The early morning breeze blew Charlie Hamilton's hair tenderly as she stepped foot on the grounds of the island called Girlantis, owned by power mogul DiDi Marvel. The one and only DiDi Marvel is simply a sensation who started versatile empire at the age of 21. She started off as corporate lawyer for a makeup company and eventually she started her own line of makeup and clothes. Years later, she started her own magazine and built a one woman media empire.
Today is a big day for those who are attending Girlantis Academy. Thousands of girls applied to be a part of it and only 200 girls are selected, and fortunately, Charlie was one of them. She remembered the day the admission letter arrived to her doorstep one morning. Since then, she could not wait to attend a school run by her all-time role model.
Prior to attending Girlantis Academy, Charlie was Straight A student, always top of her classes, she scored 6 lead roles in her school plays and she even had some minor roles in Broadway to which DiDi found impressive enough.
Charlie took a great look at Girlantis and took it all in. It is the most high-tech place she has ever seen in her life. It's like she somehow transported herself to the future. After alighting the private plane that brought her to the island, she made her way to a building with the sign 'Checkpoint' nearby along with the group of girls she boarded with.
"Charlotte Hamilton," a robot voice announced as she entered the building. It was linked to monorail tube that connects to all the destination in the school. "Charlotte Hamilton, kindly proceed into the monorail," it said again.
Charlie craned her neck and finally saw the entrance of the monorail right in front her. She quickly boarded it and took a seat. As she settled down, she saw that there was a pink goodie bag there too. Suddenly, a seatbelt came out from her seat and strap her in safely as the monorail started moving.
A hologram of DiDi Marvel then appeared at a screen right in front of her. "Greetings, Charlotte Hamilton. As you know I am DiDi Marvel. Welcome to Girlantis Academy. The school that nurtures talent of the most talented of students," the hologram said.
Charlie looked out the window to see some of the sights of the campus. It was beyond expectations. "Here in Girlantis Academy, we encourage our students to reach their potential in a good environment possible with no such distractions. You have been chosen among thousands of applicants to attend my prestigious school. Here, you will learn how it really is to be working in the real world. You will be trained by professionals and everything will be provided. Please have a look at the school manual inside the bag by your seat."
Charlie obeyed and opened the manual she found in her bag. "I will give you some of the guidelines. All students of Girlantis Academy would be required to wear the assigned uniform that would be ready for them in the closets of their respective dormitories. Uniforms must be worn during school and in the auditorium hall on weekdays," Hologram DiDi said.
The screen presented the uniforms that she would have to wear. There were various styles that the uniforms could be worn which Charlie found really stylish. She then dug up something else that she saw peeking through from the goodie bag. It is an iPad with the school's logo at the back.
"Next, each student will be given a tablet. Here, we call it the iGirl. It has been modified to fit every Girlantis students' needs. You can use the Map application to find your classes and the shortest route to get there. You may also use it to get to know the other students you are attending school with and contact them as well," explained Hologram DiDi Marvel. She continued talking about all the other guidelines until they reached to a stop.
"This brings us to the last point. You will be placed in the House of Selene, named after the Greek Goddess Selene who drives her moon chariot across the heavens. Your house mother will greet you in a moment. For now, you will meet your roommates until it is time for everyone to assemble in the Great Hall. I hope you will find your time here in Girlantis Academy to most fulfilling and may the best girl win." With that, hologram DiDi disappeared and the doors of the monorail opened and she walked towards the dormitory that says 'House of Selene'.
As she was making her way with her eyes on the exterior of the building, something inside her told her that this was home. She opened the front door to see a beautiful Greek-like interior with white marbles and gold trims. The first thing she noticed were the five beds with named assigned to it. There was a living area off to the side with a flat screen television and the bathroom next to it.
"Hi."
The voice immediately popped Charlie out of her thoughts. She turned to see there was a girl with long light brown hair and a friendly smile, "Oh, I'm sorry if I scared you," she chuckled.
"It's ok," Charlie replied, she held her hand out to shake her new roommate's hand. "I'm just in awe with this entire island."
"My name is Melanie Anderson. You must be Charlotte right?" she asked, as she saw Charlie walking towards her assigned bed.
"You can call me Charlie actually. Only my grandparents call me Charlotte. It's very formal," Charlie replied and Melanie nodded. They then fall into silence as Charlie sat on her bed and Melanie on hers, facing one another. In all honesty, Charlie isn't good at making new friends. So, she is hoping that Melanie has something more to say to her.
