𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞

Chapter has been updated.

Xoxo

Love, KS♡

𝓐𝓼𝓱𝓵𝓮𝔂

"This . . . . is a dining hall?", I looked from the vintage walls and oakwood floor to the high ceilings and candled chandeliers that looked like it came out of the Game of Thrones series. Well damn if that falls . . . 

Ester brushed her shoulder against mine. "Let's go find a table."

We walked past multiple round tables, all dark wood with the finest set of China on them ready to be plated with what looked like a feast cooked for royalty. In the centre of the tables, I saw pancakes, mash, biscuits & gravy, lots of bread, bacon, eggs, noodles and dim sum?

We both found seats closer to the right wall and my mouth instantly watered after looking at all the dishes on our table, "This is a lot of food."

"First day is always very international", Ester said while unfolding her napkin and laying it over her lap. Two servers were immediately by our side to pour water out of sterling silver jars into each of our crystal glasses. 

"With lemon."

"Enjoy it", Ester winked, raising her filled glass.

 I actually smiled a little, kinda liking her company, and cheers with her.

"I honestly thought the seats were going to be assigned or something."

"That's a little cruel. You should have the choice to sit wherever you please", Ester voiced, "If anything, it just goes down to whose lucky enough to get the better table."

"Better table being?"

She tilted her chin towards the table on the far right side, closer to the ceiling window and up front to the podium which I assume was there for speeches and stuff, where everyone can see you. "In my opinion it's that one and everyone was actually nice enough to leave it empty . . . this is a different sort of respect."

"For . . .?"

Ester side-eyed me with a grin and just then, the dining hall doors were pulled open for the "Elites" to enter. 

"Got it", I said as all heads turned to watch the group of six walk in, carrying a different kind of aura with them as they ignored the attention everyone gave them and headed for the only vacant table left, the "better table". The round tables were so large, they could fit ten, meaning there were four empty seats left on their table and I doubt anyone dared to sit with them. Even I have to say that the aura they radiated was an intimidating one. 

"Well now I know why they left that table empty", Ester quipped, eyes on that table in particular, "You get a better view of them from here."

"Yeah, I can see every girl in the room staring their way", I said while munching on a triangle raisin toast because I was hungry and looking at Ester with my eyebrows raised. Her eyes were narrowed but they widened when she looked at me.

"Did you just -", her eyes shifted from the bread plate to the toast in my hand. 

I continued to chew. 

Our table eventually was filled with a wide mix of girls, all of them of different races, South-African, Japanese and about two who were from here. To be honest, all of them looked really nice but since I was a little on the socially awkward side, I mostly kept to myself while Ester chatted with the the blonde Hungarian beside her. This was my first day here anyway, I'll socialise more at some point. While I was busy staring at my empty plate, everyone around me suddenly gasped and I immediately looked up to see what happened.

Or who had entered . . . 

𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓻𝓭 𝓟𝓞𝓥

And so it all begins. 

"That's . . . Sophia Lemieux."

"Tamara Delevingne . . . she's here."

"They're attending this year?"

Whispers filled the hall as the two girls walked in, no bodyguards, no butlers, nothing but them and the reputation which they hold. Everyone watched while the two looked around for vacant seats and headed for the ones at the far front of the hall, on the table closest to the ceiling-high windows. 

More gasps went off. 

"The Elites meet Verdaux", Ester clinked her champagne glass with another. 

"If they're here, where's -"

"She's here."

"Oh my gosh, its's Kristine -"

"Is that her?"

"It's Kristine."

"Kristine La Cartier . . . "

"Shit, she's pretty."

"I thought prettier."

"She's actually here."

"They're looking at her."

The hall fell utterly silent when Kristine had fully stepped inside, taking away the breaths of many with her sudden appearance. 

"At least this year won't be boring", Ester remarked. "Make it interesting please, honey."

"Amen."

