Chapter I - The beginning of a new year
Inspector Griselda walked briskly along the corridor, which from the staff accommodation bore to the principal's office. She stopped in front of the room and impatiently knocked on the door. From inside a soft voice said:
«Come in».
Griselda entered the office and closed the door behind her. Faragonda was sitting at her desk with her head down, looking at golden parchment in her hands.
«The girls have arrived, it is the case that the principal of the school receives them» began Inspector peremptory.
The director, lost in her thoughts, didn't seem to hear the words of Griselda and continued to admire the parchment. The inspector, then, approached to the desk and asked in a friendly way at the headmaster:
«Dear Faragonda, are there any problems?».
The woman came out of the trance and with a smile she replied:
«Nothing to worry about Griselda, I was thinking at the beginning of the year speech».
«I understand, but girls are waiting» urged Griselda.
Faragonda gave a nod with her head, then, after having put the scroll in one of the desk drawers, she rose from her chair and walked with Griselda in the schoolyard. Girls of all ages crowded the place, the confusion was total: happy voices overlapped with each other, creating a cacophony unbearable for the poor ears of Griselda. The students, who were returning to school, after spending the summer holidays, hugged each other by exchanging the usual pleasantries ritual. Other girls, that day they would start their first year, had embraced their parents arms, looking around bewildered. In the courtyard, there was also all the teaching staff, who welcomed the old and new students.
«I am sorry madam, but today they are all very excited, including professors» apologized Griselda, throwing a glare to Professor Wizgiz that he began to shoot fireworks from his hands.
Faragonda smiled and quietly said:
«Quiet Griselda is right to party. However, we know that the worst is yet to come».
At that observation, Griselda snorted. The inspector knew that things would get worse shortly after. In fact, almost five minutes later the situation degenerated. The voices of female students turned into screams worthy of the best concerts, squeals of excitement were thrown in all directions, there were also many fainting. All this meant only one thing: the Winx had come to Alfea, Wizgiz and its fires had lost all their charm. The girls, accompanied by specialists, entered the main gate acclaimed by the crowd. They were all visibly embarrassed ... all but Stella. The Solaria Princess felt comfortable in that bedlam of people, she considered them "her admirers." The girl was about to bring up a pen, so that she could sign all the autographs that she had been asked, when Aisha, grabbing his ear, pushed her away from the crowd.
«You're hurting me Aisha, stop it now!» croaked Stella.
«I let you go, but promise to stop with this story of the diva» said the fairy of the fluids, leaving the outlet.
«It's not my fault if I'm beautiful, popular and everyone loves me» cried the fairy of the sun, only to run into the arms of her beloved Brandon: Aisha shook her head full of despair.
«Don't tear down Aisha. You know Stella is like that, but deep down, really deep down, what she says it's not what she really thinks» comforted Flora, receiving a sincere smile from her friend.
«Girls let's hurry! The director Faragonda is going to give her speech» he exclaimed Tecna euphoric.
The Winx, followed by their boyfriends, approached the big stage, on which the principal was. All present were silent Stella included and waited with trepidation the words of the headmistress. Faragonda approached the microphone and began to speak:
«A happy day to you all and welcome to Alfea. A new year is about to begin, a year of new discoveries, a year of new friends, a year of insecurities and, as never fail, a year of problems. You see, in a year can happen so many things: from the most beautiful to the ugliest, but the important thing is to know that ..."
For a moment, the sweet eyes of Faragonda resting on Bloom, who was listening her in the front row. The director stopped for a few seconds, which seemed hours to the people.
«Maybe she doesn't feel well. She is making me worry» whispered Flora to Helia, clutching his waist.
Faragonda cleared his throat and began:
«... The important thing is knowing that you're never alone; into despair, loneliness, anger we are never alone and nothing or no one will ever convince you otherwise. Have always hope, have always faith in people to your side, even when they make mistakes, even when it seems that they have turned their backs. Have faith in the near and in its ability to be able to make the world a better place for you. Thank you all».
