Hey guys sorry for the late update but I kept changing my mind on what to do in this chapter but anyways from the next chapter on there will be time skips since I only want this book to be 10-12 chapters long. I will specify the time past at the start of the chapter. Hope you guys like this.
I woke up at six to my stupid alarm and reluctantly got out of bed. I pick out my first day outfit which Care had selected. It included an orange sweater, black jeans, an ochre scarf and brown boots. I took a short shower and got dressed before making some coffee and some pancakes. I finish eating quickly and start packing a small bag with my books and pencils and colors. I check the time to see its 7 o'clock so I quickly check all my things and leave the apartment. I lock my apartment and then start towards the academy, I had memorized the way there since it was very simple and started to walk. I could feel my nerves building the closer I got. I reach there and am actually shocked at how huge it is. The academy is not only for artists; it's like a skill learning school. There are a variety of courses offered from basic classes in languages to graduation level courses. I walk in and look around to see a woman who seems to be waiting for someone and so I take my chance and go towards her. "Excuse me?" I say as I tap the woman on her arm. She turns and looks at me up and down. "Yes?" She asks and I mentally prepare to on what to say. "Hi I'm Arielle Gilbert. I'm looking for the Fine Arts department." I tell her and she smiles, "Ms.Gilbert, I'm Ruby Williams the head of the Fine Arts department." She tells me with a smile and I feel a bit relieved. "I see you're quite punctual, unfortunately the same cannot be said for the other students. There are still five more minutes left so if you have any questions I would be happy to answer." She tells me and all I can think about is that I will be joined by 19 more students seeing as at one time they take in 20 students.
I turn my attention back to Mrs.Williams so that I don't have to deal with my social anxiety. "I remember reading that there will be theory classes as well, I wanted to know what they would be about." I tell her and she smiles before answering, "Well that will be included in the tour today. Your classes will start at 7 from tomorrow onwards while today will only be a seminar of about an hour where you will be introduced to your teachers and given basic kits." She informs and I nod my head and smile. After waiting for about ten minutes everyone is here and I can see that there are only five girls including me. We start the tour and Mrs.Williams shows us the classes which are thankfully not that far from each other. She tells us that we will have only five classes, three of which will be theory while two will be practical. The classes will all be an hour long and the theory classes include: Aesthetics, History And Appreciation Of Arts; and Methods And Material. While practical would vary every week and there would be an assignment on the same every week. After the tour we were told the order in which our classes would be. First would be Aesthetics, then History And Appreciation Of Arts, after which would be a practical class and a little break of 10 minutes. After the break Methods And Material and finally another practical class. So everyday I would be free by 12:30. After the tour we are led to a classroom where we all sit down. The teachers are already there and after a few minutes our names are called and the kits are distributed which include a sketchbook, a drawing book for basic outlines of our paintings, a color palette, paint brushes, pencils; coloured and black, chalks, books about the theory classes and a log book; which is for our attendance and grades. We are introduced to all our teachers who give a little information about their subject. After the teachers are done we are told to each sketch something on a sheet of paper that is provided, so that they can determine who needs to be worked on more.
We are given half an hour and no theme is given. I stare at the paper for a good five minutes before deciding to sketch my apartment complex and a few buildings surrounding it and the street with the outline of a few people. I start the sketch starting with the street and the outline of buildings and people before adding detail to the whole sketch. As I'm about to start the sky and adding street lamps and such it is declared that the time is over. We all hand over our sketches and then we're told that we can leave. I check the time and see its almost 10. I walk back to my apartment complex and see someone standing outside my apartment. "Hi can I help you?" I ask the man as I reach him. "Yes. I'm here to deliver the dresses." He tells me and I recognize him from the boutique. "Oh. Thank you." I tell him and take the dresses before unlocking the door to go in. I turn around to ask if he wants water or anything else, to see he's already gone. Okay then. I enter and immediately put my dress in the closet and go change into some leggings and shoes instead of jeans and boots. Then I open my laptop to find nearby courier services. After finding one only ten minutes away I take both the dress and the book to send to Mystic Falls. Since I don't know when Miss Mystic Falls is I don't want to take a chance. I head out with the dress, book and my bag. I reach there in 15 minutes since I once lost my way. I give them the dress and the book and pay them the fees. I take out my phone and call Caroline. She answers just as I was about to cut the call because I remembered that she would be in school.
