#aerla

[eddysocs]

The Object Of Desire — Chapter Ten (Decisions & Sacrifices)

Summary: Di stirs up more trouble and now it’s more important that ever that Aerla and Camille remain discreet and there’s only one way Camille can think to do that.

Word Count: 1,077

Warnings: Student/Teacher Relationship, Angst, Breakup (kinda)

The following morning, just after sunrise, Aerla was worrying over the consequences of her impulsive actions from the night before and also wondering when the next chance she’d get to see Camille would be. Only her mind wasn’t occupied with these thoughts for long. Instead, they were once again intruded upon by Di.

"I saw you." A blatant accusation, and one that made Aerla's heart leap up towards her throat. Had she meant last night? She was sure no one had been awake when she’d snuck back into the room and under the covers of her bed. She’d been positive.

"I don’t know what you mean," Aerla denied, hoping there’d been no sign of the panic she was feeling to give her away.

"Don’t you," Di challenged. Aerla remained tight lipped. If Di was going to throw out some real threat, Aerla wasn’t about to add fuel to her fire. When Aerla refused to respond, Di became enraged. "I’d be careful if I were you. You think you have Miss G wrapped around your little finger, but just wait until she’s done with you. You’ll be shipped right back off to where you came from like Fiamma. Once she’s had her fun."

Though she didn’t give much credence to Di's threat, it had still broken something within her. Aerla had heard that name mentioned before. Fiamma. As Di stormed off, having not gotten what she wanted out of Aerla, the name repeated itself in her head, gnawing at her. What had Camille said about her? She left, that much she remembered, but she hadn’t gotten the full story. There were —how had she phrased it?— personal reasons that Fiamma had returned to Spain. So what if Di's words did have some truth to them?

After classes had concluded for the day, Aerla decided that she must see Camille. She knew that she said to wait until the time was right, but with Di targeting her, she didn’t think it wise to put the conversation off. She caught Camille just as she was exiting her classroom. "May we speak," Aerla asked.

Camille was about to refuse her and warn her against being seen together too often, but the look of seriousness that leant a harshness to Aerla's otherwise soft, rounded features gave her pause. "Quickly," she agreed, and ushered them into her classroom.

"What is it, Aerla?"

"I think Di Radfield has spotted us. I don’t know if it was in the hall, or that day in the woods. She accused me of having you wrapped around my finger. Then she mentioned Fiamma, and—"

Aerla stopped short, a bout of crying threatening to overtake her if she kept going on as she was. She took a deep breath, and started again, asking what she most needed to know. "Did you…love her? Fiamma?"

Camille knew this wouldn’t stay buried forever. She hadn’t been completely honest with her that first time, but she knew her better now, trusted her more completely. "I thought I did, for a time," she admitted. "But Fiamma," Camille paused, searching for the proper way to describe what exactly had transpired between them. "She was, enrapturing, worldly. What I felt for her was a mix of infatuation and envy for the places and things she’d been able to see in her years. It wasn’t her I admired, but her travels. I had mistaken the two, and Fiamma left after a misunderstanding. Only after she’d gone did I gain any clarity on my own feelings."

Aerla was a bit taken aback at her frankness, and so only nodded her head in understanding. She was grateful for the honesty, and what details she left out, Aerla could tell pained her. She didn’t need to know them. That was between Camille and Fiamma.

A moment passed before another thought occurred to her. "What are we going to do about Di?"

Camille sighed. She knew Di Radfield would become a problem. It was always like that with her. And once Di had it in mind to attack, she’d stop at nothing to push a wedge between them. So the only thing to do was to do her dirty work for her, at least so they made her think she’d won. "We have to be apart for a while," Camille finally said aloud, and she wasn’t sure who the words had hurt more, Aerla, or herself.

Apart? That was the last thing Aerla wanted to hear. She started to shake. "I’ll be more discreet, I promise. You can’t do this to me," Aerla wailed, no longer caring if anyone heard. She was beyond rationality at this point and it felt like her heart was being ripped from her body.

Camille sprang forward and covered Aerla's mouth with her hand. "I do not mean forever, only a while. Do you want Di to ruin this for both of us?" Aerla shook her head softly under Camille's hand, her eyes looking up at her pleadingly. "Then listen to me. Can you do that?"

Camille withdrew her hand and Aerla uttered a hushed, "Yes".

"We cannot see each other until after the winter holidays."

"But that’s—"

"Aerla," Camille interrupted. A pout painted her lips, but she quieted and let her continue. "Make it until school lets out for the holidays and I will write to you, and you may write me back if you can get away with it. This is not how I wanted things to go, but sometimes sacrifices must be made for the greater good. If Di were to—"

"I know," Aerla said, having understood all too well the repercussions of a tattletale. "Two months then? And you will write? Do you have my home address?"

"The school has it on file. I’ll be able to access it, and yes, I will write. I promise you I will."

While they still had a moment alone, Aerla hugged her tightly. Camille went stiff for a moment, having had hardly enough time to realize it was coming, but then her arms encircled Aerla fully and she kissed the top of her mess of red curls. When she let go, she saw the wetness pooling under Aerla's eyes, sure she’d have tear stains on her dress. "It won’t be that long," she promised. "Dry your eyes."

Aerla sniffed and wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her school dress. She would be strong. She had to be. This was only a minor setback.

🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

Chapter Nine <- 🩵 -> Chapter Eleven

Forever Tag: @baubeautyandthegeek, @kmc1989, @curious-kittens-ocs, @fanficanatic-tw, @gcthvile

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer, @ilovehotactresses, @sobby-the-brat0

[nenekobasu]

(noa-kaiser REAL) covertly mentoring someone into becoming a player with the potential to reach and surpass you, but only because you're confident in your ability to be and remain the world's, and their, number 1

[foxclients-map-blog]

Here's a map I made of Aerla's states. Pretty swag imo

[thedapperfrog]

Calcema Mjirskewenna, The Caladrim

Light-Smith of Torsund, Aerla of the Rjskir, and Lady of the Eastern Bank

[beastofthewest]

A simple piece that was inspired by the Russian Witch House music .I was going for something more complex and dark but I wanted to draw something that i can finish before artblock comes back

[aurelianpen]

I was tagged by @the-writers-bookshelf to share a few lines of my latest WIP. Unfortunately my latest WIP is now a completed work, available here on my AO3 :3

Sooooooooo I decided to dig up a WIP I pretty much haven’t shared with anyone before. Probably won’t ever finish it, but it did help give me the ideas that flowed out into a tabletop campaign I ran during lockdown, so there’s that. And I couldn’t just pick one lil set of lines so have pretty much the entire intro scene :D

******

War, death, and blood followed on the heels of the wounded soldier, who even now struggled with the last of his strength to continue climbing the mountain, using his cloak to try and protect his precious bundle from the chill winds. His wounds burned with pain, the strain of climbing threatening to tear the meager bindings and gush forth his life's blood anew. Yet he pushed onward. 

