Natalya
As the town car pulls through the gates of the academy a day early, I’m kind of thankful I received Eva’s message. Even if I don’t understand why she needs all of us here a day before term actually starts, the idea of getting here before Alexander was enticing.
Eva called me two days ago to ask me to come back early as she had some epic news she needs to break to the three of us. I tried to quiz her on it, but she was cryptic. Adrianna was coming back early anyway, as she often does. Azira has moved up her return to today, aswell.
Popov parks the car in front of the imposing building and turns off the engine, getting out to open the door to me.
I slide out and stare up at the building, surprised when I don’t feel any dread at all. Normally, every time I return that’s all I feel, but ever since things changed between Alexander and I, all I feel is a weird sense of excitement to see him again, even though he won’t be here until tomorrow with the rest of the students.
Popov grabs my suitcase out of the back of the car and hefts it up the steps and into the main entryway of the school, glancing at me. “Is that all, Miss?”
I nod. “Yes, thanks, Popov.” I give him a smile.
He bows his head. “You’re welcome. Enjoy the semester.” He turns and walks away, leaving me in the empty corridor.
Within seconds, I hear the click-clack of heels on the stone floor, and then I see Azira appear. “There you are! Trust you to be the last here. I’m dying to find out what big news Eva has, but she insisted on waiting until you arrived.” Azira wraps me in a tight hug. “How was your break?”
I swallow hard, as the highlight of my break was seeing Alexander, which is fucking pathetic. The family is more torn than ever after Yana betrayed Mikhail, easily blackmailed by the New York Pakhan, Andrei Petrov. It was a shit show and I’m actually glad to be leaving all that behind me. “Uneventful,” I lie, not wishing to get into it. “How was yours?”
“Boring as hell,” she says, shaking her head. “Father won’t let us out of the house much with the war getting worse.”
I nod in response. “I’m surprised I’m saying it, but I’m glad to be back.”
Azira smiles. “Me too. Now, let’s find out what this super important news is.” She hooks her arm with mine as I use my other hand to drag my suitcase down the hallway toward the girl’s dormitories. Azira uses her card to open the door and I drag my bag through it and turn down the left corridor toward my room. She follows me.
I glance over my shoulder. “Not even going to give me a moment to settle in, are you?”
“Shouldn’t be late in the future,” she says, giving me a disapproving look.
I shake my head, laughing. “I can’t control the shitty traffic.”
“True, but I’m dying to know what this news is! Adrianna and Eva are waiting for us in the cafeteria.” She hurries toward my room. “Now drop your bag and let’s go.”
I sigh heavily, feeling weary after a four-hour drive to Maine. “Fine.” My stomach rumbles as I open the door to my room. “I could do with some food, anyway.” I slide the case inside the door and then slip out, shutting it behind me.
Azira hooks her arms with mine again. “Eva better not have told Adrianna without us.” She shakes her head. “Otherwise I’ll kill her.”
“You seem overly eager to find out what the hell she’s brought us here for.”
“Of course, this is the highlight of my winter break.” She sighs. “How depressing is that?”
“Pretty depressing,” I reply, despite knowing that my highlight was worse. Alexander’ visit. How sad can I get? The highlight of my winter break was seeing my bully and being fucked by him in the bathroom of my favorite cafe.
After he left, I didn’t hear another word from him via text message. To say it disappointed me would be an understatement. I tried to forget about him and focus on anything else, but it proved difficult.
As we enter the cafeteria, the scent of food makes me groan. Eva and Adrianna are chatting at our usual table, a spread of takeout food on it, including pizza. After all, we’re a day early and the staff hasn’t returned yet.
My stomach rumbles again and I hasten my steps. “So, what the hell is going on?”
Eva spins around and jumps to her feet, smiling at me. “You’re here!” She pulls me into a hug. “Sorry, I didn’t think you were ever going to make it. I said get here by noon.” I glance at my watch. “It’s six o’clock in the evening.”
“Sorry,” I mutter, shrugging. “Driver had other plans.”
Eva waves her hand dismissively and then sinks back into her chair, glancing at us all one by one. “I’m sure you’re all wondering why I asked you to return here a day early.”
“Dying to know,” Azira says.
Adrianna rolls her eyes and glances at me. “She hasn’t stopped trying to guess ever since she got here. It’s been excruciating.”
I smile. “So, what is it, Eva?”
She winces slightly. “This is going to sound totally insane, but…”
“But what?” Azira asks, practically jumping out of her seat.
“I got married,” she says.
Of all the things I expected to come out of her mouth, that was the last thing. “What?” All three of us say in unison.
“I know, it’s crazy, but during winter break I got hitched.”
“To who?” I ask.
Azira groans. “Don’t say Dimitry.”
Eva pulls a face. “Hell no. I got married to Principal Byrne.”