We ate our sandwiches, whilst listening to the music. There was no way we could get a peek at the band playing since we arrived late and it was already packed. To my surprise, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either.
" We should get going," Laira broke the silence, as she stood up from the bench we plopped ourselves on since we bumped into the trio.
The summer heat and the breeze that swept over the sea were refreshing. It helped take my mind off things. I was in a good mood, better than I had been in quite some time, tranquil.
"It must be nice," Laira dragged me back to the present. I briefly took my eyes off the calm sea, to look at her. She seemed troubled.
" What must be nice?" I had no idea what she was referring to.
" Being wealthy and not having to worry about anything else other than how to spend your parent's money," She went further into detail. I had no idea whether she was referring to my situation or just generalising.
The heavy contrast between the two faces of Morston was difficult to ignore. Especially, if you lived in Morston. The impact of the quarter's existence was very similar to ink splatter on a blank sheet of paper.
" Uhmm...I guess," I absently replied. I had lived on both sides, not to the same extreme as her and the others but my parents never splurged on anything. I had no idea that there was an inheritance until Mr Perry told me about it.
" Honestly, I just live the same way I lived when my parents were alive. We didn't have much, but I never worried about anything. Still, to this day I don't buy expensive things, and I do not spend on things that I don't need. In all honesty, I can't put myself in your shoes but ...I want to," I inwardly scoffed, at the fact that Laira was right about want and need.
" I know. You could use some new clothes, though. You are wearing this farmer's shirt, like is the most fashionable thing around," Eh? I liked that shirt. It matched my father's shirt.
" No, not fashionable. It has a different kind of value. I like it, and they don't make them anymore, so I will hold on to this one for as long as I can," Even though I had grown out of it and the fit wasn't right, anymore. The sleeves were too short and could button it up.
" I see, " Laira took a deep breath, and hooked her arm into mine as we entered Manor Gardens.
" I'm looking forward though to having a look around this famous academy that everyone is so fussed about," I changed the topic, not because I didn't want to speak about what bothered Laira. It was a pointless conversation, and would only drive her further into a deep abyss of wondering how her life would have been if she would have been born to different parents.
" Hmm...It's not as bad as they make it seem. The only reason everyone is worried is that they would lose their freedom to do whatever they like for the next three to four years, including you," The smirk on Laira's lips, now that worried me. She was attending the same academy as me. Why wasn't she bothered by it?
" I'm basically a nun," I jokingly said " I don't drink, smoke, curse, or have a life in general and I wake up with the sun. It won't be any different than my current life. It sounds perfect, sign me up," I continued in the same amused tone. The only variable was Mason. He tipped the balance in favour or against whenever it came to making certain decisions.
" Really, you wake up with the sun," Laira giggled " What are you eighty?!" She mocked and I concluded that I was more like an octogenarian rather than a young adult.
" I'm incognito. It's our secret," I leaned in whispering and laughing at my stupidity.
" Your secret is safe with me," Laira whispered back and sighed when the car came into view.
We both burst into a fit of laughter, I laughed mostly because that wasn't by far my biggest secret. The thought of my deepest darkest secret coming to light made me anxious as hell. I had no clue why Laira laughed.
When we finally calmed down, we climbed into the car and threw the bags onto the back seat. Destination, the famous and infamous academy. Depending on who you asked.
" You will have to be me my guide. I have no idea where I'm going," I said as I put the car in drive and slipped out of the parking spot.
" Slip onto Helford Road and then take the second left, and after that just follow the road." Laura gave me the instructions as I slipped onto the main road. It was a straightforward drive, the only downside was the traffic.
" We have to make it before five," Laira added as soon as I turned left.
I briefly took my eyes off the road to look at her," Why?" I curiously asked. It was a strange coincidence. Mason had the same cut off when the handed me my punishment.
" They close the main gates at five, and no more visitors are allowed on the grounds," Laira clarified. I found it particularly strange since the students were allowed to live on the grounds. That meant no nights out. A form of control, I guessed to keep the students in check.
I glanced at the clock on the dashboard, we were going to make it in the nick of time.
Following the road, I glanced around at the passing scenery. Aside from the scattered thickets, there was nothing else in the proximity of the academy. Soon the baroque building began emerging at the horizon as I closed the distance. It was massive.
The main building sat in the centre connected to either side to two more smaller builds. The impressive white columns stood out the most, along with two angels statues on top of the columns. Uneasy slowly crept up on me, at the sight of the impressive architectural marvel.
I briefly glanced at Laira when the gates came into view. I assumed they were made out of forged iron, considering the intricate design embedded within the gates. The cross of David was the logo of the academy. Oh, no. I didn't foresee that little aspect. I wondered what was the connection between a science academy and religion. Would they make me attend mass? I could already hear the requiem to my old life playing as I said my farewell to the world.
" I won't be long. I just want to see if he is still alive and well," Laira said as I parked in front of the main building.
" You have fifteen minutes," I pointed at the clock on the dashboard that was showing twenty-five to five.
" I'll be quick. Don't stray away," Laira said as she slipped out of the car, and began running towards the building on the right.