Chapter 3: Interested (Clara's POV)

"Wow, you made this room look like this within two hours of being here?" she chuckled, looking around. 

"Yeah, what do you think?" I asked, looking at the room. It looks just like my old one. 

"I think it looks amazing. Did you plan it all out?" 

"I actually wanted it to look like my old room. From New York," I shrugged. 

"I'm right next door, by the way. In case you need anything. So, are you free now or still unpacking?" she asked. "Lunch is in an hour." 

"I think I'll put up some clothes in the closet until then," I replied. 

"Okay, so I'll come get you, and then we can head on out to the cafeteria?" Before I could even say yes, she said, "Or actually, why don't I help you?" 

"Oh, you don't have to, really," I chuckled. 

"I don't have anything else to do anyway, come on," she laughed, putting her bag down by my bed while explaining to me that even though this is high school, it's more like college. There are no more than four classes a day, some days with no classes at all, and a lot of free time. 

So we spent the next hour talking, getting to know each other, and setting up my closet. 

"So, my dad tells me winter doesn't really happen here. Is that true?" I asked.

"Yeah, kind of. It doesn't get cold here. A little chilly sometimes during the winter months but not too much." 

"So, all my cute winter clothes that were essential in New York are best at home, right?" 

"Right," she laughed. 

We were mostly done by the time the house ended. The rest I would do later. 

"Let's go for lunch, come on," she suggested.

I grabbed my room key and phone and then followed her out. She dropped her bag in her room and then we headed downstairs. 

"So, how many people have you met so far?" she asked, glancing at me. 

"You," I laughed. 

"That's it?" 

"There was one guy named Atticus, I think. The principal asked him to show me to my room." 

"Atticus Sylvaine?" 

I shrugged in response, "I didn't get a last name." 

"That guy?" She pointed ahead of us at a group of boys who were heading upstairs. 

"Yeah," I replied once we walked past them. 

"What do you think of him?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me. 

I laughed, looking at her weirdly. "He's okay. Seemed normal." 

She looked at me in confusion. "You don't think he's attractive?" 

"I wasn't thinking of that, I don't know. I didn't pay much attention to him. I was looking at the building. Speaking of, when the hell was this place built?" 

"Sometime in the 1700's I think. Why?" 

"I like the interior," I said, looking up at the ceiling. 

Most of the school is black with some dark greys. The walls are black with gold detailing, the ceiling is also black with small colorful chandeliers every few feet in the shape of different flowers. It looks beautiful. 

"Thanks for offering to show me around, by the way," I said as we reached downstairs and started making our way to what I assume is the cafeteria. 

"No problem," she smiled. "But wait, you really don't think Atticus is attractive?" She looked at me in disbelief. 

I laughed, "It's not that I don't think he's attractive, I just wasn't paying attention to his looks before. You, on the other hand, are clearly obsessed with him." "I'm not obsessed with him, I just think he's attractive," she shrugged. 

"Really? So do you— ow," I winced as I bumped into someone which apparently when you bump into someone in Ilea, it feels like you've run into a brick wall. 

Wow, he is tall. 6'4 at least. I didn't realize that when I saw him earlier. 

"Sorry, didn't see you there," I laughed. 

He looked me up and down, his eyes traveling over my body slowly. 

"Something wrong?" I asked, lifting a brow at him. 

He can't just check me out so blatantly, what the hell? Even though he already did that earlier. "Yes." He stepped close. Really close. He leaned down by my ear and whispered, "You're in my way." He looked at me one last time and then brushed past me, his arm clashing with mine. 

I spun around, watching him until Daisy grabbed my arm and dragged me to a table. "What's wrong with you?" she hissed at me. 

"What? What did I do?" I apologized for running into him, what's wrong with that? 

"That is Callum Nikolai!" she whisper-yelled. 

"So?" 

She face-palmed. "The principal really should have given you a better briefing. Whatever you do, just stay away from him. He's bad news." 

