Knock. Knock.
"Sarah, let's go."
The voice startled Ellie from her musings. Today was her first day of school. She held the tie in her hand, unsure how to put it on. The tutorial that was playing wasn't helping.
"Sarah, you'd better not be asleep."
Her roommate, still buried in her blanket, rolled around as if avoiding the noise from outside.
Ellie stood up to open the door and was almost hit in the face with the hand that was about to knock. She looked down to see a petite young girl smiling at her.
"Are you Sarah's roommate? I'm Alice, nice to meet you," She extended a hand to Ellie.
Ellie blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Alice's bright smile, before shaking her hand. "Sarah is still asleep."She said, stepping aside to let Alice walk in.
"That girl… I told her to sleep early, but I bet she was up playing games again." Alice marched over to Sarah's bed and yanked the blanket off her.
"Alic,e my goodness! Can't a girl get any sleep around here?" Sarah grumbled, sitting up. "Five more minutes," Sarah tugged at the blanket in Alice's hand, trying to cover herself.
"You had all weekend to sleep".
"It was too short."
Ellie stood by the door watching them bicker back and forth, before Sarah finally dragged herself into the bathroom.
Alice turned to Ellie. "What track are you in?"
"Huh?" Ellie looked up in confusion, realizing Alice was talking to her. "Sarah and I are in Business."
"Oh, I'm in the arts track," Ellie replied, moving to sit at her desk.
Alice's eyes landed on the canvas beside it."Did you paint that?" she asked, stepping closer. "She's very beautiful."
Ellie followed her gaze. The memories resurfaced as she stared at the scene depicted in the painting. Her mom was sitting on a mat under the magnolia tree in their backyard, and fallen petals littered the ground around her.
A single butterfly perched on a flower hanging from a low branch. That had been their last picnic together before her mom became sick. She could hear her mom's laughter as she directed her to pose, to stay still for the painting.
"Yes," Ellie said softly. "Thank you. That's my mom," Ellie replied.
Alice's expression turned thoughtful. "You're really good. You should display your work in the gallery."
Gallery?" Ellie echoed.
"Every year, the school holds an exhibition where students' artwork is displayed. Proper curators and collectors come around—it helps with admissions to art schools too."
Alice stood in front of Ellie, holding up her phone. "These are pictures from two years ago. These were my sister's paintings. She's already graduated and now attends Central Saint Martins."
Ellie glanced at the images. Alice's sister was very talented. She clenched her hands into fists. She hadn't painted anything since her mum died.
"So, what do you think?" Alice grinned, eyes gleaming.
Before Ellie could answer, a knock interrupted them.
Sarah, now out of the bathroom, opened it to reveal Amy.
"Hi Amy"
She rushed to her wardrobe, rummaging for her uniform as Amy stepped inside.
"Ellie dear, I'm here to take you to class," Amy announced. "Let's get you fed before you meet your homeroom teacher."
Ellie followed Amy out of the dorm, adjusting the cuffs of her blazer as they made their way down the corridor, her tie hung limply around her neck.
The morning air was crisp, and the halls were alive with the hum of students heading out. Many waved and said hello to Amy. A few students walked up to them, introducing themselves to Ellie
Amy glanced at Ellie. Seeing her tie, she raised a brow. "Do you need help with that?"
Ellie flushed, looking down at the fabric around her neck. "Why is it so hard? I tried following 2 tutorials, each one just showed me a different method.
Also, why are there 2 different types of Windsor? They look the same."
"This is the most I have heard you speak," Amy chuckled. "Let me."
She stopped walking and turned to Ellie, expertly knotting the tie. "Full Windsor is larger and better suited for formal occasions, while half Windsor is smaller and more casual."
She looped the tie over itself and pulled it into a neat knot, adjusting it snugly under Ellie's collar. "This is a full Windsor knot. Did you get the steps?"
"Eh, no," Ellie touched the tie, shaking her head. "But, thanks."
Amy winked. "No problem. You would, eventually."
As they stepped into the dining hall, Ellie's breath caught.
The room was magnificent, just like the rest of the school. High vaulted ceilings stretched above them, supported by dark wooden beams that contrasted against the warm cream walls.
Chandeliers hung in rows, their warm glow illuminating the space in golden light. Large arched windows lined the walls, casting rainbows off the clean glass, as streams of natural light poured in, creating soft patterns on the polished wooden floor.
Small, round, sturdy tables filled the hall, their surfaces gleaming, cutlery and white tablecloths laid neatly arranged on them. Each table was flanked by 4 chairs, their cushions upholstered in deep blue velvet.
A grand fireplace stood at one end, unlit but still commanding attention. The school crest hung above it, just like the one she had seen at the gate.
At the other end were long tables that held trays carrying different food and drink dispensers. Students were scattered across the room, some sitting in groups focused on their breakfast, while others stood around the long tables piling their plates.
Prefects moved between the tables, ensuring order, while servers in crisp uniforms refilled trays of fresh pastries, eggs, and fruit. The air was thick with the scent of buttered toast, brewed coffee, and warm syrup.
Amy led Ellie toward the serving area, grabbing a tray. "Serve yourself, my lady." She handed it over to Ellie.
Ellie exhaled, "You guys really know how to live it up."
Amy laughed. "You get used to it. Now, would you like to go British or American?"
Ellie blinked at the overwhelming selection in front of her. "Uh… ?"
Amy grinned. "There should be waffles and pancakes around here. "
She grabbed a plate and put bacon and toast on it. "If there's anything you particularly want to eat, leave a note in the box over there, the chefs pick 4 each week, and it becomes the special menu for the weekend. Two on Saturday and two on Sunday. If you're lucky, the chefs will pick yours."
Ellie added pancakes and berries to her plate before following Amy to sit at a table where one person was already sitting.
"Ah, it's Eleanor," Bella called as they approached. "Here, I got this for you—a greeting gift." Bella handed Ellie a glass bottle as she sat down.
"Lemon juice?" Ellie asked, turning it in her hands.
"No. No. No. Elderflower cordial, my mom's recipe," Bella replied, smiling. "Try it"
Ellie took a sip, her eyes widening in surprise, "It's sweet, thank you."
"Well, have a nice day, later, Alice." Bella stood up and walked away with her empty plate