Starting Off Wrong [𝐠𝐱𝐠]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑: 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬

"I'll introduce you to my friends during supper. They can also help if you're struggling." How is Aurelia so unbelievably nice? Maybe most people like this and I've just had the curse of never being able to meet them.

My friends back home were mostly inconsiderate. If any of them were in Aurelia's place, they would introduce themselves and then disappear back into their own lives. I understand it's not an obligation to be friends with your roommate or the new girl, but it's nice to show some sort of regards to them. Why did I never find any new friends? I guess sometimes, it's easier to just continue hanging out with the same people you grew up with instead of branching out.

"Finally," Aurelia happily clasps her hands.

The dining hall is packed to the brim with new girls coming in as the seconds pass by. There are long wooden tables with matching benches for seating. The chandeliers glow orange, producing a warm cover over the room. The high windows give view to the vast field and allow the small moon to appear in the sky. I just know the brilliant sun would stream in during morning breakfast, a perfect start to the morning.

The delicious smell of flavors immediately causes my stomach to growl in hunger, but as soon as I spot the line, I frown. How could anyone possibly wait in a line that long for food?

"Odette," Aurelia calls. She points to a section less crowded and asks, "Do you like pasta?" "I love pasta," I say. My heart aches a bit, thinking about my mom's pasta, a strong comfort food.

"Great, there's no line over there so we'll be in and out." Aurelia and I make out way through the crowd and the closer we get, the stronger the smell is. Aurelia takes a plate and offers me one. "Thanks," I say, grabbing a few napkins. She nods and says, "Of course."

As I scoop up the pasta into my plate, Aurelia cries out. "There's even some bread leftover!" She takes two pieces and explains, "If you don't want to get stuck with the leftovers, you have to hurry to supper." "Right," I say, understanding. So far, it seems like boarding school life is quite busy.

"We'll be early next time," Aurelia assures me. I take a piece of bread and say, "I'm just glad there's food." I follow Aurelia as my mouth waters from the wonderful smell of tomato sauce. Until now, I had not realized I only had airplane food in the last twenty-four hours.

"There they are," Aurelia says, fastening her pace. I look to where we're heading. We walk towards the back wall covered in paintings of numerous people. I look awed at the masterpieces and stop slightly to read the plaque underneath one of the paintings. Lady Medina Padella Valencia. Padella? She shares a same name with the school, Octavian Padella Boarding Academy. She must be related to the building somehow.

I walk away from the painting and catch up the Aurelia, determined not the follow behind. "You like painting?" Aurelia asks. "Oh," I say, slightly embarrassed she caught me staring. "I was just memorized by them." I look away, back to the paintings both so she can't see my flushed cheeks and to emphasize my point.

"We do have an art class here," Aurelia says. "Maybe you'd like it." "Maybe I would."

We stop at the middle of the table where three girls are already seated.

One of the girls, a brunette, laughs at something. She covers her mouth to excuse herself and looks up at us. Recognizing Aurelia, the smile in her face grows bigger. "Hiya, Aura!" she says, waving her hand.

The girl beside her looks up at us, her messy ponytail shaking behind her. She smiles warmly at me, seeming like she already knows who I am.

Consumed in her book, the last girl finally looks up at us. She slowly closes it and says, "Hi." She looks at me and says, "Welcome," smiling.