DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters or anything like that. All credit goes to Tamora Pierce when it comes to Keladry Mindelan and a lot of names I use in this story.
DEDICATION: This story is dedicated to Tamora Pierce and the Tortallan characters. Plus, to anyone who reviews the story. Also to my friend, night writer, who allowed me to do this story in her place. Thanks a lot!
A/N: Hello! This is a story that is done on behalf of my friend, night writer. I do hope you like the way I'm writing it. Advice is taken with the utmost respect and a special mention…just so you know. My email is: kay_harakuwa@yahoo.com, so please email me whenever you want to. I'll try to reply ASAP.
SUMMARY: AU - Keladry Mindelan has just moved to Corus, Tortall. A new student at Corus High School, can she fit in with the people there and make it through her first year? (K/?)
Kel will be put to the test of going through friends, enemies, potential boyfriends, and more! Parties and exams will take their toll on this new comer to the private school system. Hope she makes it!
BACKGROUND INFO: This story is an AU (Alternate Universe). It doesn't take place in the far future or anything, but around the 22nd century, I guess. Corus High School is a prestigious private school located in Corus, Tortall. Kel's parents were ambassadors from Tortall to the Yamani Islands. The story takes off with Keladry Mindelan arriving at CHS for the first time, being driven by her older brother. Kel has just recently gotten back from the Yamani Islands, where she lived for about eight years. Kel is fourteen years old starting her 1st Year at CHS (goes from 1st Year to 4th Year).
PAIRINGS: I make no promises on my pairings, but please do review with your opinion on which person you like with Kel. I mention that it will be highly unlikely for me to pair Kel and Cleon up…oops! Not that Cleon will be in my story or will not be. I always will take into consideration whatever my readers' say in their reviews.
ADDITIONAL REMARKS: This isn't a new chapter, but actually the combination of the 'Getting Started' chapters. Sorry about any problems, but if you read night writer's commentary (now Naomi's Commentary) you'll get some hints about next chapter. No need to re-read the actually story because there are no changes.
----------------------------------------------------------
Corus High School
- CHAPTER ONE -
GETTING STARTED (PARTS 1 AND 2)
By night writer
---------------------------------------------------------
Keladry Mindelan looked out the window of her family's car, which she rode in to get to her new school. The car drove past building after building, which was all to be seen in this district of the city.
Keladry was taller than most girls her age, a trait that she inherited from her mother. She also had shoulder length light-brown hair, delicate nose, and dreamy long-lashed hazel eyes. The calm facade she put up was something that she learned as being the daughter of ambassadors. Her level gaze held a spark of purpose and strength of mind. She had spent the last eight years of her life in the Yamani Islands, where she moved with her family when she was around five years old.
The Yamani Islands were located north and west of Tortall, across the Emerald Ocean, and was the home of the finest navy in all of Mithros. Tortall was a peaceful nation, but had a powerful military force and was not to be messed with. Her parents, Piers and Ilane Mindelan, were sent to the Yamanis as ambassadors from Tortall, her birth home. Her three older brothers stayed in Tortall while the rest of the family left to the Yamanis. Keladry's parents made their way into the Yamani Emperor's good graces and created a treaty between Tortall and the Yamani Islands.
The Mindelan family was now back in Corus, Tortall's capital, after eight years in the Yamanis. Keladry is to attend the most prestigious private high school in Tortall, Corus High School, for her 9th years of schooling. The school is where she would finish up the last four years of schooling and choose what she would do for the rest of her life.
Corus High School covered a whole block and housed over a thousand students. One section was devoted to the school's dormitories where the students lived. Another section was for the teacher's rooms and the school's storage facilities. The rest of the school was for the classrooms, labs, libraries, computer rooms, and such.
Keladry was filled with apprehension as they drove past huge golden gates. Beyond the gates was a huge drive up to a large building, which she assumed was the Administration Building. As she looked to the sides of the building, she could see more huge buildings and green lawns. She could see students walking from building to building, reading under trees, and even a group throwing around a frisbee.
"Kel," called a voice. She looked to the driver's seat to see her brother Anders, who had volunteered to drive her here.
Anders Mindelan had once been a commanding officer in the Tortallan Armed Forces (TAF), but was injured badly in the Immortals War. Now, he was a special advisor to the TAF and helped with training new recruits. He has a wife, Tilaine, who had just given birth to another son.
He looked at her through the rearview mirror and spoke, "Are you sure you want to do this? I mean this place is filled with – "
"Rich snobs, who have nothing better to do than harass the newcomers," Kel finished, having heard the warning before. "I know all of that, Anders. But this is the best high school for me to go to. Anyway, they can't all be bad."
