Raven

Chapter 15

Raven's POV

My eyes darted open as I gasp for air. I look to the side only to see three pairs of eyes staring at me.

"Aaaahh!!" I screamed in fright.

The triplets also screamed, startled that I'm finally awake.

"What are you doing in my room‽" I said as I grab the sheets to cover my body, after all, they're kids. It's my habit to sleep with only an oversized shirt since the nightmares made my body sweat too much.

"Happy Birthday~!" The three greeted all together.

"H-How did you know?" I asked.

"Z told us," Nova answered. "She and Lily were planning to take you out and visit your new school."

"Z? You mean Miss Harlequin?"

"Yes!" It was Nyx who answered while trying to get on my bed but failed since the bed was high.

Noir held his waist and boosted him up. Nyx finally managed to sit down, giving Noir a pat on the head. "Thank you."

He then faced me and gave me a cute smile. "Lily told us to wake you up. Noir, Nova, and I made breakfast for you. Come on now."

I was overwhelmed by their enthusiasm. "A-Alright. Let me just get dressed."

Yumiko arrived and was surprised to see the triplets inside my room. She gently drove them out and helped me in getting dressed.

I went downstairs and was welcomed by a confetti. I tripped when it exploded. The triplets were laughing at my state.

Yumiko helped me up and gave me a small laugh. "Be careful, miss."

I saw Lilibeth coming towards me with a worried look. "I told her you hated celebrations, but she's too stubborn to listen." She explained while eyeing Miss Harlequin, who was busy eating brownies.

I smiled at her. "It's alright. I know she means no trouble."

The triplets pulled me again, just like what they did last night. Noir pulled the chair for me. I sat down and said thank you. Nova took the table napkin from my plate and placed it on my lap. Meanwhile, Nyx was trying to reach for the food, but he was unable to.

Miss Harley laughed and helped him before sitting on her chair. Nyx was pouting while putting garlic bread on my plate, I can smell the strong scent of garlic but it was fragrant.

"Enjoy your breakfast." He said before running off.

"I guess the three told you already." Miss Harley said while drinking her morning tea. "I'll be taking you to your new school today, and gave you a little tour. It's Tuesday so there'll be students there at this hour."

"Do I really have to go to school?" I asked.

"Yes, you do. School's fun, y'know." Miss Harley replied. "Anyways, you're already enrolled, and you'll start tomorrow. So, congratulations!"

࿈

"I'll be attending this school starting tomorrow??" My jaw dropped as our car entered the gates of St. Éttiene International Academy.

It was one of the best co-ed dormitory schools located at the heart of C City or Cerise City. Cerise City was one of the three most prosperous cities in the country.

Third to the world-renowned Crimson Regalia Academy and Equinox University, it was the alma mater of some famous personalities in the country and abroad. And to think these three top schools were all owned by the Sinclaír Family.

The school was humongous. You have to ride a shuttle bus to get to your destination. According to the brochure Miss Harley provided, it consists of six 10-story main buildings and four 5-story dormitories, surrounded by a 3-meter tall hedge. It has the most advanced facilities in order to accommodate students of different specialties. There were also places for sports, such as the soccer field, tennis court, a covered court for indoor activities, and a man-made forest where students could relax.

"You are so rich, Miss Harlequin," I said to Miss Harley with a face full of reverence.

"Nah, it's my parents who are rich." She said winking at me, making the silent Hyperion roll his eyes. I could only look at him quizzically.

"Don't mind him. He just hates my down-to-earth personality." Miss Harlequin answered on his behalf.

I nodded to show my understanding, throwing a sorry look at Hyperion. I know she's just teasing him. Even though I've only been in the house for a day, I realized it when I heard them arguing and very chaotic all over the house, courtesy of Miss Harlequin.

"And please, stop calling me Miss Harlequin. We're just two years apart." She added.

"What do you mean?" I asked. She really looked mature so I was guessing she had the same age as Lilibeth.

"I just turned 18 years old recently, so no need to be polite." She said, grinning.

"B-But how should I call you then?" I said while clutching at the hem of my jacket.

"It's alright. You can call me whatever you want, but drop the Miss. As long as you're living your life well, we won't have problems with that." She answered, holding my hand and squeezing it gently.

We got off the car and she led me to the main building. Students were greeting her, some were even ecstatic to see her. She smiled and greeted them back, making them squeal in excitement for being noticed by her.

The uniform of SEIA was so cute. It was a sage green-colored military-styled uniform. It has the emblem of SEIA in gold, pinned on the left chest.

For the girls, it was a lolita military corset jumper dress, paired with a white long-sleeved blouse, topped with a long-sleeved half coat, and a pair of white stockings. While the boys had a white long sleeve polo, topped with a necktie and waistcoat, then the coat, paired with slacks. Same color and style. Feels hot wearing it ey?