"Really? Because he seemed just so kind, didn't he?" I asked sarcastically. "I have no interest in him." 

"Good. Try keeping it that way." 

"Why wouldn't it stay that way?" I frowned in confusion. 

"Because he's Callum. Everyone is interested in him. Anyhow, you stay here. I'll get us something to eat." 

"Oh, I can—" 

"No, just stay here. The line isn't that long," she chuckled before getting up and leaving me alone at the table. 

When I reached to put my books back in my bag, I realized everyone in the cafeteria was staring at me. 

It's probably just because I'm the new girl. Whatever. 

I looked around the room, trying to see if anyone here was friendly but no one seemed to be that way. Then my eyes went to the door when Callum was being dragged back inside but another guy. Considering that he got so pissy just because I was standing in his way after we bumped into each other, but he's not saying anything to this guy, I'll place my bets that this guy is his best friend. 

He rolled his eyes and got in the lunch line with his friend. I watched him for a minute. He seems different. I just can't decide if that's good different or bad different. But different is always interesting. 

And Daisy just told me it would be better if I wasn't interested in him. I'm already doing things wrong, great. 

"Here." I looked up, seeing Daisy holding two plates before she put one down in front of me. "I hope you like sushi." 

I turned my gaze to the plate and my eyes widened. "Is this school lunch or a buffet?" I asked myself. Lunch in New York was trash at school. 

She chuckled, "Welcome to Arcane High." 

"You know, the longer I'm here the more I think that moving here wasn't such a bad idea." 

"You didn't want to move?" she asked, both of us breaking our chopsticks apart. 

I shook my head to answer her. 

"How come?" she frowned in confusion. 

"Um, actually... my mom died around eight months before we moved. I was born and raised in New York and the accident was still pretty fresh so I didn't want to... you know—"

"Leave all the memories behind?" she prompted. 

I nodded. 

"I know the feeling." 

"Let's not talk about it. Why don't you tell me about the people here at Arcane High?" I asked, opening the Coke can. 

"I don't really have close friends. I'm one of those people who mingle with everyone, y'know? So let's see, you already know Atticus and Callum, that's Callum's best friend," she nodded. 

I looked over to their table. It's just the two of them. 

"His name is Wyatt. He's really nice. He's into art and music. The next table there, the guys with Atticus are Nate, Ethan, Isaac, and Finn. That's his group. They're okay, I guess. They're friendly with everyone but Callum and Wyatt." 

I frowned in confusion, looking back at her. "How come?" 

"There's history there. Callum and Atticus hate each other," she mumbled. 

"Why?" 

"It's a long story and I don't know the details, really. I'm not friends with either of their girlfriends." 

"Callum has a girlfriend?" I blurted out. 

She eyed me but let it slide. "No, Atticus did though." 

"Oh, they broke up?" 

"She left Ilea," she cleared her throat. "And Callum's ex-girlfriend um, that was really messy. Moving on. That table right there, the blonde is Bella, the guy next to her is Brody, they're like the 'it' couple. Yes, blonde bimbo and nerd. She's as mean as you would think, but he's really nice. She's very protective of him, try staying away. From both of them," she chuckled. 

I laughed, moving my gaze to the next table. 

"Those are the witchcraft students." 

"Witchcraft?" I inquired. 

"It's more of a club. Ilea has quite a bit of history. They're here just to learn it." 

I nodded in understanding. 

Once we finished lunch after talking about each other and also about other people, we stood up to leave. I turned to follow her to leave the tray but I bumped into someone. Luckily the coke can was empty and there was no more sushi left to ruin my shirt. I huffed, looking up at blinking in surprise. 

His eyes weren't so green last time. "Move," he nodded his head upward. 

I rolled my eyes and moved aside. "What is his problem?" I asked myself, leaving the tray in the bin. 

"He's Callum. Everything is a problem for him," Daisy replied.

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Chapter 3

also those flower lamps...

I'm OBSESSED

anyway, let me know how you're liking it so far

next chapter: wander