Elizabeth Aurelius had absolutely no intention of joining the crowd.
Nearly two hundred newly admitted students had gathered around Zenith's announcement boards, and the plaza below had become a mixture of celebration, disappointment, arguments, and overly emotional parents.
One boy appeared to be questioning every decision that had brought him to this moment.
Elizabeth watched all of it from a shaded terrace overlooking the plaza, comfortably seated with a cup of tea in her hand.
Across from her, James Vellaroux stared toward the crowded boards.
"You know we could simply walk over there."
"We could."
"You don't want to."
"No."
James sighed while Elizabeth calmly took another sip.
One advantage of arriving early was discovering the small café overlooking the admissions plaza. Another was avoiding having someone's elbow pressed into her ribs while attempting to read an announcement board.
