84 Chapter 83: An addition to the gang

As they walked towards the entrance of the building, Elize kept tugging at the hood covering her head. A new start at hopefully a normal life depended on her successfully going through tonight's ceremony without grabbing any attention at all. She could see Agatha walking slightly in front of her, talking to a boy excitedly. So much for being together all night, she thought grudgingly. Unlike her, almost every other person around her had their hoods down, smiling and laughing cheerfully at something or the other that their friends were saying.

When a boy came up to them and started talking to Agatha upon their landing, Elize had quickly distanced herself from the two. When the witch turned towards her to introduce her to the boy, Elize had shot a warning glare at her, making her quickly turn away with an awkward laugh. She'd been following the two silently, maintaining an arm's distance ever since. It's not that she had anything against the boy, but that she wanted minimal attention tonight. Besides, she was only there for the food, Elize reassured herself.

Suddenly she felt someone pat her shoulder. Elize turned to her left, as her hood slid down.

"Ha! I knew it was you!" A blindingly handsome boy in gray hair exclaimed.

Elize's eyes widened as she recognized the Kelpie. She was about to bow, when the boy placed a hand on her forehead.

"Please don't bow. You'll bring attention to me." He whispered, leaning in close to her.

His breath fanned against the side of her neck, sending chills all over her skin. She quickly stepped back, bewildered at the action of the Kelpie.

"I- I have a mate." She said, stuttering.

"Oh but you are the ch-"

Alarmed at the realization of what he was about to say, Elize quickly stepped forward and covered his mouth with her hand. An amused expression flashed on his face, as she bit her lips nervously.

"Please don't. I- I'd like to have a quiet school life." Elize pleaded, staring into his sparkling green eyes.

The Kelpie nodded, his smile reaching his eyes. Elize slowly withdrew her hand, staring at the tall boy in front of her suspiciously.

"I won't tell anyone. But in exchange what would you be willing to give me?" He asked with a shy smile.

"I-" Elize stuttered taking a step back.

She could hear the sound of whispers all around her. She looked around, only to find that groups of people had stopped in their paths to stare at them. Most of them were girls, their eyes roaming appreciatively on Lloyd's body and then turning to her in surprise.

"He's so perfect!"

"I'm so jealous of her!"

"I wish I was her!"

Lloyd chuckled seeing her annoyed stature. He leaned in to pat the top of her head and whispered, "I'll keep my promise for now."

Elize smiled awkwardly and quickly turned around. The water horse was being too touchy for her taste. She didn't like the way that he looked at her. He was fit to be her grandfather if not for his boyish looks. And what did he mean by saying that she was the chosen one? How would that even remotely affect the fact that she had a mate? She thought as she hurriedly kept walking away from the handsome Kelpie. 

"Get a grip Elize. The Kelpie just wants to take advantage of you." Elize whispered to herself, trying to calm her thoughts.

Soon she reached inside the palatial structure and followed the flow of students up a long flight of stairs and into a massive hall. The place was like an indoor version of a large amphitheater, with a wide brightly lit ceiling. There were rows and rows of seats separated by vertical pathways in between to move around. The area containing the seats tilted down like a slope from all sides, surrounding an enormous stage constructed on a higher level than the lowest end of the slope. 

She could see that there were quite a good number of students occupying the seats in the front, all in capes similar to hers but for its deep red color. Behind them were students in gray capes followed by students who wore the same capes as her. Each section was separated by wide paths, now filled with people moving around. All had their hoods down and were busy talking to each other excitedly. But she could easily guess from the awkwardness in their conversations that the last section of students were all newcomers to the academy like herself. That must mean that the students in the different colored capes from theirs must be their seniors. Elize thought to herself. She looked around, searching for her friend's familiar face. 

"Elize! Here!" Agatha waved from the last row of seats in the back two sections away from where she stood.

Elize sighed in relief. At least, her friend knew how to choose seats. Excusing herself through a steady push of students flowing into the amphitheater, she somehow reached where the witch was seated. Her lips curved down in disappointment as she spotted Agatha's new friend seated to her other side. The boy was peculiarly good looking, with eyes a shade of seaweed green and straight blond hair that hung low till his behind perfectly. He was quite tall and his body slim yet muscled, his wide hard chest straining through his cape. What was particularly peculiar about him was his long pointed ears. If not for the fact that the boy had somehow managed to steal her friend from her, Elize would have gotten well along with him. But right now, her eyes were narrowed at him with hostility.

"Elize! Manners!" Agatha warned, pulling her down her seat.

Elize huffed, giving the boy yet another hostile glance.

"Why is he sitting with us? I thought this was supposed to be a quiet night with just us sitting together. Why bring a third wheel?" She asked, not looking away from the boy.

Agatha sighed. Putting on a strained smile she said, "Let me introduce you to my new friend Legolas." Turning towards the boy she pointed towards Elize. "Legolas, meet Elize my best friend."

Elize felt elated at her friend's validation of her status. Take that you big eared whatever creature! She cursed the boy in her head, with an arrogant smirk on her face.

"Pleased to meet you Elize. I hope we'll get along well." The boy named Legolas said, with what appeared like an honest smile.

Elize rolled her eyes and murmured "In your dreams."

"Huh?" Legolas asked, confused.

She was about to repeat it with a louder voice when Agatha pinched the side of her arm sharply. 

"Ouch!" Elize exclaimed.

"Be nice." The witch mouthed in warning.

"Fine." Elize said crunching her face in irritation. Then turning towards the boy she asked, "So what are you? A goblin or something?" There was a satisfied smirk on her face. 

"Elize!" Agatha exclaimed.

"What? I was just curious." Elize said with an apathetic shrug. 

Of course, she wasn't ready to let go of the perfect chance. Why would she when he was the person who started it all by sticking on to her friend?! 

"An elf actually." His deep voice answered from beside Agatha.

Elize was shocked, initially at the blunt reply from Legolas. Her shock doubled as the information sunk in. So he was an elf?! So elves were tall and handsome like in Tolkein's novels and not short and weird like those working for Santa?! 

"Woah! That's so cool!" She exclaimed in a sudden change of temperament. Her head was buzzing with questions as her mouth widened into an excited grin. "So what do you guys eat? Wait let me guess! Leaves! Right?"

Legolas suddenly burst out laughing, followed by Agatha. Elize looked at the two, confused. What were the two laughing about? 

"What? Is there something on my face?" She asked, patting around her face.

"No. Agatha told me that you're a werewolf who grew up far away from the world of magic. So I can understand your confusion." The elf said, shaking his head.

Elize laughed awkwardly, scratching her head. She didn't know what to reply to that. 

"Elves are carnivorous beings, much like us." Agatha said.

"Yes of course we can also survive by eating leaves in the absence of other options." Legolas said politely.

"Ohh forgive my ignorance." Elize said with a shy smile. "Friends?" She asked, extending a hand towards the boy.

"I'd be delighted." Legolas replied, giving her hand a gentle shake. 

"Ehm." Agatha cleared her throat, complaining at being left out.

"Oh okay fine. You can join the gang if you insist." Elize said with a shrug, teasing her friend.

"Traitor." The witch said, with a smirk.

Suddenly the hall quieted down, silence filling the huge space. The three turned their heads toward the direction everyone was suddenly facing. A group of people clad in deep blue cloaks surrounded by a few in red ones appeared on the stage. Elize was able to recognize three of them- the Principal, the Vice Principal and the Headmaster. 

A girl in red stepped forward from the group and commanded, "All rise!"

Elize rose up along with the rest of the hall, who quickly bowed. Before she could understand what was happening the hall erupted into a synchronous chorus. "Hail the Goddess!"