It was early morning on the second day, Yuri was hurrying to go down the stairs. She was not yet late for school, though she wants to be early, partly because she wanted to give the baked macaroons to Hayley while their classmates were not there yet, she doesn't want to embarrass herself in case her macaroons were rejected. Turned down the breakfast that the maid prepared and made an excuse, saying she has something to do at the academy. On her way out, someone called her name.
"Hey, Yuri!"
She stopped in her tracks and turned around. That's when she saw a tall, handsome boy at the side of their gate. He was wearing a uniform from another school that was opposite her school. It was an all-boys school, a counterpart of their academy. She just raised her eyebrows and confusion was written all over her adorable face.
The guy smiled. He has a side dimple and his canine almost showed when he does that. He looked equally cute, just like Yuri. "Going to school?"
"Ah, yeah, that's why I'm in a hurry right now. What's up?"
"Why are you in such a hurry?" He asked, then looked at his expensive watch. "It's still an hour before classes start."
She just rolled her eyes. "Do you have so much time on your hands? Well, I don't have much time. I need to go now. Are you looking for my little uncle?" She needs to get going. She does not have time for a friendly chit-chat right now.
Yuri has a little uncle, almost their age. He was a little older than two years. And he was a close buddy of the handsome boy.
"Bryan, stop delaying me. Little uncle is still inside. He was not attending his class today. Go and hang out with him all you want." She said, then turned and go. She was almost running towards her car.
The handsome boy named Bryan looked at the adorable girl scurrying away from him. He just stood there, waiting for the car to leave with Yuri. When the car was far from his sight, he only then stepped towards the inside of the house.
Yuri was still puzzled why that brat came early in the morning, knowing he can just message or call her little uncle. He was weird since young.
Bryan Mikel Salvador was her childhood friend, her desk mate in middle school, her big bully but sometimes protector, and also their family friend. Both their fathers were best friends since birth, hence they became so close, almost like relatives. No wonder he likes bullying her. And she felt annoyed that her little brother and that brat shared the same middle name, though different in spelling but the same pronunciation.
There was a rumor that he was her arranged marriage set up by their respective families, though she didn't believe it. He was the last thing she wanted to be with for the rest of her life. She was not a masochist to stay with her bully and be bullied every day!
She snorted. There is no way in hell he doesn't like her. Then the feelings were mutual. And to tell the truth, she already has her love interest; her young teacher in literature. Mr. Matthews is handsome and tall and gentle. She likes gentle and mature guys. That way, she will feel secure. Thinking about her beloved teacher makes her want to giggle. Then she remembered. Why didn't she think of baking for him as well? She was truly disappointed with herself! She tried lifting her spirit and told herself that she will bake for him next time.
It was not long when she arrived at St. Claire. She got out of the car and made her way inside the academy. She looked around. It was her first time going to school early. The hallway was so quiet and there was no one she could talk to. The academy looked splendid with Victorian architecture the first time she saw it, just as now. During school hours, there were many girls around and it was noisy, but right now it was so quiet that it almost scared her. She hurried and went inside the classroom, but there was no one in there. She remembers that there were always three people in there every morning, so where were they?
She looked outside the classroom, but there was no one there still. She was clueless and didn't know if she will stay inside or just go outside and wait by their cafeteria. Looking around, all she can see were the impressive murals and old paintings that decorated the wall. The whole academy has a Gothic revival style type of architecture, with two courtyards separated by the main hall with four major towers with smaller corner turrets around each tower. Each spire was really impressive. This building was ten stories high, and each window on every floor has a pointed arch with large stained glass windows looking like kaleidoscopic windows and a rose pattern for its design that looked like windows in those Victorian-era churches. There was ribbed vaulting to incorporate higher ceilings and taller windows into the design it involves the use of intersecting barrel vaults and arches placed parallel to one another to support a rounded roof. Lastly, to support the sky-high building that was the prestigious academy, there were crisscrossed constructions to increase support and for more decorative aesthetics.
The academy is not just famous for having heiress students but is taking pride in the academy building itself, the most impressive feature of this building would be the presence of ornate decorative elements, like any other Gothic revival building including embellished colonnades and colonettes, sculptural moldings, statues of saints and historical figures, pinnacles and spires and a statue of goddess pouring a vase of water in the side instead of the ugly gargoyles figures that cats as the water sprouts.
