Nightmares at Everglade Falls

6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Ophelia

I’m lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling utterly drained after the rollercoaster of a day I’ve had. The last thing I want to do is drag myself out for dinner.

Aurora appears in the doorway, her petite frame illuminated by the soft glow of the hallway lights. “Hey, Ophelia,” she says softly, her wings shimmering behind her. “You coming to dinner?”

I shake my head, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me. “I think I’ll pass tonight. I’m not really hungry.”

Aurora’s expression softens with concern. “Are you okay?” she asks, stepping closer to my bed. “It was just a rough first day. Tomorrow will be better, I promise.”

I manage a weak smile, grateful for her comforting words. “Thanks, Aurora. I’ll try to make it tomorrow.”

As she turns to leave, a question tumbles out of my mouth before I can stop it. “How come Gabriel is such an asshole?”

Aurora pauses, her brows furrowing in confusion. “Gabriel? Really? I’m surprised to hear you say that. Everyone loves Gabriel.”

I scoff, rolling onto my side to face her. “Well, not everyone.”

Aurora offers me a sympathetic smile before heading out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Despite my lack of appetite, I eventually muster up the energy to join Aurora for dinner in the dining hall. She’s already seated at a table near the window, her salad sitting untouched in front of her.

I grab a tray and go through the buffet line, opting for an apple, mango juice, fries, and a slice of pizza. Aurora shoots me a curious glance as I join her at the table.

“I didn’t know you were a vegetarian,” I remark, nodding towards her salad.

Aurora shrugs, pushing her salad around with her fork. “Yeah, I prefer to eat vegetarian. It just feels better for me.”

I nod in understanding, taking a sip of my juice. “Fair enough. I’ve never really had a preference.”

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the bustling activity of the dining hall around us. Students chatter and laugh as they eat, the room filled with an energy that’s both comforting and overwhelming.

“I like people-watching,” Aurora says suddenly, breaking the silence. “It’s interesting to see all the different cliques and groups.”

She uses her fork to point. “We have the vampires there, then three tables to their right; you will see the witches. Then the betas sit next to the entryway, and finally, alphas.” Everyone’s blazer is pristine, showcasing their faction.

“What is that table in the corner?”

“Oh. That is where Owen and Gabriel sit. Sometimes, Isabella joins them.”

I run a hand through my hair before asking the one question on my mind. “There are fairies sitting just by the window. Why don’t you sit with them?”

A look slides over her face, but it also quickly disappears as soon as it appears. “They are upper class. I don’t fit in with them.” I decide not to push her or ask any further questions.

A couple of seconds later, she flashes me a huge smile. “Besides, I like sitting here with you. Anyway, as long as you find people you belong with, I like to think that that is all that matters. And I think everyone in Everglade has found their niche.”

I nod in agreement, following her gaze as it sweeps across the room. “Yeah, it’s like being in a high school cafeteria all over again.”

Aurora chuckles, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Except with vampires and werewolves instead of jocks and cheerleaders.”

We share a laugh, the tension of the day slowly melting away in the warmth of our conversation. For the first time since I arrived at Everglade Falls, I feel a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, things will be okay.

Just then, Gabriel, the blonde girl, and the other guy they were hanging with all day stroll into the dining hall.

Aurora leans in to whisper to me. “That’s Isabella Lacroix,” she says, nodding towards the group.

“After the house?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

Aurora nods. “Yep, exactly. Gabriel Nightshade, Isabella Lacroix, and Owen Glade. They’re all from the founding families of the school.”

I watch as Gabriel wraps an arm around Isabella, and for some reason, a pang of jealousy twists in my stomach. Owen, on the other hand, looks at our table and winks.

Fucking winks.

“They’ve been together since first year,” Aurora explains, her voice tinged with a hint of admiration. “Owen is a bit of a playboy, but he is single.”

I tear my gaze away from them, glancing back at Aurora. “Is that why you were blushing when he winked at us?” I tease.

Aurora’s cheeks flush slightly, and she gives me a sheepish smile. “Maybe,” she admits, fidgeting with her fork. “I kind of like him.”

“Why don’t you go out with him then?” I ask, genuinely curious.

Aurora’s expression turns somber, and she sighs. “There are hierarchies here, Ophelia. Fairies, nymphs, and witches stick together. Vampires have their own group. The alpha and beta wolves have theirs. It’s just how it is.”

“But isn’t the school supposed to be about exploring diversity?” I argue, feeling a surge of frustration. “Why should you have to stick to your own kind?”

Aurora chuckles softly, shaking her head. “If only it were that simple. But the houses are segregated for a reason. People stay within their own groups because it’s safer that way.”

Safer? How? From what?

I nod, understanding her point, but I can’t shake the feeling of injustice. “Well, it’s not fair,” I mutter.

