy with glasses. During lunch, he caught her eye and gave her a friendly nod, which made her cheeks flush slightly.

˙ . ꒷ 🌊 . 𖦹˙—

In the afternoon, we had a free period, and James suggested we explore the grounds. He took me to a hidden garden behind the art studio, a serene spot with blooming flowers and a small fountain.

"This place is a bit of a secret," he said, leaning against a tree. "Not many people know about it."

"It's beautiful," I replied, taking in the tranquility. "Thank you for showing me."

As we stood there, surrounded by nature, I felt a deep sense of contentment. Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of the free period. James and I exchanged a knowing glance, the unspoken promise of many more shared adventures hanging in the air.

"We should head back," he said, leading the way with a smile.

𖦹 !! ꒰ 02 ꒱ ᯓ 🌤️