Scene 1

"Hey, Galatea, wake up or you'll miss the introductory speech!"

"Like I give a damn…"

"The first year students will be there. Maybe some cute girls, just about your type…"

"…"

"Well, Gala?"

"We can't miss that now, can we?"

Crowned Camellia

Helen throws me her usual smirk and disappears into the stairway door. She's energetic as usual, unlike me right now. I take some time getting up on my feet and straighten my uniform. One last look up into the sky and I get off the roof.

What was I doing on the roof anyway? It's sort of getaway place. A girl of my caliber absolutely can't go around without one. But lately more and more have been finding out about it, so I guess I'll have to find a new one this year.

Pretty soon I'm already at the 3rd floor balcony, it's the best view of the courtyard. All the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years are lined up in order. Headmistress Teresa is throwing a speech of welcome and high expectations.

"What took you so long?" Helen asked while hanging on the safety net, smoking a cigarette.

"I saw a lonely flower petal dancing in the wind and decided to catch it... Oh and don't get that smoke in my direction."

"I guess you haven't changed since last year, Queen-san…" Helen's smirk grew wider with her last remark.

"When someone like you says it, it sounds weird. I'm just myself." Yeah I'm the queen here, half a year to attain the title and half a year to get bored of it.

"Would you rather I call you Prince, like some of the biggest fans…"

She looked smug but after a glare from me she shuts up.Helen is just like that, unbearable at times, but still around when you need to do something. And out of all the delinquents, she's the most reasonable.

"Oh and speaking of which, where's that girl who was hanging around you?"

Helen threw her cig down, "Her name's Flora. I heard she's gonna be part of the show, play violin or something. And I think she's in the first row along with the rest of the 'good' girls …"

I lean over the net and try to find her in the crowd. "Yeah. You should be there yourself…" She added.

"Too boring…" I cut her off, "Oh looks like Teresa just finished her speech. Now we'll get treated to the show."

The headmistress walks off the stage and is replaced by Flora, pride of the classical music club, who whips out a violin and starts playing.

Flora… Let's just say we know each other. She was interested in me for too much reasons to list, but I was reluctant to reply the way she wanted. But I'm not above teasing. And let's admit she's got a nice rack. I wonder if things changed after this summer…

Suddenly the sound of the balcony doors opening interrupts my thoughts.

"Ohh. Busted…" Helen remarks as she turns around.

"Well-well, let me guess…" I don't even bother to turn around "Happy new school year, Miria"

"How did you know it was me?" she asks in surprise.

"Same perfume…" I turn around to face her, smiling more than before.

"It's shampoo. And what are you doing here?" she asks before crossing her hands on her chest.

"Ah come one, miss disciplinary committee… This place has the best view…" Helen decided to butt in

"And Miria, don't squeeze your breasts like that, you're tempting me." I remark while trailing a hand down my hair.

"Oh shut up, both of you. There's an entry word for the freshmen by the top 3 students. That includes the sisters and you, Galatea."

"Thanks for the honor, but I'll pass. I just don't feel like… Wha…" Miria grabs my hand and starts dragging me… Me of all people!

"I knew you'd say that, but you're going to do it, whether you like it or not…"

Miria always was too law-abiding.

"Dangit, OK-OK, I'm going… You can let go." I switch to my usual tone

"Let go? And have you run away? Yeah right."

True I was going to make a run for it, but OK might as well get this over with. She brings me down the first floor and she's leading me through the garden. Wait, why is Miria smiling.

"You know, you could be enjoying dragging me a little less…" I say as I struggle not to give in to her able hands.

"It's not you. I'm just happy to be back here. I guess that includes seeing your smug face again. Aren't you glad to be back?" Miria slows down a bit, loosens her grip and raises her brows at me.

"Well… Maybe." I slip out of her grip and leap for the nearest bushes.

"Get back here…" she desperately reaches for me but her hand slides through my hair.

Miria is so gullible, I think to myself as I get through the bush. Aw. A bark cut my right cheek. Damn! I'm gonna burn that bush later. I get out to the other side… And of all people to bump into…

"Hello Irene-sensei… Nice weather today, isn't it?"

"…" she tries to stare me down, but I'm immune to that kind of stuff.

Miria bursts out of the bush beside me, her clothes are a bit of a mess, "Get back here… oh hello Irene-sensei…"

"What were you two doing in those bushes?" Irene raises a brow. She'd be more threatening if her ears weren't so damn cute.

"Oh you know, adult stuff…" I reply rubbing the back of my head, Miria pokes me in the side for that one.

"I'm taking her to the welcoming ceremony for the… entry word. Please excuse us, we must hurry…"

She grabs me once again and drags my away, as I wave 'sayonara' to Irene. Irene is Teresa's right hand (or left hand if Teresa does it with her left). If you know what I mean… She'll probably tell the headmistress that I'm dilly-dallying around and corrupting honor students like Miria. I hope she does. I want to get Miria in trouble…

"We're here." said Miria, as she brought me backstage "Damn, what happened to your cheek?"

"Uh nothing I just…"

"Idiot, you just had to land on your face…" Miria's voice got softer. She'd look good in pink.

"Mi-Miria…"

Miria gets a band-aid out of her purse and slaps it on my cheek.

"Ow… What was that for?" I yelled before touching my hurt flesh.

"Get on stage already…" she urged before pushing me on the stage.

Damn that Miria, if only she'd be more like the other girls.

I waltz from the corner of the stage closer to the mic, which is currently oppucied by Flora. Finished with her little concert she begins introducing us.

"And now a word from the top 3 best students. The students with the best theoretic scores Alicia and Beth."

Oh yes, the No.1 and No.2. I'd be no.1 if I paid more attention and had less absences, but looking at these two vegetables, I'm glad I'm 3rd. It's as if their parents created then for the sole purpose of being overachieving bitches. Their entry word is… Welcome… blah-blah…work hard… don't fail the schools rep… blah-blah… clap-clap…

Finally they move on and Flora takes over again, "And now our precious No.3 honor student and club star Galatea." the 2nd years start clapping.

I wink at her Flora and she blushes. As usual.

I walk to the mic and adjust it up. 185 cm, I'm the school record. I hit the mic once and it gives off a silenced sound.

"Hello everyone…"

Some random people go "whoo!", while the fresh bloods whisper "oh, she's..."

Everyone's looking at me, I can't help but smile.

"We're gonna have fun together."

- - -

30.07.09 – 01.08.09

Song of this chapter is Faylan – Mind as Judgment.

Thanks to jjchopper for very inspiring art.

A very big thanks to my beta, Julie, the queen of pharmacology, for putting up with this yuri, even though it's not her comfort zone.

And my second beta Espada Harribel, who is away from any electric source…

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