Chapter 206: Leaving Silver Moon (I)
Evaline:
The next week blurred by in snow-flecked mornings, packed halls, and more tests stacked like frosted cookies. Every afternoon felt like a sprint to Friday, and then suddenly the bell rang on the last class of the week... and with it, fifteen days of holiday freedom burst open like the academy gates themselves.
Almost all the students hurried out by Friday afternoon, not waiting for the official departure on Saturday. Instead of lingering by the oak benches to say goodbye, they dashed toward the Academy gates with their luggages.
My friends were no different. Most of them, especially Mallory and Ria, had their luggage packed the night before. Now, we all were gathered in our dorm’s common room to bid goodbyes to each other.
Ria was first to leave. She threw quick smiles and hugs before grabbing her suitcase. "Enjoy the break guys! And let’s stay in contact." And then she was gone.
Selene was the next to follow. She also gave us hugs and warm smiles. "Take care everyone and come back soon!" She then also grabbed her bag and exited the common room. Noah was right behind her once he too quickly bid us goodbyes.
With these three gone, only four of us were left in the dorm now - me, Mallory, Kyros, and Rowan. And no one was making any move to step out of the door next. They didn’t seem ready to disappear into their own holidays without me.
Mallory hovered like a bird on a wire, her voice soft but insistent, "Eva, you really should come home with me. My parents and my little siblings - they would adore having you. Christmas by the fireplace, snowball fights, home-cooked dinners..." Her eyes glowed with the dream of it.
I hesitated, the thought warming me, but... it didn’t feel right to spend the entire holiday at her place.
I gave her an apologetic look and she sighed. This wasn’t her first time trying to convince me to join her and her family for celebrations.