It was a normal sunny day, as Jessica looked out the window out of the limo and sighed heavily. She could hear Argentina flag flapping fiercely in the harsh, cold wind. She sunk down in her chair, attempting to pull her skirt over her knees.
She felt uncomfortable in the red, plaid, short skirt she was required to wear for the school uniform. She thought the tan sweater, red, plaid tie, an white collared shirt she was allowed to wear was okay. She wasn't sure about the white or back knee-high socks, and black flats. She was used to sandals or tennis shoes in her country.
Well I guess this is where I'll be living for the next four years, she thought as she stared at the private school from a distance.
A man wearing a suit, tie, and sunglasses, stepped out of the passenger's side and opened her door for her. She was greeted with a gust of wind in her face, and a mouthful of her own long, wavy, dark brown hair. After she stepped out, she folded her arms, ubbing them up and down, trying to keep warm.
Braving the strong wind, the man closed the door and moved to the back, opening the trunk. Grabbing a small number of bags she had, he closed the trunk, and started down the flat stone path towards the direction of the school.
"Oh no! You don't have carry my bags for me!" she exclaimed. She felt useless not carrying anything. Ignoring her, the man said nothing, proceeding down the path towards the school.
The large country felt a surge of anger pulse through her body. Why does everyone ignore me? she thought to herself.
It really irritates me! all he does is stare ahead and do what he's told! I tried to strike up a conversation, but he didn't say anything so it ended up being awkward! She huffed, clenching, and unclenching her fists. Why did I go to this damned place? I didn't even want to come!
The World Academy Program was a brand new system where each country collects names of the top students in each school between the ages of 14 and 18. After all of the top students are collected from every school in the country, they place all the names in a jar, and pick the names randomly. Each student picked gets to go to a school where almost every country in the world has a student representative.
The World Academy was a boarding school that lasted 4 years max depending on the age. It was the first time trying this, so everyone was excited. All the selected students from different countries get lessons on world problems, solutions, languages, leadership skills, currency, law, debate and the economy. The chairman's goal as to create a new generation of creative and successful leaders.
In all honesty, Jessica really didn't really have a choice. Even though she asked the chairman of this new organization about a billion times, she was turned down. "What a great opportunity it will be!" he said to her. "Make your country proud!" She came weeks late because someone else was picked and had a horrible accident. The next name picked just happened to be hers.
The only reason she didn't want to go was because of her mother. She had been so sick for such a long time, and without a father and little money, Jessica took it upon herself to take care of her mom. She studied hard and got perfect grades, she worked in their family farm by herself, selling the goods, for medicine for her mother.
She was going to decline the offer (more like a command) over and over again until her mom encouraged her to go to have fun ad be happy. Despite her feelings, she didn't want to go against her mother's wishes. She used all of her savings to hire a nurse to take care of her mother for the next four years. She pleaded with her best friend Victor to help with the farm.
The day they came to get her was the worst moment of her life. Not only did she leave her mother behind, but she felt like she was leaving her life and identity behind. After packing her bags into the trunk of limo, she was given a student ID card with all of her information on it. Getting to the school was a nightmare.
They had to drive through a bunch of cameramen and reporters who were literally trying to climbi over each other just to get a picture of even a glimpse of her. After that, they went on a flight to London that lasted 10 hours and 45 minutes. Finally, after another three hours of driving, they arrived at the school which was isolated in the middle of the countryside.
This is it, she thought to herself, wiping away tears from the thought of her mother at home without her .
"Welcome Jessica of Argentina," a deep monotone greeted. "Please scan your ID card and enjoy your stay at the World Academy." The large iron gates swung open soundlessly. The second she stepped inside, she stood there speechless.
There were plumeria flowers edging a stone pathway towards the doors. Pansies grew freely in the grass. The grass was cut perfectly, not a single blade out of place. An old fashioned well sat near the left corner of the garden. Humming birds flitted above tiger lilies. their wings a blur. A weeping cherry tree danced beautifully in the wind. Attached to a branch was an old rope tied to an old looking wooden swing
Walls of the school were covered in beautiful ivy, the red brick barely showing. The clear glass doors were so clean, that if she hadn't been paying attention, she would have ran right into them.
The man carrying her bags headed down the path, without hesitation. Jessica had to run to catch up, her hair covering her shockingly green eyes. She tripped over a rock and tripped, skinning her knee. She hopped up quickly ignoring the throbbing pain in her know, and caught up to him quickly.