For the whole morning, we only toured around the school. We went to the classrooms where I saw students listening attentively to the teachers. We went to the auditorium where there was a play going on. We also went to the rooms such as the music room, art room, and every room with different activities. I almost got lost when I asked Miss Harley for a bathroom break. Luckily, a student led me to the Headmistress Office. Then we went to the man-made forest and fed the ducks on the man-made lake.

By lunch, we ate at the cafeteria. I was so uncomfortable because some students kept staring at our table.

"Don't mind them. You'll get used to it soon." Miss Harley comforted me.

After eating lunch, Miss Harley had a meeting with the board members of SEIA so she ordered Hyperion to take me to my dorm. Since we brought a car, we used it instead of riding the shuttle.

When we arrived at the dormitory, my jaw dropped for the nth time.

The room was epic!

Hyperion said I don't have a roommate so I have it all for myself.

"The young mistress assigned a student to become your assistant. If you want anything or want someone to accompany you, just call her." He said while handing me a calling card. The card had a name and number on it.

I looked at Hyperion skeptically. "Why do I have to have an assistant? Can't Yumiko stay with me?"

"We know everything about you, including your constant nightmares. In case if you want someone to accompany you to your room, you can contact her. Yumiko is not a student here in SEIA so it will be inconvenient." Hyperion said while giving me a card and a key. "This is your ID and your keys for your room and locker. Your stuff is already in the walk-in closet, including your uniform and things for school. The young mistress tasked Yumiko to arrange your belongings last night. No need to worry since Lilibeth also helped."

I was amazed. So efficient. Looking at the things that I'm going to use tomorrow, I couldn't wait but to feel excited for my first day here in SEIA.

࿈

Miss Harley's meeting was only an hour and a half, so she took me to the faculty office to meet the teachers. Then we left the school around 4 in the afternoon and grab some treats for the triplets who were left at home.

The moment I stepped inside the mansion, a series of loud bang filled my ears followed by a bunch of confetti falling down.

"Surprise! Happy Birthday, Raven!"

Everybody was present. All of the butlers and maids of Rose Mansion, Lilibeth, and Miss Gryca holding the cake, the triplets who were waving the confetti cannons at me (again), Lala and Mathilde, and even Lilibeth's university friends, including Meisha and Mika.

"Happy Birthday, Raven." Miss Harley greeted and then gave me a hug.

She took a piece of confetti from my hair and showed it to me. When I blinked my eyes, the confetti she was holding turned into a card.

"Here's my gift." She grinned at me.

It was a black card, just like the one Lilibeth borrowed to me.

"B-But—" I said but was interrupted when she pinched my cheeks.

"A portion of it was from your parents, so no need to refuse." She said before placing it in my hand. "Benvenuto a casa, Raven." Then she hugged me tightly. After the hug, she went to play with the triplets.

Lala and Mathilde approached me and gave me a punch to the shoulder, one on each side.

"I thought you two were busy. How did you know this place?" I looked at them suspiciously.

Mathilde rolled her eyes and said. "Lilibeth called us, saying that she wants to surprise you. She picked us up earlier. And besides, we wouldn't miss it for the world." She said while gesturing at the hall.

Lala raised her hand and giggled. "I didn't know you were related to my boss. No wonder you had that black card when we went out for lunch."

I laughed awkwardly. "It was Lilibeth's card I used. I only got to know about her being Lily's boss yesterday."

"Anyway, happy birthday again. I have to leave first. Have to catch a flight later at 11." Mathilde bid goodbye and gave me a tight hug that almost sucked the life out of me. "Auf Wiedersehen."

Lala also bid goodbye. "I still have lots of work to do and I have to talk to Miss Sinclaír about something." Then she went to where Miss Harley was sitting.

Meisha came to me with his brother. She gave me a hug and grinned. "Happy Birthday, Raven."

Mika reached out his hand and offered a handshake. "Happy Birthday, Raven. I'm Mika. Meisha told me a lot about you."

My eyes lingered on Mika's face as I remembered my dream. The same smiling face that gave me bread to eat.

"H-Hi, nice to meet you. H-How are you?" I asked, stuttering. It's really different when you read something like this on romance books compared when you are experiencing it first-hand.

"I'm good. Thanks to your help, I was alerted before my girlfriend—"

"Ex-girlfriend." Meisha interrupted.

Mika grimaced at her. "Ex-girlfriend." He corrected himself while rolling his eyes. "Before my ex-girlfriend could even do something bad to me."

"I'm glad you're alright," I said, sighing a breath of relief internally.

"I hope we could be friends." He offered, giving me a blinding smile.

"S-Sure."

"C'mon guys, stop dilly-dallying! I'm hungry for crying out loud!" Meisha complained as she pulled me and Mika towards the dining hall.

I couldn't help but laugh. It was just a simple celebration together with a few close friends, but it really warmed my heart.

I even forgot the tragedy that also befall on this supposed to be special day of mine.