He hoped that he was close enough to the cave that opened above him that the resident would hear him, but not close enough to trigger any traps, magical or mundane. He had heard rumors and stories from travelling adventurers that the great wyrms that oft resided in caves like these would have powerful protections in place. He simply hoped he wouldn’t fall to them after coming so far.

The soldier took a steadying breath, relishing the cool air in his lungs, letting it invigorate him and cool the sparks of fever that had already begun to catch within him. He took another, then called out to the stone around him.

"I wish to speak with you, noble lord of this mountain!"

He waited for a response. No words came to him, but a few moments later, a shimmer in the air appeared and drew a glowing line along the path, just wide enough for him to walk on. It wove to and fro on the path, dancing around the invisible obstacles that awaited would-be attackers and raiders. The soldier followed as carefully as he could, making sure each footfall was enveloped fully by the gentle blue glow. 

When he reached the mouth of the cave, it struck him as smaller than he expected. It was still bigger than he by an order of magnitude, for sure, but not the gaping hole in the rock that he expected. He waited politely at the entrance, as he had been instructed to. From within, an inhumanly deep, somewhat rasping voice rumbled.

"Greetings traveller, enter into my home and be welcome as my guest."

The soldier entered, pulling his tattered cloak back with his free arm, exposing what was left of his armor and the lack of a weapon at his hip. He let his eyes adjust to the dark, followed by them drinking in the form of the speaker. A dragon, and an old one at that, seeing as the soldier remembered his grandfather telling stories about his own grandfather's memory of seeing the dragon. It sat with wings tucked neatly behind it, head lowered to give a better angle for the soldier to look at his host's face. 

The dragon's scales shone like gold in the dim light. It tilted its head, much like a predatory bird would, and waited for his guest to speak. The soldier gave a shallow bow, mindful of the bundle in his arms. 

"My Lord Paarriidrem, our kingdom is under attack. King Jocar and Queen Aerla knew you could not come to our aid in battle, but they ask that you fulfill their dying wish." 

With that, the soldier unwrapped the bundle with care and reverence, revealing a sleeping baby girl, no more than a couple months of age. A blue gem lay on her forehead, held in place by a thin gold circlet, an enchantment upon it keeping her soundly sleeping. Already the gem showed cracks and was growing dull. It wouldn't be long until the hasty spell upon it set by the dying court wizard came undone. 

"They ask that you protect Princess Gwendolyn."

*****

Tagging @prettyokayray @laurabeatrix @buglife and @anguisette90 because you all write so well and I wanna get a peek at what’s in store :3

[mamaukraina]

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[doactivity]

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[philchefsoc-blog]

Aerla Villarosa

[eddysocs]

The Object Of Desire — Chapter Nine (Just A Little Bit)

Summary: After their shared moment in the woods, Aerla and Camille begin a clandestine affair, but despite the secrecy, someone knows, and any more risky moves could put an end to everything.

Word Count: 1,447

Warnings: Student/Teacher Relationship, secrecy, tension, angst

That night, Aerla furiously scribbled down the experience of the day, noting every last detail as she could recall it before any part of it slipped away. The quickness of her hand scrawled some of the words beyond legibility to an unknowing eye. That was probably for the best. She filled three —nearly four— pages of her leather bound journal before she deemed it satisfactory. Her hand ached from the intensity with which she had gripped her pen, but she had to document it. She felt glorious, and this was a day that she wished not to forget.

Sliding the journal under her pillow, which felt like the safest place for it, Aerla turned to see the ever hateful Di Radfield glaring at her from across the room. Aerla planned to ignore her. Naturally, Di would make that impossible.

"Where were you? You didn’t take the meal with us." Di's tone was already accusatory and Aerla wondered why exactly she cared about her whereabouts. It’s not as if she skipped out on dining with friends. Di and her little group had hardly spoken to her, even less so after she officially decided against joining the diving team.

"I’d already taken my tea early, if you must know. I was out getting some air. I don’t know about English girls, but we Irish girls tend to enjoy the out of doors. Though if you prefer this musty old building, then you’re welcome to it." Aerla was done being nice to Di. She’d tried in the beginning, but any time Di spoke to her, she felt as if she were being talked down to, and she wasn’t about to let it continue. If Di wanted to ask her inane questions, she’d be getting snide answers in return.

Di made a face at her, and Aerla remained stoic. She was about to speak again, but Aerla's stone faced stare had taken the words away from her. She doubted that would be the last she heard from Di, but that was the end of it for now. Hunkering down under the covers, Aerla closed her eyes and let herself drift off into a blissful night of sleep.

Morning came and with it the doldrums of its stifling routine. Aerla would only catch passing glimpses of Camille throughout the day, and have a word or two at the midday meal if she were to be lucky. But regardless how much or how little she saw her, Camille remained at the forefront of her mind. Despite her distraction, she wouldn’t allow her marks to drop. That had been one of the reasons she’d been kept an eye on at her previous school, and she did not wish to repeat that bit of her history. She was clever, always had been, and this time, she’d use that intelligence in her favor.

While she did scribble down notes and the odd, small doodle in her journal, during her hours in classes, she did pay attention. It was in between that her mind wandered. And as it did, she knocked clean into the source of her distraction.

She rushed out an apology the moment they’d collided, and before she’d even known who she’d clumsily bumped into. "I wasn’t looking, I’m— Cam—" Aerla stopped herself before her full name came out and she swallowed it back down. "I mean, Miss G. My apologies. I wasn’t looking where I was going."

Camille looked about to see if anyone had seen or overheard their little mishap. It seemed everyone else was too preoccupied to have taken much notice. "That’s quite alright, Miss Grae," she replied with a knowing wink when she felt sure that they weren’t being watched. As she prepared to part ways, Camille carefully maneuvered so that the back of her hand would pass against Aerla's as a final gesture that she had been thinking about her. Aerla felt the deliberate yet soft touch, and turned back just in time to see the smile on Camille's face.

Aerla's heartbeat momentarily quickened at the thrill of being so secretive, yet so open at the same time. The rest of the day she felt as if she were on a cloud. She knew she wouldn’t be able to properly meet her any time soon, but the thought of another moment like the one they’d just shared left her feeling giddy.

The rest of the week she waited for another moment like that one. It never came, but Aerla had rationalized that it wouldn’t always be possible and may even be dangerous to repeat even such a small action with others around. She understood, but that didn’t stop her from wanting more.

Friday night, and Aerla was restless. She’d been thinking of Camille all week, yet hardly a moment alone since that interaction in the halls between class periods. She desperately wanted to go and see her. But was it a risk she was willing to take?

