Yearning for love

The next day, the first-year students had to assemble in the school hall and wait for instructions about what they could and couldn't do when they left the school grounds. The headmaster stepped onto the stage, and the entire hall fell silent, you could hear a pin drop.

He cleared his throat and looked around the hall with a serious expression.

"Welcome, first-year students!"

Headmaster Hawthorne's strong voice cut through the soft chatter, capturing everyone's attention right away. Gabrielle instinctively sat up straighter, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she focused on the podium at the front.

"As some of you may already know, I am Mr. Forbes, the headmaster of this esteemed school."

The Headmaster went on speaking, but Gabrielle's eyes drifted to Tyler McClellan, who stood beside him as the student body president. With his messy dark hair and striking blue eyes, he had an effortless charm that made people turn their heads and whisper. His confident posture and friendly smile gave him an appearance more suited for a magazine than a school assembly.

He paused for a moment, scanning the hall as if he wanted to remember every face there.

"We would love to keep all of you inside our safe school grounds where we can protect you," he explained, "but we cannot keep you locked up like prisoners within these walls. Every weekend, students are allowed to leave campus to explore the local town or buy any necessities they might need."

"Although this privilege is extended to all of you, we want to emphasize that our school has a strong reputation, and we aim to maintain it. Therefore, there are rules in place that not only protect you as students but also safeguard the school's image. I would like to invite a fellow student and the president of the student body to come up and explain these rules so that everyone can remember them better when shared by one of their peers. Come on up, boy!"

In an instant, the crowd erupted in applause as a charming boy dressed in simple jeans and a maroon T-shirt featuring the school emblem walked confidently toward the stage and stood beside the podium.

"Hello, Falcons!" he greeted enthusiastically, flashing a bright smile that made the audience collectively sigh. Gabrielle found herself daydreaming for a moment, imagining him looking at her alone. Her thoughts drifted into romantic fantasies of candle-lit dinners, laughter echoing in dreamy halls, and secrets whispered under moonlight, a world that felt far removed from her everyday life.

Hearing his voice was like stepping into a gentle rain, each word felt soothing as if raindrops were falling softly around her. Gabrielle closed her eyes without realizing it, letting his voice wrap around her completely.

Every girl in the auditorium stared at Tyler with sparkling eyes. For someone like Gabrielle, who thought love and romance were overhyped, she felt her heart race. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her cheeks began to ache from smiling uncontrollably.

"What's wrong with you, Gabby?" Gabrielle scolded herself as she realized she wasn't focusing on something as important as the rules. Even a single rule broken could cost her scholarship, and that was not an option, she could not afford that.

"...and this chance to be off-campus every weekend comes with responsibilities," Tyler went on, looking over the first-year students. Gabrielle quickly refocused, mentally telling herself to pay attention. She had to take in every word; losing her scholarship was unthinkable. Her grandmother had given up so much for her to even think about failing.

"...if you break any of the rules, expect a suspension or worse...," he cautioned, his voice becoming more serious. "The school has strict rules, and we expect everyone to follow them. Respect your surroundings, represent our school with pride, and remember that your actions reflect on all of us."

As his words sank in, Gabrielle felt a knot tighten in her stomach. Despite the excitement bubbling inside her, the reality hit hard. This was not just an adventure; it was a crucial step toward a better future for both her and her grandmother.

"And if you have any questions," Tyler added with a playful smile, "don't hesitate to come up to me or any of the student council members. We're here to help." For a moment, she felt like his eyes were on her alone, and time seemed to slow down just for that brief instant. Everything around her faded into a blur.

But just as quickly as it happened, it disappeared; she blinked and the moment passed. "What is wrong with you, Gabrielle?" she whispered to herself.

As Tyler waved goodbye and returned to his seat, the hall filled with applause. Gabrielle clapped along, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere, filled with dreams of an unfamiliar world.

Soon after, the meeting ended, and students began leaving the hall, chatting and laughing. Gabrielle remained still, observing as Tyler animatedly conversed with his friends, exuding a strong sense of popularity and warmth. She longed to be part of that lively atmosphere but felt the pull of her small-town background holding her back.

"Excuse me!" A voice pulled her back to reality. She turned to see a tall girl with perfectly styled hair who had also attended the assembly. "You're new here, right? I'm Amelia December. I noticed you earlier." Her bright smile made Gabrielle feel a bit warmer inside.

"I-I'm Gabrielle, or Gabby," she replied softly, her voice faint compared to Amelia's confidence.

"Nice to meet you, Gabby! Wow, you're stunning! Can I ask what you think?" Amelia pointed towards the exit where students were still gathering. "About this school? It feels like a different planet, doesn't it?"

Gabrielle nodded sincerely, appreciating the friendly approach. "Um, it really does. I just want to make sure I get everything right. I can't afford to mess this up."

Amelia's face relaxed, and a look of understanding crossed her eyes. "Oh, don't stress. It might feel like a lot at first, but if you need any support, I'm here for you. We all help each other out here, well, most of the time." She smiled playfully, and Gabrielle couldn't help but smile back.

"Thanks," Gabrielle said smiling, feeling a sudden bond forming while thinking, maybe this journey wouldn't be so lonely after all.