Yuri takes it all in, the nature, the aesthetic beauty of the whole academy, and the quietness of her surroundings….. Indeed, being rich is everything!
When she walked out she was greeted by the humongous water fountain at the school's entrance, the flowers blooming around It is colorful and vibrant, she went up to it and smelled the blooming flowers, it appears that their school gardener just watered it moments ago., there were no cars parked in there, there was a parking lot underground provided by the school for those senior students who came with their posh cars. She looked around and when she noticed that there will be no students arriving anytime soon, she decided to go to their pastry shop not too far from where she stood. It is another privilege students got to enjoy, in this vast land surrounding the academy, you will find shops and boutiques, there were some small restaurants that they can dine in and for sure the taste doesn't lose to those fine dining restaurants they could find outside their school... It was like having a shopping mall around the school's vicinity. How cool was that? This is just one of the perks of being rich!
She was about to go to her favorite shop when a luxurious sports car drove through the huge wrought-iron gate and then stopped right at the entrance to the school. A door was opened in the passenger seat.
Yuri stopped and waited for whoever emerged from that luxurious car. After a moment there it was she can't help but stare at the long and slender white legs of the girl, then came the school skirt and the slim waist and long black hair. She let out a loud wow when she saw Hayley's beautiful face. Her aura was one of a kind… She was caught staring and by the time she was able to move, the expensive car was already gone. She turned her body stiffly and walked right into the shop near her.
She stood there at the entrance for who knows how long before she was able to calm herself down. She was sure it was Hayley. She was with the Academy president! That gorgeously handsome face of Mr. Moretti cannot be confused with someone else!
Are they dating?!
It will be such a piece of huge news if that will be true. With the shock that's gotten her all riled up, she forgot all about her plans to approach Hayley to give her macaroons.
It was almost time for the first subject when she made her way to her classroom. Their first subject today will be English, and this is her favorite subject since she had a huge crush on their teacher. She was feeling energetic again after thinking about her crush as she made her way inside the classroom. She managed to sit at her table without having eye contact with Hayley.
After a few minutes, a young handsome gentleman opened the door and get inside. He was tall with brown short hair. It looked so soft with just a light wind, it started swaying gently. He has a boyish charm, probably because of his dimples, he has a nice set of brown eyes and an overly charming smile. He looks like a college student that just got his way to the all-girls high school. Who wouldn't fall for a cute-looking guy like him? "Good morning everyone." He greeted them with his signature gentle smile.
And not to exaggerate, but half of the girls swooned…. Including Yuri.
Angel greeted the young professor. Raeven was just indifferent while Hayley rolled her eyes; another normal day.
The English class lasted for about an hour, but for Yuri, it was but only a couple of minutes. Too short if you ask her. She wanted to be with him every single day of her life. This must be true love!
Another professor came in but the enthusiasm went down a notch compared to the energy the girls gave to the young professor, the old professor who teaches Science knew it but just snort and started that day's discussion.
Another hour passed by and just a couple of minutes and it will be lunchtime. When the bell rang, students snap out of their concentration and abruptly stands up without waiting for the professor to finish what she was talking about. By the time the professor tidied up her things, only the four girls were left inside the classroom.
"I baked some nice macaroon yesterday and some sandwiches. I'm sure Hayley would love some," Angel said and stand up from her seat.
"I'm sure our Miss beauty queen was not conscious about her diet." Raeven teased Hayley.
Hayley looked at her. "Oh sure thing, ice-cold beauty, you are very considerate, the fact that you didn't do the cooking."
Angel laughed at their childishness. They started to walk out of the classroom when Yuri called Hayley.
The two girls also stopped their tracks and curiously looked at her. Yuri felt a bit embarrassed being stared at, though their stare was not that malicious. Angel was even smiling at her, while Raeven was just plain curious but was a bit guarded; did she know what happened that day?
"I- I made some macaroons- yesterday, I was thinking of giving you some, you know, for what you did that night for me. Thank you again." She said, her cheeks blushing. If only Hayley was a guy, it would look like a perfect confession from a cute high school girl- that is what Raeven was thinking and she can't help but chuckle from that.