After some time thinking it over, Aerla threw off her bedsheets in a rush and left her bed, careful to make as little noise as possible as she headed for the door. She just wanted to test something, see how much she could get away with. If any of the other girls saw her go, they didn’t say a word. So far, so good. She shut the door as gingerly as she could and she was off down the hall. She meant only to go out for a drink of water, an easy enough task and one quite obvious to explain away. She’d seen girls do the exact same before with no consequences but a word on more appropriate timing.

Yet Aerla's feet did not lead her to water this time, but to Camille’s door. The halls had been clear of any who might have caught her out, and this may be the only time the two of them would have alone.

Aerla rapped on her door at the softest volume her knuckles would allow, and waited in anticipation for Camille to open her door. Finally, the door opened and Camille peeked out, tying a dark, silky robe around her waist. It was clear she had been asleep until her arrival. "Aerla, what are you doing out here so late? If someone were to catch you—" she hissed, but Camille neglected to finish her sentence before she pulled Aerla inside.

"I needed to see you. I couldn’t sleep for thinking of you." To hear Aerla say such things, and truly mean them, ignited a flame of desire within her, but she could not allow caution to be thrown so easily into the wind. She had to maintain control. "Have you been thinking of me," Aerla asked, her eyes searching.

Again, she’d caught her off her guard, but there was no sense in lying to the girl. "I have, of course. But there is a way to handle these things," Camille attempted to reason.

Aerla sighed in defeat. She’d not come here for a lecture. "I’m here now, and I’ll leave as soon as you want me to, but can we not have a moment with one another?"

Aerla was temptation personified, begging Camille to give in to what she’s wanted from the very beginning. Only the cost still outweighed the benefit of indulging her desires. "Aerla," Camille began to gently chastise once more, but Aerla wouldn’t hear another word. Her lips collided with Camille's, knocking her back a step until she righted herself and kissed Aerla back.

Camille's hands went to Aerla's face and neck, holding her for a moment before pushing back. They couldn’t do this now. Not with the thin walls and Miss Niven next door, and not when she wasn’t sure how deep Aerla's feelings for her really went. If this was a passing fancy of hers, then she could not risk it all just for her heart to break in the end.

To see Aerla's dejected expression nearly broke her resolve, and she allowed both herself and Aerla one more kiss, quick but sweet. Enough to tide them over, or so she hoped. "I don’t want to send you away, but I don’t want to lose this either. Trust me to find the right time for us. Please," Camille pleaded.

Aerla nodded. She’d been foolish to show up here in the first place. She was risking another move for herself at best, institutionalization at worst and that didn’t even take into account what she was risking for Camille. Her job, her reputation, everything. She did trust that Camille would find a way for them to safely see each other and that would have to be good enough for now.

🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

Chapter Eight <- 🩵 -> Chapter Ten

Forever Tag: @baubeautyandthegeek, @kmc1989, @curious-kittens-ocs, @fanficanatic-tw, @gcthvile

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer, @ilovehotactresses

[eddysocs]

The Object Of Desire - Chapter Thirteen (When Fear Takes Root)

Summary: With the threat of their secret held over them, Aerla makes an impulsive decision. What if they ran away together?

Word Count: 1,316

Warnings: Some angst

Aerla only held her tears long enough to reach her own bed, then they started falling with a ferocity that she couldn’t tamp down. Her feelings fully overwhelmed her, so much so that she was nearly sick before she was able to take a few deep, calming breaths. Luckily, no one had yet arrived to walk in on her in such a state. She was almost fully composed before any one of the girls she roomed with stepped foot back in their living quarters.

The rest of the day wore on her, and by bedtime she was exhausted. She was drained emotionally, mentally, and physically, though she hadn’t done much in the way of exertion since the night before. Regardless, falling into her bed that night felt like the best possible thing that could happen to her.

A dreamless sleep awaited her that night, leaving her body and mind refreshed in the morning, but also with a lingering sense of disappointment. She was hoping that she may at least revisit Camille in her sleep, but the undisturbed rest would have to be enough for the moment.

She was in a surprisingly good mood as she dressed for the morning meal. So good a mood that Di Radfield just seemed unable to abide it. "What’s got you in such a good mood," she asked, her question pointed, hoping to out some secret from her. But Aerla was a sealed vault in that regard and wouldn’t be so easily tricked.

In response to Di, she merely shrugged. "I don’t know, but it’s quite nice. You should try it once. Might help your disposition." She didn’t know why she was so determined to antagonize her. She realized she didn’t need to elicit any more ire from Di, but she just couldn’t help but push back at her whenever Di sent another barbed comment her way.

Defeated once more, Di huffed off, and Aerla hid the smirk that crept onto her face at once again besting Di's half cocked attempt at a challenge of wits. She was so easy to rile up that Aerla could not resist the temptation, but even still, she knew she was playing with fire.

That night, her good mood having served her all day long, Aerla readied herself for bed and hoped for pleasant dreams of Camille that night, but all was shattered when the first one to join her in their room was Di. "I will catch you, and don’t you think that I won’t run and tell the nearest adult what you and Miss G have been up to."

"You don’t know anything," Aerla shouted at her, finally snapping. It had been a wonderful day and this was not the way she’d wanted to end it. She’d had enough of Di Radfield and her quest to ruin her. "What do you even care, anyhow," Aerla questioned. "Are you simply upset that she never chose you?"

The question visibly stung Di, and Aerla grinned at having clearly struck a nerve, but in the next moment, she realized that she had also made a fatal mistake. She'd all but admitted that there was indeed something going on between her and their teacher. Now there was little doubt that Di would start being more vigilant and any little thing could send her whole life crashing down around her once more.

Though Di had said no more to her that night, or much since, Aerla's accidental admission haunted her for weeks. It became necessary for her to walk on eggshells around Di, who would frequently shoot nasty and threatening looks her way. She could hardly even trust herself to look Camille's direction any time they so much as shared a room, lest Di find something to tattle about.

By February, it was beginning to wear on her. She was careful, always careful, and the few times she and Camille were able to exchange glances, she wished she could run to her and tell her what had gone on, why she seemed so distant, but she couldn’t do any of it. Granted, they were supposed to be keeping their distance. It was part of the agreement they had reached to protect the relationship they had, but Aerla still felt inclined to warn her. Only doing so may cause the exact chain of events Aerla was trying her best to avoid.

On the days she was able to shake some of her growing paranoia away, Aerla daydreamed. She imagined places she and Camille might one day go, places she’d only seen or heard of on postcards and in letters. She thought of mundane things like going to bakeries, cleaning their flat together. She imagined a whole life. Their life. And it was beautiful. It’s what kept her going, though it sometimes pained her not to be able to share the details of her musings with Camille. It felt like something they should be doing together.

As March approached, Aerla's daydreams had been her sole comfort and solace. She imagined writing to her parents, telling them that she’d be staying the summer months with a friend she made in school, and having the whole summer to herself with only Camille for company. How perfect that would be.