Unlike the rest who had entered, Kristine was accompanied by Headmistress Priestly. The two of them a mirroring image of grace as they carried themselves towards the very front of the hall with their backs straightened and poise, while amusing one another in a light conversation that had everyone watching them in a daze.

 Every eye in the room never left their walking figures, the Elites included. 

"I think I'll go into shock", Teressa mumbled to her left.

Isabella eyed the middle seat, purposefully left empty by the two sisters who waited for their third, "She's going to sit with us, so act calm", she says, while trying to do so herself. 

"That's easier said than done."

"Why are you red?", Xavier quietly asked his sister. 

Teressa muffled a laugh, earning a glare from Isabella. "Its her secret girl crush."

"Who?"

"Kristine?", Nicholas asked, contemplating whether he's heard of her name before, which no doubt he has as there was nobody in their world that didn't. 

"If I try to talk to her . . please run me over", Isabella begged with her eyes shut.

"Iz this is your chance, you've been wanting to meet Kristine for . . . I don't even know how long", Teressa encouraged, knowing just how big of a fan Isabella was. "Just . . . act calm."

"Did I miss something?", Xavier asked on the behalf of everyone else who was confused about Isabella's sudden agitation. 

"That's Kristine La Cartier. I absolutely admire her line and work", Isabella hovered her hands over her face, "I literally love all her designs . .  cosmetics too."

"Oh my god, the butterfly gloss . . it's so pretty", Teressa praised. 

"Not only is she one of the youngest, she's also a really successful businesswoman who's good at what she does and the press have done nothing but make a fool out of her name", Isabelle explained and at that moment, did all of them turn to look at Kristine, who lowered her face and softly laughed to something Headmistress Priestly had told her. 

And then . . . thump thump ♡✨

Something flickered in Ashton's eyes as he watched Kristine, the way she smiled, laughed and the glow in her eyes when she looked over the hall and everyone in it, somehow made his heart skip a beat. There was something about how well she covered her nerves behind a bright smile and head held-up high that allured the attention of many. To a few, she was already found interesting. 

"What do you mean?", Ashton inquired, his eyes never leaving the newly captivating girl who had gain the attention of everyone in the room.

"Did you not see the latest tabloids?", Teressa asked him.

"The poor thing. Sometimes it can be too much", Isabella pitied. "Most of the time, the papers don't even know what they're talking about."

"Its good you know", Tamara joined in, appreciating every word Isabella had said in defence of her sister. "She tries harder everyday to not get shitfaced by the press."

Isabella was for a second shocked by the sudden comment from Tamara and also did not expect for then to be her chance to interact with the actress herself, but it was. When she had regain herself, she mentioned, "I'm. . I'm a really big fan of her."

Tamara beamed, "You should tell her."

"She'd really like that", Sophia smiled as well, pleased.

"Attention everyone, if you will", Headmistress Preistly called through the mic, grabbing the attention of the rare few who didn't have their eyes towards the front already. "Before we dine, I first would like to bring forth someone who has very kindly agreed to lend you some wise words of her own before you're off to begin a very exciting academic year. This will be her first year attending and I can tell you that we are very lucky to have her as she will be a great role-model to follow. I am sure most of you are already quite aware of who the young lady behind me is, so everyone please welcome . .  Kristine La Cartier", she announced and everyone was quick to clap their hands.

The podium was then hers.