Aurora smiles sympathetically, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “I appreciate the sentiment, Ophelia. But sometimes, it’s just easier to go along with the status quo.”

I sigh, feeling a twinge of frustration at the limitations of the school’s social structure.

“Plus, I don’t think I am his type at all,” she whispers wistfully.

I look at her and the vampire, who she is seemingly drooling over. She can lie to herself and me for all that matters, but there is something in the way that Owen looks at her, too.

If I had a gun to my head, I would guess that maybe he likes her too.

“Guys! There is an announcement,” someone shouts.

“Head boy! Head boy!” they chant.

As Gabriel’s voice booms through the hall, announcing the eagerly anticipated game of the year, the atmosphere crackles with anticipation.

Conversations falter, forks pause midway to mouths, and all eyes turn toward the source of the commotion.

Then, like a wave crashing onto the shore, cheers and screams fill the air, mingling with the clatter of silverware and the thud of feet on the floor. It’s as if the very energy of the room has shifted, electrified by the promise of excitement and competition.

“Did he just say soccer?” I ask Aurora.

She nods excitedly. “I love sports season. You are going to love it!”

“I am sure I will, but tonight, I wanted a quiet dinner,” I say, taking another bite of my pizza.

“We can go back to the room,” she says, packing up.

“No. No. You can stay. I will go. I think I just need to lie down.”

“You go, I go, Ophelia,” she smiles as she picks up an extra fork from the table. “Let’s head back.”

We quickly gather our trays and make our way out of the dining hall. As we walk, I steal a glance back at Gabriel, who’s being hoisted up by his friends in celebration.

Our eyes meet for just a moment, and I feel a strange flutter in my chest before I force myself to look away.

On our way to the hostel, I finally voice the question that’s been nagging at me. “Hey, Aurora, why do we always sit just the two of us? There are other fairies, right? Who did you use to sit with?”

Aurora looks thoughtful for a moment before she answers. “I’ll explain soon, I promise.”

I nod, deciding to trust my friend. There’s something about the way she says it that puts me at ease, and I find myself looking forward to her explanation.

Something about her just calms me.

The next elemental class rolls around, and I can’t shake the nerves bubbling in my stomach. I make my way to the classroom, steeling myself for whatever comes next.

As I enter, I’m greeted by the sight of Mrs. Renault at the front of the room, her eyes sharp and piercing. I quickly take my seat, feeling a knot forming in my throat.

Aurora smiles, taking the seat next to mine.

The class begins, and Mrs. Renault launches into a lecture about the intricacies of elemental magic. She talks about the different elements, how they interact with one another, and their strengths and weaknesses.

I try to pay attention, but my mind keeps drifting back to Gabriel. I can’t shake the feeling of unease at the thought of spending alone time with him.

What if he realizes how out of my depth I am? What if he sees right through me?

I am unsure if any other students other than Aurora know I have no powers. It feels embarrassing for anyone else to find out, especially him.

As the class goes on, Mrs. Renault demonstrates various techniques for controlling and manipulating elemental powers. I watch in awe as she conjures flames and manipulates water with ease.

But as impressive as her demonstrations are, I can’t shake the feeling of dread that hangs over me. I feel like a fish out of water, completely out of my element.

Finally, the class comes to an end, and Mrs. Renault starts passing out assignments. My heart sinks as she announces we’ll work in the agreed-upon pairs for the upcoming project.

“I made some changes to some pairings. Unless I mention your names, then your pairing will remain. Got it?” she announces.

I hold my breath as she pairs us off, praying silently that I won’t end up partnered with Gabriel. That somehow, the blonde was able to talk the teacher into giving her her partner back. But, of course, luck isn’t on my side.

“Magnolia, you’re with Theo. Leah, you’re with Jules. Owen and Aurora. Christine, you’re with James. Isabella and Thomas. Ophelia, you’ll be working with Gabriel,” Mrs. Renault says, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife and sealing my fate in one fell swoop.

My heart leaps into my throat as I glance over at Gabriel, his expression unreadable. I can feel the panic rising in me as I realize that I’ll be spending the next few weeks alone with him.

Mrs. Renault continues to assign partners, but I barely hear her over the sound of my own heartbeat pounding in my ears. All I can think about is how I’m going to survive working with Gabriel without making a complete fool of myself.

As the class ends and everyone starts packing up their things, I can feel Gabriel’s eyes on me. I try to avoid his gaze, but it’s like I'm magnetically drawn to him.

“I am going to go say hey to Owen after the class,” Aurora whispers.

“Good. I am going to the next class. Okay?” I whisper back.

Finally, Mrs. Renault dismisses us, and I practically sprint out of the classroom, desperate to escape the suffocating tension between us. But no matter how fast I run, I can’t seem to outrun the fear that’s been gnawing at me since I first saw Gabriel.