SWNOVELS Chapter CHAPTER XIII: ARIA
Aria had been wondering who was running the school on behalf of the Consortium. She also wondered who the Chamber are. But she was more eager for Karl to hold his promise about revealing how their parents know each other. Her mother's face was slowly disappearing from her memory. Her grandparents removed any trance of her in their house and her dad couldn't do anything. She hoped that there's a way to get a picture of her. But I still remember her beautiful red hair...
When she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, she glanced at the talking teacher in front then fished her phone, hiding it below her desk. She hadn't been paying attention to any lecture and class today. She was getting impatient waiting for the Consortium. After reading the contents of the message, relief immediately set in. Relief because the Consortium had returned. She thought she would fear knowing about her mom because Karl might know how she died. But she would rather know than not. Then I'll avenge her.
The bell finally rang. She quickly left her classroom and waited for Nate and Clyne in front of the Ave. Building since their divisions are in the same building.
"Aria!" She recognized his voice anywhere without seeing him.
"Your voice is too loud," she commented when he neared her. Nate was laughing behind him.
"Let's go," Nate said then led the way to the main building and to the Premier's office. She didn't mind gathering inside the office last time because there was no Premier but knowing that there's a new one made her hesitate now.
Their team was already there when Aria, Clyne, and Nate entered.
"Where's Tessa?" Nate asked. Aria looked around and was surprised that Tessa was missing. She thought she saw her on the couch.
"In SBCO," Lei replied, "She's coming with Aubree." Speaking of SBCO... Aria remembered Nate coming with Tessa and Hunter to the SBCO building the week before. It was odd but not surprising to Aria. Since Tessa didn't say anything after coming back to the dormitory, she figured that nothing wrong happened.
Aria glanced at Skhy who looked strangely frustrated and solemn at the same time. He was trying really hard to hide it by conversing with the others but Aria could still see it. As well as Lei. Hunter, on the other hand, looked calm and unbothered. She shook her head.
When the door opened, Aubree and Tessa were the first to enter. Aubree was beaming from ear to ear. Savvier followed with his hands in his pockets, looking calmer than the last time they saw him. The three men - Karl, Mr. Laccquare, and Mr. Castledgrey - entered after a few minutes. Mr. Castledgrey didn't hide his annoyance when he saw the students inside the Premier's office but said nothing. When everyone took their seats, Aubree started talking.
"The Premier's here," Aubree exclaimed.
"He's still not the Premier," Mr. Castledgrey retorted.
"Exactly," Savvier seconded.
"The Chamber already chose him," Mr. Laccquare pointed out.
"But he has not assumed office yet," Mr. Castledgrey replied without looking at the other members. Even in the Consortium, some act like kids.
Karl finally intercepted.
"Anyway, he's coming soon," he said. Who's the new Premier? Some of her friends looked excited. Some looked anxious.
"Who is it?" Skhy asked. Karl only smiled. The person chose that time to knock. Aria turned to the huge double doors. She heard a door opening but the doors remained closed.
"Uhmm I'm here." She turned toward the voice. Standing in front of the Premier's white table is a person with a pair of round glasses. He was in black slacks and striped white polo shirt. His wavy chestnut hair fell near his shoulder. He was waiving while holding something rectangular. Is that a party hat?
"Hi," he said cheerfully, "I'm not dressed for the occasion but I will be later." Aria suddenly thought that Mr. Knightwood's bright suits and colorful ties and ribbons looked not unusual anymore.
"Andy!" Skhy exclaimed. The two ran toward each other and gave a tight hug. Aria quietly and patiently waited for the introduction.
"Andy," Tessa said, "I'm surprised."
"But we're happy you're here," Lei continued. Who is he? Aria wondered if, like Karl, the three knew the guy before meeting Aria and the others.
The man turned to Aria and the others. He smiled and walked his way toward the couches. Aria stood up as respect and the others followed.
"Hi. I'm sure you're confused." He glanced at the Consortium, all members was smiling at him, even Mr. Castledgrey and Savvier.
"I'm Anderson Wright, Skhy's uncle." Aria's eyes widened. Only then that she noticed the resemblance through their undeniably attractive blue eyes.
"Thank you for keeping him sane." Clyne and Nate laughed while Aria chuckled. Skhy shook his head behind Mr. Wright. One by one, her friends introduced themselves.
"I'm Aria. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Wright."
"Oh no no no. Mr. Wright is Skhy's dad," he pointed out, "I'm Andy." Aria felt uncomfortable calling the Premier with his nickname so she just smiled awkwardly.
"Andy, you have to get ready," Karl said.
"Oh oh yes." Mr. Wright smiled at each student. "I'll see you later. I think you have alot to talk to with Karl." He turned toward a smaller door on the left wall and entered the adjoining room.
Karl nodded at the other members of Consortium. They stood up.
