Every morning, the girls of Teresa's Catholic College pray before the statue of the Virgin Mary upon arriving. Their youthful spirits are tempered by the refined elegance of the school's traditions. Their uniforms are deep green and haunting silver. Their collars are prim and tidy, and the pleats of their skirts are to be kept neat.
Walking slowly is preferred here.
Teresa's Catholic College: it is a school for silver-eyed maidens, cultivating spirituality, self-discipline, and modesty in all its students.
Chapter 2: Little Kitten, Little Sister
Cynthia's table was by the window, and even a ray of sunlight was enough to distract her from participating fully in the class. She knew it wasn't supposed to be a big deal, but she couldn't resist replaying the morning's chance meeting in her mind. Galatea's teasing voice echoed around in her head as if it was empty and could be filled only by Rosa Chinensis' words. Cynthia sighed, playing with one of her hairtails. It was only her first day at the Catholic academy, and she already felt bored. Before she could start counting bouncing sheep, however, the church bells rang, and the high-pitched laughter, giggles, and excited gossiping of her classmates jolted her out of her daydreaming.
It was lunchtime.
"I'm glad we ended up in the same class," came a voice to her right. She glanced up at a student whose hair had been tied into a ponytail and draped in front of her shoulder. She looked calm but open. "Then at least we can enjoy recess together if we don't make many friends."
"Recess time?" said Cynthia, blinking. "Oh, sure, I guess. Sorry I spaced out. Let's eat!" She gave a bright smile. Tabitha was her childhood friend, and it had been a dream for both of them to attend the same high school together. It was incredible that their parents had managed to enrol them at the same private school.
Tabitha sat down in the empty seat in front of Cynthia's desk. "What did you bring for your very first lunch at Teresa's?"
"Uh… let's see." Cynthia rummaged around in her bag for a blue lunchbox. "Hmm. I made some sandwiches and brought some chocolates." She handed a wrapped sweet to Tabitha. "Care for a peppermint choc?"
"Cynthia! Tabitha!" rang out a nervous voice. The two new students stopped at the sounds of their tall friend Yuma, who was younger than both by several months and easily the least confident of them all. She had long blonde hair that should have lent her great beauty, but her childish face and nerve-wracked eyes seemed to ruin her assets. Yuma stopped before Tabitha, catching her breath slowly. She had been running. Where she had been, Cynthia didn't know.
"What's going on?" whispered Tabitha. "Look! Some of our classmates are staring at us!" She pointed around, observing some of the girls whispering to each other. It was understandable that they, as a trio of brand-new students, would attract some surprised stares.
"But this is important," panted out Yuma, oblivious to her the messy state of her uniform. "I was getting lunch at the tuckshop when I was approached by this girl with short hair… she was a senior. Her name was Clare, and she's Rosa Foetida's en bouton!"
"You mean she's the petite souer of Miria, the Yellow Rose?" said Tabitha, shocked. "No wonder why she could find you. She must have been given the information she needed, since she's on the Lily Mountain Council. But why did she want to find you?"
"Well, Clare actually had a message from Rosa Foetida. She said that Rosa Chinensis couldn't come to our classroom today. Apparently she was planning to, but got delayed by extra-curricular commitments." Yuma paused, unintentionally adding to the sudden drama. Her jumpy eyes reflected her own confusion. "That's why for whatever reason, the Roses want us to go to their lodge after school!"
"The student council has invited us to go to their headquarters?" confirmed Tabitha in disbelief. "What did we do? We just arrived today!"
"Why would the Lily Mountain Council suddenly want to see us?" cried Cynthia in a panic. "We're just first-years, too!" She suddenly tapped her head lightly in realization. This morning… what did I say to Galatea?
She wanted to see me again…
"Oh, no. I told her about you guys!" she confessed, looking extremely chagrined. "I knew she wouldn't keep our meeting a secret."
"Cynthia!" cried Tabitha and Yuma at the same time. "Did you run into someone this morning?"
Cynthia lowered her head, staring at the marks on her table. "When we lost our way and got separated, I actually ran into… into the Red Rose. I… I… told her that I was looking for my friends… for you guys."
She kept silent about the rest of their conversation.
"So… you actually met Galatea by chance, the Red Rose. So that's how the other Roses know about us. That and I bet they have access to the student registry," sighed Tabitha, slumping into her chair. "Wow. Way to start the new semester."