Anders looked at his younger sister who had just come back from the Yamani Islands. He still remembered the little girl who used to crawl up into his lap and ask him to read her a story. She had turned from that little girl into the stunning young woman before him. He was worried about her, though, even if she could protect herself. He chuckled at the last thought, Kel could definitely protect herself physically.
He gave one more glance at his sister before sighing. "Okay, little sis. You have to go meet with the principal of this place. I'll be dropping off your stuff at your dorm room, okay?"
Kel gave her brother a brilliant smile. "Don't worry about me, Anders. I'll see you this weekend for lunch, right?"
"Count on it, Kel. And good luck in hell," Anders replied with a grin.
She gave a groan, "It can't be that bad, Anders."
He just said, "Whatever you say, Kel."
Kel got out of the car and walked around to his side. She waited for him to get out of the car before giving him a hug. "I'll miss you, Anders."
"Hey now, I'll be seeing you this weekend," he reminded her. "Anyway, you think I'll let you go off again for four more years without filling me in about the last eight years?"
"Right, I'll see you this weekend," she agreed. Then, grabbing her backpack out of the car, she headed towards the Administration Building. "Bye Anders!"
"Have a nice time in hell, Kel!" he yelled back. She heard the car pull away from the building and drive off.
Kel looked at the building looming in front of her. It was a red brick building with white trimmings and there was a sign reading, 'Corus High School – Administration Building.' White steps led up to glass doors, which led into the building. She took a deep breath and opened the doors to head inside.
She walked into what looked like a lobby, which seemed to take the whole floor. The lobby was painted in white with a floor that was tiled with multiple colors. The huge room was lit brightly and she could see windows with bars – to prevent robberies – stationed all around. There were several doors all around, which seemed like offices. In the center of the lobby did a counter surround desks where people were working. She could see computers located on all the desks and some on the counter, where secretaries sat helping people.
Kel felt lost and suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder, which made her jump slightly. Turning around she saw a tall, fair-skinned, and lean boy. His light brown hair was swept back from a widow's peak and his emerald eyes twinkled. He gave her a bright smile, "I'm Nealan Queenscove, but call me Neal. You seem a little lost."
Kel returned his smile with an embarrassed one, "I'm Keladry Mindelan. Kel, if you like."
"So, are you a little lost or maybe even more so?" asked Neal.
Kel answered, "I'm probably an even more so lost."
"Where do you need to go?" he asked with a sympathetic grin.
"The principal's office," Kel replied.
He gave her a nod. "I know how to get there all right." At her questioning look, he said, "I'm not a troublemaker or anything…well at least not a big…never mind." He blushed a bit at her amused look. "To get to Lord Wyldon's office, you take the elevator to the third floor. His is the office at the end of the hall with the sign reading 'Principal Cavall Wyldon.' Can't miss it, really."
Kel asked him with a raised eyebrow, "Lord Wyldon?"
Neal gave a bit of cough, "I'm not exactly a big fan of Wyldon."
"I noticed. Um, thank you for your help Neal. Maybe I'll see you around?" And with a smile, Kel walked towards to the elevator.
Neal smiled back, "Yeah, that would be nice. Good luck with the Lord, Kel!"
She gave a small chuckle as she waved a hand in farewell.
~*~
Kel walked into the principal's office. Her eyes scanned the immaculate office, which was filled up with a desk, a computer, filing cabinets, a painting, a couple of chairs, and two photos. A voice interrupted her examination of the spacious office.
"Miss Mindelan, please have a seat."
Her eyes traveled to study the middle-aged man behind the desk as she moved automatically to seat in the chair pointed out to her. The man was in his late thirties with moderately good looks, some people might even consider him handsome. He had a scar running down one cheek, which she learned later on was from protecting a group of children from would-be kidnappers. His eyes took her in and he looked at her with tight lips.
The man seems as if he has a metal bar stuck up his back end. He probably wouldn't even move an inch if a hurricane came through here, Kel mused.
Principal Wyldon spoke, "According to your records, you came from the Yamani Islands, though you were born in Tortall. It seems you don't have a bad record, though by no means perfect. All high marks in classes, participation in school events, your teachers loved you, and you got along with most of your fellow students. It seems you have been in a couple of fights. I will let you know now that I will not tolerate any fighting on my campus. Is that understood?"
Kel nodded, her face showed nothing of how she was feeling from practice of being the daughter of ambassadors.
He continued, "You have gotten your uniforms, school handbook, keys to your dorm, and all the other necessities. Correct?"