Hayley looked at her sideways and she smiled at Yuri. "Wow, what's with macaroons today? And you bake as well?"
"Yeah, I bake, I love baking!" She said enthusiastically. Her eyes lit up when she said those words, looking so cute and adorable. Angel can't help but smile. Raeven felt amused by the way Yuri sounds enthusiastic about sharing her passion for baking.
Hayley just raised her eyebrows and accepted the beautifully wrapped macaroons. It was placed in a Disney princess' colorful box, with a pastel pink ribbon on it. "Thanks. You should not have troubled yourself with such a trivial matter. It's not necessary…." She said, trying not to be indifferent but failing.
Angel suddenly held Hayley's arm and awkwardly tried to salvage the awkward situation. "Yuri, why don't you join us? We'll take our lunch on the rooftop." She extended the invitation to her.
Yuri knew that Angel was kind, but she also knew that she was just trying to save her friend from the situation. She just waved her hand and said no. "I think I'll just go to the cafeteria..."
When the three girls were out of the classroom, Yuri helplessly sighed and sat down in her chair again. The truth is, she doesn't want to eat alone, but she was shy to go with them. She was at a loss right now. Then she shakes her head and lifts her spirit. She should not be worried, she will find new friends in no time. She's cute, adorable, and friendly. There's no way she can’t have her circle of friends.
And so Yuri made up her mind and went out of the classroom, making her way to the cafeteria. Students were all chattering with their friends enthusiastically, making Yuri feel jealous. If it were the past, she would've been one of them, chatting and laughing with her friends. Sadly, the last set of friends she befriended looks not look good at all…
In the cafeteria, every food was laid buffet style and there were people to serve them whenever they lined up. She got herself a nice three-course meal: a shrimp scampi for the appetizer, a British classic slow-cooked spaghetti bolognese for the main course, and a nice slice of her favorite cake from a famous cheesecake company, Fresh strawberry cheesecake! Yes, a lovely, sumptuous, heavy meal for lunch!
She was on her way to her table when she felt something tripped her foot, the next thing she knew, she got to her knees and hands on the floor and the food she was carrying from her tray was splashed onto herself, it was such a bloody mess!
"Hey, Yuri, are you alright?"
"Oh my, look at you, soaked in spaghetti sauce. You also smell fishy, kinda…."
There was a long silence….
At that moment, all she wanted to do is for the floor she was sitting on to swallow her up. She looked up, and there she saw three girls sitting at a table. They were her friends before. They all looked at her like she was an enemy. This is the same look they use in all the poor girls they bullied before. All she thought at that moment was that she can't cry, she shouldn't cry, not in front of them. And so, she tried to look dignified. She slowly brushed the shrimps off the top of her hair and the strings of pasta off her skirt. She stood up and tried not to look at them. However, before she was able to pass their table, she heard one of them mutter the word; traitor.
All her life, she was the bubbly, sunshine girl with a deep set of dimples on her adorable face. She was taught to look at the beautiful side of everything. But now, all she saw was an accusing and indifferent stare from strangers. She was humiliated then and there, but no one helped her. They just looked at her, and though they didn't laugh at her, the indifference on their face made her more embarrassed. They only looked at her for several seconds and then ignored her, like it was an everyday occurrence, nothing unusual. How heartless people can be!
She got inside the bathroom and tried to wash off the food stains as much as she can, she almost laughed at her clumsiness. When she heard some giggles coming near the bathroom, she hid in one of the cubicles. She waited inside until the group of girls walked out of there. Then her tears fell. She can no longer control them. She felt alone. She thought she will find friends, but it was difficult now. She never dreamed of this day when the friends whom she thought liked her suddenly treated her like their enemy. She doesn't even know; how can they say that she betrayed them? She has never betrayed a friend, ever!
She made her way up the rooftop. She cried her heart out. She didn't realize that there were people present. She never cried this hard before. She cried out her miseries and the humiliation she experienced back there.
"Y-Yuri?"
At that moment, it was just the wind whispering in her ears, caressing her hair into a mess, she was already a mess, never in her life, she looked hideous and unpresentable at that moment, she didn't dare look at the girl's direction and made her way down the rooftop as quick as possible.
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