Chapter 10: Chapter 10 - The Great Hall
I had never seen anything like it, the room was so wide and spacious, it looked empty but at the same time, it felt rich and filled with wealth. The floor was padded with rich black and white porcelain, and dozens of children were skipping and running across its smooth surface.
It reminded me of the orphanage.
And at the centre of the hallway, stood a table with trays full of colourful fruits, pastries, and omelettes. There was even an enormous fountain of brown that was so tall it nearly touched the golden crystal-like ball that dangled on a thin long black metal rod, which stretched to the rooftops.
As I raised my neck to follow it, I could see dozens of rooms, with black wooden frames, each level symmetric to the one below.
The room had a sweet aroma of lavenders and lilies. This was amazing, I took a step forward and closed my eyes, and the smell of warm buttery pastries smacked me, I could even hear the sounds of crispy skin, crumbling and breaking apart.
When I opened my eyes the staircases looked dazzling, floored with expensive carpets and golden rails which spiralled up into the stars.
The glass window in the centre of the ceiling showed the stars of the evening night.
"Evelyn, why don't you join the kids over there and have some chocolate? It's one of the finest, you won't get it anywhere else."
"You mean the fountain is chocolate?"
Oh, this was too unreal! My heart raced, as I remembered the lovely taste of chocolate that Lisa had given me back at the orphanage.
"That is correct. Go knock yourself out and make some friends."
"Ai, Ai, captain." just as I was about to leave I turned back wondering what Giovanni was going to do.
"We're going to fill the paperwork for your enrolment. We will be back in no time."
"Shouldn't I be joining you?"
"Don't sweat it, kid. We're old enough to fill in a form for you. Besides, if you don't go to the fountain now, who knows if there will be any left?"
Lisa gave me nudge, and she turned and walked off with Giovanni. This was so exciting, making friends over chocolate, it was like nothing I had ever dreamed off.
There was no way anyone could finish this fountain of chocolate.
There were so many children surrounding the fountain that there was nowhere to stand. There was one spot though; it was the only place I could see that was empty.
As I got closer, the boy's eyes stared at me as if daring me to come closer.
With one hand holding onto a stick of fruits and pink and white cubes, and the other pointing towards me.
He took a big bite.
"Hi, I'm Evelyn, what are those pink things?"
"Can't you see I am busy? Go away."
"Sorry, but…can you at least tell me what those cubes are?"
"Which part of busy do you not understand girl? Go away and don't you dare steal any of them."
I opened my mouth to reply but then closed it and walked towards the other side. My parents told me to make friends not enemies.
"Hey Kid, don't worry about him. He's just a bit protective of his food."
"Evelyn yea? Come, take my spot."
The boy stepped back and welcomed me to take his spot. He had short spikey dark brown hair, he was tall and slender and wore a pair of dark jeans and a loose green shirt.
"Yes, how did you know?"
"I overheard your chat with Augustus. Today your first day?"
"Yea. Are all schools this big and massive? It's huge compared to the orphanage…"
"You're from an orphanage too?
"Mmm...Is that a problem?"
"No, no, it's just that I thought I was the only one but half the kids here are orphans. If you don't mind me asking which city did you come from?
"Ah…"
"Don't worry, how rude of me, my name is Zac. It's a pleasure to meet you." He gave me a thumbs up. "And those pink things you asked about are called marshmallows. They are sweet, soft and tasty. Did you want to try?"
I must have looked confused because he was looking at me with concern in his eyes.
"Just follow me."
He took a few steps to the left, and leaned towards the white table, grabbing a thin metallic stick, he then poked the pink square-like object and passed it to me.
"Give it a try. Eat."
Tilting the stick, I took a big bite, it was packed with flavour, it was like nothing I had ever tasted before, it sent magic exploding in my mouth in every direction, it was one of the sweetest things I had ever tasted.
"It's delicious! Can I have more?"
"Go for it, take as much as you want. You can also try adding some fruits, and sticking it into the chocolate fountain."
This must be the best day ever. I didn't know meeting friends was this fun. I could feel my heart racing as my eyes popped open, again and again with every bite.
I had never imagined I would be able to try all these different fruits. There were big fat giant strawberries, long bananas, and more.
I had to give it a try, grabbing onto my stick I stabbed two marshmallows, a strawberry, and a piece of banana, and dipped it into the fountain and watched as the chocolate-coated it.
"Evelyn, it's time to go."
"But…"
"We really need to go."
I let out a sigh and passed my stick to Zac, I wished I could spend more time here, and at least finish eating the stick but Lisa was my new parent and I felt that I had to listen to her.
"You can have it. Back at the orphanage, the sisters always said to share."
"Thanks, I'll make sure to enjoy it. Next time I can give you something in return."
Holding Lisa's hand we walked towards the staircase, the chocolate fountain slowly disappearing. Maybe I will get to finish that stick tomorrow. I mean I am staying here.
The floor was soft, it was so elegant and pretty, it was like totally different to back at the orphanage. As we got closer, there were two giant vases filled with flowers of red, yellow, and orange.
It made the staircase symmetrical, we climbed up two flights of stairs before we stepped out of the staircase. Standing alone in front of one of the rooms was Giovanni. He was holding onto a black card, and as we got closer, he tapped it against the door, and it opened.
"How was it? Did you make some friends over chocolate?"
"Giovanni. It was great, I made one friend and this other kid didn't seem to like me." I wanted to tell him that I wished I could have spent more time there.
"Were you stealing his chocolate? He must have felt threatened."
"Not really, I mean there was plenty to share."
"That's not what he was thinking." Giovanni rubbed my hair. "Anyways, we will be leaving tomorrow morning."
"So soon?"
Why were they leaving me? I mean did they just adopt me to place me at a school?
"You'll be okay. I'm sure of it. Isn't that right Lisa?"
"Definitely, she is our girl after all."
She came closer, her face was nearly touching mine. I could feel her warm breath brushing against my ears.
"Evelyn, what I am about to tell you may sound silly, but hear me out. I know you can run, and you're probably one of the fastest at the orphanage. But…tomorrow, do this for me. Always run behind someone and make sure you are at the centre."
"Are we having a race tomorrow? Why can't I be first?"
"I can't tell you. Just promise to do it for me?"
I didn't understand Lisa but I didn't want to fail her either. She looked serious.
"Ok, I will do it."
"Thanks, then it's time to sleep."
"Your bed is here." Lisa said pointing to a giant bed at the centre of the room.
It had white sheets and was perfect folded. I jumped into the bed, it felt nothing like the orphanage. The blanket was soft, it felt like I was being tucked into feathers, and it was warm. Giovanni and Lisa came to join me, and it didn't take long before I fell asleep.
I woke up only to the sounds of Lisa and Giovanni moving around the room, yawning I tried to focus but everything was still dark and blurry.
"What time is it?"
"Time for you to sleep, you have a long day ahead of you and I recommend you to get as much sleep as you can."
"How will I know when to wake up?"
"You'll know. Promise me you will look after yourself. I'll see you in a fortnight from now. Stay alive okay?"
She came over and kissed my forehead and then she was gone. Giovanni left with her. I was just in a dark room, all alone again. I thought my life had changed, but I felt lonelier than ever. What did she mean by I will know when to wake up? What did she mean by staying alive?
Weekly Power Status
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