But it was the thinly veiled threats from Di that came ever so often, whether directly said, or written and left on her pillow, that made any possibility seem entirely impossible. This had to end somewhere. She couldn’t keep living like this, and while unaware of the severity of the situation, she couldn’t let Camille live like this either. She had so much at stake should Di ever talk.

So Aerla decided to write a note. In it, a solution, the best one she could think of for both her and Camille. She explained the ever present threat of Di, and sound reasoning for her plan, and on the first pleasant day where the girls could enjoy some outdoor time without freezing, Aerla locked eyes with Camille and then took off for the forest clearing, flashing the folded paper behind her back for Camille to see. Hopefully, she’d picked up her meaning.

In the forest, she slid the paper under a rock at the end of the large fallen log where they’d shared their first kiss. If Camille had gotten her silent message to come down to the clearing, then Aerla had little doubt that she’d find the note quite easily. If not, well it was unlikely that anyone else would even go looking, so it felt safe enough.

Several days later, when the chill in the air settled back in, and the girls bundled up and stayed inside, Camille donned her coat and went out to the clearing to see what Aerla had left her. She searched for only a minute or two before finding Aerla's hiding place.

Camille,

Di Radfield does not relent. She has threatened to out us for the most minor of interactions and I fear for what will come if she gets even a single chance. I want to run away with you. I don’t wish to live in fear. I want only for us to be happy, and free. Free of this place, of the secrets and threats that hang over us. I beg of you to consider. We could go anywhere, just away from here.

Please, Aerla

Camille could not say she wasn’t moved by Aerla's sentiments. She too wished to leave, to start again somewhere new. But it wasn’t so simple. They could not just go, they had to plan, account for any troubles they may encounter along the way. This could not be something rushed into. That would only further their troubles. So Camille began formulating a plan, one to get them both out of England safely. From there, they would find their way. It was the getting out that would prove most difficult.

🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

Chapter Twelve <- 🩵 -> Chapter Fourteen

Forever Tag: @baubeautyandthegeek, @kmc1989, @curious-kittens-ocs, @fanficanatic-tw, @gcthvile, @kenjioharashotspot

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer, @ilovehotactresses, @sobby-the-brat0

[eddysocs]

The Object Of Desire — Chapter Twelve (Stolen Moments)

Summary: Reunited after so much time away, Aerla and Camille make the most of their time together before anyone else returns to St. Mathilda's.

Word Count: 1,532

Warnings: Non graphic smut

Aerla scrambled off the train so quickly she nearly tripped going down the stairs and to the platform. She had arrived one day sooner than the other girls would be returning and it was all for this. Her feet firmly on the ground under her after a brief fumble, Aerla dashed over to Camille and threw her arms around her. No one knew what they were to each other here, so small displays could be shared openly.

Camille hugged her back, clutching onto her desperately tight, as if she too had spent the time counting down until they’d be reunited. Camille's hand ran over Aerla's hair, lightly pulling a tangle or two free as her fingers threaded into the thick red locks she had so often dreamed of in her absence.

The two of them departed the station hand in hand, with nary more than a casual glance cast their way. For twenty four blissful hours, they were free. Free to be themselves, to be together, to simply be. There wasn’t a shadow of a doubt that they were going to make the most of this time together because they realized how quickly it could all be snuffed out.

When they arrived back at St. Mathilda's, Camille led Aerla to her room. She occupied a very small and modest flat when classes were not in session, but since they would be well and truly alone, she thought her room at the school was far more suitable and it would save them from being seen arriving together tomorrow morning by that dreadful Di.

Once within the confines of Camille's sparsely decorated accommodations, Aerla wasted no time in kissing her. She threw her arms around Camille's neck and let her fingers make their way into her short and pristinely coiffed black curls as Camille brought her in closer by placing her hands on Aerla's hips, and pulling her towards her. It had been too long for them both, and the opportunity may not present itself again for some time, so they relished in it.

They kissed until they ran out of breath, and Aerla's eyes were wild with longing and desire for her. Camille was sure her own crystalline blue gaze had relayed the same feelings to Aerla. She was freshly sixteen, a proper young woman now, at least in the eyes of the law, and she was desperate —desperate— to be with her.

"Do you want to…" Camille began hesitantly.

"More than anything," Aerla replied.

They moved closer, their breaths mingling as their foreheads touched. Camille's hands traced the outline of Aerla's shoulders, down her arms, and back up again, memorizing the feel of her. With a gentle hand under her chin, guiding her lips up to her own, Camille kissed her sweetly. Aerla's hands found their way to Camille's waist, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened.

The world outside that little room ceased to exist to them. It was just the two of them wrapped up in each other's embrace. They moved towards the bed, their movements slow and deliberate, savoring every second.

They undressed each other, unhurried and reverent. Each piece of clothing that fell away was a barrier removed, exposing both body and soul. When they finally stood fully bare before each other, there was no hesitation, only love and desire in their eyes. Camille cupped Aerla's face in her hands, her thumbs gently brushing across her cheeks. "You're so beautiful," she whispered.

Aerla leaned into Camille's touch, her heart fluttering in her chest. "So are you," she replied, her voice just as soft.

Laying them down on the bed at long last, Camille traced her fingers along Aerla's exposed collarbone, and then down to the curve of her waist, her touch light and filled with adoration. Aerla gasped in surprise when Camille's lips followed the path her fingers had traveled only moments ago. She let out a soft moan, her hands tangling in Camille's hair once again, guiding her closer still. Camille's kisses grew bolder, more insistent, as she explored every inch of Aerla's skin, savoring the taste of her.

At the same time, Aerla's hands explored Camille's body with tender curiosity, memorizing every contour, as well as every reaction she was able to draw from her. Camille's breath hitched as Aerla's fingers found her most sensitive spots, eliciting soft moans that spurred Aerla on.

Camille responded in kind, her hands and lips discovering what made Aerla gasp and sigh the most. Their bodies moved together in a rhythm that felt both new and familiar, as if they were always meant to be this close. Their cries of pleasure echoed against the cold, stone walls as Camille drew out Aerla's very first orgasm, and guided her in how to do the same for her.

Now they lay next to one another, limbs tangled in white sheets, heart rates slowing and falling into sync with each other, sharing body heat beneath the blankets. "Was I—" Aerla shyly attempted to question.

"You were perfect," Camille interjected, assuaging any doubts she had. "It could always be like this," she continued on after a moment of staring up at the ceiling. "Someday, anyway. We could be in Paris, or New York, looking out at the view of a grand city having just made love."

"That sounds incredibly romantic," Aerla agreed, her eyes fixed on Camille.

"Do you want to travel the world, Aerla?" Camille now looked over at her, wanting to see her face when she responded.