"So…where are you from?" Melanie asked, hugging a pillow in front of her.
"I'm from New York," Charlie replied. "And you?"
"New England," Melanie responded shortly.
They fell into an awkward silent again until Charlie pointed out to Melanie's black laced vest with floral embroidery, hoping it is a real conversation starter. "Nice vest. Is it vintage?" Charlie asked.
Melanie looked down and blushed, "No, actually I made it myself. Actually, no. I bought a vest but it didn't look quite nice after I bought it so I altered it this way," Melanie answered.
"Really? That is seriously impressive. No wonder DiDi Marvel picked you to attend this school. You must be super talented," Charlie complimented.
"Uh...yeah. Of course," Melanie smiled uneasily and walked away.
Charlie didn't move. Was it something she said? "So how do you like Girlantis Academy so far? It's cool isn't it? I am just so impressed with everything here. I hardly feel like I'm in school. I feel like I just went to high-tech heaven," Charlie said lamely, to which Melanie simply laughed.
"Yeah it's pretty cool. I'm very excited that I got into this school. I really want to be a fashion designer someday and I know this is my stepping stone towards that goal," Melanie rambled. "So what major are you in?" she asked Charlie.
Before she could answer, a tall, blonde girl walked out from the bathroom. "You must be my roommates," she greeted warmly and sat next to Melanie on her bed.
"How long were you in there?" Melanie asked. "I didn't know anyone was here when I arrived."
"That's not important right now. What's important is us roomies getting to know one another and have a deep bond since we are going to be living together," Gianna said. "Ok, my name is Gianna. I act, sing and dance. I'm a triple threat who will take the entertainment world by storm."
"Good to know," Melanie replied sarcastically while Charlie giggled.
Gianna gave a challenging glare at Melanie, "What about you?"
"Well, I'm not good at introductions but my name is Melanie. I walk, eat and talk and can do all of those things at once. I guess I'm a triple treat too," Melanie joked making Charlie laughed.
"Well what about you Miss Laughs-alot?" Gianna asked.
"Um...My name is Charlie. I'm from New York," Charlie said.
"Cool. What are you majoring in?" Gianna asked again, with her arms folded with interest.
"I'm picked the Dramatic Arts, but I also picked Business studies and Literature as my minor," she replied.
"Wow. 3-in-1. You sound like a triple threat too. Luckily, I'm taking drama as well. I thought that I could make my Broadway stage debut before I turn 20. I think we are going to get along very well," Gianna said while walking to her own bed.
"Um, that's great."
"Word of advice Charlie, if you want to make it here in Girlantis, you have to ditch your baggage," Gianna said referring to Melanie.
Charlie couldn't help but flinched at the comment, "Melanie is not a baggage. We just met. You don't know her enough to call her that," Charlie replied.
"I was kidding Charlie Brown-nose. Can't take a joke, can you?" Gianna replied swiftly as she unpacked her belongings from her carry-on.
Melanie was about to respond but Charlie stopped her. People like Gianna shouldn't be wasting anyone's time. Charlie turned back to her bed trying to find her smartphone. Her dad has been calling her non-stop ever since she left New York. As she expected, 5 missed calls. She texted her dad and walked to Melanie who was sitting at her bed also on her phone texting.
"Did your parents start to miss you already?" Charlie asked.
"Uh...yeah," Melanie answered while putting away her phone.
"Listen, don't take it to heart. Gianna is so not worth future wrinkles growing on your face," Charlie whispered.
"Oh, please. I can handle her," Melanie smiled. She then looked at Charlie's bracelet. "I like your bracelet."
"Thanks. My dad gave it to me. Each charm is special to me," Charlie said.
"I hear you. I can't live without my Converse sneakers too. It's my favourite go-to footwear," Melanie joked and both laughed. Charlie thinks she found her first friend in Girlantis. And her first enemy too.
Back at the Checkpoint, October McDillard have just arrived. She adjusted her hair to a side ponytail and walked into the building. There were many other girls there too. She felt lost in middle of all the chaos. But she told herself not to panic and just relax. Now that she is in a new school, she can finally make a name for herself and maybe be someone she's always been intimidated of.
"Kathryn Hotz and October A. McDillard." A robot voice said.
