Young Elite - Chapter #5 - by itsvlada

Each disappointment closes the eyes but opens the heart.

He nods, "I know him. We were in the same class in the capital before the academy. He's a jerk. What did he do to you?"

"He made me his assistant after becoming class representative, probably because he wants to look down on me. But you know, he just tried to humiliate me. Because..."

I straighten up to get a better look of him. "You're an orphan, right? My mom started this program. Forget about him. Look at the bright side – how many orphans and regular kids get to study at an elite academy like this? We get to learn so much cool stuff and even have our own horses. Don't let him get to you. There are many like Alexander here."

"I know."

"Well, cheer up. By the way, I'm David."

"Aurora," I reply.

"Interesting. Are you a princess or a freedom fighter?" he jokes.

"I'm more of a freedom fighter," I say with a hum. "A princess needs a palace and a king for a father. I..."

"A lost princess, then?"

"Probably not."

David grabs my chin and looks me straight in the eye. "Stop the negative thoughts."

"I'll try."

"You know, you could kick his ass. What do you say?"

I study his face, searching for a hint of a joke, but he's dead serious.

"I don't think that would help. And I already slapped him."

David grins. "Feisty, nice!"

He stands up, hides the cigarette in his pocket, and offers me his hand. "Let's go see the horses, and then we have dinner." His soft smile says everything will be okay. I take his hand, feeling cared for and understood for the first time in my life. For the first time, I'm not alone.

I follow him, hoping he's genuinely different.

***

David enters the stable first, and I follow him, breathing in the scent of fresh straw, grass, and animals. It's surprising, but it actually smells nice in here, not at all what I expected.

"There are a lot of them," I say slowly.

The horses stand in their stalls, some with braids in their manes, others taller or shorter, white, brown, or nearly black. They're graceful, calm, and have intelligent eyes.

"Beautiful," the guy says, approaching one of the horses and putting his hand on its muzzle.

I stand nearby, and a snort breaks the silence. Until now, I'd never seen horses up close, but despite that, I'm not scared. I approach David and mimic his gesture from the other side.

"He's beautiful."

" It's a she," the guy laughs. "And yes, she really is beautiful."

The mare snorts and looks at me with dark eyes, as if she understands people. I lean into her, feeling warm, soft, and calm. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I quickly wipe them away so David doesn't notice.

"Will you take horseback riding lessons? It's an interesting activity."

"I will," I reply readily. I'm not lying to myself or him. "It's peaceful here."

"Horses can heal," he says. "Animals in general are medicine for the soul. Don't be surprised, but I'm a fan. I have a cat, a dog, a turtle at home, and I go to the riding club four times a week. Oh, and a parrot – how could I forget about him?"

"Are you serious?" I laugh. "They say that people who love animals are good."

"Then I'm good."

"I think so," I answer sincerely.

"Alright, I promise to help you learn to ride, and you'll sit with me at a table in the cafeteria. What do you say?"

"Oh, and who will you sit with?" I ask quickly, not understanding his look. "Won't your friends mind?"

"Aurora, I don't have friends here, just acquaintances. Believe me, you're the first person I've smiled at among all those studying here."

"I thought..."

"People like me stick to their kind?" he smirks. "I'm not interested in those who can only ruin their own lives. I don't mind parties and all that, but enjoying alcohol with idiots is definitely not my thing."

"But not everyone is like that?" I ask hopefully.

"Not everyone. But you have to play along. So, will you sit with me?"

"Of course."

"Great. And now let's go – I think dinner will be served soon, and they'll tell us again how we must lift our country and create something fabulous."

We leave the stable together and part ways on the second floor. The corridors of our building are filled with students, all doing their own thing – some standing outside rooms, laughing, others running around, flirting, or getting to know each other.

Suddenly, I see Matthew rushing towards me, tears streaming down his face. I walk to meet him, and he crashes into me, soaking my skirt with tears. I crouch down.

"Hey, what happened?"

" My shirt ripped," he sniffles.

"Did someone rip it?" I ask tensely.

"No, no, everyone’s good to me. Not like at the orphanage. I got caught on the door handle in the room and ripped my shirt.”

"It’s okay, " I ruffle his hair. "I think they will give you a new one. Do you want to go to your teacher right now?”

" No, " he frowns. "I’ll go myself. I’m a man, not a girl.”

"That’s great. And where did those words come from?" I laugh.

"Bert said.”

"In that case, you definitely do it, " I extend.

Bert, as he calls himself, is also an orphan. He graduated from another orphanage. At first glance, he seems unfriendly. But he's really very sweet, just like Tasia and Kuzya. We are five orphans in this entire academy. It's strange, isn't it? There are so few of us. Perhaps the selection process for orphans is strict. Who knows?

"Are you going to dinner?" Matthew asked.

"Yeah,” I replied.

"Can I come to see you?"

"Matt, I don’t think they’ll allow you. I'll always be happy to see you."

He hugs me around the neck, then dashes down the corridor to his building.

I barely straighten up when someone grabs my arm above the elbow. The grip is painful, and I'm pulled toward him. Fear grips me. A moment later, I'm in a corner next to a nook. It's filled with buckets, mops, pilot jackets, and rags.

"Key."

The voice is demanding. Dark hair falls over his eyes. He's wearing a leather jacket, even though all the students are in uniform.

I fold my arms and glare at Alex.

"What? Get lost!"

His gray eyes darken quickly. They turn to dull silver. Alex steps closer, forcing me against the wall.

"Give me the key."

"I don’t know where your freaking key is! Take it from the table," I hiss.

After meeting David and getting to know the horses, the hysteria has completely exhausted itself. Thorns grow back. I won’t submit to his negativity anymore. I won’t listen to his insults.

"You took it, you orphan," he says, hatred in his voice.

It's in his eyes, in his movements. He looks at me from under his brow, as if thinking about how to kill me.

"You pushed me. The key could have fallen."

Alex mutters something under his breath. It's quiet and threatening, but I don’t understand. He grabs my arms and shakes my body.

"Give me the key, orphan, or else I can’t answer for myself."

"I'm your assistant. I can..."

"You," he spits out the words, "can’t, walking disaster. Hand over the key and go to hell."

I hate him. To the grinding of my teeth. To the pain in my heart, in my bones. He isn't human, just a shell. No soul, no heart. Just a void walking with eyes that seem to hold a soul. But it's not true.