"Well, I can't promise the wise bit . . but I'll try my best", Kristine nervously laughed, using her fingers to brush her hair out of her face as every eye in the room fixed on her, "Um . . first off, I'd just like to say how grateful me, my sisters, Sophia and Tamara -", she briefly sent a smile their way, "are to be attending Winxsor this year with all of you. It really is an honour because where else than here . . to get that once in a lifetime experience", she swallowed, licking her bottom lip after as she thought of what to say next. "Like Headmistress Priestly has said, your time here will remain one of the most extraordinary experiences of your life and I don't doubt it after taking a peak at the stables out there", Kristine chuckled, "I hope for this to be our chance to go beyond our boundaries, try something new . . and I know that I'm just quoting our Headmistress now because it turns that I have nothing original to say", she chuckled again and some did with her. You got this, she thought to herself and breathed. "Not everyone gets their shot to be here, so what I'd really like is to congratulate all of the scholar students because . .  they earned it. Hard-work can never be looked down on", and on cue, the entire hall joined her as she initiated an applause, "Some of you are probably glad to be here and some of you . . maybe not as much, either way . . you are here. Make the most out of it and learn that . . sometimes you're very lucky to be wherever you are -", she looked to her sisters, "And to have whatever you do . .  Ok, now its just getting emotional - please take a shot of everything because you might find something you like along the way and . . enjoy every moment of it. Seize every opportunity and conquer whatever it is you choose to do because it is your life . . go live it the right way. Do not get too lost in yourself to ignore what's around you", she urged, "And honestly . . all the best things in life really do come once in a lifetime, love it while its there for you to love because it will only be yours in that moment", she smiled, feeling somewhat satisfied with her words, "Alright, I'll just end it here then because I know all of you want to dive right into the food that has been put out for us. I for one would also like to start scarfing down some pancakes now", she couldn't help but shyly laugh and some chuckles were heard, "I look forward to becoming friends with as many of you possible . . because there's literally so many of you and . .  . all the very very best", she brightly smiled and a grand round of applause along with a couple cheers was given to her. 

"Everyone get stuck in, and enjoy", Headmistress Priestly happily announced over the clapping and shortly hugged Kristine before realising her. "Inspiring, dear", she said. 

"I tried", Kristine winced. "Will you be joining us?"

"Teachers get to dine in private", the Headmistress  whispered closely, "We'll leave the students alone . . but only for now", she grinned, making Kristine do so as well, "Now go on dear, have your pancakes. "

Kristine laughed and then nodded. "Thank you Headmistress Priestly. I'll see you around", she said and finally made her way towards the table her sisters were sitting.

𝓚𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓮

"Oh god that was terrible", I plopped myself down in the seat between Soph and Tamara, and debated sliding underneath the table immediately, mortified. 

"You're being hard on yourself", Tamara said, "That was actually really good."

"Never get me to speak in front of anyone ever again", I asked. "Or I'll faint."

"That's just dramatic", she returned and I glowered. See me pass out . . . We were so busy talking among ourselves that I hardly noticed our table watching us with utmost attention. When I finally shifted to greet the rest of them, they all just stared at me back and  it sort of unease me but I attempted "playing it cool" - ignoring the fact that Charles Harrison was just one seat away from me in the process. That arse.

"Are we playing the staring game?", I teased, intrigued yet shy. 

They all continued to just look at me, exchanging glances with each other to see who would speak first, then back at me. Ok . . . 

"Um . . I hope you don't mind if I start first then", I started piling smoked sausages and eggs onto my plate because those were the dishes closest to me. I looked to see if anyone followed, but no one did. "Can someone please join me?", I shyly asked and kicked Tamara while doing so. My sister groaned and began to dine in the food I had serve her, Sophia instantly did as well. Eventually, the rest joined us and we all began to eat in silence. 

I was in the middle of stabbing some chopped fruits when the platter of pancakes turned up in front of me and, without me realising it, I was smiling. I started to stack some in my plate and glanced at the hand that was on the table spinner, trailing my eyes from it to the face of its owner. My eyes linked with a pair of ocean blue ones and ,for a brief moment, I felt all fluttery inside, because it was Ashton Lennox who had spun the pancakes closer to me. I smiled in thanks and he faintly grinned back at me. Damn it, he's cute. 

I poured a decent amount of syrup on my pancakes, added some mixed berries for good presentation and even plopped some whipped cream on top. When I accidentally got some on my fingers, I casually licked them off and I guess that was the wrong timing to have made direct contact with Xavier Valdéz, but I just carried on uncaring, as if he didn't just strip me bare with nothing but a single look. Ok, he's got those eyes . . . .