With that, she confidently walked towards the monorail but when walking, someone bumped into her. "Oh, I am so sorry."
October looked at the girl with a long dirty blonde hair and big brown eyes. She was wearing a denim jacket over a dress with tights that goes to her knees. "It's alright," October replied.
"Kathryn Hotz and October A. McDillard," the robot voice repeated.
"That's me. I'll see you," October said.
"Hold on, that's me too. I'm Kathryn," she introduced herself.
"Last call for Kathryn Hotz and October A. McDillard."
"I think we should save the introductions until we are inside the monorail," October said humourously.
"You're right," Kathryn giggled.
When inside and finally strapped into her seat, October told herself to not be shy. She told herself to be confident and cool. She doesn't want to be a loser. A loser would have no place in school like Girlantis Academy. She is going to be a winner. "So, my name is October," she introduced herself.
"October huh? Were you born in October?" Kathryn asked.
"No. I was named after my great grandmother," October replied.
"Was she born in October?" Kathryn asked again.
"I don't think so. I guess my family just likes the name," October said.
"Oh, that's cool. Having a uncommon name is pretty handy when you're famous one day. People would easily tell you apart from the others," Kathryn commented.
" As you know I am DiDi Marvel. Welcome to Girlantis Academy. The school that nurtures talent of the most talented of students," hologram DiDi Marvel said.
"Wow, cool," Kathryn said while playing with the hologram by putting her hand in and out.
"Stop that. She's going to be mad," October said.
"Oh relax. It's not like she's going to respond. It's programmed and stuff," Kathryn replied.
October told herself to just play along. If she's going to be known as the 'Cool girl', she just has to go with the flow. Throughout the entire journey, they did not even pay the slightest attention to the hologram. When they finally arrived, the monorail door opened and they walked towards their assigned dormitory.
October took a deep breath and walked into the room with Kathryn by her side. At least she's not doing it alone.
"Hey new roomies!" Kathryn shouted as she burst through the doors in excitement.
One girl sat on a bed far right listening to her iPod. Two other girls were rummaging through the closet. When they saw company, she quickly stopped what they're doing and walked towards them.
When she saw the shocked expressions, Kathryn decided to start over, "Hi, I'm Kathryn. This is October."
The light-brown haired girl laughed and walked towards the two, shaking their hands, "My name is Melanie," Melanie said shaking October's hand.
"I'm Charlie," Charlie introduced herself.
"You mean like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Did Willy Wonka give you some chocolates before you got here?" Kathryn joked. Charlie did not look amused at all.
"I like your bracelet Charlie," October complimented, trying to break the tension.
"Thank you. Your beds are assigned," Charlie responded and pointed them to their beds.
"Whoa. Things are super organized here," Kathryn said while putting her stuff on her bed which is right next to Gianna's.
"Hello, my name is Gianna. Triple threat. I act, sing and dance. Majoring in drama and dance," Gianna introduced herself.
"I'm majoring in dance too! Well literature also but that's just a minor. I'm Kathryn," Kathryn said.
"Hm, Charlie Brown-nose is majoring in literature too," Gianna said sneakily.
"Really?" Kathryn inquired while turning to Charlie who was sitting at the bed beside her.
"Yeah. You write?" Charlie asked nicely.
"Well not really. I just thought it would be cool to have 2 majors. I like to keep myself busy," Kathryn answered.
"Oh, cool," Charlie replied, trying to sound interested.
"What about you? Introduce yourself," Gianna said, directing at October.
"I'm taking dancing and photography," October started.
"Oh, those must be your photographs right?" Melanie pointed out the framed photos in October's bedside. She had send in some photos for DiDi in her application. She guessed DiDi must really like it.
"Yup," October said.
Suddenly, a DiDi Marvel appeared on the huge television by the living area. "All students please get dressed in your assigned uniforms and proceed to the Gilantis Great Hall in 15 minutes."
"15 minutes? I can't get ready in that amount of time. I'll look like a monster," Gianna whined.
"You mean more than how you look now?" Melanie joked and made October, Charlie and Kathryn laugh.
"Watch it, smart mouth," Gianna fought back.
"Whoa, whoa. Chill out girls. This is just our first day," Kathryn said while stopping Gianna from walking towards Melanie.
"Yeah, we're supposed to get to know each other. Not kill each other," Charlie said.
"Let's just get ready before we're late," Kathryn suggested.