The Bleak Beginning (Altair University #1)

16. Alex

Chapter 16

Alex

“ N o, Dolores, you don’t need more water, I gave you some yesterday.” I grumble at my roommate in my dazed, groggy state.

Tap. Tap. Tap .

The soft consistent sound of someone knocking makes me groan.

“This is your fault,” I accuse Dolores, stumbling my way over to the door. “You were supposed to guard the door and ward off anyone before 10:00 am.”

I skipped Atlas’s morning class today, still reeling from the experience Sylvester called a lesson. I wasn’t in the mood to hear about the ocean or reflect on it in any way.

The thought of being forced to listen to another lecture about the significance of this school was not appealing to me. At all.

Plus, there was a higher chance of bumping into Bishop during his morning rowing practice, and after yesterday’s interaction with a Legacy, I needed a break from any potential drama for at least twenty-four hours.

“Hi, I brought you breakfast,” Sutton says before I can even register what’s happening. The smell of freshly baked pastries wafts into the room, and my stomach growls in response.

“Oh,” I manage, blinking rapidly to clear the sleep from my eyes. “Uh, thanks.”

Sutton stands there, a brown paper bag in one hand and two to-go cups of what I assume is coffee in the other. Her curly hair is tucked behind her headband, and she’s already dressed for the day in a crisp white blouse and dark jeans. I suddenly become acutely aware of my own disheveled appearance—bedhead, wrinkled pajamas, and all.

“Can I come in?” she asks, a hint of amusement in her voice.

I step aside, allowing her to enter.

“Are you ditching class too?” I ask, taking in her lack of uniform as I attempt to run a brush through the mass of tangles in my hair.

It was Friday, almost the weekend. Close, but not close enough. Unfortunately.

“I thought I’d see if you want to join me for a trip into town.”

I pause mid-brush, turning to face Sutton with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. “Town? As in off-campus? Is that even allowed?”

She shrugs, a devilish grin spreading across her face. “It’s not exactly forbidden. Just…frowned upon. But I know a way we can slip out unnoticed.”

The prospect of escaping the confines of this university, even for a few hours, is tempting. I glance at Dolores, who’s attempting to sun herself by the windowsill, completely oblivious to my internal debate.

“Come on, it’ll be fun.” Sutton comments, setting the coffee and pastries on my desk, then perches on the edge of my bed. “Besides, I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume you haven’t gotten a dress for the masquerade ball yet.”

Briefly my mind flips to the flyer I’d seen in the mail building. What had that said?

“You’re right,” I admit, setting down the hairbrush. “I haven’t.” And that’s mainly because I hadn’t known it existed until last week.

Sutton grins triumphantly. “Then it’s settled. We’ll have breakfast, head into town, and find you the perfect dress. It’ll be way more fun than sitting through lectures all day anyway.”

I snort, already feeling my resolve weakening. The idea of a day away from school, away from the drama and the pressure, is becoming more appealing by the second.

Sutton waits while I shower and get ready. About an hour later and were across campus at a parking garage.

“Who knew this was here?” I wonder aloud, following her inside.

“They try to keep it mostly hidden within the trees,” she explains. “Where else do you think we’d all park when we want to ditch campus?” Sutton adds with a playful wink.

She leads me to a sleek red car on the top floor. Only three other cars surround hers on this otherwise empty level. She unlocks it with a click of her key and slides into the driver’s seat.

As I settle in, the leather cool against my skin, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbles in my stomach. I’ve never actually left Altair’s grounds before, not since I arrived.

Sutton starts the engine, and it purrs to life. “Ready?” she asks, her eyes glinting.

“Definitely,” I say with a grin.

We peel out of the parking garage, the windows down. The iron gate at the entry of the school is shut, but Sutton doesn’t bother slowing down, if anything I swear her speed picks up.

But just before impact, the gate smoothly slides open, sensing our approach. We zoom through, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“Hey…” I turn to glance over my shoulder as the eagle on top of the gate spreads its wings and dips into a bow, just like it did when I first arrived.

“What’s wrong?” she asks.

“Never mind,” I say, sinking back into my seat and deciding not to dwell on it. Instead, I focus on enjoying the rest of my day. “This place is so weird,” I mumble to myself.

