Catherine stood there blindsided. Of all the reactions she could have had, this one had not been accounted for.
What the hell am I thinking? I thought I had it together, but I must be insane!
Catherine hadn't noticed it before, but she was now acutely aware that a lot of people were staring.
One would think that their attention was garnered at the idea of someone putting the uppity commoner in their place, but that was far from the truth.
Everyone was aware that someone had passed the exam, but only a handful of people knew what they looked like.
Despite her status as a variable recluse, most knew what Catherine looked like (although they could have sworn she had black hair.)
They were also well aware that if Catherine Blackwood approached anyone with purpose, something was bound to happen Thus the crowd waited with bated breath for what horrible thing she was about to do.
Unbeknownst to them, however, Catherine herself didn't know what she was "about to do".
Just walking away wasn't an option. Catherine wasn't too picky about what people thought of her, but addressing a stranger and then walking away without any further elaboration was far too awkward even for her.
Don't think, Act!
Deciding to operate on instinct, Catherine did what felt most natural to her. She extended her hand to the fallen girl.
"Here let me help you up."
The girl on the ground shook her head to regain her senses before grasping the stranger's hand.
"Thank you," She said as she rose to her feet.
"Are you alright?" Catherine asked.
"Ye- Yes I'm fine now," The girl replied meekly.
"One ought to collect themselves in situations like these. Frantically scrambling on the ground is a tad…unbecoming. Catherine smiled, but it was genuine. "Don't you agree?"
Catherine was putting on an air of confidence but internally she was screaming.
"Uh yes-." The girl said, slightly embarrassed. "I apologize. I'm slightly out of my element here."
"Oh no need to apologize, it didn't affect me at all."
"But surely I inconvenienced you."
"Oh please, if it was an inconvenience I wouldn't have helped you."
Despite the bluntness of the statement the girl smiled at Catherine.
"You're a kind person aren't you? I'm glad someone like you was here today."
Catherine blushed.
"Well, you best gather the rest of your things. You wouldn't want to be late to the assembly." Catherine said, slightly haphazardly
"Oh, of course," the girl replied.
Catherine used this opportunity to retreat from the situation.
"Well I'll be off then," She said hastily, running off before the girl could get a word in edgewise.
"Thank you again!" the girl called out to her, but Catherine pretended she didn't hear it.
Now the crowd was full of murmurs. They certainly weren't expecting that, and those who were in the know of the fallen girl's identity were even more confused.
What in the world was going on with Catherine Blackwood?
***
Catherine was roaming the halls. In her haste to escape, she'd taken a wrong turn somewhere, and now she was lost. The fact that she was still in her head wasn't helping with the sense of direction.
What the hell is going on? I must be delusional! Nothing about a relationship like that could work!
She stopped dead in her tracks and put her hands on her head.
"Grah!" She yelled out.
Relationship…why am I even thinking that? Who said anything about a relationship? I just saw a…pretty girl is all. Right- Right! That's all it is!
That's what Catherine kept trying to tell herself, that is. Anything to avoid the idea that she was somehow smitten with the person who was supposed to be the object of her scorn.
Catherine was losing the battle, and she knew it. The idea that the girl's looks were remarkable wasn't even true. In reality, she was quite unassuming.
Shoulder-length light brown hair, a medium skin complexion (however, it was hard to tell because of her tanned skin), and some light freckling. Her build was average, and likewise so was her height.
Fairly average if you were to ask almost anyone, it was clear the targets in Love and Malice were won over by her personality and not her looks.
Now that Catherine thought about it none of the suitors were taken by the heroine at first sight. They had to be won over but with her...
But what? But Nothing! There's no more to this than a momentary lapse in judgment!
She began striding through the hall with a purpose, but another thought entered her head that made her stop in her tracks once again.
Besides I don't even like girls…do I?
She'd never actually thought about it before, her dating experience as Claire was limited, to say the least. She'd gone out with a few people, but that was mostly an exercise of convenience. Needless to say, there was always very little passion to speak of.
The whole thing held very little interest to her, and while it was true that all the dates had been with men, she couldn't think of any time in her entire life as Claire that a woman had struck her fancy.
This is all very confusing, Catherine sighed. This isn't exactly a great time to work through this either.
Whether she meant starting at the academy. Or the whole ordeal of being transported into another existence entirely had no definite answer, Catherine herself was unsure as to what she meant.
While working through her thoughts Catherine had unconsciously begun walking again, and by sheer coincidence, she had ended up at the assembly hall's entrance.
People we're still streaming in so at least she wasn't late.
Thank god for that.
Suddenly a hand tapped her on the shoulder and she Jumped. Catherine quickly turned around to see who it was, only to be face to face with the person she was so desperate to get away from.
"Whoops. Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you!" The brown-haired girl said apologetically, "I just- Well I don't know anyone here so I was hoping I could sit with you."
Catherine was mortified, a mix of emotions overcame her. A part of her was delighted to see the heroine again, the other was filled with dread.
Still, regardless of how she felt, no excuse to get out of it was coming to her mind.
Catherine smiled, "I'd be delighted."
As the two were looking for a place to sit Catherine sighed as she thought to herself.
God Damn it…I have a feeling this isn't going to end well.