After 2 hours)
"Belle, wake up. We're almost there," Mom said, gently tapping my shoulder.
I groaned, blinking at the sunlight spilling through the car window. Outside, tall trees stretched endlessly along the road, their leaves dancing in the wind.
"Mom, where is this pla—"
"Watch out! Mom, someone's in front!" Diana suddenly shrieked from the back seat, her eyes wide.
Mom slammed on the brakes. My heart jumped as the car screeched to a halt.
Standing directly in front of us was a man in a crisp uniform, arms crossed.
"Um… hello, sir… do I know you?" Mom asked, raising a brow.
The man stepped closer, scanning us with a professional gaze. "Sorry, ma'am. I'm part of the security team at this college. Are you here to check the school, or drop off your child?"
Mom smiled, trying to hide the tension. "Oh, we're dropping off my daughter. She just got admitted," she said, nodding at me.
The man's eyes flicked to me, lingering for a heartbeat longer than comfortable. My cheeks heated under his gaze.
"Okay, ma'am," he said finally. "You can go in, but the main campus isn't open to visitors. You'll need to stop at the gate."
"Understood," Mom said, easing the car forward.
(After 3 minutes)
We arrived at the massive gates, towering and imposing, with ornate designs that gleamed in the sunlight.
"Belle, we're here," Mom said, turning off the engine.
I opened the door and stepped out, my shoes crunching lightly on the gravel.
"The boot, Mom," I called over my shoulder.
"Sure, darling," Mom replied, opening it for me.
I lifted my luggage, slinging it over my shoulder, and closed the boot with a soft click.
"Okay, Mom, I'm off," I said, taking my first step toward the gate.
A gentle tap on my shoulder froze me in place. I turned to see Diana, her big eyes glistening with tears.
I crouched down, forcing a reassuring smile. "Dia… no need to cry. I'll come back to visit you. Big sis isn't going to vanish forever, okay?"
I pinched her chubby cheeks playfully. She sniffled and then hugged me tightly, clinging like a koala.
"Wow… the school's so big and beautiful! Can I stay with Big Sis, Mom?" Delan piped up from the car, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
I raised a brow, crossing my arms. "You can't even see the school yet, kid. How do you know it's beautiful?"
Delan's cheeks turned bright red. "Well… um… I just… I can feel it!"
Mom shook her head, exasperated but smiling. "Delan, get in the car. You aren't going anywhere," she said, scooping him up and plopping him back into the seat.
"Bye, Mom," I said softly, hugging her tightly.
"Bye, honey. Be good, and don't get into any trouble," Mom said, waving as she slid into the driver's seat and drove off, leaving me alone at the gate.
I turned toward the towering campus.
Ornate gates, grand hallways, and sprawling lawns stretched ahead, and in that moment, I had no idea… this place was about to change everything.
Everything.