The Donatus Academy

7 am came earlier than expected. And Cordovia’s phone alarm was being a nuisance, so she rolled over to turn it off. Groaning with lack of sleep, the girl forced herself out of the bed. Feeling the cool air, as she lifted the blanket, she shook lightly. It was chilly that morning, and she could tell by the air in her room. Walking towards the bathroom that was now her’s, she pushed the door open. Purple seemed to be splattered across the wall, and the background paint seemed to be white. The mirror was over a vanatie and looked like it was suitable for a celebrity. She turned towards the bathtub, and her eyes widened. A jacuzzi bathtub, something that she had always wanted when she lived with her mother. She turned to her right, and there stood a walk in shower.

Accepting the odds, that she needed to shower instead of take a bath; she quickly turned the shower on. As she let the water heat up, she rummaged through the cabinet beneath the vanatie. Cordovia then stood up, once she found a hair dryer for her hair. She knew she needed to dry some of it before leaving. Hoping in the shower, she quickly washed her body and hair.

Grabbing a fuzzy purple towel that was already hanging on the towel rack, she wrapped her body with it. She moved towards the bathroom door, and opened it. Letting the steam flow out of the small room she was in. Moving towards her uniform, she scrunched her nose up once more. ‘I really don’t want to wear this.’ She thought to herself, as she grabbed the shirt and skirt. Moving back towards the bathroom, she heard a knock at the door. “Who is it?” She asked cautiously, though moved towards the door just in case it opened. “It’s only me. I was checking to see if you were up. There is a car ready for you whenever you are finished getting dressed. Also I have something for you before you leave. So please try to hurry getting dressed?” Her father said, and asked towards the end.

As her father’s voice could be heard, she felt relieved. A gift? Again he was giving her things before she was able to get to know him. Maybe this was normal for him, but this wasn’t normal for her. Moving back towards the bathroom, she tossed the shirt on the vanatie. Pulling on the skirt, she then looked at the shirt. Sighing, she pulled it on as well, and buttoned it. Assuming the shirt had to be tucked in, she automatically tucked it in. Finishing getting dressed, she walked out of the bathroom and into her new room. Moving towards the jacket, she noticed a pair of brown loafers on the floor next to her desk.

‘Gross.’ She thought, as she grabbed her jacket. Pulling out the desk chair, she sat in it. Again, she noticed a pair of socks next to the loafers. Rolling her eyes, she grabbed the socks and pulled them on. Knee high white socks. She felt kinda out of place, and awkward at the same time. Pulling on the loafers, she quickly stood up. Grabbing her jacket, she moved towards the door to her bedroom. Opening it, she saw her father still standing there. “Ah, sorry I didn’t say anything. I was getting ready.” She explained, as she pulled her wet hair into a messy bun on the back of her head.

He nodded and then yawned softly. Cordovia could tell he didn’t sleep well, like she did. “Let me walk you out. I have some important things to take care of today, but I will pick you up after school.” He spoke, as he moved down the staircase. Following after him, the girl nodded with a mhm noise. As they stopped at the bottom of the stairs, her father smiled softly. Looking at him, Cordovia could feel something different between them. Even though she had just met him, she felt like his actions were true and honest.

As they continued to walk to the front door, they stopped once they got there. Grabbing something from the nearby coat closet, her father turned around. A new bookbag was in his left hand and a light black jacket in his right. “You’ll need these. New bookbag with your school items and schedule in there. And this light jacket, just in case it starts to rain. The weather out here is quite different than normal.” He spoke, as he held everything out for her. Cordovia smiled once again and took the jacket and the bookbag. She put the bag over her left shoulder, and draped the jacket over the middle of it. Looking at her father, she quickly hugged him and pulled back.

A first for her, though it was also a good sign. She was opening up to a parent she was biologically kinned to, though has never known. Her caseworker would be proud to see this new interaction and emotion coming from her. “Alright, Nix is waiting for you outside. She will take you to school.” He said, as he added a new person into the mix. She got nervous slightly though nodded in response. As he handed her a piece of paper, her father opened one of the large oak wood doors, to let her out.

Walking out the door, the girl looked over her shoulder as her father waved goodbye to her. Giving a slight wave, she looked back to the circle driveway. Again, another black colored SUV was sitting in wait, a woman in the driverseat. Pulling the passenger’s side door open, the girl looked at the woman who was smiling at her. Confused slightly, she crawled into the passenger seat and closed the door behind her. “Good morning! I’m Nix, your driver for the morning. It’s super nice to meet you. I’ll be your driver unless your father picks you up. Any requests to stop before school?” She said, then looked at the girl with glistening eyes. They seemed to hold wonder, and mystery at the same time. “Ah, no thanks. Just school please.” Cordovia said softly, as she got super quiet the next moment. She still wasn’t used to other adults, but she was dealing with it in her own way.

