Chapter 3 – Orientation Ceremony
1414 Words
By six o’clock, I officially hated Ashwood Academy more. Not only because of the creepy hallways, strange students or even because Killian Ashwood apparently walked around like a teenage dictator.
No.
I hated it because the girls in my dorm had spent the last forty minutes staring at me like I'm an alien and I've committed the biggest sin ever.
“So… you really mouthed off to him?” one of them asked.
I looked up from trying and failing to fix my hair. “Why does everyone keep reacting like I insulted a prince?”
Three girls exchanged nervous glances and none of them answered again. That's starting to get annoying but I'm getting used to it. I was starting to think Ashwood Academy students had signed a legal contract forbidding direct explanations.
The tallest girl finally cleared her throat. “You should just avoid Killian.”
“Trust me, that’s the plan”
A blonde girl sitting near the window snorted. “That plan would save you if you stick to it”
Before I could ask what that meant, a loud bell echoed through the dormitory, the girls immediately stood.
“Ceremony starts in ten minutes,” the tall girl said.
Then, after hesitating slightly; “You should probably… try not to embarrass yourself tonight.”
Rude. I grabbed my jacket. “I'll add it to my daily goals list right under don’t die mysteriously.”
Nobody laughed, seriously?. What was wrong with these people?
The main hall looked like something straight out of a gothic cathedral, massive black banners hung from the ceiling, silver chandeliers cast dim light over hundreds of students seated at long wooden tables.
The entire room smelled faintly like wood and tension because the second I stepped inside, conversations lowered, heads turned towards me and few students whispered.
Fantastic. Apparently I was already famous.
Vance appeared beside me near the entrance. “Sit with me” he muttered.
I narrowed my eyes. “You’ve been acting weird all day.”
“I’m not acting weird.”
“You looked ready to pass away when i talked back at Killian”
“Because you keep provoking him!”
I blinked. “Who is he really?, is he some Mafia prince?” I whispered.
Vance opened his mouth then abruptly closed it.
Coward.
Before I could pressure him further, the hall suddenly fell silent.
Every student straightened, several lowered their heads. The movement happened so naturally it almost looked rehearsed.
What. The. Hell.
Slow footsteps echoed near the entrance and somehow, before I even turned around, I already knew.
Killian.
He entered the hall beside Selena. Tonight he wasn’t wearing the standard school uniform.
Instead, he wore all black. Simple but probably expensive enough to probably cost more than my entire existence.
The atmosphere shifted the second he walked in, students bowed their heads as he passed.
Killian barely acknowledged them, just a short nod and only then did people relax.
Wow.
I leaned toward Vance. “Why is everyone acting like he’s the king of England?”
“Keep your voice down,” he hissed.
Which naturally, made me want to speak louder. Killian’s gaze swept across the hall lazily.
Then stopped on me, I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
Selena noticed immediately and her expression tightened.
Interesting.
Killian walked toward the raised platform near the front of the hall where several adults sat.
He approached a man, silver streaks through dark hair. The resemblance to Killian was obvious immediately.
His father.
Even from across the room, the man radiated authority. Beside him sat a beautiful dark haired woman wearing an elegant black dress.
Unlike the others, her expression softened slightly when she noticed students entering.
I suddenly missed normal public school problems.
A woman stepped onto the center platform and the room quieted completely.
“Welcome,” she announced smoothly, “to Ashwood Academy’s annual orientation ceremony”
Students immediately straightened further even Vance looked serious now.
“Tonight” the woman continued, “blah blah blah…”
Well… that's all I could hear after. The orientation in one word? Boring.
“Finally, the Moon Gala is next month and it's also Alpha Prince Killian’s birthday. You are all invited, further information will be passed across later”
I frowned. Moon Gala? Alpha Prince? Isn't God the Alpha and Omega?. Is he God's son?.
I'm officially going crazy at this point.
Several students began whispering excitedly, selena sat proudly beside Killian near the front. The woman continued speaking about tradition, legacy, and alliances while I slowly lost the will to live.
Then suddenly. “You all have no excuses not to attend especially student turning eighteen this year. Hopefully, we are going to know our Future Luna”
A strange ripple moved through the room, anticipation, nervousness, excitement.
Beside me, Vance looked pleased by the news but immediately my eyes met his, he shifts on his seat uncomfortably.
“What exactly is the Moon Gala about and what does she mean by Alpha Prince” I whispered.
“You’ll find out later,” he muttered.
I stared at him. “Do people in this town physically explode if they answer questions directly?, And aren't you my brother?. You should tell me stuff I don't understand since you do”
His mouth twitched despite himself, before he could respond, another voice interrupted.
“Valentina winters”
I looked up, every eye in the room was on me.
“Principal Volkov would like a word.”
An older man with sharp eyes and an expression that suggested smiling offended him personally.
I was led toward the raised platform while hundreds of students watched.
Perfect. As if I'm the only one here.
As I approached, I could practically feel Selena glaring holes into my body. Killian sat beside his parents, one arm resting lazily against his chair but his attention followed me the entire way.
Principal Volkov studied me carefully once I stopped in front of him. Close up, he looked even more intimidating. Like the type of man who could sentence someone to death before breakfast.
“Valentina Winters,” he said.
Not a question.
“Unfortunately.” I'm getting tired of people calling my full name but what can I do.
The Luna beside him covered a smile with her hand.
Volkov remained expressionless. “How are you finding Ashwood Academy so far?”
Finally, they have given me a chance to say my mind. “Honestly?”
“I insist.”
I glanced around the giant hall full of terrifyingly beautiful rich students and weird cult traditions.
“Everyone here is weird. I think your school might secretly sacrifice people in the basement.”
Silence… complete silence. Then, unexpectedly, someone chuckled. I looked sideways. Killian.
This guy has multiple personalities. Selena looked personally betrayed even Principal Volkov’s expression shifted.
Interesting.
Killian’s eyes met mine again… this time, there was something different in them. Curiosity.
“You may return to your seat” Volkov said finally.
I turned immediately. Why the heck did he question me if he's not going to give an answer.
I rolled my eyes.
As I walked back toward Vance, whispers spread through the hall.
“Did he just–”
“Killian laughed?”
“At her?”
“Impossible.”
I ignored them and slid back into my seat beside Vance. He stared at me like I’d completely lost my mind.
“What?”
“You joked with Principal Volkov.”
“That's definitely not a joke, I was saying my mind”
“Val!”
His voice dropped. “Be careful what you say, don't be too curious. Just graduate and leave this school in peace please, stay low-key”
“How can I stay low-key when everyone seems to notice me. What if they're killers?, I have to protect you from them!”
“They can hear you, mind what you say?” he panicked looking around and eyes were on us.
“Calm down, how will they hear me.”
“But–”
“Shh” i cut him off.
I glanced toward the platform again and Killian eyes were still fixed on me like he wants to murder me with it eyes. Then, Selena leaned closer to him and whispered something in his ear.
Killian’s expression darkened more, he threw a hot glare in my way. I raised up my middle finger at him
- Writer
