Chapter 6 Weird & chapel 2
The walk to the chapel was awkward, as June did all the talking and Elaine only chipped in occasionally to show she was following. Gwendolyn walked ahead, ignoring June’s endless stories.
“The architecture is wonderful,” Elaine replied to something June had said.
“Right? When I first came here, I was in awe. I felt as though I was living in a fantasy. I also got lost multiple times—that’s how I met Gwen,” June rambled on.
“Really?” Elaine asked.
“Yeah. I think I walked into a restricted building and got lost. Gwen helped me find my way back, and we just became friends.”
“Which building was that?”
“I don’t remember,” June answered nonchalantly.
“If Gwen was already in the school with you, how did you two become roommates?” Elaine asked curiously.
“Oh, about that—Gwen’s former room ma—”
“Aren’t you getting too comfortable with someone you just met this morning?” Gwen cut her off. “Don’t go about telling all your life experiences to her.”
“I just got a little too excited,” June said, smiling.
“Don’t mind her,” June mouthed to Elaine, making her smile.
Soon, they were standing in front of two large wooden doors with colorful glass panels. Soft piano tunes drifted from inside.
As they stepped in, Elaine looked around, taking in the chapel. This was her first time attending church. There were six long rows of wooden benches, almost all filled with students. Multiple chandeliers hung from the ceiling, giving the chapel a golden hue. It was a little dark, as it was just five in the morning. At the far front was a raised platform with a crucifix on the wall, surrounded by other objects Elaine didn’t recognize.
They quietly walked and took their seats. Elaine’s eyes caught someone familiar sitting behind the piano, playing gracefully—it was him. The curly-haired, freckle-kissed boy was absorbed in the music, as if it were just him and the instrument.
“How could he be here?” she whispered to herself. The last time she had seen him was at the beach, and she hadn’t seen him since—no sign of him or the pretty black cat.
“That’s Allan,” June whispered, leaning close to her ear. Elaine yelped, startled.
“What?” she asked.
“Isn’t he handsome?” June said, staring at him.
“Who?”
“Who else? The one you were gawking at.”
“I wasn’t gawking at anyone!”
“Lies! You were staring at Allan with stars in your eyes,” June said dramatically.
“No, I wasn’t.”
“No need to be embarrassed. It’s completely normal in Herbert Wilbur. He’s literally the best part of the school. He’s the reason some of us even bother attending the mass prayer,” June said, gesturing at Gwen with her head.
“Really?” Elaine asked with wide eyes. June nodded.
“They’re in the same class.”
“Both of them?”
“Yes—Allan, Gwen, and I.”
“Okay.”
“What class are you in?” June asked.
“13A.”
“Really!?” June half-yelled, covering Elaine’s mouth with her palm.
“What?” Elaine asked, concerned.
“You won’t believe it—that’s our class too.”
“13A?” Elaine asked for clarity.
“Yes.”
Like Elaine, June wasn’t very interested in the mass prayer. They talked about other things, though Elaine’s eyes kept involuntarily glancing at Allan behind the piano.
“You don’t like the mass, do you?” Elaine asked June.
“No, not at all,” she answered nonchalantly.
“Oh.”
“I just come because Gwen never misses it, and… you know why. I don’t like staying alone at the dorm sometimes, especially on Sunday mornings.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Sometimes, especially Sunday mornings, there’s this weird feeling I get.”
“Like fear?” Elaine asked, watching June closely.
“I don’t know,” June admitted.
When the mass ended, the chapel grew noisy as students began leaving, while some stayed to chat with friends.
“Let’s leave now,” June said.
“Sure.”
“Gwen!” June called out. “We want to leave now.”
“You go ahead. I’ll come later,” Gwen replied, turning and walking away.
“Do you mind if I stay at your room?” June asked Elaine.
“Uh… um, sure.”
“Great,” June said, bef
ore calling out again. “Gwen! I’ll be at Elaine’s room,” she yelled, drawing attention—including Allan’s.