Aerla gave it a moment of consideration before answering. "I’d never thought of leaving Ireland before I came here, and coming to England has been the greatest adventure of my life. If this is the feeling traveling can bring, then yes, I suppose I would like to see more of the world."

"Then we shall plan great adventures, go to every continent and see incredible things."

Aerla couldn’t help but smile wide as Camille went on about the possibilities the future held. She was beginning to see herself enjoying large cityscapes and peaceful countryside views all over the world, and all with Camille by her side.

Aerla and Camille spent the rest of the day in and out of sleep, rarely leaving Camille's bed unless necessary. When awake, Camille spoke of more grandiose plans to travel to far off lands, and details of the life they could share together. And in the time they weren’t talking, or drifting off, they still spent every moment wrapped up in each other. Soft kisses, whispered promises and gentle lovemaking made up almost the entirety of their day. They didn’t know what the future truly held for them, so it was best to live in the present.

It was nearly five in the morning when Aerla awoke —still naked— in Camille's bed. In a few short hours the school would be bustling with students and staff once more, and they’d have to return to what passed for normal, that soul crushing distance they must maintain for appearance's sake. Aerla dreaded getting up, getting dressed, and leaving Camille behind, but she knew it must be done.

As quietly as she could, she slipped out from beneath the sheets, the chill of the room quickly settling over her skin and causing a shiver to run through her. She bent to pick up her discarded clothing from the day before, and carefully put every piece back on. She looked to Camille, still sleeping peacefully, and debated on whether or not she should wake her.

"Aerla," Camille questioned, the moment her eyes left Camille's sleeping form and flicked towards the door.

"Everyone will be coming back soon," Aerla told her, and Camille could hear the sadness in her voice at the thought.

Camille got out of bed and slipped on her robe, the one she had seen her in the last time she’d been here in this room with her. Aerla's eyes were fixated on her as she came around the bed at met her at the door. "One last kiss," Camille offered, "before we have to go back to pretending."

Aerla nodded, scared that her voice would break if she were to reply any other way. The dim light of the coming dawn cast soft shadows, making the moment feel even more fragile and fleeting. They both knew their time was running out, the clock ticking down to when they would have to return to the world where their love had to be kept behind closed doors.

Aerla caught Camille's hand, pressing her lips to the palm of it before holding it against her heart. "I wish we could stay like this," she whispered, her voice tinged with longing.

"So do I," Camille replied. Her gaze never wavered from Aerla’s eyes, searching for the strength to let go. "But we can't, not yet."

Aerla nodded again, the reality of their situation settling heavily between them. She leaned in, closing the distance until their lips brushed against each other softly, sharing a final, stolen moment of closeness. It felt like it was over too soon, and with a sad smile, Aerla left Camille's room not knowing when she’d get to see her again.

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Chapter Eleven <- 🩵 -> Chapter Thirteen

Forever Tag: @baubeautyandthegeek, @kmc1989, @curious-kittens-ocs, @fanficanatic-tw, @gcthvile, @kenjioharashotspot

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer, @ilovehotactresses, @sobby-the-brat0

[eddysocs]

The Object Of Desire — Chapter Eleven (Winter's Wait)

Summary: Parting brings such sweet sorrow for Aerla and Camille, but as winter break draws to a close, the promise of a reunion lingers.

Word Count: 1,114

Warnings: Angst and pining

From the end of October to the middle of December, every day felt like a knife cutting away another piece of her soul. Even making eye contact with one another was a risk. Di was desperate for any reason to destroy them both. Aerla tried to carry on as she usually would, and on the outside, it appeared as if she were managing. On the inside, she was counting the days until she returned home and found a letter from Camille.

When parents began arriving to pick up their children and bring them home for the holiday season, Aerla was in a surprisingly good mood. She may not get a proper chance at a real goodbye with Camille, but any goodbye would be temporary anyway. Soon they’d be exchanging letters, and with any luck they could pick up where they left off when Aerla returned.

There were group of girls headed for the train station, their homes farther away than most, and Aerla happened to be one of them. The train wouldn’t be leaving until the early evening, so she sat by and saw most of her classmates depart. When it was time to escort the three remaining girls to the station —herself, a girl named Katie, and another named Erin— Aerla was surprised to find their chaperone for the trip to be Camille.

She tried not to let her excitement show as Camille walked the girls into town, and nary a word was said by Aerla, Camille, nor her two companions. She thought even the most mundane utterance would give her away, so she remained tight lipped.

On the platform, Katie and Erin were quick to hop on their train, and that left Aerla alone with Camille. Had she known it would go this way? Is that why she volunteered to escort them? Either way, Aerla was elated.

Together, they sat on one of the remaining available benches, close enough to barely touch, but far enough away that nothing looked out of the ordinary. It was there that they waited for Aerla's train to arrive, and Aerla found herself hoping that it would never come. But like clockwork, the train pulled into the station.

Aerla looked to Camille, neither of them still having said a word to one another, and she rose from the bench, seemingly ready to see Aerla off without so much as a word of goodbye. Aerla followed suit, supposing she’d content herself with just having been so close to her that day, and then something miraculous happened. As Aerla stepped past her to board the train, Camille reached out for her hand, squeezing it once, ever so gently, as she helped her aboard. A sign, a promise, that’s what it must have been. Aerla took her seat, and smiled out the window at Camille, who offered a modest wave before Aerla was on her way.

While part of her felt relief at being on home soil, another part of her was already aching at Camille's absence by her side. How she longed to bring her home, introduce her to her parents, and celebrate the winter holidays together, but she knew such a blessing could never happen. And she was let down again when she came home to not find a letter from Camille yet. She reassured herself that it would come, as it had only been a couple of days.

The following days saw Aerla busying herself decorating her family's home with holly, candles and garland. While it may have looked festive, it still felt somewhat empty to Aerla. But her spirits were lifted when a letter finally arrived in the post.

Aerla had told her parents that her schoolfriend Camille might be writing to her, and they’d taken her words at face value, even laughing at her excitement to receive that first letter. Aerla had hurried off to her room to read it.

Lovely Aerla,

How I miss you so. I sent this letter off the day of your departure, and I hope it isn’t long before it reaches you. I hope you know I meant you no pain when I had to call things off between us. Di Radfield has always been a jealous and petty girl, and I thought it better that her cruel intentions be diverted than to see her ruin us entirely. I want nothing more than to see you each and every day that you are gone, and I hope upon your return that Di has become distracted with other things and dismissed her suspicions of you and I.

~ Your Ever Devoted Camille

Aerla felt as if her heart would burst with joy at her words. She reread her elegant script nearly a dozen times before she tucked it away for safekeeping. She would write her back urgently, saying there was no ill will and that she understood why Camille had to do what she’d done. She only wished she could be back in her arms sooner.

Only one more letter each was exchanged between them before Christmas Eve was upon them. As Aerla lit a candle in the window, an old tradition meant for well meaning travelers in the night, she hoped for one or two more letters before she made her way back to St. Mathilda's early next month.