She nodded again.
"Good. Now, I will call your sponsor, who will show you around the school and help you when you need it." He pressed a button on the phone. "Send the person in."
A few minutes later the door opened to reveal a short, plump girl with long brown hair strode confidently into the office. Her dark brown eyes scanned the room casually and settled on Principal Wyldon. "You asked for me, sir?"
The man nodded. "I would like you to sponsor Miss Mindelan, who is new here." The principal gave a nod to where Kel sat studying the girl.
The teen turned around with an inquisitive look on her face. After a moment, she smiled and stuck out her hand. "Hi there! I'm Salma Aynnar. Call me – "
Wyldon interrupted before she could finish, though. "Please finish your introductions outside. I have work to be done." He gave a pointed look at the door and then started sorting through papers on his desk.
Salma rolled her eyes and mouthed, "Come on," to Kel. She led her outside the office and outside the Administration Building. Once outside, she turned to Kel with an interested look on her face. "Keladry Mindelan, I believe?"
Kel looked at her with surprise. "How did you know?"
Salma gave a smile, "News travels fast here." Then her face turned slightly sheepish, "Plus, I ran into Neal before heading up to Wyldon's office. He told me about some new girl and described you to me."
Kel gave her a smile, "Well, you can call me Kel."
"Kel? I like it, but you have to call me Sal," the shorter girl replied with a wide grin. "Deal?"
"Deal."
"Good! Now, let's begin the tour…"
***
"…and this is our dorm room!" Salma threw open the door with a flourish.
Kel walked in the door behind Sal and closed the door behind her. She looked around the place she would be living in for the next four years. The room they were in was like a living room complete with an entertainment system, a computer, a couch, chairs, beanbags, and pictures. Clothes were thrown sporadically throughout the whole room along with bags and towels. There was a doorway and a bar table connecting the kitchen and the living room. Four other doors were open and Kel could see they led to either a bathroom or a bedroom. All in all, it was a rather nice and cozy dorm room.
Sal walked towards a closed door that seemed to lead into a bedroom. "You'll be rooming with Kalasin Conte. She's really nice, so you two will get along great." Salma knocked on the door and waited for a few moments before walking straight in.
The bedroom was a light blue color with two beds, two desks, and one closet. The bed nearest the window was piled with Kel's stuff, while the other bed was occupied by a large bump underneath its covers.
Salma looked at the bed with an evil grin. "Kalasin likes to sleep in late on days off, so me and our other dorm mate like to…wake her up. Hold on a minute, I have to get something." She walked out of the room and then came back in with a bucket.
Kel
looked suspiciously at the bucket. She asked, "Is it filled with water?"
Sal looked at her and shook
her head. Then moving to the bed she dumped the bucket's contents over the bed.
A red liquid came out of the bucket and a scream echoed throughout the whole
room.
"SALMA!" A wet black-haired beauty sat up in the waterlogged bed. Her blue eyes were wide-open as she glared at the laughing girl with the bucket.
The laughing girl took a couple of deep breaths to calm down and get her breath back. She spoke in gasps as she introduced the two girls, "Keladry Mindelan meet Kalasin Conte."
***
While Kalasin showered and changed, the other two girls sat in the living room. Salma was sitting on the couch flipping through a magazine, while Keladry was looking at the paintings on the walls.
Kel suddenly spoke into the silence, "What was the stuff you poured on Kalasin?"
Sal looked as if she would burst out laughing again, but bit her lip instead. "It was ketchup mixed in with water and some red dye."
"Red dye? Isn't that going to…" Kel trailed off as Salma burst into laughter again.
Suddenly the bathroom door opened and Kalasin walked into living room. Her hair was wrapped in a towel and she was dressed in jeans and a shirt. She sprawled out onto a beanbag as she glared at the laughing Salma.
Kel looked between the girls and shook her head. She mumbled, "Anders was wrong. These people aren't snobs…their from outer-space."
Salma gave up her laughter after a few minutes. "So…"
"Mindelan…" Kalasin looked deep in thought for a moment, and then her eyes brightened. "You're the ambassadors' youngest daughter aren't you? The ones that recently returned to Tortall from the Yamanis."
Kel nodded.
"My father spoke of you coming here…I can't believe I forgot. Anyway, I'm Kalasin Conte, if you couldn't understand what the idiot over there said earlier." A glare was sent to Salma who gave her a sweet smile in return. "You can call me Kally, though. Everyone does really."
Kel replied, "Call me Kel, then."
Salma spoke up then, "Kally is President Conte's oldest daughter, if you didn't know."