A server came over to refill drinks and I got my second glass of orange juice filled while pushing the remaining half of a steamed bun into my mouth. I probably had my cheeks stuffed again and looked like a "rabbit",  because Tamara snorted in the back of her hand and silently laughed when I turned to her annoyed. "I swear to God . . "

"It's cute!", she whispered. 

I rolled my eyes and plopped a whole, fresh strawberry into my mouth to cleanse my palate , or more like "end it" because I was getting full. "I think I'm done", I said and sipped on my juice, enjoying its pure sour taste on my tongue. Definitely, freshly squeezed. 

"You want to go check out our rooms?", Tamara leaned to ask Sophia and I. 

I nodded. "Sure."

My sisters had gotten up to leave while I was busy picking up the napkin that had fallen off my lap. "See you all later", I weakly smiled and bid to our table mates who I hope we'll get to interact with more some other time. When I moved to push my chair back, someone helped by pulling it out for me and I turned around surprised, stumbling on my heel while doing so. My first instinct was to say thank you but was a little more shock to find Ashton standing there looking back at me. Blue eyes, why did it have to be blue eyes?  "Thank you", I said, smiling to show I appreciated his courtesy and moved to past him, our shoulders brushing as I did.

You would think that was it, but it wasn't. 

The same time I moved forward, he stepped to his left, blocking me. I looked up only to be pulled back into his ocean eyes and like an average teenage girl, my reaction included an end to my circulation flow. He grinned, seeming more amused than trying to be flirty. My own lips couldn't help but curve upwards too. This close I could see his freckles and I admired them for a second, liking how cute they made him look before I side-stepped him and joined my grinning sisters by the door.

"Don't", I warned when Tamara opened her mouth, her smile already giving away her unsaid comment. 

Sophia shared a similar smile and took my arm in her hand, guiding me from the hall to the corridor, "Can I just say . . . I already knew it after seeing him look at you", she whispered to me, all excited as we made a good five metre distance from anyone who could possibly hear her. 

I sighed, "I literally do not know how to register what just happened."

"He's into you. Period", Tamara claimed. 

"In less than an hour of meeting me?"

"Come on, you're pretty . . with flawless skin, perfect hair, perfect body and supermodel legs. That inspiring speech plus your impressive background . . who wouldn't go for you?", she questioned as if the answer was obvious.

"After first sight especially", Sophia added and I failed not smiling. 

"True", I said, feeling more confident in myself after hearing my sisters praises. I will always need them, I just know it and I think I'll need them more than ever now. "I'm not red or anything am I?"

"No", Tamara assured. 

"What did he say to you?", Sophia asked, wanting to know. 

"Nothing", I said and Tamara lifted her brows, not trusting it, "He just looked at me."

"Oh well he's a goner", Tamara remarked and I rolled my eyes. "Dude's already obsessed with you, and mark my words -", she pointed a finger, "they are true."

"More like dramatic", I quietly said and she gave me the unimpressed look. 

"You say that's dramatic when there was rarely a second Charles Harrison wasn't glaring at you", Sophia told. "You've really rubbed him off the wrong way sweetie." 

"Oh she rubbed him alright, now he wants more", Tamara snorted and I couldn't help but join her, finding her timing to drop such a crude comment perfect. We both laughed for awhile until I put on a solemn face and elbowed her in the ribs. "I mean we gotta admit that was a good one."

"It actually was", I chuckled then laughed again. 

"You both are terrible for each other", Sophia sighed.

Tamara and I wrapped an arm around one another's shoulder, doing a cute sort of pose and silly faces while saying "Word." 

Laughing, the three of us headed down numerous hallways and up couple stairs until we  reached the dorms wing. Of course, we took a few pictures together along the way and just enjoyed being ourselves without any judgement made. This already felt like the good choice, being here and escaping it all. I loved it. 

And I only loved it more after seeing my room.

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞

Chapter has been updated.

Xoxo

Love, KS♡