"Hey Care." I greet as soon as she answers. "Hey Ari. Did you have fun at your tour?" She asks me sounding a bit off. "Yeah Care. I just wanted to let you know that I'm sending you dress for Miss Mystic Falls. I know you're going to win." I tell her and I can already tell she's smiling. "Thanks Ari. I just wish you would be here too. Anyways you didn't answer my question." Care says and I laugh a bit as she sounds like a scolding mother. "I loved it. I made two new friends and I also went to a club like you asked. And yes I had fun there before you ask. What about you?" I ask her since it's more complicated in Mystic Falls. "Well last night I was at Matt's house and we were making out when his mom walked in. It was awkward and I'm also planning the Founder's fundraiser tonight. And..." Care rants before pausing and hesitating. "What is it Care? You can tell me." I tell her and she takes a deep breath before rushing out gibberish. "Care I didn't understand any of that. Can you try a bit slower?" I ask her and she again takes a deep breath and whispers, "Elena and Stefan were together today. They weren't even trying to hide. Ty almost punched him and Elena. Matt's angry too. I'm worried they're going to do something." She whispers with a sad tone. I take a breath and tell myself that he's not worth it. "Its fine Care. I sort of expected this. Don't worry. Just tell Ty and Matt not to worry and waste their time on Elena or Stefan. Who knows maybe Elena will think Matt wants her back or something." I tell her. She gives a small chuckle before we both fall silent. "I'm sorry Ari. I hope you find someone better and I'm glad you found friends." She says and I know she's smiling again. "Its fine Care. I don't need anyone as long as I have my best friends." I tell her and then I hear someone shouting in the background before Care says, "Sorry Ari, I have to go. I'll call you later?" I smile knowing she's trying hard since she wants to win and Elena will win sympathetic votes. "Its fine Care. Have fun. Call me whenever you can. Bye." "Bye Ari. Have fun." She says before cutting the call. I head towards Noah and Ares's house since I have nothing better to do.
I reach there in 20 minutes and head towards the elevator. I press the button for the penthouse. As the elevator door opens I step out and am left staring at the amazing design. The penthouse is open and spacious, as I entered there was a small passage with stairs and a kitchen on the left near the passage end. A little ahead there was a coffee table and couch the wall behind it was fully made of glass with a glass door that led to a balcony. On the wall opposite of the couch was a unit for TV and books. Noah was sitting on the couch reading a book while running his fingers through Ares's hair who seemed asleep. Noah looked up and smiled as I walked closer to where he was sitting. "Hey, you're early." He says and gestures me to sit on a sofa chair. I sit down and reply, "Yeah. Turns out today was only tour, evaluation and introduction; the actual classes will start from tomorrow." Ares stirs a bit and Noah and I both look at him, he settles back down and Noah sighs. "Sorry, he's been overworking himself. Do you mind if we don't start now? Ares is hyperaware when he sleeps and I don't want him to wake up." Noah asks me and I can see he's very worried. "Of course not. I can come back later." I tell him and stand up since I didn't want to disturb them. "You don't need to leave. I actually have a favor to ask. If you don't mind." Noah says and I sit back down and tell him, "Sure. What do you need?" I ask him and he smiles before replying, "Can you cook?" Weird question considering he himself is a chef. "Uh. Yeah I can. Why?" I ask him and he sits a bit straighter. "Well I was planning on making Ares some lunch since its 12 already but like I said he'll wake up if I move." Noah says and I can tell he feels a bit odd asking me to cook for them; after all we meet only 2 days ago. "Nevermind it's fine." Noah says while I'm busy thinking about how odd the feeling of comfort is given the short period of time. "No its fine. What should I make?" I ask him while standing up and abandoning my bag on the coffee table. "Thank you. Can you make Mac and Cheese?" He asks me with a look that says he doesn't really trust me to make anything complicated. "Sure. The kitchens there right?" I ask Noah while pointing towards the way I came in from. "Yeah. If you can't find anything you can come ask." I give him a smile and head towards the kitchen.