In one of her subsequent letters, Aerla wrote to Camille of her birthday, which only two days before she was set to return to St. Mathilda's. Camille had written back eagerly to that one, citing her excitement and well wishes, and how the two of them would find a way to mark the occasion when she returned. It was this promise that made the rest of her time at home fly by in a wintry haze.

Before she knew it, she was once again packing her suitcase to return to her English school, a thought she had once so dreaded that she’d fought against going. Oh how she wished she had known about what awaited her then. She would never have believed it if she’d been told that she’d prefer St. Mathilda's to her own home, her own country even.

The journey back felt days long, each minute ticked by as if it were ten times as long as usual. The anticipation of seeing Camille again kept her smiling until her cheeks began to hurt. She reached in her bag and patted her journal, Camille's letters kept neatly folded inside. Finally, after what seemed like ever so long, she was back. The train slowed to a halt at the station where she’d last seen Camille. And there she was, as if she’d stood there waiting for her to return this whole time.

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Chapter Ten <- 🩵 -> Chapter Twelve

Forever Tag: @baubeautyandthegeek, @kmc1989, @curious-kittens-ocs, @fanficanatic-tw, @gcthvile, @kenjioharashotspot

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer, @ilovehotactresses, @sobby-the-brat0

[eddysocs]

The Object Of Desire — Chapter Fourteen (A Leap Of Faith)

Summary: A plan is concocted and put into action for Aerla and Camille to flee St. Mathilda's and start anew somewhere else.

Word Count: 1,262

Warnings: None

Not having the forethought to bring paper with her to reply, Camille went back to her room with Aerla's letter tucked in her pocket in order to draft a reply. As soon as it was finished, she’d take it back to the forest clearing and leave it in the same place for Aerla to find.

Darling Aerla,

I, too, long to be free of this school, this country, these awful things keeping us apart. Allow me some time to plan. I will set some things aside and put into motion the means of our departure. Please be patient, and we will be together. I promise it. Meet me here, in the clearing, the first day of spring, just after nightfall when everyone has gone to sleep.

I’ll Be Waiting, Camille

Under cover of darkness, Camille hurried herself back to the clearing and tucked her response beneath the same stone. The chill of the air sent a shiver down her spine, and she hugged her coat closer to her, making her way back inside. Now, preparations could begin.

As the days dragged on, each one felt like a repetitive cycle of lessons and lectures and the anticipation of spring felt more and more like a weight pressing down on Camille. Her mind raced with thoughts of Aerla and the freedom they would soon share. Every minute spent apart was a painful reminder of the constraints of their lives while staying here.

In the solitude of her room, Camille began gathering supplies for their escape. She scavenged small items from the storeroom, carefully selecting a sturdy blanket, some dried fruit, and a few candles and anything else that might prove useful. She made mental notes of the best times to slip away unnoticed, knowing the rest of the staff would be less vigilant during the night when their eyes grew heavy with sleep.

One evening, she found herself sitting on the floor, surrounded by her collection of items. Each small thing she’d accumulated reinforced her faith in her plan, but the uncertainty still gnawed at her. What if they were caught? What if Di, or others, discovered their plan before they even left the grounds?

Just days before spring was due to set in, Camille overheard whispers in the hallway. Di had gotten her former diving team in on her plans to take Camille down. This was why she’d never set her sights on her. Di was vindictive, selfish, childish. Even when grown, she would always remain immature.

Fiamma had been her exact opposite, and Aerla, much the same, though by far a better match for Camille than Fiamma had ever been. She hoped Aerla was still being careful around these girls. One wrong move, and everything could be over. Her heart was breaking just thinking of the possibility of it.

With very little time left until she could be rid of St. Mathilda's, Aerla was on her best behavior. She'd even politely smiled at Di, despite the daggers the other girl's gaze always seemed to be sending her way. She played nice, which perhaps seemed strange to Di, but she’d find a way to suspect her of anything, no matter how she behaved, so if playing nice irked her, then so be it. That was just an added bonus.

Aerla found herself counting every sunrise and every sunset that preceded the coming of spring. Hours passed and then days, all leading up to the night in question. And from the moment Aerla woke on that first spring morning, she was elated, knowing what nightfall would bring. Her day went on as normal, which felt somehow wrong to her, that such a monumental day in her life should mostly pass by in such mundanity. But that was hardly important now, was it?

Aerla snuck back to her room earlier than the others, in order to dress for bed, with her day clothes still on underneath. The air still held a bitter chill, especially at night, and she wanted to be ready. Her nightdress would be sure to make a scene if they were spotted in public, so an easy backup was necessary. Tucking herself in bed, with the sheets pulled to her chin, Aerla waited.

Camille found herself in the clearing once more, the moonlight bathing the trees in silvery light through periodic clouds. She paced nervously, glancing at the sky as it continued to blacken as night set in more firmly. With each passing moment, her heart pounded louder, the thrill of the impending escape both intoxicating and terrifying. And the waiting was nearly killing her. Had something gone wrong? What was keeping Aerla?

Finally, as the clouds moved through and the first stars began to twinkle faintly overhead, she heard the soft crunch of leaves underfoot. Her breath caught in her throat as Aerla emerged from the shadows, a bright smile illuminating her face despite the uncertainty of their circumstances.

"Camille," Aerla breathed, rushing into her arms. The world faded away for a moment, their embrace a sanctuary from the unpredictable storm their lives had become. "I thought I wouldn’t make it. I kept expecting Di would catch me on my way here."

"Let’s not waste any more time," Camille replied with urgency. "We have to go now."

They were due to catch a late train at the station where Camille had once dropped Aerla off, and picked her up upon her return to the school. It would take them across the country and from there they’d make their way to the docks, hopefully lucky enough to board a ship headed to France, and not have to stay the night somewhere.

Their journey was mostly fraught with tense silence. It was as if any utterance would foil their escape entirely and they’d be doomed to return and face the consequences of their actions. So they only spoke when necessary, or when spoken to by someone else. Even then, Camille did most of the talking.

Camille had planned for questions from strangers. Who they were, where they were going, and Camille had rehearsed her answers endlessly. Thankfully, few questions were asked, and she did not have to repeat her cover story more than once all the way through.

At last departing the train, Camille took Aerla's hand and followed her instincts to the nearest port. It was a longer walk than she had imagined, and the hour was much later than she would have liked, but they made it. She found a fishing ship that was headed for France at daybreak, and she paid the man with some of her meager savings to let them stay on his vessel overnight, and he’d take them with him in the morning.

Though Aerla eventually drifted off to sleep in their new and unfamiliar surroundings, sleep evaded Camille entirely. She was on edge. Every sound and every movement set her off, thinking it was someone come to find them, take them back, drag them apart.

