A/N: Hi there! So this is my first multi-chapter fic, I hope I did alright. English is not my first language, so if there are any mistakes, please let me know. Also tell me if you have any advice for me or improvements I could make, I'm open for constructive criticism! I know the DPS fandom isn't that big (or active) but I still hope there are a few people out there who will enjoy reading this. Please R&R! :)
This was it. Today was an important day in more than one way. It was the first day of school, which, granted, happens every year, but this year it was more special to me than ever before.
I was going to attend Welton Academy.
Welton, with its long history of Ivy league students and professors, where only the brightest (or richest) boys could study...
...and I was the first girl to ever attend it.
You might be wondering, how on earth did that happen? How did I convince Mr. Nolan, the conservative, strict headmaster, to let a GIRL into Welton? Well, it took time and tact, let me tell you.
It started with my brother. You see, Simon already attended Hell-ton, and he had told me all about it as well. At the end of last year, when he and our parents were talking to Mr. Nolan, the conversation suddenly turned to me. They were talking about how well Simon had done on his finals and what he was going to do after his last year of Welton. Mr. Nolan suggested becoming a lawyer, but Simon commented that law school was definitely out of the question and that it would suit me a lot better. This caught Nolan's interest and he started questioning me about my grades and academic future. Apparently, my affinity for languages and maths and my determined personality appealed to him and he asked me if I would consider applying to Welton. After he arranged some things, of course.
I didn't hesitate before saying yes.
I mean let's be honest, I know it's Hell-ton, but it's still a huge opportunity for me and probably the best damn thing that could ever happen for my future career and life in general. Not many girls get the chance to go to university, let alone go to an Ivy League college, as being admitted in one of America's best prepatory schools will definitely guarantee.
So I said yes, and he said he would get back in touch with my parents over the summer after he had talked to the school's board about it.
July was agonizing. I kept waiting for a call, a letter, anything that would tell me whether or not I would transfer to Welton. It wasn't until the 5th of August that I was finally put out of my misery.
It was late in the morning and I was helping my mother making lunch, when the phone rang.
My head shot up so fast I nearly broke my neck and my mother laughed before drying her hands and making her way over to where the phone hung.
"Hello, this is the Ashton residence, who am I speaking to?", I held my breath in anticipation.
"Oh Mr. Nolan, what a pleasant surprise! Yes, of course, we'll be happy to. We'll be there. Alright, goodbye.", she hung up.
"Well?" I yelled in my excitement.
"Mr. Nolan has arranged a meeting with us this afternoon to discuss your transfer to Welton, isn't that wonderful?", my mom said with a smile on her face.
"YES!", I shouted, jumping from the couch I had been sitting on and giving her a hug. We both started laughing, when dad and Simon came in.
"What are we being happy about?", my dad asked with a grin.
"Mr. Nolan wants to talk this afternoon about enrolling me in Welton!", I told him, grinning so wide my cheeks hurt.
"That's wonderful, Katherine!", my father exclaimed, giving me a hug as well.
"Yeah, my little sister is going to be the first girl to ever get into Hell- I mean Welton! I'm going to have to keep an eye on you, Kat, protect your virtue and such.", Simon said with a sly wink and a joking smile.
"Let's not get too excited, now, I'm not in yet, you know. Besides, I don't need you to 'protect my virtue', I'll be perfectly fine on my own, thanks.", I replied, grinning evilly at my brother and then laughing at his scared expression.
"Remind me to never make you mad at me.", Simon said and I laughed again.
"Alright guys, lunch is ready.", my mother called, and we both sprinted to the kitchen.
Even though Simon and I were both considered young adults and knew perfectly well how to behave accordingly, we were still children at heart and often acted like two ten-year-olds at home as a result. Our parents didn't really mind, even though Simon was a year older and going to college soon enough. Our family was happy, we actually loved each other, we didn't have to pretend to the outside world. Our parents didn't put any pressure on us, they just wanted us to be happy and have a good life, so they gave us all the tools and let us choose our own path. I've always treasured that, because I've seen what that pressure could do to people and relationships. Right now, I was hoping that my path would lead me to Welton.