I look through the shelf and the refrigerator to see what I can make. I decide to make a simple salad and some fried rice since I have some time. I start with putting the rice to cook in some water and then start with the salad. Once I'm done with the salad I check on the rice and see that it's done so I start by stir frying the vegetables and adding the spices; when I can smell the nice aroma of spices I add the rice and let it cook while setting the table. After transferring the rice in a bowl I go to living area to call them to eat. I go out see Ares awake and him and Noah cuddling. "Sorry to disturb you..." I start but before I can finish Ares had already jumped up and had his arms around me. "Elle I didn't know you were here." Ares says while pulling back and smiling. "I got here about an hour ago." I tell Ares and he turns to give Noah a questioning look, "Right. She was just making some Mac and Cheese, since neither of us wanted to disturb you. Which took her a long time. You didn't burn the kitchen, did you?" Noah questions. Before I can answer Ares turns back to me and gives me a questioning look before saying, "You can cook? Why didn't you tell me?" I smile a bit and answer, "Yes I can cook, I can also bake. In fact I love baking. I thought I mentioned that. And Noah I didn't burn down the kitchen, why don't you taste and tell me if it was worth the time?" I gesture them towards the kitchen. We walk while Ares walks beside me and asks me, "What do you like bake?" I think before answering, "I love baking cakes and cookies and occasionally whatever new is there to try." I smile as we all sit down. "Okay this smells amazing. Lets see what you got." Noah says with a smirk. "So Elle what's the most fun thing you tried to bake?" Ares asks as we serve ourselves. "Well its wasn't anything crazy, but once about 3 years ago it was our parents anniversary so instead of buying them a card or something me and Jer decided to make a homemade pizza, base and everything. I don't know why we even decided on pizza, it wasn't our parents favourite. I think it was mostly because Jer wanted to eat pizza. So we went out to get a recipe book which took us an hour and then another three hours to make the pizza dough itself. After it was finally made and rested we divided it into two halves, I took one and he took one. So we start to flatten it with rolling pins and for the first five times it just kept tearing apart and finally at the sixth time it worked, we both topped it with whatever we wanted and then we finally put the pizza in the oven, we turn to look at the kitchen and the whole place is covered in flour and toppings. We start to clean the kitchen which just makes it even more messier. As we are mopping the floor with way too much water, the oven beeps and the front door opens. We both freeze and mom and dad walk in the kitchen. We both hide the mops behind our backs and smile innocently, mom and dad share a look and then they start laughing. We all cleaned up the kitchen together and then ate the pizza which thankfully was not a total disaster. Although it wasn't some crazy recipe, but it was very much fun and it's my favourite memory with my parents." I tell Ares, almost whispering by the end. I look up to see them both smiling and smile back before focusing on eating.
After we finished eating, Ares and Noah were cleaning since they insisted. "You aren't an awful cook. Thanks again." Noah says as I was looking through the books they had. "Thanks for the somewhat compliment. And it wasn't a problem. Is Ares okay though?" I ask Noah a little worried. "He's fine just that sometimes he overworks himself. Wanna practice archery?" Noah asks with a raised eyebrow. "Sure. Lets go." Noah gestures for me to follow and we walk up the stairs. To the right there are two doors which probably lead to bedrooms. We turn left and enter the door on the right end. The room is made like a training room, with a mat in the middle and machines lining all over the corners, Noah presses a button and a targeting range comes out of the floor, which is pretty cool. I walk around to get a better look before standing beside Noah whose holding a compund bow and a few arrows. I take them before looking towards Noah. "I have to work on all of these? I only learnt how to use a compact crossbow, is using a compound bow the same?" I ask Noah worried about how I will do this. "Yes you have to work on all of these and no they are very different." Noah tells me and I wait for him to tell me what to do. He takes my shoulders and turns me to look at him before saying, "Keep your feet inline and yours knees a little bent. Keep your head a little upright." Noah instructs me as I look down to see a line and plant my feet accordingly. "Hold the bow any way you feel." I take the bow and hold it a little far from my head and body. Noah smiles before adjusting it just a bit. "Don't loose your grip on the bow." He takes an arrow and hands it to me, "Don't hold the arrow too tight, it will make it difficult to release it." Noah instructs me and then I draw the arrow before taking a deep breath and releasing it. I close my eyes not really wanting to see how bad I did. "Well done Elle." I hear Ares say and open my eyes to see the arrow has landed in the red area which is supposed to be a 7 out of 10. I smile and hug Noah.
After 3 hours of training of which 1 hour was training on the machines, I'm laying on the couch too tired to care about anything. "You did great." Noah tells me from the sofa chair as Ares is running his fingers through my hair while my head is in his lap. "Thanks it doesn't feel like it though." I tell Noah and Ares smiles down at me while saying, "Don't worry Elle, it was just the first day. I'm sure by the time you have to go you'll be amazing." I smile at him and he kisses my head. I close my eyes as I can practically feel every single body part ache. I sigh before sitting up. "I should go." I tell them and take my bag to leave. "Absolutely not." Ares says as he takes a hold of my hand. "And why not? I do have a home you know." I tell him and shoulder my bag. "I know but you're in no condition to walk home right now or even make dinner when it's time." Ares tells me with a smile knowing he's won. I lie back down not bothering with argument. "Can we watch a movie or something?" I ask Ares and he gives me a look before nodding. What was that look? Whatever. "What do you want to watch?" Noah asks me as he stands to turn on the TV. "Harry Potter?" I ask rather than declaring. "Sounds fun." Ares says and I sit up so that I don't fall asleep during the movie. Noah starts with first movie, not that I mind and we all settle down with Ares in between me and Noah. We had already finished the first movie and were on the scene in the second movie where Harry meets Lockhart. "I'm hungry." Ares suddenly states. I turn to look at him but agree with him in my mind since I'm very hungry myself. It would just be rude to say so. "What do you want to eat then?" Noah questions while sitting up straighter. "Burgers" Is all Ares says and Noah gets up to get some or get someone to get it. That did not make sense. My brain hurts just like my body does. "You alright Elle?" Ares questions me and so do I. "Yeah I'm fine." I tell him and we both go back to watching the movie.
