Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
That things would be different in Rosethorne is a given, but my first Aesthetica class still ended up blowing me away. Think classroom walls adorned by legit Picasso paintings, Jeff Koon toys and a Kaws figure on display at the back, plus school-issued Miyazawa flutes whenever we've got new sheet music to read.
It's all extra with a capital E, and speaking of all things E—-
🎶Good morning, class.🎶
We rush to our feet as a six-foot-tall brunette by the name of Euterpe comes gliding in, and even though it's already been weeks since I came here, I still have a hard time keeping my face straight as we sing back 'good morning' in response.
You know how some schools like to name-drop and low-key brag now and then about their faculty? They'd talk about how one of their professors won this award while their other professor is a mentee of someone famous. It's all about one-upping each other in terms of prestige, but the truth is, none of them can ever hold a candle to Rosethorne, and our Aesthetica professor is just one of the many reasons why that is.
🎶Today's class will be quite special.🎶
Music wouldn't even exist if not for Euterpe inspiring mortals throughout the ages, and yes, that does mean we're learning the arts directly from one of the OG Muses of the Greek pantheon.
🎶We've been granted permission to have a little trip today.🎶
Euterpe is no longer singing, mind you, but because she does happen to be the Muse of Music, every word that dances past her lips still sounds, well...musical.
A hand shoots out in the air from someone seated in front. "Are we going on a field trip?"
🎶Oh no, it's so much better than that.🎶
Euterpe clasps her hands in delight.
🎶You, my dear students, shall be visiting the...Nkalerí!🎶
The girls in class freak out while I'm tempted to slam my head against the desk. Nkalerí is where I first "met" the professor, and I can't help but wonder if divine interference is currently at work. Is this a genuine coincidence or is this the Crones' way of letting me know they're siding with their kind?
🎶This is a rare and privileged opportunity, so let us all please be on our best behavior.🎶
Euterpe waves her hand in the air, and I temporarily forget my heartache as a popping sound almost makes me fall out of my chair.
What the hell?
Assignment sheets have now magically shown up on our desks, but everyone around me acts like this is totally the norm. Am I the only girl in the Post-3rd world who isn't used to having the divine do their thing on the daily?
🎶Off you go then, my dears. I expect everyone to be at the gallery in ten minutes.🎶
The other students chatter away as they follow the Muse out of the room, but I'm still frozen in my seat.
What if I bump into him there? What do I say? What do I do? Should I run away or—-
Stop being so awfully emo, Halyna!
A few students look at me oddly as I determinedly swipe the assignment sheet off my desk and march past them like a soldier on a suicide mission. I deliberately skipped Creaturae class to avoid seeing him, but apparently that's not enough. If the Fates are determined to make us meet, so be it.
I glance down at my assignment sheet, and my steps come to a halt when I see that the instructions are written in Greek.
Huh.
Should I just Google-Translate the shit out of this or do I just ask—-
"It says 'find yourself a partner' for Step 1." A guy comes up to my side, and I absently find myself thinking that it's rare for someone to be as tall as...him.
The guy flashes a smile, but I have zero energy to smile back.
"Are you also new?"
"No."
He looks like he's waiting for me to say more, and I bite back a sigh.
Fine.
"I transferred here two weeks ago. It's just my Greek that's still awful."
"Ah. Did you just move to America?"
"No."
He raises a brow, I raise one back at him, and his lips curve.
"You're remarkably...reticent."
I only shrug in answer, since it's true. People say I'm unfriendly all the time, and that's what he's basically saying as well, albeit more politely.
"I like it."
"Uh...right." Weirdo.
New Guy laughs, and I mentally rest my case. Weirdo, definitely.
"Austin, by the way."
"Halyna."
Austin indicates the assignment sheets we're holding. "Would you like to be partners?"
"Yeah, sure." It's not like I'm close to anyone in class, so I might as well partner up with the new kid. Austin doesn't try to engage me in small talk as we walk, and the silence is comforting and terrible at the same time. I don't like being pressured to make friends, but I also don't like being alone with my thoughts.
I glance at the new guy, and I absently notice how unusual the shade of his hair is.