Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]-Chapter 50: Welcome to the team

Seraphina's Pov

Still seated in front of Principal Astor, I could feel the tears prickling at the back of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I was so close to breaking down and to letting every bit of frustration and helplessness spill out, but I knew it would do no good.

Principal Astor's stern face and her nonchalant stare told me everything I needed to know: nothing I could say or do would make her reconsider forcing me on Electra's enchanted archery team. She was determined, and for this reason, my feelings and my fears were nothing more than inconvenient obstacles she had no intention of acknowledging.

For one brief, desperate moment, I thought of calling my father. Maybe if he understood how anxious I was and how terrified I was feeling, he'd step in and tell Astor to take my name off the roster, but Astor was one step ahead of me, as though she'd anticipated my last shred of hope, and swiftly crushed it.

"I've already spoken with your father," she said, her voice so matter-of-fact that it felt like a slap. "He encouraged the idea, actually. He believes joining this team will be good for you and that it will help you develop your confidence. Given your history of avoiding extracurricular activities, he thinks it's high time you experienced the value of teamwork."

My stomach twisted, and the hint of hope I had got snuffed out as quickly as it had appeared. Of course, my father would think this was "good for me."

He'd never been interested in understanding me or in knowing why I preferred the background over the spotlight. His ambitions for me always outweighed my own needs, and he saw this as just another stepping stone on a path he had mapped out without ever asking where I wanted to go.

He had happily thrown me to the wolves, and I couldn't decide if I was more disappointed or just unsurprised by it. It shouldn't have hurt as much as it did, and yet it burned.

Every ounce of me wanted to scream, wanted to rage against the unfairness of it all because not only was I going to be paraded in front of the entire school as a member of a sport I had no idea how to play, I was also going to be trapped on a team with Electra, someone who very likely despised me after everything that had happened.

Being forced into her team felt like being led straight into the lion's den, and I was certain that for Electra, this was the perfect opportunity to make my life a living hell.

"Anything else you'd like to add?" Astor's question snapped me out of my downward spiral.

Her tone held a note of impatience, as though she couldn't wait to move on to more important matters now that her decision had been made.

I shook my head, my voice trapped somewhere in my throat. I wanted to tell her a thousand things—that this was unfair, that I didn't belong on the team, and that Electra hated me and would probably make my life miserable, but I knew my words would fall on deaf ears.

The last thing Principal Astor cared about was whether I was comfortable or ready.

"Well then," she said with finality. "You may leave. I believe Electra and the rest of the archery team are waiting for you outside. It would be wise for you to join them and take the opportunity to become familiar with your new teammates."

The thought of going out there and facing Electra and her friends filled me with dread. I forced myself to stand, even though my legs felt like jelly. Keeping my eyes down, I managed a quiet, "Thank you, Principal Astor," before turning and walking out of her office.

The moment I stepped into the reception area, my heart sank even further. Contrary to what I had hoped for, Electra and her friends were still lounging around like they owned the place. They straightened up the moment they saw me, and a series of smirks and mocking glances passed between them.

I tried not to let my nerves show, though I could feel the trembling in my hands as I clasped them tightly. I couldn't look any of them in the eye, especially Electra, so I kept my gaze fixed somewhere just past her shoulder. Maybe if I ignored them hard enough, they'd not bother me at all. But that was wishful thinking; Electra was not one to let an opportunity to toy with someone pass her by.

To my horror, Electra finally stood up; her eyes locked on me with a look that made my stomach churn. Her gaze was sharp, almost predatory, and I could feel my chest tighten, my breaths coming shallow and quick.

She took a slow step in my direction, and my heart skipped several beats. Was she about to do something? Would she actually hurt me like she'd hurt Yuna? My mind raced with wild thoughts—scenarios where Electra pulled out a lighter to experiment with my skin, and I could practically feel the heat of a burn as the thought took root.

But to my utter surprise, she stopped just short of me, leaving a few feet between us. She smirked, an expression that only heightened my unease, and turned to her friends.

"Well," she drawled, "I think it's only fair that you all introduce yourselves properly to our new teammate. And remember"—her tone was dripping with sarcasm—"be polite. We wouldn't want to scare her off too soon, would we?"

One by one, her friends turned to face me, each with a look that could freeze fire.

The tall, dark-haired girl went first, folding her arms as she looked me up and down, her expression one of mild disdain. "Roxana," she said coolly. Her voice was low and sharp, like she'd rather be doing anything else than speaking to me.

Then came the blonde, with an amused gleam in her eye as she tilted her head. "I'm Penelope," she introduced herself, her voice a little too sugary, like she was mocking me without actually saying anything cruel.

Beside her, a girl with short hair and an edgy style—gave me a long, assessing look before nodding slightly. "Deena," she said, her tone flat but her eyes sharp, as if she could see right through me.

Last was the girl with the icy stare, her eyes almost piercing through me as she gave a curt nod. "Irina," she stated simply, her voice as cold as her expression.

After they'd finished, Electra's attention turned back to me. She crossed her arms, looking almost bored. "Practice starts at four," she said, her tone dismissive. "Make sure you pick up the approved uniform and be at the archery field on time. I'd hate to have to hunt you down if you're late."

This was real. It was really happening. I was really going to be on this team, surrounded by people who clearly didn't like me.

My mind felt numb as I tried to process it, and before I could gather my thoughts, Electra gave me one last cold look, then turned and started walking toward the door. Her friends followed her, though Roxana lingered a moment, glaring at me with a dark expression that sent a shiver down my spine.

And then, finally, they were gone, leaving the office in complete silence, and I immediately let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.