The pale winter sunlight streamed through the narrow windows of the dormitory, casting long, golden beams across the small room. Maria stirred beneath her blanket, her mind still foggy from sleep. The soft murmur of the academy outside, the distant chime of bells, and the crisp air filtering through the cracks in the window all signaled the arrival of a new day.
She blinked at the clock hanging on the wall—9:00 AM.
Her heart nearly stopped. "Catherine! Wake up!" Maria hissed, shaking the figure curled up in the bed beside hers.
Catherine groaned, rubbing her eyes. "What is it?" she mumbled.
"We overslept! Morning prayers are over!"
Both of them shot up in bed, panic washing over their sleepy faces. Within moments, they were scrambling to get dressed, but it was too late. The academy followed strict routines, and prayers were not something to be missed without a valid reason. As they rushed out of their room and down the hallway, they ran straight into Sister Alex, whose sharp eyes immediately locked onto them.
"Maria, Catherine," Sister Alex said in a firm tone, her arms crossed. "Do you realize what time it is?"
Maria swallowed hard. "We—uh—we overslept, Sister. It won't happen again."
Catherine nodded quickly. "It was a mistake. We're really sorry."
Sister Alex shook her head, her stern expression unwavering. "Discipline is the foundation of your training here. Missing prayers shows a lack of commitment. I expect better from you both."
Both girls lowered their heads. "Yes, Sister," they murmured in unison.
Sister Alex gave them a final, disapproving glance before walking away. Maria let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "That was bad," she muttered.
"Tell me about it," Catherine sighed. "I'm starving, and now we have another problem—no breakfast."
Maria groaned. "Right. The cafeteria doesn't open until 11:30. What are we supposed to do until then?"
Catherine thought for a moment, then grinned. "I have some snacks in my room. They should be enough to keep us from passing out."
Maria brightened at the idea. "Then let's go before I collapse from hunger."
The two of them made their way through the quiet hallway, reaching Catherine's small dorm room. Unlike Maria's, which was meticulously neat, Catherine's room had an organized chaos to it—books stacked unevenly, a blanket thrown haphazardly over the chair, and a few loose pages of notes scattered on the desk.
Catherine pulled out a small tin from her drawer and opened it, revealing biscuits, dried fruit, and a few wrapped chocolates. "See? Emergency food supply."
Maria smiled as she took a biscuit. "You're a lifesaver."
They sat cross-legged on the bed, munching on the snacks, talking about the exams that had just ended, the relief of having no immediate responsibilities, and the sudden quietness in the academy now that so many students had left for vacation. The lighthearted conversation made the time pass quickly, and before they knew it, the cafeteria had reopened.
At 1 PM, they sat at their usual table, sharing lunch in a much better mood. The warm food was a welcome comfort, and both of them enjoyed the moment without the stress of exams looming over them.
"It feels strange without the others," Maria said, stirring her soup. "Yesterday morning, they were all here, talking about their plans. Now it's just us."
Catherine nodded. "It is quiet, isn't it? No Kate teasing everyone, no Emma complaining about studying."
Maria chuckled. "No Fiona making sure we all eat properly, and no Emily judging our life choices."
They both laughed, but the truth was, the absence of their friends made the academy feel emptier.
After lunch, they spent the afternoon carrying out their assigned duties in the church. Maria helped arrange the chapel for the evening prayers, ensuring that the candles were in place and the hymn books neatly stacked. Catherine assisted in the library, organizing returned books and dusting the shelves.
As evening settled, the sky outside darkened, and a gentle snowfall began. They met again in the hallway after finishing their tasks, deciding to head to Maria's room for a quiet evening.
Sitting on Maria's bed, wrapped in their shawls for warmth, they continued their conversation from lunch.
"I wonder what Kate's doing right now," Catherine mused. "Probably stuffing her face with her mom's roast lamb."
Maria smiled. "Emma's probably already wearing that ridiculous scarf her mom knitted for her."
Catherine laughed. "And Fiona's house must be filled with the smell of pasta by now."
Maria leaned back against the pillow. "It's funny how we're all so different, yet we fit together somehow."
Catherine nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah. We've been through a lot together. It feels strange knowing they're gone for the break, but I'm glad we stayed."
Maria glanced at her. "You really didn't have to stay, you know. Your family must miss you."
Catherine smiled softly. "They understand. And I didn't want you to be alone."
Maria felt a deep warmth in her chest. "Thank you, Catherine. Really."
Catherine shrugged, but there was sincerity in her eyes. "That's what friends are for."
The conversation drifted from their friends to memories from the past semester, to their future plans, to dreams they had yet to understand. The hours slipped away, and before they knew it, the clock struck midnight.
"Wow, we really talked all night," Maria said with a sleepy laugh.
Catherine stretched. "And we're going to be scolded again if we oversleep tomorrow."
Maria groaned. "Let's at least try to be responsible."
With that, they settled in for the night, the warmth of their friendship making the winter feel a little less cold.