Faragonda stopped talking and, without even waiting for the applause, walked away from the park returning to school.
«I wonder understand why she took that break during the speech. She is usually a flood» said Musa to her friends.
«Apparently, she had forgotten what she had to say» snapped Stella - «At her age it can happen».
The others looked at her with serious disapproval.
«Stella, these are bad things to say. This is not a princess behaviour» scolded Flora.
«Guys, I'm very worried: we must talk to Faragonda» offered Bloom.
«All right, all right… we will talk with the director» said the Solaria princess resignedly - « But now, let's enjoy the party».
Others laughed and walked on the dance floor prepared for the occasion.
«Bloom wait a minute, I need to talk» Sky stopped gently his girlfriend with the arm.
«Tell me» chirped the Princess of Domino.
«Not here Bloom. Get away from all this mess» suggested the Specialist.
The two made their way under one of the arcades of the school and sat down on a bench.
«Then, what do you want to say?» asked the girl anxiously.
The Prince of Eraklyon took her hands and with motioned voice he tried to speak to her:
«Bloom is complicated. Let's see where do I start? Then, I want you to know that this is my last year at school Fonterossa».
Bloom nodded with a bit of envy, who knows when she finished her studies them. The boy continued:
«Thus, once I finished my training as a Specialist, as agreed with my father, I will become the Eraklyon King»
«Sky, I don't understand what the problem is, we already knew this and it's not a problem for me to be the girlfriend of a king» assured Bloom smiling.
«I know, it is not what I wanted to talk about. My father before me and my grandfather before him, when they were crowned, had a special person on their side and I want you» explained Sky.
The red-haired girl looked at him puzzled and jokingly told him:
«Sorry Sky, I'm your girl, it is normal that I will be attending the coronation. Explain me: who did you think about? maybe Diaspro?»
However, the Prince became serious and then he frowned:
«Forgive me Bloom, maybe I didn't explain well. I don't want you to accompany me as my girlfriend the coronation, I would like you to accompany ... well ... I.»
Bloom looked at him curiously, she could not understand what meant Sky. The boy spoke again:
«I think I should be more direct, although I would have liked to be more romantic than that."
Sky got up off the bench and knelt in front of Bloom, who gasped in astonishment.
«Bloom, Princess of Domino, light of my heart, would you make me the honour of being my wife?" asked the young Prince excited.
Bloom didn't answer immediately, then, throwing her neck and kissing him, she shouted:
«Yes, yes, yes! A billion times yes».
The two shook in a tender embrace and, later they resumed their walk.
«I didn't know how to say this. I thought you wanted to take more time to think about it or you'd even refused» whispered Sky.
«My love, we are together for eight years now. I couldn't wait now that you ask me. Making your girlfriend for my whole life is not for me» pointed Bloom.
At these words the Prince of Eraklyon laughed and so did his future bride.
«Well at this point I would say to come back from the others at the party. There is no doubt they are wondering where we ended up» suggested Sky.
The girl nodded and together they decided to leave the porch.
«Bloom, Bloom! I've finally found you, it's half an hour I'm looking for you».
The two whirled. Daphne was leaning against the bench on which they were seated until a short time before, and breath heavily.
«Daphne! What have you done? You're exhausted, you're not challenged Aisha to an athletic contest, aren't you?» asked her sister unable to suppress a giggle.
«Witty ... it was Griselda's fault. She asked me to find you so that I could hand you this message from the director» said Daphne, handing her a small folded note.
«What a strange coincidence, me and the girls were going to reach her later. However haven't you been told what she wants from me?» asked Bloom curious.
«Nothing at all, even Griselda did not know the reason for the call. I was also warned not to open the note, because only you have to read it» said Daphne.
Sky put his hand to his chin and muttered thoughtfully:
«I'd like to know the reason of all this mystery».
«Now we'll find out» said Bloom opening the note and by reading aloud the contents.
Bloom just can join me in my office, we must talk about an important issue.
I recommend you come alone!