"What do we do?" cried Yuma. "We can't be in trouble, can we?"
Cynthia closed her eyes, her heart starting to beat faster. Galatea's wry face was still seared into her mind. Catch ya later, echoed the Rose's voice.
Just what do you want with me, Rosa Chinensis? she thought to herself.
"No. We're not in trouble," she said suddenly, looking at Tabitha and Yuma. "But let's go anyway. Do you have a map of the school?"
It was afternoon, and the autumn sun had already splashed a bright red hue across the sky.
Inspired by French architecture, the headquarters of the student leaders was a testament to its unusual power and privilege within the College. Surrounded by a garden with trimmed shrubs, it loomed over the three first-years, its windows peering down at them like an imperious mistress. It had two storeys, and according to their school diaries' information, the common room of the Lily Mountain Council was upstairs.
"Wow," gasped Yuma dumbly.
"This is very impressive lodge," admitted Tabitha. She gripped her schoolbag nervously.
"Well, we're already here," said Cynthia resolutely. More importantly, she wanted to set things straight with Galatea and understand why she had summoned them here. "Let's go." She approached the wooden door and knocked lightly. "Hello?" she called. No response came from within. She shrugged, glancing at Tabitha. "Let's just try our luck." She turned the gilded doorknob, and to her surprise, it was unlocked. She pushed, and her black shoes tapped lightly on the floorboards. There wasn't much to see on the bottom level, except for a pantry and a pair of couches. It was dark except for the afternoon sunlight that snuck past the patterned curtains.
"There's the staircase," whispered Yuma. "Let's go up."
They tiptoed up the staircase, unable to stop the insistent creaking of the wooden planks. It felt slightly hot. They travelled up two flights, turning a corner, and found themselves staring at another door. From within, voices could be heard. Cynthia's heart skipped a beat as she recognized Galatea's. "They're in there." She picked up her pace and neared the door, knocking impatiently.
"It's unlocked. Please come in," came Flora's sweet voice.
Cynthia turned the doorknob and pushed, stepping into a much better lit room and letting her gaze fall on the rectangular table before her. Tabitha and Yuma followed her and gasped. Before them on the white tablecloth were three white teacups filled with fresh, Earl Grey tea. On the opposite side sat the three Roses, their faces illuminated by the natural sunlight as well as the ceiling's fluorescent bulb. Miria and Flora flanked Galatea, sitting formally and respectably with their hands on their lap. The girl between them, in contrast, had her hands behind her head, and it was obvious that she was leaning back, rocking on her timber chair as she observed the new arrivals nonchalantly.
"Good afternoon, Cynthia, Tabitha, and Yuma," said Flora, smiling. "I apologize for calling you up here so abruptly. It seems Rosa Foetida's en bouton succeeded in reaching you." She gestured to the chairs before her. "I prepared hot tea for you. Please, sit down and make yourselves comfortable."
The three juniors simply stood there silently, silver eyes wide and mouths agape.
"Don't you remember your manners?" said Miria sternly. "Bow at the waist and answer the White Rose properly. Students of Teresa's College are held to a high standard of feminine etiquette."
"It matters not, Miria," said Flora quickly. "It's only their first day."
"Yeah. Let them go," drawled Galatea. "I bet they'll get used to it faster than I did, anyway."
"Rosa Chinensis!" cried Miria. "You should also set an example for these freshmen!"
"Okay-dokey." Galatea smiled at the juniors. "Girls, I want you to tell Miria your names. Then, do sit down and drink your tea."
"Tabitha!" cried the junior with the pigtail. "I apologize for our impoliteness." She hurried to sit across from Miria.
"Y… Y… Yuma," stuttered the longhaired girl, who couldn't hide behind Tabitha any longer. Standing in the presence of the Roses was too much for her, especially on a Monday afternoon. Fidgeting, Cynthia was about to announce her own name when Galatea interrupted, much to her horror.
"Don't bother. They know," she purred. "They got me to tell them about what I did with you this morning."
"This… this morning?" stuttered Cynthia, shuffling towards her chair and sitting down. She stared into the silver eyes of the Roses, slightly intimidated.
"Galatea tied your neckerchief, didn't she?" said Flora. She lifted her own cup to her lips and took a polite, silent sip. "Do you know that she rarely interacts with her juniors unless they interest her?"