After lunch I went to my room and changed into something a bit more formal and traditional. I thought Nolan would appreciate that. My parents weren't very conservative, I could wear what I want (within limits of course) and do whatever hobbies I wanted, as long as I actually worked hard for it and didn't give it up after a month. Which is probably the reason I'm so determined. I rarely give up something I set as a goal, causing me to choose my goals very carefully. That's also why I didn't want to get my hopes up too high when Nolan said I might be able to study at Welton. If it didn't work out, I'd be fed up for weeks.
After I had changed, I went downstairs and my parents and I drove to the school. Simon didn't come because, as he put it, 'this is your future, sister, I have no reason to come with you and meddle'. I think he just wants to spend as little time as possible in Nolan's presence.
I can't blame him for that.
When we arrived we saw a man I recognized as professor Hager waiting for us at the entrance. We got out of the car and went up the stairs to the large wooden doors.
"Ah, Miss Ashton I presume? Pleasure to meet you. I'm professor Hager.", he said whilst shaking my hand.
"Mr. Nolan is waiting for you in his office."
He lead me and my parents through the oaken doors and to the large stairs that would bring us to our place of meeting.
When we arrived in front of Nolan's office, professor Hager knocked on the door and waited for a sound of approval before opening it and letting us enter.
Mr. Nolan was sitting in a large, leather chair behind a beautifully carved wooden desk that probably cost a small fortune, looking over some important-looking papers.
When he looked up and noticed we had entered the room he stood up and greeted us, then prompted us to sit down.
And then began the conversation that changed my life.
Mr. Nolan told me that after long deliberation and convincing the other members of the school's board, I was allowed to transfer to Welton.
I really had to keep myself from jumping up and shouting 'YES!'.
He told me that it was a little experiment, to see if enrolling girls in Welton would have benefits or if it would just have a bad influence on the boys. (I decided not to comment on that)
I was going to stay on the same floor as the boys who were my age, but in a single room with an adjoining bathroom that used to be inhabited by a teacher.
Nolan said I'd be following classes together with the boys, but if he noticed that I was distracting them in any way, he'd make me have private lessons.
He also assigned me extra-curricular activities: the school paper, fencing (after a very long discussion, because apparently, sports are not appropriate for girls) and piano lessons, because I didn't want to drop them after 8 years of hard work.
Lastly, there was the matter of the school uniform. I was expecting to wear the same uniform as everyone else, considering that that's the whole point of a uniform. But Nolan wanted me to wear an 'adjusted' version, as he called it, meaning: I was going to wear a skirt and tights instead of trousers.
Now, normally I wouldn't really mind, this was a traditional school after all, but I knew how cold winters could be at Welton and I've always prefered wearing trousers instead of skirts and dresses, so I told Nolan as much.
He seemed a bit shocked to hear my request, but in the end we came to an agreement. If I deemed it too cold, I was allowed to wear trousers, otherwise I wore the skirt. That way everyone got what they wanted.
When all the details were settled and papers were signed, Mr. Nolan shook hands with us.
"Welcome to Welton Academy, Miss Ashton, I will see you on the first of September."
And that is how I found myself surrounded by boys of all ages talking to their parents, searching their friends and catching up with them after a long summer filled with anything but Hell-ton.
I nervously wiped my hands on my skirt and started looking around for Simon, I didn't want to look as if I didn't have any friends...even though I didn't. Yet.
"Well hello there", a voice said from behind me.
I turned around and saw a boy who looked my age, with tousled brown hair, deep brown eyes and a sly smirk on his face.
"Hi...and you are?" I asked, looking at him questioningly.
"The name's Charlie Dalton", he said, while his smirk grew wider.
"Nice to meet you, Charlie", I grinned and extended my hand, "Katherine Ashton, but my friends call me Kat"
"It's a real pleasure, Kat. So what is a beautiful girl like you doing in a horrible place like this?"
"The same as you, I go to school here.", I smiled sweetly at him. The shocked look on his face was hilarious.
That's when Simon found me and told me the ceremony was about to begin. I waved at Charlie before following my brother inside.
This was going to be fun.
