If there is any chapter that I absolutely want feedback on, it is this one. I'm not feeling too confidant about it. Tell me what you all think. Please!
All of Spence was buzzing with excitement that day Gemma Doyle was to arrive. The youngest of the girls were delighted at a prospect of a new friend. Some of the older girls were hoping to find a distant relative of the Queen. The first class group was hopeful that the new girl would have a handsome brother. All except Felicity, who could care less about the new student. Felicity's only concern was her standing in the school. The last thing she wanted was for some new girl to come and knock her off the social hierarchy.
Shortly before vespers rumors started to circulate that the new girl had arrived. Felicity feigned disinterestedness and went about preparations for vespers as usual.
"I heard she has a brother," Pippa mused as she tied her cloak.
"I suppose it could be true."
"Do you think he is handsome?"
"I would have to see him to decide." Felicity slid her cloak over her shoulders and turned to her waiting friend. Pippa's obvious excitement shone through her eyes causing them to sparkle like the most expensive jewel. "You look exquisite today," Felicity complimented. She was trying to bridge the gap that had been forming between the pair since school started.
Pippa's smile was enough to reaffirm Felicity's companionship for this girl. She knew she had to end it with Ithal if she and Pippa were to ever be close friends again. Telling Pip was not an option. "Let's go," Pip sighed as she opened their bedroom door.
Felicity followed her down the stairs to the parlor. Cicely, Martha, and Elizabeth were already waiting at the front of the group. "Did you hear?" Cicely asked as soon as Felicity reached their little group.
"Hear what?"
"The new girl is here."
"And she has a brother," Elizabeth chimed.
"So I've been told," Felicity responded dryly.
"I bet he is handsome," Martha sighed. "And rich too."
"Pippa, I bet he notices you first," Cicely said with a hint of jealousy seeping into her voice.
"Well he certainly wouldn't look at you first," Pippa responded. Felicity could not contain her joy at Pippa's small jab. Everyone laughed, but Felicity bellowed. Pippa had learned well.
A clapping from further back in the room interrupted the girls from their mockery of one another. "Girls," Mrs. Nightwing began. "I'd like you to meet the new student of Spence Academy. This is Gemma Doyle. Miss. Doyle is joining us from Shropshire and will be in the first class." Mrs. Nightwing continued her speech, but Felicity heard none of it.
Her eyes were focused on the new girl. Felicity noticed first that the girl was tall with thick auburn hair. Her green eyes were a little unsettling. Felicity also noted her obvious discomfort at being the center of attention. Thus, Felicity assessed that the girl was not a threat. She yawned and focused her attention back on Cicely, who was more interested in Gemma than the insult she had just been hit with.
"She looks bland," Felicity mused to regain the attention of her group.
"She's awfully tall," Pippa added as she began the walk out the doors. It was cold and windy outside, but nothing new to the girls. They had all grown accustomed to English nighttime weather.
"She is rooming with Ann, it seems," Cicely commented with her head turned toward the back of the group.
"Poor girl," Martha sighed. She was always a little too soft for Felicity's liking.
"Poor Ann," Cicely replied. "She's rooming with a giant. I guess it's fitting though. The piggy and the beast under one roof."
"Would you give it a rest?" Felicity snarled. She was sick of Cicely's need to be rude for attention. They knew nothing about the new girl and had no right to automatically make assumptions about her.
"Oh, come on, Fee. I'm just having a little fun. And it's not like you don't do your fair share of teases Ann."
"You're right," Felicity replied. "I do tease Ann. But she is a scholarship student. This new girl is not. Stop teasing her until I determine if she needs to be put in her place." Cicely was stunned into silence. Felicity often had to remind her of her own place in the group. "Now, Pippa. We have some work to do. Follow me."
Felicity led Pippa off into the woods where they could not be seen. They watched and listened from a secure spot behind the trees. Most of the chatter was about the new girl. Many of the younger girls were disappointed that Gemma was not in their class. When most of the girls had passed, Felicity could hear Ann and Gemma working their way up the hill.
They were talking about Felicity and Pippa. Felicity smiled in spite of herself when Gemma made a witty comment about Ann's warning. It was time for Felicity to make her entrance though. She was always one to make her presence known in the opportune moment.
Felicity stepped out onto the road directly behind the girls. "Talking too much again, Ann? Don't you know that's the most unbecoming trait?" Pippa laughed heartily and whispered a snide comment that only Felicity could hear. "You're the new girl, aren't you?" Felicity remarked in order to make it clear who she was.
"Gemma Doyle," the redhead responded. Felicity recognized the trick. She was trying to show that she was not scared. Felicity would not admit it, but she was impressed.
Rather than continue on with Gemma, Felicity decided to focus on Ann. She knew there was no better way to intimidate the new girl than to belittle someone in front of her. "Gossip is a very bad habit. We don't indulge bad habits here at Spence, Mademoiselle Scholarship. You have been warned." Felicity proceeded to link her arm around Pip's and escort her off. "Nice to meet you, Miss. Doily," she added before gliding past.
Pippa ran into her on the way past causing a round of giggles from both Pippa and Felicity. The blonde felt good about herself. She felt that she had made her point very clear. Felicity was going to do whatever it took to make sure that Gemma knew how things went at Spence—even if it meant a few weeks of torture.