His Erasthai

Scholars

KILLAN:

“Where have you been?”

Francesca had her brows furrowed while hands were on her waist.

“Out.”

“To where??”

“Outside.” I said nonchalantly.

I’m losing patience with this woman. If it wasn’t because of my father, I wouldn’t entertain her.

She seemed not affected by the way I treated her, so I immersed myself back in the document I was reading.

“Your father will be expecting us to attend the welcome ceremony for the scholars. He needs you to do it on his behalf.”

“I can’t. I’m busy.”

“Then find time for that day. That will be on next month.”

Francesca didn’t give me the chance to object as she immediately went out of my office.

That brat!

A few moments later, I suddenly remembered the woman I met earlier.

I didn’t realize that my lips were tugged up until I saw my reflection in the mirror across the table.

Immediately, I composed myself and went back to focus on the report.

But then her face haunted me. Something in her eyes told me she’s not an ordinary human, yet I couldn’t smell her scent. Usually, humans have a distinct smell. Even werewolves, and us Lycans, have scents to distinguish which part of bloodlines we are. But with her was nothing, and that’s intriguing.

My entire attention was no longer on the document I was reading.

I haven’t seen her before too. I’m sure she’s just new. Besides, no one would dare to talk to me like that woman did if she’s been a long time student. She even dared to call me a p*****t!

That woman!

“Who’s she?”

------------------

SAMANTHA:

I’m currently listening to Rida’s story about her first day here. At first, I was apprehensive about having a roommate. I was not getting used to having one.

Madison clearly told me no one would want to be with me in one room. I secretly shook my head to omit the memories from my past.

And I smiled to show Rida that my attention was still with her when in fact my mind was wandering somewhere else.

She was talkative, I could say. She’s talking nonstop for an hour already and me being a loner felt bored, and so my mind wandered to what transpired earlier when I met her before my class started.

“Hi. I’m Rida. Your room mate. Are you also a scholar like me?

“Hi. I’m Samantha, but you can call me Sam. And yeah, I’m also a scholar.”

“Great! I thought I wouldn’t have to get a roommate for ages. I’ve been here for years and been alone in this room. Oh-Goddess! I can finally have someone to talk to. Sometimes talking alone isn’t good for me.”

She exaggeratedly told me that.

I smiled at her.

She seemed nice, and I hoped she’s not like Madison.

“Hey, Sam. Are you still with me?”

She waved her hands in front of me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I just remembered something. What was that again?”

We’re on the couch. There’s no doubt that my homework would defer to complete the way our conversation was going so far.

“I said if you’ll attend to the welcome ceremony next month, first week.”

“Welcome ceremony? What for?”

“Yep. Uhm, it’s for scholars like us. Every four years, they held a welcome ceremony for all students who granted full scholarships. And this year is the fourth. They don’t yearly accept scholars. You’re lucky that you got one. Otherwise, for you to study in this school you need to pay the expensive tuition fee that even I couldn’t afford.”

“I’m lucky indeed.”

“You bet! So will you attend?”

“If it’s not mandatory, then I’d rather not.”

“Oh, girl. You should go. It’s just once in every four years and once in a lifetime that you will see all the people behind this school’s success. Trust me, they are like Gods and Goddesses. They had these auras that would make you submit. It’s overwhelming, but in a nice way.”

“I supposed you attended the event, not just once.” I said. I don’t even believe half of what she said. It’s just too fictional.

“Hahaha! Yep! Twice!”

“That means you’re here for eight years already??!”

“Hahaha! Nope! A decade, to be exact.”

“What?? But- How? You don’t look old. Did you drop your subjects before? Or do you have back subjects until now??”

Rida laughed out loud after I asked.

“What’s funny?”

“Sam, I’m now taking another course here. I graduated from Business of Science in Social Work four years ago. Currently, I’m taking a Bachelor of Science in Forestry.”

“Wow! That’s amazing and you don't look too old, considering you'ree here for a decade.”

“Haha! Thanks. But this one that I’m currently taking is my dream. So when I tried to apply for a scholarship and granted me a full scholarship, I immediately took the opportunity. Ever since, I wanted to help our nature and the ecosystem. I wanted others to value our nature too, the forest, trees and whatnot. Anything that has to do with nature, I wanted to understand on how I could conserve and preserve it.”

“Wow! I’m lost for words. You’re amazing, Rida.”

“Thank you. Anyway, let’s not go far. The ceremony is not mandatory, but it’s a once in a lifetime privilege for us to meet them.”

“Them?”

“Those people you see on the handbook. And I heard Killan will be there, too.”

“Killan? Who is he?”

“He’s the owner of this school. He has a younger brother, but I haven’t seen him. Although I heard he’s also studying in this school, I still hadn't seen him once. Yet, I saw Killan on every school’s occasion. Mind you, he had all the girls swooned over him. Goodness! He was in fact the most handsome yet daunting man I had ever seen! The catch is you can't see any of his pictures, so is his brother. They're very discreet.”

I couldn’t help but to raise an eyebrow at Rida just the way she described him. Her eyes were still twinkling. But I mentally disagreed, as there's only one man so far I could think of as the most good-looking guy in the universe.

“Oh-okay!” That's all I could say. Letting

Rida drown in her fantasy.

Later on, I excused myself, telling her I needed to pee. But I just wanted to get away from her.

I’m still not interested in attending. But if they would require all of us, then I would have no choice.

Ugh! I should loosen up. I shouldn’t let the past affect my present and my future. I am all by myself now. No support from my family, nor love affection from them.

A pang of sorrow engulfed my entire being. I was an obedient daughter. I did all they asked me to do. Even my happiness had been sacrificed just to please them. I didn't leave anything for myself, not even an ounce.

My mood had changed so I laid on my bed. I reminisced about those bad things I had to endure for my family. Those nightmares I had to put behind that most of the time, I failed to do so. Until now, they're haunting me.

I felt warm fluids ran down my face, and they were my tears. I didn’t realize I was already crying by just thinking about the past.

“Pull yourself together, Samantha! You’re now free from them. So learn to be happy now.”

I told myself before I succumbed to sleeping.

While she's sleeping, a fog was forming inside her room, and sooner her name had repeatedly called. Samantha mistaken it as a dream.

"Samantha... You're back..."