Chapter 2

I am now riding in a carriage to that school. I still know very little and then I will also go to that school.

“Are we there already?”I asked the man who was driving the horses. He’s a bit old in the fifties, maybe. I bet he's from the first district. In the way of dress, not that I’m judging in other districts because it’s bad to dress. Just like me, it's because we were told that appearance matters. Even if they said that don’t just a book by its cover we can’t help but judge them based on what we see.

“It’s close, miss.” His answer was short. I don’t know where that school is. Apart from not letting me out of the house, the school is hidden, not that I care.

A few minutes later the carriage stopped so I looked outside. Don’t tell me this is your academy? I could see nothing but the ocean. Is the academy underwater? Maybe after all it’s a boarding school, once you’re in there’s no way you can get out unless you have connections or if you’ve graduated.

“Are we here yet?”I’m wondering at the man. He laughed, must be because of my bewildered expressions.

He nodded. “Eh, where is the school there? Is it in the water?“ I innocently asked him because I didn’t see a gate or a building.

He laughed again. “Just step on the beach and you’ll know the answer.”

After that, he took down my belongings. I bet he’s having a hard time because I’m carrying three big suitcases.

“Are you all right? Do I want to help you? “I was even hesitant when I asked him.

He laughed. He was very happy. “No more señorita and you’ll just have another hard time.”After that he looked at my long dress so I looked there too. Right I can’t carry when I’m wearing a long floral dress that reaches my feet. “You’re so different from them.”I heard him murmured something.

“Ahm what’s that?”He just shook my head and took my stuff to the beach. After he landed on the sand he left. Am I okay with you here alone? Is there no one else going to school this year? Damn, I wish I had gone with my cousin yesterday. But I was pissed at him all right so just don’t.

Am I just a step away? How many steps? What if he didn’t mean it literally? I probably look like a lost puppy now. If anyone sees me they will laugh at me. Why didn’t I know what was in the school I was going to attend?

I have already started to step towards the sea. I just hope I can find that school before I go to the deep part of the sea. I still can’t swim.

The water was in my stomach when they suddenly disappeared?! What the hell? Where did the water go?! I heard the sound of steel so I looked in front of me. And I couldn’t believe what I’m just witnessing. There’s that tall gate in front of me. Tall can’t describe it because I feel like it has reached the sky!

Sometime later I heard them talking. If only maybe your gate hadn’t shown up, I would have gone home and told you if your academy was just a joke and now I can finally see it, excitement rush over my body.

Suddenly the high gate opened and a beautiful woman came out. Unlike me she looks cool in her rugged jeans and tube. The hell can I tube at this school? Well, this school isn’t normal and we aren’t normal either.

“Hi! Took you long enough to figure it out. “She said smirking at me. Probably! Hard to find! It’s a good thing I didn’t drown.

I did not answer her. “I’m Hela! You’re Iris of the house of Quiason right? “

“Uh ... yeah. Nice to meet you Hela. “Maybe I look awkward because I’m not used to meeting people. All my life I’ve been at home and training. And when there are social gatherings, no one wants to associate with me because of my father’s place in the council. So I don’t know how to do it.

“Nice to meet you too! Is that uh your things? “She pointed to the suitcases behind me. I nodded at her. She looks incredulous because maybe I’m carrying a lot?

“Wow. So you brought them all here to the beach? “

“No, someone help me. I can’t actually carry all of them. “ she just nodded.

“Should we go inside?” she asked me.

I nodded. “Are you sure?”Did she suggest that I not continue? But I guess the house and academy are the same? Boring. But at least I can see other people besides the people at home.

“Let’s go.”I followed her. “How about my things?”I asked a bit hesitant.

“Oh it’s taken care of.” She said and smirked. When I looked at my belongings, they were already floating and following us! Cool! I really like their trait. It’s pretty convenient.

“Oh so you’re from district four?” I asked excitedly. This is my first time meeting one my age.

“Yup.”She answered emphasizing the word “p”.

“So what’s that about the gates? Why the height? “I curiously asked her.

“Oh that? You know that this school is exclusive right? You can’t get out while there’s class you can only go out when you graduate. “

I nodded. “And the reason why you can’t see the gates, it’s because of the illusion so when you don’t come you won’t know that there are gates. And no the gates didn’t appear the illusions just vanished.”

She answered my questions. So that’s it? It was just an illusion? It’s super cool out here. Thank god I changed my mind and entered here.

“So where are we going now?”I asked here while we were walking.

“To the gate.”

“Huh?”

“I mean the second gate, the academy’s got so many gates you’ll just go crazy with the number but some are hidden.” She said like I’m supposed to know that too. Well maybe.

“Did you bring your invitation? It’s the only way in.“ That’s where I got cold. Shit. I fucking burned the invitation! Didn’t know that it’s some sort of id! She may have noticed my discomfort.

“You didn’t ?!”She yelled at me.

“Ahm ... what ... because ... I didn’t know it was like that!”I panicked. My god, this is the first time someone aside from my family yelled at me. And it feels like the size of my guilt.

“She doesn’t need that invitation. We both know she’s supposed to be here. “I saw my cousin Aaron walking toward us. The idiot even made a mess.

“But ... she can’t enter without it.” Aaron just tsked.

“Of course she can. I’ve already talked to the Headmaster. “

“Well ... okay if you say so.”

“Come here Iris come in.”

Aaron told me as if he was just inviting me to their house.

They came in first so I just followed. When I passed the gate, it was as if my stomach was being dug up. And I feel like my world is turning. What the hell is happening.