Noah comes back with the burgers just as Hermione starts making the potion. Noah turns off the TV and both me and Ares make sounds of protest. "Come on you two dinner first." Noah says and I get up to follow him to the kitchen while Ares is still sitting. "Ares. Come on." Noah says and Ares finally gets up. We all sit in the kitchen and eat silently. Once we are done I help them with cleaning before going to the living area and grabbing my bag. "I really should go now. I'll see you guys tomorrow?" I ask them and Ares pouts before hugging me. "Of course. Be careful. Text us when you get home." Ares says and I smile at the fact that he's already acting overprotective and it has only been two days. "I would. But I don't have your number." I tell Ares. He gestures me to give him my phone and I do so. After getting Ares's number I say bye and leave. I reach home within 10 minutes and fall on my bed before gathering all my strength and taking my phone from my bag. I call Jer and take off my shoes. "Hey Elle." Jer greets as soon as answers. "Hey Jer. How's the Elena bomb?" I ask him jokingly. "I wouldn't be joking if I were you Elle. The Elena bomb is about ready to drop on you." Jer tells me and I groan. Great. "I'll handle it. How are you? What about Vicki?" I ask him worried about his sanity along with his drug free life. Since Elena could probably drive even Satan to suicide. Huh, that would be funny. "I'm fine. Great actually. Vicki's better too. She's back in school and yes I keep an eye on her. I still have the vervain syringe you gave me. How was your first day?" He says and I almost sigh in relief. "Okay that's good. My first day was okay. It was only tour and introduction today. I also went for training which was tiring and I feel like I'm about to die." I tell him and we both talk about his school day before I decide to say bye since I'm about ready to fall asleep and I still have to call Matt about his mom. "Okay Jer, I'll call you tomorrow. Love you." I tell him. "Take care Elle. Love you too." He says and I cut the call. Before calling Matt I send a text to Ares do that he doesn't have a heart attack or something.
Matt answers at the second ring, "Hey Matt." I greet and hear a bit of shuffling before I hear, "Hey Ari." I hear Matt and Ty both greet me. "Hey guys. How are you? Care told me your mom's home and Jer told me that Vicki is home and back in school. What about your dad Ty?" I ask more than just worried. Kelly is a disaster and her visits always end up with Matt hurt and Vicki feeling unwanted. Matt would always tell us how Kelly treated Vicki badly and how she made Vicki feel unneeded and less. Kelly was the reason for Vicki's drug abuse. "We're fine Ari. As for mom, well me and Vicki are doing our best to avoid her. And yeah Vicki is back home and in school. She's doing great. Thanks Ari for helping her." Matt says before Ty continues, "I'm fine Ari. I haven't been home in some time. Vicki doesn't mind me here so... I talked to my mom and she thinks I should come back home. What do you think Ari?" I don't even think before answering, "Of course not Ty. I know staying with Matt is not a permanent solution but for now, please stay. You can go back when your parents before busy during the whole founders business and only to test waters. If even one thing goes wrong you have to go back to Matt's we'll then come up with a different solution. Okay?" I ask him not liking the idea of him going home to his pissed off dad. "Don't worry Ari. I won't go. I'll do as you said. How are you anyways? Do you like it there?" Ty questions before Matt continues, "Yeah wasn't it your first day today?" I smile as I lie down on my bed. "I'm fine. And I like it here, I made two friends went to a club and toured New York. As for today being the first day, it was only about a tour and introduction. My classes start from tomorrow." I tell them and yawn as I feel my eyes droop. "That's great Ari. Why don't get some sleep? You sound tired. We'll talk later." Matt says and I feel grateful to friends like them. "Okay. I'll call you guys later. Love you, take care. And call me if anything happens." I tell them, well more like order them. "Of course Ari. You'll be the first one we call. We love you too. Take care and have fun." Matt says while Ty makes a noise in agreement and we cut the call. I sigh before standing to change into some shorts and a loose t-shirt. I lie back down on my bed, set my alarm and shut off the lights before closing my eyes.