There're no words to describe how I hate her! The audacity of Cassidy Quinn, my dearest aunt, has no boundaries! I am shocked she didn't make it at Broadway! She is a much better actress than people actually give her credit for! I can vouch for the b***h!
My poor mum believed her till the end, considering how she made her my legal guardian with access to all my funds till I am 18! Unbelievable!
And now she expels me from my own house and sends me to that hole! A boarding school in the middle of nowhere! I'd have to spend the next year of my life here, while she pumps money out of my accounts! Damn it!
And the worst thing - how she even pretends in front of me to care! Like this is the best thing for me! ***k you, Cassidy!
"We almost arrived, Miss," my driver says as our car drives through a never-ending forest and finally reaches very massive metallic gates with SA crafted in gold on both halves. Of course. She chose a perfect prison for me!
"Whatever", I mumble, looking out of the window. The place is creepy and could have been a setting for a horror film or something. I see miles and miles of perfectly cut grass, bushes, and clean stone walks, all leading to a castle-like building. "SA" logo on the main door. Springwood Academy it is, then.
Albert opens the door for me and I realize that I would literally give away anything to stay inside and go back home.
"Miss", Alfred is looking at me with pity in his eyes. It stings. He's been in the family for as long as I can remember. If I make him drive me back that b***h would fire him and send me back here anyway. No point to rebel now.
"Alright," I groan and get out when he suddenly gives me a hug. At first, I am stiff, but then I realize that there would be no more hugs for me in the future. From anyone. My parents are dead, I have no siblings, I am deprived of my friends and my only living relative is Cassidy… Damn, I am screwed. I embrace Alfie for a second, before pulling away and quickly wipe a tear that formed in the corner of my eye. I am not going to break apart 5 seconds after I arrived at that place. I am just not!
"Miss...", Alfred gets my bags for me and I notice that his eyes are watery. Poor old chap. I am not worth it..
"I am going to be fine." I Sínile at him.- "I'll be back in no time at my rightful place, Don't worry too much"
"I know that you will be fine", Alfred admits, "But in case anything happens and you do not want to call your aunt... Well, you could always call me. Or James. Or any of us. You know that, right?"
"Of course." I nod and take my bags. I am not going to call. If I do and they help me, Cassidy would destroy them. I cannot do that to any of them. I am on my own now.
"Miss Stella Quinn, I suppose", I hear a female voice and turn to see a woman in her fifties and a girl in the academy uniform. They both look.. Perfect. Very polished. The woman is wearing a slim-fit black suit with a very narrow skirt, her hair is in a tight bun and her lipstick is red. Just how you would imagine a teacher from hell. The girl is a beauty with exceptionally shiny blonde hair, straight and sleek. She is wearing the school's blazer with logo, a tartan skirt which seems shorter than it's supposed to be according to the uniform guide I've received, and grey knee-high socks. Her make-up is perfect, as is her smile. Let me guess, the star of the school?
"My name is Ellen Simons", the lady says,
"The headmistress of the Springwood Academy"
"Nice to meet you", I squeeze a smile out of myself.
"This is Maddison, our best student, and role model", the headmistress introduces the girl with a proud voice, "She would give you a tour of the school and will tell you everything you need to know. Your bags will be taken to our room, you don't need to worry about anything".
I wave Alfred goodbye and Maddison gives me a gesture to follow her. She leads me into the building and I try to look at it one last time before we enter.
It's a huge mansion. Gothic. The windows are very tall and ornaments carved out of stone are all around them. Kind of cool, actually. I gasp when I notice a dark figure in one of the windows, probably looking at me. Well, there's no one else here, so yeah, probably watching the new student. Still, it creeps me out and I turn away, following Maddison's lead.
The building is magnificent. Even I have to admit that. Huge halls and corridors with exceptionally high ceilings. School's emblem is everywhere…. That black, red, and gold logo is even on their coffee cups. My previous school was fancy, but this is a whole new level. And when you speak, your voice freaking echoes.
"Why is it so quiet here?" I finally ask my tour-guide after about half an hour of wandering the halls and corridors of the academy. The building is magnificent, but I still haven't met a soul.
"Tests", Maddie
she asked me to call her that
says, "You arrived during the test week".
"Lucky me", I giggle and she smiles back, but somehow it doesn't feel genuine.
"Yeah, usually it's much louder", she shakes her shoulders and swirls a lock of her hair. That's probably her signature move as she does it automatically without even noticing.
"So, tell me the interesting stuff now that we covered who build what and the curriculum"
I laugh and she smirks. We are so not going to be friends.
"You'll have to see it for yourself, Stella. As in every other school, we have groups. And it's hard to get into a group you do not belong to..
"Which group are you at", I interrupt her on purpose even though I already know the answer. She's the Oueen B here. 100%.
"Well, I belong to the top students at the school. In every sense of the word. We are at the top academically, we are great at sports and we are popular", she boasts and I nod in understanding. Not that I care, but you don't want the Queen B as your enemy on your first day.
We walk some more and she tells me who dates who and other silly stuff that I probably am not going to remember.
"And you?" I ask her to boost her ego, "Do you date the best looking boy at the school or something?"
"Almost", Maddison blushes, "It's a matter of time now. We've known each other since we were kids and we always knew that we are bound to end up as a couple".
Her smile is sincere this time and I can tell that this guy is not just a fling. Good for her.
Although if they know each other since childhood and still nothing happened…. But I, of course, wouldn't tell her that. I am not suicidal.
The bell rings and suddenly doors start to open, the halls are filling with people fast. I hear a whistle here and there, and whispers. I guess they don't have new students here too often. Maddie pulls my hand and tells a few guys to shut up when they call me "a yummy human". Who even says that? I mean, really?
We go upstairs and then down a long corridor when we finally reach a massive wooden door with the number 45 on it. "And that would be your room", Maddison opens the door for me and gestures for me to come in. I do and... I am not impressed. The room is spacious but very ... basic. Two wooden beds, two tables, one huge wardrobe, and a tremendous window with a built-in seat and a few cushions already on it. It is obvious that someone already lives in this room, as the right part of it is colorfully decorated.
"How is it?" Maddie asks me.
"It's ok, do you by any chance know my room-mate?"
"Yes, she is a bit of a loser, but since you transfer in the middle of a year you can't really choose...", she rolls her eyes apologetically.
"I think I’ll be fine", I smile politely.
"Speaking of", Maddison was almost leaving, when she turned back to me, "You seem like a really great girl and all. And you can ask me any questions if you need to. But when you come for a meal to the dining hall, you need to know that you cannot seat with me".
Bummer. I was soo00o looking forward to that. I almost give out a laugh, but control myself.
"No problem", I force a smile.
"Great then! I think you would be a great fit for the school! And I'll see you at dinner", she turns and walks away as quickly as if she is running from a fire. Not that I am going to miss her.
I come close to the window and try to open it, it’s old and rusty, but I manage to do as I desire and fresh air hits me in the face. One thing for sure - this place smells nice! I have felt it ever since I came here. A hint of sandalwood everywhere I go. Nice!
My room has a view of the football field and I see guys in the academy's sports gear playing rugby. My, my…… Maybe I am not that unlucky after all? I smile to myself and seat on a huge and comfortable windowsill to observe them for a bit. This school must have a very strong athletic program as the bodies of the boys here are just…… beyond amazing! Kyle and Renee would so appreciate the view if they were here with me. I sign as I know that I wouldn't be able to see my best friends for a while. A slight chill goes down my spine. At this place, I feel like somebody is watching me all the time.