365 DAYS WITH THE LANCASTER BOYS

CHAPTER TWO

PEARL'S POV

The taxi sped off, leaving me in front of the massive gate of Lancaster academy. I glanced up taking in the breathtaking architecture.

The building sprawled across acres of land, divided into three wings-the main hall, the boys lodge, and the girls lodge. It's tall walls gleamed in hues of blue and orange under the morning sun.

The academy was highly praised for the guaranteed future of it's students. I never imagined I'd be here, let alone as scholarship student. I'd only applied because Dad had insisted.

A smile tugged at my lips as I walked toward the gate. Digging into my bag, I pulled out my ID card. "Pearl Blackwood." My name was boldly written on it. A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I already imagined me in the Lancaster uniform. It still felt unreal.

I gathered my imagination together and was about slid the card into the scanner when a hand clamped my waist.

My breath hitched. At first I thought it was the remnants of my imagination not until I saw my feet float in the air. What the heck. "When did I become a bird?"

Apparently, I'd say that out loud as a deep voice replied. " Birds can't talk."

Unease crept down my spine. Was I getting kidn*pped? Is this how my life would end? This thoughts ran through my mind and only worn off when my back landed on something hard but well cushioned.

Cool air brushed against my ears. My eyes widened when it turned out to be from an A.C.

I looked and found myself staring into green eyes. His hair was tinted in streaks of grey and green. He smiled widely like he had just won a lottery.

I jolted off after realizing it was an open top car.

"Are you crazy?" That was the question at the tip of my tongue but he was faster than me.

"Wh.. what?" I stuttered.

" Why jump off when you could have used the door." His voice was annoyingly sweet.

I gawked at him. For a moment, I couldn't believe my ears. Was I supposed stay on his laps until he was ready? God forbid.

" You were the one acting like a kidnapper." My voice was getting higher, but I forced it back down. I didn't want troubles on my first day.

" I saved your life." He argued, fuelling my anger.

The number of times I breathed in and out was unhealthy. Shouldn't he be apologizing?

" Spare me please." I pressed my hands together dramatically.

"Namaste." He mirrored the gesture and bowed his head.

I clenched my fist and shut my eyes. The amount of adrenaline rushing through my limbs could have him crippled. Calm down, pearl, Mum wouldn't be happy seeing me starting fights.And losing your scholarship isn't an option.

" You should leave." I snapped. I slid my ID card again but the scanner remained stubbornly red.

" The main entrance works only for cars," he explained , your student card works for the side gate."

I rolled my eyes. Who asked for his opinion. With his hair looking like that, he is probably a scammer or a driver.

" It's none of your business, Mr.GREEN EYES."

" Thanks for noticing my eyes.But my name is Liam." He winked.

I ignored him, swiping the card again. Still nothing.

" You have a pretty face." He said casually, but not my type."

My body froze. I wasn't sure if that was an insult or compliment. Either way i wasn't going to dignify it with a response.

He revived the engine and drove off, leaving me fuming by the gate with my suitcase.

I glanced down at my card and sighed."Guess I should try the other entrance."I muttered, dragging my suitcase behind me.

********

I pushed the door open, dust gushed into my nose. Coughing, I fumbled for the switch.

"Ouch!" I yelped as something sharp bit into my foot. My fingers caught a rope dangling by the wall, and I tugged at it. The lights flickered to life.

The sight before me made my stomach to drop. Bottles scattered across the floor, cartons arranged haphazardly. It looked more like a forgotten storage room than a Lancaster hostel.

I yank opened the window, greedily inhaling fresh air. This can't be right. Lancaster was praised for it's luxury. This place didn't match the glossy brochures. Maybe it was a mistake. It had to be.

I reached into my pockets to grab my phone but my fingers met nothing but fabric. My heart seemed to freeze for a moment. No. No,no. The memories of earlier-green eyes, spiraled through my mind.

Oh no" I pressed my hand to my forehead. My phone. With him. How was i supposed to find him?

As I leaned against the wall, movements caught my eye. A shadow was moving closer. My chest tightened as I edge toward the window. Then the voice of my biology teacher rang in my ears. "When you find yourself in a dangerous situation, even the tiniest of space could save you."

I swallowed hard,my breath accelerating. Maybe I should jump through the window. I peeped down and immediately knew it wasn't a right decision.

My eyes darted across the room until they landed on a spade lying In the corner. I trudged gently and picked it up. It's better to be brave than die mysteriously.

The shadow moved closer and my fingers clutched the spade's handle.

The door creaked opened. I raised the spade and swung--

The figure ducked.

" Pearl!" The spade hung midair

" Mia?"

Before I could react, she threw her arms around me, nearly knocking me over.

I blinked at her, my brain scrambling to catch up. Mia was my best friend and we attended the same school during our junior years.

"what are you doing here? I managed to say.

" Dad works for the Lancaster's," her eyes beamed, He pulled strings and secured me a scholarship."

I blinked again. Scholarship? Without exams? A strange pang formed in my chest.I was happy to see her, but something about the ease in her voice stung. So this what influence feels like?

"Look at this" Mia's voice distracted me, shoving her phone toward me, I managed to get a picture of one of the Lancaster boys."

" The...Lancaster boys?"

"Uh Hmm" she nodded eagerly.

I took a peep at her phone and the way my heart stopped for more than a minute needs to be in the Guinness record. All I could see was green. Green. Green.

" Him!" My voice almost disappeared from the way I screamed.

Mia drew back, her brows furrowed." What about him?"

"Nothing." I forced my voice steady, my throat tight. There was no way I was admitting how we'd met. Not like that.

But all of it didn't matter. Not as long as I got back my phone back. And as long as Liam doesn't take our little encounter seriously, then maybe, maybe, I'd survive Lancaster.