Unspoken Ties

As the principal appeared at the back the of the hall the students scrambled to find their seats. Julianna looks poised as she walked towards the front to the second line the rows just behind the ones at the front,Caleb who was supposed to sit in the Seniors corner sat at the Juniors corner with Sienna beside him no one dared to call him out on it,except if they were looking for trouble.Sienna although terribly embarrassed as she was a senior yet sitting in a place below her because of her boyfriend Caleb but she shrugged it off ..."It's fine....she said to herself ..."this is worth it after all"....

The principal having reached the podium where he commanded authority was seen talking to the guidance counselor in hushed tone as no one could here what either of them were saying.

The hall with it's high arched ceilings and and grand chandeliers gleamed under the morning light that filtered through the towering glass windows.Rows upon rows students sat in their designated sections the elites of Astoria Heights School,each carrying the weight of their family name and expectations.

Julianna's eyes wondered around the hall looking at the diversity of how the students sat while some were well poised as her,some were sitting lazily with legs spread out and faces that spelled of boredom or tiredness only a select few were doing other things that one was not supposed to be doing while at the Astoria Great Hall .

The principal a tall slender yet imposing turned to face the students and staff of the school, wearing a sleek suit that showed the prestige and elegance of being the principal of such an elite school.He moved gracefully touching the mic to turn it on . Good morning dear students and welcome back to the new semester of the school I am glad to see both the old faces and the new faces of the students. I hope this semester will be great for all of us and we will stay upright and graceful like the wonderful Astoria Heights School Students that you are , I hope that you will excel and learn and also grow this semester.Acadmeic activities begins today and the new student body representatives will be chosen next week. I hope you all have a good day thank you and God bless.

Murmurs erupt in the hall as soon as the principal steps down from the podium,the podium isn't left empty as the school's cardinal stands in front of the student to lead them in prayer for the new semester a ritual that has always been part of Astoria Heights School since it's begining.

The students bow their heads in response seemingly as a routine not one of devotion as the cardinal leads them in prayer . Dear Lord may this semester bring us knowledge,wisdom and discipline.May we walk in integrity and strive for greatness in what we do . I commit this semester,the students and staff into your hands in Jesus Name we pray,Amen. A loud chorus of amen fills the hall as the cardinal leaves the podium.

As murmurs erupts from the students Caleb leans in slightly towards Julianna their closeness goes unnoticed by moving bodies. Their breath mingled and for that brief second it's as if the world stopped for everyone else except for them.

...I missed you...he mutters his voice barely above a whisper , but she heard it .

Julianna stilled her brown eyes staring into his blue eyes neither looks away locking themselves in a silent exchange, she hesitated not because she didn't feel the same but because of the weight of the words she was about to say gave it a meaning , a title .Caleb waited his gaze steady and unwavering . A slow breath left her lips

"....I missed you too..." she said

Something flickered across Caleb's face -- Joy, Satisfaction or something much more deeper than that after hearing her response,he didn't respond nor show an emotion he didn't need to do anything .The space between them felt hot with tension in the air one they both were not ready to acknowledge with an unspoken understanding that didn't need to be said.

Sienna sitting beside Caleb watched their interaction with each other , she had seen it since the beginning of the exchange when Caleb leaned to talk to Julianna she didn't here what was said but looking at them gaze at each other irritated her,she was Caleb's girlfriend and he hadn't even looked at her that way , her chest tightened .She looked over at Julianna and in her mind said that Caleb was hers and hers alone and she was not going to share nor step aside for some puny girl best friend to finally get the complete love she has been vying for .

Yet she knew she couldn't ruin their relationship as it was too strong ever since Caleb had started going to this school as a freshman he was friendly and laidback but didn't keep anyone close to him , yes he did date girls but dumped them after a while with him being known as a playboy but as soon as they became sophomores she started seeing him walk around with Julianna a freshman how had they known each other?,who was she to him?, what was their relationship ?was the question etched on everyone's mind ,was she just another girlfriend that would soon be dumped in a matter of weeks ..? . But the answer came to soon apparently they both had been friends since childhood as their parents had a close knitted relationship, everyone taught it was going to be your typical engaged troupe thing but this was soon groundless as Caleb continued dating girls and Julianna turning down the boys who had asked her out Seniors, sophomores and freshmans . No, she could absolutely not let them be more closer than this but Julianna didn't seem like a threat, she would focus on Caleb and making him fall in love with her enough to reduce him and Julianna's close bond they apparently shared. She turned to Caleb ...babe... C'mon let's get to class .... Caleb's eyes darted to Julianna as he opened his mouth to tell her his goodbye, they said their goodbyes as Caleb and Sienna left the assembly hall.

Julianna after being left alone at the hall stood up to stand at the podium being the only one there no one saw her she looked down at the seats and realized how far she was from them . This is good she stated , very perfect especially for me, she gracefully stepped down from the podium grabbed her bag from her seat and strutted out of the hall on her way to class.