Chapter 9: "A Glimpse of Grandeur"
As they passed through the corridor, Nell glanced at Mel's room, where music played loudly. Tris cursed under her breath, noticing other girls stepping out of their rooms. Some stood chatting, while others entered the elevator. Nell hadn't noticed earlier, but the floor had two elevators and two staircases.
They entered the first elevator, joining two girls already inside, making a total of five. Tris pressed the button, and the door closed
The ride took two minutes, giving Nell time to wonder how many floors the hostel had. Stepping out, she spotted Isabel and another family talking. She nodded in greeting as their eyes met. "Does she personally assign girls to their dorms?" Nell asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
"You mean Izzie?" Tris replied. "I heard she's the principal and decided to personally welcome students on their first day." Nell thought that was a nice gesture. As they continued their walk, students milled about, doing their own thing. The path they took was lined with tall, slender trees, their leaves a vibrant green, and colorful flowers that added a pop of color to the scenery. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant chatter of students.
The soft, artificial grass beneath their feet was a gentle reminder of the school's attention to detail. As they turned a corner, the path opened up to a sprawling courtyard, with the canteen building situated at its center. The building's exterior was a marvel of modern architecture, with a unique, tilted design that seemed to defy gravity. The brown, stone-like façade was adorned with intricate carvings and patterns, giving it a touch of elegance and sophistication. A gleaming, gold inscription on the board above the entrance proudly proclaimed the building as the "CANTEEN".
Nell couldn't help but think it looked more like a high-end restaurant. "Let's go," Tris said, holding Nell's hand as they entered, Gabby trailing behind.