The sound of the alarm clock echoed softly in Eli's room, breaking the morning calm. She blinks, still shrouded in the fog of sleep. Homecoming was inevitable. After one last deep breath, she stood up. Today was the start of a new school year, with all its uncertainties and promises.
She prepared herself methodically: a cool shower to wake her up completely, and a quick breakfast.
She opted for a biker outfit: leather trousers, leather jacket and high heels. Underneath this leather armour, Eli wears only his underwear.
LJ, true to his word, is waiting in the courtyard with his motorbike. Eli smiles to see him ready, his comforting presence calming her nerves somewhat.
"Ready for an adventure, little sister?" he says, handing her a helmet.
Eli nods and slips on the helmet without a word, climbing on behind his brother. LJ started the bike and they sped off through the sleepy streets of the city. The fresh morning wind whistles around them, carrying with it a certain excitement.
As they arrive at the school, memories of the party flood back. The glances, the whispers, it's all there, suspended in the air. LJ dropped her off at the entrance, wished her a good day and promised to come back for her later. Eli thanked him and walked away, her heart beating faster with every step.
She looked around for Alicia and Julia, hoping to find a familiar, friendly face in the crowd. There they were, by the big gate, deep in conversation.
"Eli! Over here!" Alicia calls, waving her hand.
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Eli joins them with a smile, reassured by their presence. Julia turns to her, looking serious.
"Are you all right? Ready to face the rumours?"
Eli sighs and shrugs. "I guess I have no choice."
"Don't worry," Alicia adds.
The trio enter the school, making their way towards the gymnasium where the classes are listed. As they pass, curious glances and whispers are heard. Eli tries not to pay attention, concentrating on talking to her friends.
They arrive in front of the class notice board.
"For this last year, we're together!" exclaims Julia.
"It's going to be one hell of a year," rejoined Alicia.
"We're also with Page. We'll be able to give her the back-to-school news later on when we visit her in hospital."
"Of course," replies Julia.
"Of course, Princess," says Alicia, winking at Eli.
"By the way, we seem to have two newcomers in the class, one Tayden and one Kelly," added Julia.
Intrigued, Eli and Alicia look at the form again.
"Ah, I hadn't seen them," says Eli.
Julia counts the number of people in the class and notices that there will be a lot of them this year. She counts 30.
Eli hopes that the newcomer is the one she saw down by the lake the day before yesterday.
Jo arrives with Eliot near the girls.
"Jo! Eliot!" exclaims Eli, "How are you? Have you managed to manage the end of the evening?"
"Managing the end of the evening, yes, but I'm having a bit of trouble managing people's sidelong glances and low masses," replies Eliot.
"Do what I do, Eliot, people talk behind my back a lot, but I don't care."
"Wow Jo, beautiful language," Eli jokes.
Jo smiles at Eli, "It takes more than that to shock you, princess."
Eli sighs after Alicia, there's Jo getting into it too.
"Maybe we should be going. It's nearly time," exclaims Alicia.
The whole gang headed for the classroom.