Morning came and the fisherman made good on his word. As soon as the boat left the docks, Camille let herself give in to her exhaustion. Six hours later, they reached the shores of France. Aerla stirred Camille awake, eager to get above deck and away from the smell of fish. When the fresh air of a new country first hit them, they both smiled. England was behind them, and a new adventure lay ahead. The two got off the boat, each thanking the fisherman for his kindness and for the first time in a long while, they felt truly alive.

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Chapter Thirteen <- 🩵 -> Chapter Fifteen (Epilogue)

Forever Tag: @baubeautyandthegeek, @kmc1989, @curious-kittens-ocs, @fanficanatic-tw, @gcthvile, @kenjioharashotspot

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer, @ilovehotactresses, @sobby-the-brat0

[eddysocs]

The Object Of Desire — Chapter Six (Drowning In Doubt)

Summary: Camille's revelation of her name prompts Aerla to seek answers. Joining the diving team for a practice, she faces mixed reception. And later, a quiet moment by the water hints at unspoken desires, leaving Aerla torn between longing and the constraints of their connection.

Word Count: 1,455

Warnings: Unresolved romantic/sexual tension

After their adventure, Aerla was too energized to fall asleep right away, and toyed with the idea of sneaking out and wandering the halls in hopes of stumbling upon Miss G again, who she suspected might also be having trouble winding down. But, the last thing she needed was to get into trouble and exploring the halls at this hour. It was not a risk she felt willing to take. She’d hate to be sent away again when she was just starting to like it here.

When she was finally able to lull herself into sleep, her dreams were filled with the events of the day, almost as if she had been watching the day unfold as an observer rather than a participant. To see it all over again like that was refreshing, exhilarating even, and when morning came, Aerla felt rested, ready to tackle the day before her.

Only one thing remained in her mind as she got dressed. Camille. Miss G's given name had echoed around in her head. Why had she told her that? Did she want her to refer to her that way? Certainly not in public, that would draw too much attention. But she must have shared it for a reason.

As she stepped out of her room to head for breakfast she saw several members of the diving team discussing practice. It seemed Sundays were when the team got together for both practicing their dives and for fun. She hadn’t meant to linger, but when Di caught sight of her, she smiled, one that didn’t quite fully reach her eyes, and asked if Aerla wanted to join them, like they were making it up to her after last time.

"I’d like that," Aerla replied. Though she remained somewhat skeptical of Di's intentions, it was a marvelous excuse to see Miss G again, and get an answer to her question about her name.

And so the waiting began. Aerla found it hard to fill her time until the divers met out at the lake. She couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything other than the nagging question she was determined to revisit with Miss G later. At lunch, she picked at her food, too caught up in her own head to realize she hadn’t actually eaten much of it.

"I hear my divers invited you to practice. I would have done so myself, but I didn’t want you to feel pressured if you weren’t ready." Brought out from her chronic overthinking, Aerla looked up from her plate.

"I thought I’d give it a try. You did say I was good. I’d like to see how it is diving with the other girls."

Miss G clapped her hands and smiled. "Wonderful. Then I’ll see you later."

Later truly could not come soon enough for Aerla. She was eager to show off whatever skills she had as a diver and prove herself to Di and the rest, as well as Miss G, who seemed to have so much faith in her.

Finally, her moment had come, and Aerla's lungs burned from the quickness in which she sprinted out to the lake. She was a little embarrassed to be the first one, but too excited to care as much as she might normally. The rest of the divers filed in in groups of two or three with Di and her friends bordering on being fashionably late. Aerla had wanted to speak to Miss G the moment she’d seen her arrive, but she didn’t want to be overheard. Best to save it.

Despite Di having invited her along, almost none of the girls spoke to Aerla, leaving her to once again feel like an outsider. She tried with them, but it felt like she had no way in. The group of girls were too closed off to truly let her in. Oh well, she thought, as least she had Miss G.

But even that brought no solace. Miss G had given her attention mostly to her more experienced divers, instructing, critiquing. There was but a single distracted smile sent her way in between two dives. She shouldn’t be feeling jealous. It was unreasonable. However, jealousy didn’t always go hand in hand with reason.

After hours of mostly watching her classmates practice and otherwise splash and linger in the water, Aerla was beyond ready to leave. She had a reason to stay though, one she could not simply put off for another day. Finally, the girls began to dry off and head back for dinner. Aerla stayed.

As Miss G picked up several towels left behind, Aerla approached her. "I wanted to ask you something," Aerla broached, deciding to be straightforward with her. "The other day, you told me your name. Why?"

She’d been expecting this, ever since she’d confided in her, yet the question had still managed to catch Camille off guard. "I can’t say I fully know myself," she admitted. "Did it make you uncomfortable? I never meant—"

"No, it isn’t that. I was…I don’t know, grateful? It felt like you were divulging a secret, one you’d only tell someone you were close to. Did you want me to use it? Your name, I mean." She felt like she was rambling. She was nervous, her heart fluttering away in her chest. "Just when we're alone," she added quickly.

Camille wanted that very much, but would it be appropriate to say so? It could lead to trouble, but she said only when they were alone. Had she meant that she wanted to be alone with her? Camille shook her head, almost imperceptibly, and realized she needed to give her an answer.

"You’re welcome to use it if you like."

There was a small pause, filled only with Aerla's smile at having her permission to refer to her by her given name, "Can I ask you something else?"

"Of course." With the words came Miss G's hand on her back, rubbing gently and reassuringly up and down, easing the anxiety she felt.

"Can we go back to private lessons? I don’t think I’m good in a team setting. It felt so…impersonal. I want to train with you, but everyone else being there just feels like a distraction." In all honesty, she hadn’t cared much whether or not she continued diving, but losing her time with Miss G entirely felt like too big of a loss for her, so if that were the way she could continue seeing her, she’d be more than happy with that.

It was exactly what Camille wanted as well, and so she graciously and enthusiastically allowed for their one on one lessons to continue.

As the lessons continued, the connection between them deepened. Camille's guiding touch became more deliberate, her hands guiding Aerla with a gentleness that transcended instruction. Yet she remained careful not to overstep. It was a constant, nagging fear that if she went too far, it would drive Aerla away. Still, Camille hungered for those moments of intimacy that were somehow neither romantic nor entirely platonic. It was those moments that she’d think about at night as she lay in bed, when anything seemed possible.

One afternoon, they stayed and lingered by the water's edge after their lesson came to an end. The sun was slowing sinking towards the horizon, casting a warm glow on the water. Camille's gaze locked onto Aerla's, a silent invitation back into the water. It was their safe space, almost like another world. Without words, they descended into the water, the world above replaced by the ethereal blue.

