STIGMA

Emerald Green eyes

Luca almost fell asleep again from the long Theological lecture. She looked around the lecture hall, it's an auditorium with old marble halls and dark maroon seats.

It seems like it's also being used for religious plays. Which Professor Theo said there will be one on their 3rd day. The lecture today is only an hour long and more of an introductory. since they will need to rest after long hours of journey.

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The Theologist said.

Luca is aware that that's a Bible scripture. She have been praying before fanatically just to stop her nightmares from being abused when she was made to stay on that boarding school. But she stopped being fanatical once she realized none of her prayers work and she still have nightmares after nightmares.

She also want to forget that when she was young, there are times her dreams can come true in real life. Like earthquakes, fires and etc.

Good thing that stopped when she attended that horrible boarding school since she never wanted that talent. She told a friend once, and that friend is no longer living.

"Hey Luca,sleepy already?" Jessica whispered while lending her shoulder to let her sleep.

Luca rested her head on Jessica's shoulder. Jessica brushed Luca's long raven hair. She know about the abuse both from that boarding school and from grandmother. That's why Jessica is over protective on Luca.

Luca and Jessica have been friends ever since Freshman. Luca was shy at first and even snobbish, she doesn't wanna have conversations. But Jessica managed to made her laugh and hold long conversations until they just really clicked, and Luca was able to be as troublesome as Jessica.

In exchange, Luca was academically supportive of Jessica. She helped Jessica in every subject she's good at. Jessica is struggling with learning since she's a slow learner while Luca read by herself even after school.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The Theologist ended.

They all clapped except for the sleeping Luca, who was awaken by the applause.

They started leaving the lecture hall. "okay kids, since I know you are all tired you can rest before dinner or walk around the mansion but not outside. There are libraries here and common rooms. I already told you guys earlier which directions. Get back on the dining hall at 7 sharp!"

"Let's go to the left side common room, maybe we'll meet those hot students from St.Xavier." Dylan said.

"Nahh, I'm good I already baited a hot student right here." Granger said while landing a long smooch on Abby's cheek. Abby giggled.

"Eww get a room you two" Dylan said.

Louis put his arm around Luca. "I'm also good!"

He said.

"Awwww" Jessica and Clara both goshed teasingly. Luca rolled her eyes and removed Louis arms. "Ha.ha! Very funny!" Luca said.

They made their way to the right common room instead. Which is surprisingly empty.

"where are our classmates?" Abby asked.

"like duhh! Told yahh guys they'll be exploring the left ring just to mingle with the St.Xavier students." Jessica said obviously disappointed since she also wants to.

"I don't know about you guys but I like it better here." Louis said.

"Why don't we walk around, I want to see the library" Luca said. The guys groaned along with Jessica. But clara and Abby are thrilled.

"if you want the three of us can go!" Abby said.

"nuh-uh baby, you're staying here. I don't want none of those guys to meet you." Granger said.

Clara rolled her eyes and grabbed Luca. "we're off then!" Clara said while dragging Luca.

The both happily took pictures of the wonderful portraits. But one portrait captured Lucas's attention. It's a portrait of a young nun with angelic facial features. The nun looks so beautiful but frowning on the portrait. There's a delicate calligraphy of aname on the bottom of the large portrait. The name is Castella De San Miguel.

"woahh,she's stunning." Clara gasped.

"I know right, she looks like an angel." Luca agreed.

"She is."

Luca and Clara jumped and gasped in fright.

It was the Theologist earlier, his name is Rutherford.

"Castella, I mean mother Castella was an angel. She basically built the monastery and this retreat. She also helped alot of abandoned children and never kicked out any orphans even if they reach of legal age" Rutherford said.

"wow, that's awesome professor. She's really an angel,sadly we can't meet her." Clara said.

"you can." Rutherford said.

Luca and Clara looked back at the painting and it clearly state the date of her death.

"ladies, I mean you can pay your respects on her grave. There's a small grave yard here dedicated for the nuns,staffs, priests and anyone who served here." he explained.

"Ahhhh." both of them said in relief. They were creeped out for a moment.

"Sure, sir. Will definitely do that tomorrow. It's nice someone can be so dedicated into saving orphans." Luca said.

Professor Rutherford smiled at her.

"I can see your sincereness, and I'm glad of that. Okay, ladies I'm off. Don't wander around too much." he said while going on the right direction.

"let's go to the library already, he gave me the creeps earlier." Clara said while dragging Luca.

"I know right but it won't hurt if we pay respect to Mother Castella." Luca said. Clara nodded.

"Definitely! We'll go there tomorrow." Clara said.

They reached the Left wing library and was astound to see how big it is and how many rows of books are on it.

"omg,this is so cool girl. I never dreamed of visiting such a library. If we have one locally I can definitely ace the college entrance exam." Clara excitedly said.

"I'm just here for the books! And this is tons!" Luca agreed. "but it's so big I can get lost in here."

Clara winked. "You can ask one of the ghosts around." clara jokingly said.

Luca suddenly felt goosebumps.

"Ha.ha. I'll just stick with you." Luca said while eyeing the library. 

"don't be a chicken Luca, this is like almost the closest think to a church. No demons or ghosts are gonna show up here." Clara chided and pushed Luca on the other side.

"now, go explore. I'm gonna search a bit about Photography books." clara said.

Luca sighed and walked away. She scanned the rows of books and tried to find something that will interest her.

She noticed a small book case of tattered books. They look like journals from a certain period of time that she can't remember.

She picked one and opened. And right there staring back at her is Castella De San Miguel.

She almost dropped the journal. On how odd it is.

"Wait, maybe they keep her important documents here as homage for her." Luca said to herself.

She flipped the page and read an entry.

'Dearest Fred,

I won't be able to keep up with this charade. They made me stay here against my will.

They will know soon...

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."

Lovingly yours,

Castella. '

Luca was surprised about what she read.

"did she wanted to go out of the nunnery?" Luca asked herself.

"is that a habit of yours? Prying into other people stuffs and talking to yourself?" somebody asked.

Luca turned around. Her eyes met with emerald green eyes that looks so mesmerizing. He somewhat look like the guy earlier but his black hair reaches his shoulder blades. He is as handsome and hot as the guy from earlier but his jaw is more defined and he got a light tan unlike the paler handsome guy with crystal blue eyes.

He is also smirking at her.

"My name is Marcus Reed." He introduced while offering a hand.