"Wait," Skhy suddenly said, "The Consortium won't be replaced, right?" Aria was also curious. The members glanced at each other.
"We're safe for now," Aubree replied with a smile. After that, Aubree, Savvier, Mr. Laccquare, and Mr. Castledgrey bid their goodbyes and left Karl to deal with the seven eager students.
The silence continued with Karl looking at the ground and the students patiently waited. Except Aria.
"Why only now?" she asked. She felt her friends' stares but her gaze didn't leave Karl's form. He finally looked up and found her gaze.
"Because I don't know everything," he replied, "And there are things that you should find out and face yourself." At first, she felt frustration boiling inside of her. But she understood what he meant. Her father's death and memories. It was hard facing them but she learnt to not let her emotions get the best of her. She chose to be silent.
"It's not in the academy where they met and got together," he stared. "At least, not everyone of them." Aria frowned, confused. She thought all their parents studied in Lux Signifer Academy.
"Some of them didn't study here?" Tessa asked. Karl nodded.
"Only Silver and Arthur, Skhy's parents; Eliot and Catherine, Lei's parents; Margarette, Tessa's mother, and Theodore, Faz's father." Were they friends?
"Some of them are friends. Some met through a group quest. Some met outside the academy."
Aria would have loved to be part of her mother's life. She glanced at her friends. She wondered if they were also thinking the same things. What were they like when they were young. What were their likes and dislikes. What were their favorite memories.
"What group quest?" Clyne asked. Karl looked like he was trying to remember.
"I think it's the juniors' quest." They were probably the same age as us. " Silver, Arthur, Eliot, Catherine, Andy and me were friends." Suddenly a solemn emotion flashed in his eyes. Aria pittied him. He and Andy were the only ones left.
He quickly brushed it off and spoke again.
"Andy and I were in a different group quest. The others were grouped together with Margarette and Theodore."
"How did my and Nate's parents met them?" Clyne asked. He looked lost. He was probably expecting that his parents studied in L.S.A.
"What I know is during the said quest, the group saved Aria's mother." Aria's eyes widened. How? What happened? She managed to stop herself from asking.
"They also met Nate's father and Clyne's father." Karl frowned then massaged his forhead. "I'm not sure if they were together beforehand."
"Karl," Tessa intercepted, "You don't have to try so hard. We're already thankful for whatever information you can provide." She smiled at him.
"Yes, it's ok," Nate added, "Thank you so much."
"We'll find out about the rest ourselves," Lei added.
"I might not know everything about how they met or what they planned." Karl sighed. "But I know how they passed away." A lump was forming in Aria's throat. She tried to swallow the rising emotion.
"I already know how my mom died," Tessa confessed. She gave a bitter smile. "I tried to avenge her death." Karl nodded.
"I'm sorry, Tessa," he said. "I didn't say anything when we met you."
"Lei's parents tried to rescue her but..." He didn't finish his statement. Tessa gasped and immediately hugged Lei who was sitting beside her. Lei was trying to hold her tears.
"I'm sorry, Lei," Tessa said.
"It's not your fault, Tessa," Lei replied while patting her friend's back.
"Your parents tried everything to protect all of you," Karl said, "But they also protected each other until the very end." A sad thought entered her mind.
"Was my mom with the other's parents?" she bravely asked.
"Yes," Karl solemly replied. Aria gave a bittersweet smile. At least she left with her friends.
"I think I know who she's with," Clyne said. She turned to him. He was smiling sadly at her.
"How...?" she whispered but she couldn't continue her question. It was getting hard to breathe. She tried to remember her mom's face but the memories were blurry.
"Karl, thank you for telling us what you know," she heard Skhy say. Aria kept her gaze on the ground. The only thing in her mind was the hope that her mother didn't suffer before she left.
"Nate's..."
"That's ok. You don't have to." Nate cut Karl off. What were said afterwards didn't registered in Aria's mind. Even though Karl didn't tell her the details, it pained her to talk about her mom's death. She wanted to know everything but now she felt like backing down and live without knowing the rest. She closed her eyes.
She felt a warm hand on her right shoulder.
"It's okay," she heard him say, "Take your time." Why are so calm about this? She tried to erase the thoughts in her mind. Clyne hid his feelings so well. She had no right to assume that he's fine.
"I'm sorry again." She looked up when she heard Karl's voice. Karl was already standing with Skhy in front of him. He glanced at each of the seven students. He gave a sad smile and left.
"Let's go back to the dormitory so we can rest." Skhy broke the heavy silence. Aria turned to Tessa and Lei who looked depressed.
"I want to talk," Tessa suddenly said. She glanced at her friends.
"Me too," Aria replied without much thought. They had been fighting and trying to survive that they forgot their first objective in entering L.S.A. - family. Whether to know about their families or building a new one.