We make it to town in record time, thanks to Sutton’s lead foot and apparent disregard for speed limits. The quaint streets and charming storefronts match the imposing Gothic architecture of the academy.

“Welcome to the town of Altair,” Sutton announces as we park along a tree-lined avenue. “It’s not much, but it’s the closest bit of civilization we’ve got.”

“I think it’s cute,” I say, taking in everything.

She shrugs. “The tourists seem to love it, and it’s got a picturesque backdrop.” A hint of bitterness hangs in her tone as she speaks.

I overlook her sudden shift in mood, because she’s right. The crystal-clear water stretches out for miles, the waves rolling calmly onto the sandy shore. Sailboats dot the horizon and seagulls glide gracefully above the tide. The bustling town of Altair lies on the opposite side of the road.

“So where to first?” I ask, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden freedom.

Sutton links her arm through mine, steering me down the sidewalk. “There’s this amazing little boutique I think you’ll love. Want to start looking there for dresses?”

“Sure, that sounds great,” I reply, allowing her to guide me. As we walk, I can’t help but marvel at the quaint charm of Altair. The cobblestone streets are lined with storefronts, their awnings fluttering in the gentle breeze. The air is filled with the mingled scents of fresh bread from a nearby bakery and the clean smell of water.

We pass by a group of tourists, their cameras clicking away as they capture the picturesque scenery. I notice a few of them giving us curious glances, and I wonder if they can tell we’re from the university. Do we look different somehow? Or is it just my paranoia talking?

Sutton seems oblivious to the attention, or perhaps she’s just used to it. She strides confidently down the street, her arm still linked with mine.

The bell above the door chimes softly as we enter. The interior is a treasure trove of vintage and modern pieces, racks of dresses in every color imaginable lining the walls. The air is thick with the scent of perfume and fabric.

“Darlings!” A voice trills from behind a curtain of beads. A woman emerges, her dark hair piled atop her head in an elaborate updo. She’s draped in layers of flowing silks, bangles jingling on her wrists. “Sutton, my dear, it’s been too long!”

Sutton grins, releasing my arm to embrace the woman. “Madame Estelle,” she greets her warmly. “How have you been?”

“You know, busy as always. The fall season is upon us, and everyone’s clamoring for the latest styles.” Madame Estelle’s gaze falls on me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “And who is this lovely creature?”

“This is my new friend, Alex Prescott. She’s in need of a dress for the upcoming ball at the university.”

“A Prescott, you say?” Her eyes go wide in surprise before she claps her hands together, her bangles creating a symphony of tinkling sounds. “Marvelous! I have just the thing. Come, come!”

Madame Estelle ushers us deeper into the boutique, her silk robes swishing as she moves. I follow, slightly overwhelmed by the explosion of color and fabrics surrounding us. She leads us to a secluded corner, where a selection of exquisite dresses hang on an ornate brass rack.

“These just came in,” she says, running her fingers lovingly over the fabric. “I think they’ll suit you perfectly, my dear.”

I reach out to touch one of the dresses, a deep emerald-green gown with delicate silver embroidery. The silk is cool and smooth beneath my fingertips, and I can already imagine how it will feel against my skin.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathe, unable to take my eyes off it.

Sutton shakes her head in disapproval. “It’s a black and white theme.” She looks to the Madame. “We’ll need something else.”

Madame Estelle’s eyes light up with understanding. “Ah, of course! The Annual Masquerade Ball. How could I forget?” She taps a finger against her chin, surveying the rack with a critical eye. “Fear not, my dears. I have just the thing.”

She disappears behind another beaded curtain, the sound of rustling fabric and muttered exclamations drifting out to us. Sutton and I exchange amused glances as we wait.

Moments later, Madame Estelle emerges, her arms laden with an assortment of black and white gowns. She lays them out on a nearby chaise, arranging them with practiced ease.

“Now then,” she says, stepping back to admire her handiwork. “Let’s find our new friend Alex something truly spectacular.”

I step closer to examine the dresses, my fingers trailing over the intricate beadwork and delicate lace. Each gown is a work of art more stunning than the last, a dazzling array of monochromatic elegance. There’s a sleek black number with a daring, thigh-high slit, a flowing white dress adorned with intricate black lace, and several two-toned pieces that blend the colors in mesmerizing patterns.