As she stepped up to the academy doors she was greeted with butterflies in her stomach. Oh of course! Now you get nervous! She scolded herself. She took a deep breath as she scanned her card and waited. The same monotone voice greeted her. "Welcome Jessica of Argentina, please enter through the doors and make your way to the administrator's office to get your class schedule."
The glass doors opened and she was welcomed with silence. The room split off into three different hallways. She bit her nails, then scolded herself. Ugh, breaking habits is hard. Especially when I'm nervous, she thought. The floor looked to be made of granite and the walls were a dark red color,but empty.
"Um hello?" she called out, "I'm Argentina! I'm here to get my schedule!" She called out, tilting her head to listen. She heard a faint noise. Is someone crying somewhere? she wondered. Forgetting about everything, she headed towards the noise.
At first, Jessica was excited to see someone being nice to her. that is, until she saw the look on the boys face. His dark green eyes were so red and puffy from crying so much. His cheek was purple and swollen and his nose was bloodied.
She analyzed him quickly. He had dark brown hair and an olive complexion. He wearing the boys school uniform of a white button up shirt, khakis, and a plaid red sweater vest.
"Umm," she muttered. She regained her posture and glared at the country. "Are you okay?" she asked him.
Lovino smiled. She recoiled. The smile was so fake! Though his face looked happy despite the bruises. his tone and his eyes were telling a different story. His emotions seemed to be a mixture of confusion, misery, pain, and fury. "Who me?" he asks somewhat threatening tone."What do you want? Have you come to have a crack at me too?" he asked, his smile growing wider, startling the other country.
"You can knock it off now. I hate it when people mask their feelings," Jessica replied, to the country, placing her hands on her hips glaring back. She didn't break eye contact as she walked out in front of him, holding her hand out.
"Now I'm going to ask one more time, and I expect an answer." Her light green eyes bore into his dark green ones. He adverted his gaze took her hand, Jessica smiling triumphantly. After pulling himself up, he glared at her.
"I'm Lovino Vargas, I'm the representative of Southern Italy," he said, holding out his hand to her.
She smiled a little and shook his hand with a firm grip. "Sorry about that Lovino. I'm Jessica. I'm the representative of Argentina. I'm glad I found a friend today. I would have been so lonely." Lovino looked down at the ground, blushing.
Well first off, you need to start being honest with me and with to yourself, because if we're going to be friends, I'm going to want to know the real you, right?" she said, placing her hand on his shoulder.
Lovino's eyes wavered. "Friends?" He repeated in a hushed tone. "With me? I haven't heard of that one before" He smiled for a brief moment and then frowned, glaring down at Jessica.
"Why would I want to be friends with someone like you? " he asked, swatted the hand on his shoulder. Lovino glared at her as the smaller country's smile grew wider.
"Whatever, I know what your thinking." the country winked at him. "Just keep up the act tough guy. I enjoy it."
"Do you want me to take your bags or not?" He asked rudely. Jessica smiled and nodded. "Sure! Thank you very much."
"Wait right here," Jessica said, putting her luggage down and running into a restroom.
"Are you kidding me? I don't have time for this Jessica!" he complained.
Jessica came out, handful of warm, white, and wet, fuzzy towels from the bathroom. She gestured to the ground.
"Sit," she demanded in an authoritative tone. Surprised by the sudden change of gentle to commanding, he sat down automatically. Crouching in front of him, she started to dab at his face with a towel.
"Wait- what are you doing?" he asked, grabbing the smaller country's hand so she couldn't continue.
"What does it look like?" Jessica huffed. "You are a bloody mess! You needed to be cleaned up before you get an infection!"
Lovino arched an eyebrow. "Why would you even care? you don't even know me! Ouch!" he yelped, grabbing the side of his face.
Lovino set her stuff down in the middle of the hallway. Jessica stopped looking at the Italian, confused.
"What are we doing?" asked Jessica.
"What do you think?" Lovino snapped back. "I can't go into the girl's dorm room!"
"Oh right, silly me" Jessica replied sheepishly. Lovino rolled his eyes.
"Umm, so I'll see you around?" He said quietly, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Jessica smiled big and hugged him, surprising Lovino. He pushed her off of him, looking angry, but blushing like crazy.
"Of course! Anything for my first friend at Word Academy!"
Romano blushed bright red. "Y-yeah, right, f-friends," he mumbled. Jessica let go of him and patted his head.
"Which way do I go?" Argentina asked. Romano pointed down the hall. "Maybe she can tell you," he said.
She swung around. "Who-" before she was able to finish her sentence, She was tackled down to the ground. Pinned and startled, the country looked up at the offender only to see a hispanic girl, who was smiling sadistically overtop of her.