Chapter II - First Impressions Part One

She had never been in a place so big, was the first thought that came whirring across Elisa’s mind as she spanned the length of the broad walkway to the entrance and beyond into the wide stretching corridors. And never so many people, people her age as she stood stiff facing them. The stream and cascade of them coming from hidden hallways and innumerable rooms, a disorderly functional student body that followed the crowd whilst wandering off from the pack. 

Only the brush of black hair and flick of indigo eyes caught her attention as she realized Esteire was walking away, gesturing for her to follow. Snapping out of her daze she hastily proceeded after, vainly attempting to occlude the throng of students in her vision.

They hadn’t gotten much farther when they were abruptly stopped by a porky middle aged lady of genial semblance who addressed herself as the principal of Amorei. Elisa was eased by her sweet demeanor, grateful to see a kindly face among the unknown of the rest. The principal, Mrs. Petrosky, gave an acknowledging nod of greeting to Elisa, then turned to do the like to Esteire, who, was strangely seemed perturbed by the motion.

“Remember to give your I.D.s and forms to the Student Body President,” the elderly lady curtly said with a plastered smile before swiftly leaving.

The moment the missus left, Elisa directed a questioning gaze to her sister who lingered on the principal’s form as she welled into the masses. The dark haired girl shook her head slightly, an ominous look in her eyes before she continued ahead.

“Better go,” was all her older sister said, angling her formerly straight path towards a right hall.

“Were we not going there before?” inquired Elisa, an inkling of presage deterring her newly instated assurance.

Esteire gave an encouraging smile before facing forward once again, her slight sister half jogging to catch up to her long brisk strides. Fawn toned doors received the two girls on the sudden left, the older grasping the metal latch and drawing the wooden boards open. 

Golden eyes lifted upon their entrance, corresponding flaxen hair shifting out of his face after hovering over the mahogany desk awry with papers. They widened at the sight of Esteire, raven haired and sapphire eyed, garbed in lavender and black. The topaz glint of his eyes darkened, faint shivers inexplicably traversing up his back. He didn’t know why, but something about this girl was off, like an enigmatic aura of foreboding surrounding her strikingly bewitching appearance.

Swiveling his gaze to the accompanying girl behind, the knots unwound at her demure mien. Already he could tell she was soft spoken, quiet and unassuming - like Vivianne - he thought, the names of all the students scrolling in his head. But, as he peered deeper into her warm sky eyes eyes he saw something smoldering latently down, like the beginnings of a fire about to spark and flame brilliantly.

The taller girl began to speak, “The lady,” of which he assumed was the Principal, “wanted us to see you before going to class.”

The boy, the Student Body President, gave a quick rogering nod as the girl then looked around the council room, finally settling her piercing gaze upon him. Instantly he shrank inside, immensely grateful it didn’t manifest on the outside as he sustained a casual, professional bearing. It was then that he swore he saw an approving look emerge in her eyes, flashing as quickly back as it had came.

“Well, we’re done here,” announced the girl as she pivoted on her heel and headed out with a now confused brunette companion that made his mouth quirk vaguely up.

“Wait, don’t you have to give me your I.D.s and forms?” he blurted once he registered they were actually leaving. It seemed the other girl trusted the dark haired one without complaint.

Her cerulean eyes flicked back, a smile tracing her lips as she replied conclusively, “You already have them.”

~Forever Waiting~

Upon entrance the classroom suspended, like models they entered the room - Esteire, nonchalant and poised, breathtaking, stunning, Elisa, innocently coy and quiet, gracefully beautiful. 

Even so, the demand of Esteire’s countenance undermined her sister’s, who, didn’t help by standing withdrawn to her back.

“Hello, I’m Esteire and this is my sister Elisabeth; we just moved here from the U.S.”

Gasps suffused throughout the room, girls and boys alike wondering if she was some sort of movie star on getaway; the only one not seeming to react was the teacher of the room who carried on scratching words on the chalkboard.

Noticing her hiding sister Esteire sidestepped and whispered so faintly in her ear that even Elisa could barely make out the words much less anyone else further away.

“Smile.”

Like a fleeting breeze it wafted against the side of her head, becoming a soft echo resounding in her mind.

Suddenly conscious she had been frowning timidly the whole time Elisa willed herself a bright smile, lighting up her entire face with a gentle, amiable glow. Immediately the class considered this, now altering their thoughts to sister actors on sojourn.

Promptly discerning empty seats at the back, Esteire, accompanied by her sister, made for the other side.

It was then that the students realized that the teacher hadn’t spoken a word, neither welcoming nor regarding the newcomers; it wasn’t like they were hard to miss nor Esteire’s eloquent voice difficult to pick out. As the students contemplated this, it was then that the teacher turned around with a cordial expression to greet the class. It was also when Elisabeth unexpectedly felt a coldness on her right side, as if a warmth left the air there. Directing her eyes to the neighboring desk her eyes widened with alarm.

Her sister wasn’t there.

Scouring the class the trepidation rose as a lump in her throat at every indication of her disappearance. Brown, blonde, black, no seat occupied her sister.

Just when she was about to raise her hand to report her absence, a ripped sheet on the right desk seized her attention. Twitchily spanning the classroom to see if anyone was watching her she shot out her hand and snatched the paper.

Don’t tell them I’m gone.

A shock whipped through her. Don’t tell them I’m gone?! She repeated in her head. What is that supposed to mean!?

If it hadn’t been for the fact that she didn’t see her sister leave the classroom, she wouldn’t have been so disturbed, but as it was Esteire was missing from her side the moment Elisa sat down.

Though not quite understanding the meaning of the words she kept her trap shut and didn’t utter so much as a breath for the rest of homeroom. Once the bell rang for first period she darted out of the class, anxious to know her sister’s whereabouts, not knowing two pairs of eyes were watching her. As one pair left with her, the other stayed in the room. Coffee eyes swirling into pitch black - 

The teacher.