It's a lot different

Author's pov

"Since you are new here, i will explain everything to you Izzy" Emma said as she took her hand, "something that doesn't include boys" Christine giggled. Isabelle chuckled softly. "Ignore them" Nicholas said, she smiled. "Wait a minute, why will she ignore us? Are you guys dating already?" Emma said while side eyeing them. Isabelle blushed slightly.

"It's not like that" She spoke in a whisper. "So it's confirmed. Now leave" Christine said while pushing the boys out of the girls dorm. "Wait but-" Oliver was cut off when the door was closed on their faces. "It's fine, let's go" Nicholas said, pulling both of them apart.

"Now peace" Emma said, flopping on the bed. "You are lucky, you will be sharing room with us" She winked at Isabelle. She just smiled slightly. "By the way, where are you from Izzy?" Christine asked, sitting in front of them. Isabelle lost her words.

Isabelle hesitated for a moment, trying to come up with a suitable answer. She didn't want to reveal the truth about her future origins, so she settled on a half-truth.

"Um... London," she replied awkwardly, hoping they wouldn't press further.

Christine's eyebrows raised in surprise at Isabelle's answer. "London, huh? That's cool!" she exclaimed, clearly intrigued.

Emma, ever the perceptive one, noticed Isabelle's hesitation and the uneasy expression that flickered across her face. She leaned forward slightly, studying Isabelle's face.

Isabelle's nervousness grew as Emma's eyes seem to pierce right through her facade. With a perceptive glance, Emma had figured out that Isabelle was concealing something.

"You are hiding something, aren't you? I saw you talking with Nicholas when we were coming here. He knew something of yours, right?" Isabelle looked down and nodded slightly. "Hey it's okay. You can tell us whenever you are ready" Christine reassured.

Isabelle smiled at Emma and Christine's reassurance, when a wave of emptiness washed over her. She glanced around the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, a stark contrast to the comfort of her home. The events of the previous day seemed surreal, and Isabelle felt a pang of loneliness. Being in this magical world, cut off from her own, magnified the homesickness that tugged at her heart.

"Izzy don't you think Nicholas is handsome?" Emma asked, a hint of mischief in her eyes. A soft blush crept across her cheeks. She couldn't deny the fact that Nicholas was indeed handsome, and Emma's knowing smirk confirmed that she had noticed Isabelle's reaction as well.

"Um... well..." Isabelle stumbled, trying to find the right words. "Y-yeah, I suppose he is."

"Oh someone is blushing" Christine teased her and her blush on her cheek deepened. She fidgeted slightly, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement.

"Wh-what? No, I'm not..." Isabelle protested weakly, trying to downplay her reaction, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her.

"Let's not take it far before she becomes a whole tomato" Emma teased and then they both started laughing.

Isabelle's embarrassment grew as Emma and Christine started laughing at her expense. She covered her face with her hands, trying to hide the redness creeping up her cheeks, but it was too late.

"Okay, okay! Stop it, you two!" Isabelle protested, a mixture of indignation and amusement in her voice. "I can't help it if he's attractive, alright?"

"Yeah.. She is right, he is attractive.. This is natural that she got a crush on him" Christine said, smirking at her.

Isabelle's heart fluttered at the mention of her having a crush on Nicholas, and she felt her cheeks warm even more. She playfully hit Christine on the arm.

"Hey, who said I have a crush on him?" Isabelle protested, trying to maintain a semblance of composure, but her flushed face betrayed her true feelings.

"Okay okay you don't have any crush" Emma said with a mischievous grin played on her lips.The two of them continued to giggle, clearly enjoying teasing Isabelle about her obvious crush. Despite Isabelle's attempts to downplay her feelings, the blush on her cheeks and the way she fidgeted were clear as day.

Isabelle sighed, knowing it was pointless to try to hide her true emotions from her perceptive friends. She leaned back, resigned to their teasing.

✦✦✦

At evening, Isabelle stood by the window, her eyes fixed on the big and beautiful moon outside. The sight of the celestial body, so different from the one she was used to back home, filled her with a mix of awe and melancholy.

"Wow," she whispered, a hint of wonder in her voice. "I've never seen the moon look so... magical." Emma stood beside her, "is it your first time watching the moon here?" Isabelle just nodded silently, her eyes still locked on the majestic sight outside.

"It's quite something, isn't it?" Emma said, her voice filled with a tinge of nostalgia and appreciation. "This world is so different" Isabelle whispered, her voice was barely audible as she spoke, her eyes still fixed on the magical moon outside. The words, "This world is so different," echoed in her mind, carrying a mixture of astonishment and homesickness.

Emma turned her gaze towards Isabelle, noticing the hint of longing in her tone. She placed a comforting hand on Isabelle's shoulder, offering a silent show of support.