"I'm sure you know about the souer system at this school. It's a way of life, something that forges friendships and loves for a lifetime. A senior is supposed bestow her rosary on a younger student that she shares an affinity with. They then become sisters, and they are to support and care for each other until the senior's graduation. Rosa Chinensis is the only member of the Council that hasn't passed on her rosary," sighed Miria. "Even when my own petite souer, second-year Clare, has already bonded with a first-year called Clarice."
"So students can become grande seours as early as second year," confirmed Tabitha, her hands placed around her warm teacup.
"Miria and I passed on our rosaries when we were in our second year here. This year is Galatea's final chance to experience the fulfilment of being a grande souer." Flora looked closely at Cynthia. "I do not wish to burden you, but I believe that our Red Rose took an immediate liking to you when she met you on the way to school today. I think you may be the one – the only one – to enchant her with life at this college. You may be the girl she needs to be truly happy. She is wise, yes. Teachers admire her knowledge and critical understanding of theology. Her grades are near perfect. But as far as I'm concerned, without a little sister to support her, she is ultimately lacking a piece that completes her. If she cannot give away her rosary… then she will not have a girl to love."
Tabitha and Yuma stared at Cynthia as Miria nodded, agreeing with Flora. "I don't know everything about you, and I don't know if you can be trusted with everything. But if you're the one who Galatea can be vulnerable around…"
Galatea abruptly stood up. "Very well, Rosa Foetida. Very well, Rosa Gigantea. I get you. Sometimes, I forget to seize the initiative. Carpe diem, carpe diem. Thank you both for reminding me, my dear, loyal Roses." She strode around Flora and past the edge of the table, passing a bewildered Yuma and stopping before Cynthia, who stared up at her in surprise.
"Come with me," said Rosa Chinensis, brusquely grabbing Cynthia by the hand and leading her towards the door. "I'm having a few words with you."
"Huh?" mumbled Cynthia, too confused to even resist.
Yuma and Tabitha let out shocked cries as their friend was pulled away from the room. Miria shouted after Galatea angrily. "How can she carry herself so casually, so carelessly? Sometimes, I worry for her."
Flora simply closed her eyes and sipped at her cup of tea again.
"It is so difficult to know her thoughts behind those inscrutable eyes," she said quietly.
She took her downstairs and trapped her in the corner of the lounge. There was no escape. There was only the face of the Red Rose, and her arms, and her tall, shapely, warm body.
"Please, Rosa Chinensis – " cried Cynthia. She was pinned against the wall, although she was not in an uncomfortable position. Galatea made sure of it so that she wouldn't have any excuse to struggle. "This is so awkward – "
"Call me anything but that flowery name, a sterile product of legalistic convention forced upon us by shrivelled old nuns and priests. Not to say I won't become one someday, but I don't want anyone to spoil my marvellous school life before I go to university." Rosa Chinensis stared closely at Cynthia, her silver eyes wandering across her trembling form. Each could feel the other's hot breath against their faces. Neither tried to break free from the shared gaze.
Galatea smirked, partly to herself. "Looks like Miria and Flora will be getting their way after all. I'm such a bad example. What am I even doing as the head Rose? In time, can you answer that for me?"
She shook her left hand suddenly, loosening the rosary around her wrist. She clasped the prayer beads and held them in front of her junior's eyes, dangling the shining crucifix before her.
The gesture was straightforward, the request, simple.
Cynthia blanched, her heart pounding incessantly in her red ears. She could not have imagined, on her very first day at this private academy, that she would be looked upon with such interest by the most influential students. But it was the cool, mysterious, somewhat unpredictable Galatea that haunted her the most. Did she dare to think that she was about to become the little sister of the Lily Mountain Council's Red Rose?
Did she dare to believe that she would be chosen over an entire grade of freshmen so quickly?
"Why are… why are you doing this?"
"Because you're fun, and you know it. You've caught my eye, you've earned my curiosity."
"But what… What exactly do you want from me? It's been bothering me ever since you touched me this morning." She looked pleadingly into Galatea's eyes. "Please tell me, so I know what to do."
Galatea stopped, surprised. Then her lips broke into a smile. "Alright, you win. I'll tell you what I want. Accept my rosary, first-year kitten," she whispered. "Become my little sister. Make my last year at this school a magical one."
The die had been cast, and the Rubicon had been crossed. "Become… your petite souer?" whispered Cynthia, her lips less than an inch away from Galatea's.
The Red Rose smirked at her, nodding as their hands touched and clasped. "One way or another, I'm going to make you mine."