“Wow,” I whisper, running my fingers over the fabric. “They’re all so beautiful. How am I supposed to choose?”

Madame Estelle chuckles, a knowing glint in her gaze. “The dress chooses you, my dear. You’ll know when you find the right one.”

Sutton nods in agreement, her eyes scanning the selection. “Try them on, Alex. We’ll know it when we see it.”

I nod, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness as I select the first dress—a strapless black gown with a textured white design across the bodice. Madame Estelle ushers me behind a velvet screen, her nimble fingers assisting me with the intricate fastenings.

As I step out, Sutton’s eyes widen, but she shakes her head. “It’s lovely, but not quite right.”

We go through several more dresses, each one stunning in its own way, but none of them feeling quite perfect. I’m starting to feel a bit discouraged when Madame Estelle pulls one last gown from the bottom of the pile.

“I almost forgot about this one,” she murmurs, holding it up.

The dress is a masterpiece of black and white ombré, starting with pure white at the shoulders and gradually fading to the deepest black at the base.

Madame Estelle smiles softly. “I think we may have found our winner,” she says, guiding me back behind the screen.

When I emerge, Sutton gasps audibly, her hands flying to her mouth. “Alex,” she breathes. “It’s…it’s perfect.”

I turn to face the full-length mirror, and for a moment, I hardly recognize myself. The dress hugs my curves in all the right places, the ombré effect creating an illusion of height and elegance I’ve never experienced before.

“We’ll take it,” Sutton gushes, coming up beside me.

A sudden realization washes over me like a bucket of cold water. “Sutton, I can’t pay for this. I don’t have the money for such an expensive gown.”

Madame Estelle shoots me a curious expression, raising a pointed brow, but Sutton is already waving me off. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got you covered.”

I open my mouth to protest, but Sutton’s already reaching for her purse, a flash in her eye tells me that arguing would be futile.

Madame Estelle claps her hands together, her face alight with satisfaction. “Excellent choice, ladies. Now, let’s talk accessories, shall we?”

“The dress will do for now,” Sutton says, and I couldn’t agree more. Having this stunning dress is more than enough.

“I’ll get that wrapped up for you then,” Madame Estelle agrees.

I slide back the curtain after changing into my clothes, and Sutton is already by the counter with Estelle, chatting softly.

“All set?” she asks me before handing over her credit card.

I nod, still feeling a bit overwhelmed by the whole experience. The dress is carefully hung into a large, glossy bag, which Madame Estelle hands to me with a flourish.

“You’re going to turn heads, my darling,” she says, her eyes twinkling. “Make sure to come back and tell me all about it—oh my dear!” She suddenly shrieks, glancing down at the watch on Sutton’s wrist as she hands back her card. “What a marvelous timepiece!”

Sutton’s eyes widen slightly, and she pulls her arm back with a nervous laugh, quickly tucking the watch back underneath her sleeve. “This old thing? It’s nothing special. A family thing.”

“An heirloom, perhaps?” Madame Estelle muses coaxingly, but Sutton isn’t having it.

I crease my forehead, confused by Sutton’s reaction.

Madame Estelle doesn’t seem to notice the tension, her attention already shifting back to me. “Now, my dear, remember what I said about accessories. A simple pair of diamond studs would complement that dress beautifully.”

“Next time,” Sutton answers for me with a tight smile.

I thank Madame Estelle again for all her help and then Sutton and I are back out on the bustling street. I turn to her. “Thanks again for the getting me this.”

“Don’t mention it,” she mumbles, her tone carrying the same tightness she had with Estelle.

Was I missing something? I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something bothering her. Something I did?

Sutton’s eyes dart around the crowded street, her tone sudden and urgent. “Let’s go grab some lunch. All this dress shopping has worked up an appetite.”

“Are you sure—”

“Now!” She lets out a quick exhale. “I’m just…famished,” she explains.

I startle at her sudden intensity, but nod in agreement. “Okay, sure. Lead the way.”

I brushed off her sudden change in demeanor, determined to enjoy the rest of the day.