Faragonda
«It does not say anything else?» asked Daphne.
«Nothing more» said the sister.
«Is very strange. It is undeniable that the director is surrounded by an aura of perpetual mystery, but this is exaggerated» said Sky.
Bloom folded the note and put it in the pocket of the jumper, then she spoke:
«I don't know what to tell you. Let's do like this: I reach Faragonda in his office, while you go back to the party and warn others of the thing. However, we mustn't create alarmism."
Daphne and Sky nodded and together they returned from their friends to have fun on the dance floor. Bloom, instead, reached the building entrance. Without being noticed by anyone, she entered the great hall of the school and proceeded to the imposing staircase leading to the first floor. It was halfway up when she heard a familiar voice. Nex, Aisha's boyfriend, had entered the hall from one of the two side aisles and was talking quietly to someone on the phone. The girl, knowing that eavesdropping on the conversations of others is wrong and that she should tell the boy about her presence, decided to hunker down and hide behind the staircase handrail.
«I get it! There are no problems, I know what to do. I must go now, you'll soon hear from me» whispered Nex to the phone closing the call immediately after.
The Paladin put the phone in his pants pocket, then, after making sure that no one was around, walked out of the hall through the main entrance. Bloom didn't understand much of the conversation because it was very short, then she stood up and without thinking about it and she continued up to the first floor. She walked down the corridor leading to the office of the principal and, once arrived, she stopped before the door. The girl didn't have time to knock that the door opened magically alone. The manager was standing, intent on observing the vast forest that surrounded Alfea from the large window of her office; on the desk of the president the golden scroll was placed.
«I was waiting for you, my dear» began Faragonda.
Bloom entered the room and asked:
«Why did you want to see me, Miss. Faragonda?».
The woman didn't speak, still staring at the forest from the glass plates. Bloom, then, urged:
«Faragonda what's going on? Tell me, please».
The director sighed slightly, then without turning she spoke again:
«Bloom, do you see that parchment on the desk?».
The girl was getting nervous, but she tried to calm down and exclaimed:
«I had not noticed when I came in» said Bloom perplexed.
«Can you tell me what is it?» Asked the director, turning towards Bloom, which was somewhat surprised to see the woman in the eye. Her face was the mirror of mixed emotions, the Princess of Domino could feel seriousness, fear, happiness and anxiety.
«No director Faragonda, I don't know what it is» replied Bloom exasperated.
Faragonda smiled and explained the true nature of that parchment:
«That, my dear Bloom, is a call for you».
«A call for me? From whom I would have been called?» asked curiously the fairy of the Dragon's Flame.
Faragonda became grim:
«From Arcadia».
FOOTNOTES: Welcome back to everyone! What can be said about this first chapter? As you may have noticed the tone of the narrative tries to be light-hearted at times fun, the difference with the prologue, especially with the second part, is evident. However, in the general contentment it becomes a shadow of concern road, due to the strange attitude of Faragonda. Consequently, it creates a kind of mystery in the story. At the end of the chapter the truth comes to light, but it is an incomplete truth, misleading. This is because, although a mystery has been solved, another even bigger makes its way in the lives of the protagonists. I hope this little analysis at the bottom of the chapter haven't bored you too much, because I thought I'd continue to integrate them into next chapters. If they are not to your liking, you let me know without too many problems. Now just few clarification and then I salute you. First, the character "Brendon", present in the prologue, is different from "Brandon" the boyfriend of Stella. I know this can be confusing, but I took this decision for two reasons 1) The name "Brendon" is particularly important for me. 2) This almost homonymy is functional to the overall plot of the story. Secondly, I have left the original name of some character XD. For example, I'll never translate Aisha with Layla because I'm too addicted to the Italian name ahahahahahaha. Another is the character of Griselda… in Italian she's called "Ispettrice Griselda" so I've translated it with "Ispector" and not with "Head of Discipline Griselda" ;D. I think that's all. Thank you for reading my story and… see you to the next chapter :D :D :D.
Yugi95