Nodding, Nix then drove off, the manor disappearing behind them. The drive wasn’t too long. About ten minutes to get into town. As she looked out the window, a few places could be noticeable to her. The park seemed to be filled with people, even this early in the morning. There were a few restaurants that she had never seen before. Which was making her hungry also. She sighed, then looked at Nix. She seemed to be content with what she was doing, so Cordovia didn’t say anything. Looking through the front glass of the SUV, a large looking university could be seen. Driving up to it, the girl looked at the sign, it read “The Donatus* Academy”. Pulling up to the stairs that lead to the doors, Nix looked at Cordovia. “Try to have a good day. It won’t be hard to make new friends here.” She told her, then unlocked the doors to the SUV. Nodding, the girl hopped out of the car. 

Taking in the scenery, the girl smiled lightly, though thought ‘A little too pristine for me.’ Walking up the stairs, she noticed a few people standing there. Waiting to greet her. As they did, one of the people introduced themselves as the headmaster, the secretary, and a few teachers. Inviting her to take a stroll through the Academy, the Headmaster showed Cordovia the minimal things for the moment. The office was one of the areas, as well as the gym, the gardens, and the cafeteria. Taking her back to the office area, the Headmaster spoke softly “And welcome to The Donatus Academy. You have AP Science now. So go up the first flight of stairs. Take a right, and follow it to the last door on your left. I have some important business to attend to.” Nodding, the girl left the office as instructed.

Walking to the first flight of stairs to her left, she looked at them. Walking up them, she looked around hoping there were indications for the rooms. Normally, there would be. But not here at this academy. Sighing, she remembered what the headmaster told her ‘take a right’. So she took a right, then moved down the hallway. It was pretty long to begin with, and Cordovia was tired from walking the school halls already with the headmaster. As she reached into her bookbag, she grabbed her class schedule out. Still walking forward, the girl really had not been paying attention, like normal.

Slamming into another body, she felt arms wrap around her. And then both went down. Letting out a light squeal as they did, the girl closed her eyes tightly. She could hear a light chuckle, as she slowly opened her eyes. Noticing she was now laying on top of another, Cordovia’s face turned a deep shade of red. Scrambling to turn her body to the left, she landed on the tile flooring. “I-I-I.” She started to stutter, trying to stop herself from stuttering. “I am so sorry!” She finally said, as she looked down and away from him. Her hands immediately covered her face, as she tried to hide every emotion that was happening now. “Don’t worry, I too, was in another world.” He spoke with a soft voice, something entrancing to her. Peeking through her fingers, for the first time she caught a glimpse at him.

As he stood up, it was clear the boy was tall. His hair was a light medium brown, with hints of red hiding throughout. His skin tone was a medium tan color, though it looked like he had been kissed by some kind of god. And his eyes, Cordovia couldn’t stop looking at his eyes. They were a bright baby blue color, with hints of brown and green speckles throughout them. His jawline was slightly chiseled, as he was still filling his manly figure in. Without looking, you could tell he had an athletic muscular body structure. And at that moment, something within her heart started to beat for him.

Holding out his hand, the boy looked at Cordovia with a small smile playing on his lips. “I’m Nikolias Bentwoode, senior class president.” He said as he introduced himself to her. Looking at him, her face once again heated up. Now she was lost, and couldn’t really remember what the headmaster had said. She blinked softly, and then looked down. “Y-Yeah I’m Cordovia. I was headed to AP Science before we collided.” She spoke hesitantly, though explained what was going on. As he smiled, he waved for her to follow him. Not understanding, she still followed after him.

Soon they were standing in front of a door that read “AP Science”. Blushing yet again, Cordovia gave a soft sigh. “Thank you.” She spoke gently, then looked at Nikolias with soft eyes. She was worried about the school, and now she had made a fool of herself in front of the class president. “Look, this is my class too. You’ll do okay, and I will be here to help out in any way. Just ask.” He said, then pushed the door open to the class. Everyone looked at him, then their attention turned to Cordovia as she walked into the classroom. Walking over to the teacher, the girl softly spoke to him. Explaining the situation that had transpired.

Asked to take a seat, the only open one was next to Nikolias. So she sat there next to him. Smiling to himself, Nikolias pushed his book towards her. She had yet to get one, so it was only wise for him to share at this time. “Mr. Wickman is strict, but you’ll be okay. The office has the AP Science books, we will get you one at lunch.” He whispered lightly, only loud enough for her to hear. Nodding the girl smiled gently.

So far, she hadn’t made a fool of herself in front of others. But then again, she met the student class president within 20 minutes of being at the school. She sighed lightly, then looked at the page the teacher was referring to. Only to blush heavily when she realized how close her and Nikolias where to each other.

Donatus* - Gifted in Latin