In the quiet depths, Camille's hand found Aerla's. Their fingers intertwined and time lost its grip as they shared a moment suspended in liquid intimacy. Breaking the surface, they emerged, breathless and entangled. The unspoken tension now simmered on the brink of acknowledgment. Aerla searched Camille's eyes for answers, finding a vulnerability that mirrored her own.

Camille wanted so badly to kiss her in that moment, but she refrained. It had been the beginning of the end for her with Fiamma, a tragedy she did not wish to repeat. No, if she wanted Aerla, she’d have to let the girl come to her. If it were her that turned the relationship into something more than it already was, it would not end well.

Their breath regained from their foray under the surface of the lake, they shared a mirthful laugh, finally breaking the mounting tension that had bubbled between them. Aerla was all too aware of their physical closeness, their clasped hands. But it could not mean what she wanted it to. Not if she wished to hold onto it. She was once again caught between what she desired and what could not happen.

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Chapter Five <- 🩵 -> Chapter Seven

Forever Tag: @arrthurpendragon, @baubeautyandthegeek, @foxesandmagic, @ginger-grimm, @bossyladies, @atjsgf, @misshiraethsworld, @kmc1989, @curious-kittens-ocs, @fanficanatic-tw, @kissykissymouth, @blood-moon1234567890

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer

[eddysocs]

The Object Of Desire — Chapter Seven (Hidden Thoughts And Secret Places)

Summary: After a short night, Aerla must go about her day, and relief comes in the form of her private forest clearing. There to write out some of her thoughts, her peace is interrupted.

Word Count: 1,117

Warnings: Some minor angst/drama, progression of feelings within a student/teacher relationship

Later that night, Aerla lay sleepless, staring up towards the ceiling. Again, the day's events played over and over in her head. Beautiful, blissful images swam at the forefront of her mind, yet still the thoughts somehow plagued her, taking her slumbering hours away from her. Di, directly across the room from her, was awake as well. Aerla sighed, half with contentment and half with frustration at her inability to fall asleep.

"Hey," Di whisper yelled. Aerla sat up. Her eyes were accustomed enough to the darkness that she could tell Di was also sitting up and looking —rather, glaring— at her. Aerla pointed at herself to clarify that Di had been speaking to her. Had she done something to wake her? She hadn’t thought so. "Yes, you. You came back from the lake awfully late. What were you doing out there?"

Aerla didn’t like the accusation in Di's tone. What did it matter to her what she did or didn’t do? Yet she needed to answer her. Although she certainly had no obligation to tell Di the truth. At least not the whole of it. "I stayed to speak to Miss G. I wanted to tell her that I don’t think I’ll be joining your diving team. I don’t think I'm suited to it."

"Oh," Di replied flatly. Aerla didn’t know what she'd been expecting to hear, but she assumed that hadn’t been it. "Okay then. Shame. You were kind of good," Di replied dismissively and with a passive aggressive shrug. Aerla fought not to argue with her. She was damned good, and Di knew that as well as Aerla herself did. Miss G had praised her on her dive, possibly more so than any of the other girls. Perhaps Di was merely jealous that she was better than her. Aerla longed to gloat, lord it over her like some primary school bully, but she didn’t need the conflict. Di seemed determined not to like her, and she didn’t need to give her any more reason to hate her.

After Di laid back down, and Aerla was able to be off her guard once more, she actually settled into a light sleep. Morning seemed to come too quickly however, and Monday's classes were bright and early as usual. For her first few courses of the day, she was struggling to keep awake, the monotony coupled with her shortened night of rest was a draining combination.

Lunchtime had perked her up a bit, having forgone breakfast for roughly half an hour more of rest. The afternoon then proceeded to go much smoother for her. She was more attentive, especially after passing Miss G in the hall between class periods. And then classes concluded for the day and she was free. While the other girls gathered in dorms and a short distance outside the building, Aerla made her way to the forest.

The clearing she'd found on her first foray out into the woods awaited her and the journal she’d brought along with her. Birdsong again filled the secluded area, and Aerla sat on the large, fallen log to put some thoughts down on the pages in her journal.

Camille. French in origin. There is something exotic about her that keeps her always in my thoughts. It is not unlike what I felt for the girl from home, whose name need not be mentioned here, yet it is not quite the same either. With the girl, curiosity. With Camille…perhaps desire?

The snap of a twig got her attention and froze her pen to the page. It could have merely been an animal traipsing through, but she had to be sure. She slowly lifted her head to observe her surroundings. In the distance, she caught a glimpse of a silvery, silken skirt as someone darted away beyond the trees. Perhaps it was time to leave. She wanted to preserve this spot as her own, and if someone was already poking around, she best wait until later for another visit.

Camille had only meant to keep an eye on the girls after classes had let out for the day. She’d been making her rounds, seeing that the girls had mostly grouped up for a bit of fun during the pleasant weather before the rain came overnight. And that’s when she’d spotted Aerla heading for the forest. Normally, the girls weren’t permitted past the tree line, but she seemed to be heading somewhere with a purpose and Camille wanted to know where.

She lingered behind at quite a distance, only just able to keep Aerla in her sights. When she saw her enter the woods, she pressed forward after her, carefully treading into the brush. From behind a thick and gnarled old tree, Camille stood and watched as Aerla entered a forest clearing, sitting herself on a fallen log. It appeared that she was writing something. She wouldn’t be able to see the words on the page even if she were to draw closer, yet she took a step forward anyway. A mistake.

The crack of the stick beneath her feet had clearly startled the young woman, whose writing ceased immediately. Camille knew she’d have to flee. She could only hope she was fast enough to avoid catching Aerla's eye as she went. Her mad dash from the woods left her wanting for breath by the time she reached the forest's edge. It was already starting to get dark at this time of year, and a chill was setting in, so Camille jogged off to go inside and grab a coat. She might have just stayed in, but she wanted to make sure Aerla made it back.

Camille stood outside the school's entrance and waited, puffing on a cigarette to look as if she were preoccupied with anything other than worry for her favorite pupil. When Aerla finally came trotting up the hill, Camille exhaled a long plume of smoke, along with an abundance of relief. Everyone else had gone inside by the time she reached the door, so that left them alone. "Camille, what are you still doing out here?"

Camille almost lost her cool when Aerla addressed her by her first name, but another drag from her cigarette helped her to regain her composure. "Just making sure everyone comes inside," she replied. "You’re the last."

"Sorry to keep you waiting," she apologized, though a hint of a smile told her she wasn’t entirely sorry for it.

"Not at all. After you." Camille half bowed as she gestured to the door with a flourish. Aerla smiled at the act she was putting on until she caught sight of a peek of silver coming from under Camille's long, black coat.

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Chapter Six <- 🩵 -> Chapter Eight

Forever Tag: @arrthurpendragon, @baubeautyandthegeek, @atjsgf, @kmc1989, @curious-kittens-ocs, @fanficanatic-tw, @kissykissymouth

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer, @ilovehotactresses