Kally blushed. "Well, now that the introductions are over with. Let's go to the Dove. I feel like eating and Uline isn't going to be home for a while."
"Who's Uline?" asked Keladry.
"Oh! Uline Hannalof is Sal's roommate and our last dorm mate. She and Sal are a year older than us making them 2nd years. At least, if you're a 1st year too, like me." Kalasin explained.
A growling noise was heard throughout the room. "I guess someone's hungry…"
***
Three girls entered the packed restaurant called the Dove. The Dove was a hangout on campus that had a dancing area in the middle and booths set all around it. It was the most popular hang out for CHS students. Since today is a day off, which happens rarely, the Dove is packed more than usual.
Kally spoke above the noise in the packed room. "Kel, why don't you get a booth, me and Sal will grab us something to eat."
Kel nodded in agreement and headed off to find a booth in the crowded place. She walked around and headed for an empty booth in the corner. When she reached it, she sat down and watched the dance floor in amusement.
***
A tall blonde haired boy walked into the restaurant, ice blue eyes scanning the packed place. His eyes landed on an auburn-haired girl and a smirk emerged onto his lips. He walked with a casual long stride towards the booth in the corner. As he passed, girls gazed at his strong supple body and guys greeted him with a pat on the shoulder. He was oblivious to it all as he walked towards his latest conquest.
***
Keladry was surprised when a blonde guy sat across from her in the booth. His blue eyes seemed to pierce her hazel ones as he stared straight at her. She studied the guy. His blonde hair was tousled casually and his body was lean and strong. He was an ice prince, she decided. It was his icy blue eyes that made her slip on her calm façade, though. The eyes gave off an impression that she was some sort of candy that he's been dying to have.
A smirk
was on his lips as he noticed her studying him. "Do you like what you see?"
Kel raised an eyebrow at him
as her hazel eyes flickered with annoyance. Sarcasm dripped from her voice as
she spoke, "Am I that transparent?"
He looked surprised at the reply. Obviously, not many girls talked back to him. "Not to most people, I'm just especially good at reading girls' minds."
Kel let out a false sweet smile. "Then I guess you can read my mind right now."
The guy let his eyes trail over her body and back up to her eyes. She thanked the heavens for all those years in the Yamanis because it was the only thing keeping her calm. His eyes pierced hers as his smirk widened. "I think I can."
She gave
him a dark glare. "Good, then you'll be leaving now."
He stood up gracefully and
bowed. Grabbing her hand, he grazed it with his lips. "It was a pleasure to
meet you."
"I wish I could say the same."
He just grinned lightly and walked away.
Two girls
immediately sat down in the booth, food placed onto the table none too gently,
as they excitedly sat down. Kally spoke first, "Were you really talking to
Joren Stone? Or were my eyes deceiving me?"
Sal nodded in agreement, her
brown eyes lighting up with excitement.
Kel gave them surprised looks. "Why are you guys so excited about me talking to that jerk?"
Her two new friends shared shocked looks. Salma said, "Jerk? Did the guy you were talking to have tousled blonde hair, icy blue eyes, and the body of a prince."
Kel gave a reluctant nod.
"Then that's Joren Stone, the hottest guy on campus and captain of the Dueling Club for one year running." Kally informed her.
Kel shrugged. "He seemed like a jerk to me. If that guy had a bigger ego then he wouldn't be able to walk through a door for fear of getting stuck."
The other two girls looked at her with astonishment written all over their faces.
Kel looked at them and rolled her eyes. "Look, we're not going to agree on this obviously, so why don't we just eat and then leave. I have to unpack still and I don't want to waste my breath on arguing about that guy."
Kally and Sal nodded reluctantly in agreement.
"Good! Now you can both explain to me what the Dueling Club is…"
***
As Kel went to sleep later that night, she dreamt about a certain boy's eyes looking straight into hers…
A/N: I hope you all don't mind me reposting with both Getting Started parts in one chapter. For some reason it bothered me a lot, so I finally changed it the way I wanted it. The first chapter is now information like on the school and places. I will keep updating that section of the story. Plus the next chapter is coming up really well; I believe it will be the longest chapter yet. Naomi will give a hint about the next chapter in the commentary. I will be getting out the next chapter soon!
---
Naomi's Commentary
Hi, my username is night writer, but you can I will also be known as Naomi. I would like to thank everyone for his or her patience on this story and hope you support Kay as much as possible. She's slowly easing her way into the fanfiction process. Now for some commentary and hints about the next chapter.
This chapter is nothing new to anyone who already read it, but I really would like to comment on the Dove and the entrance of Joren Stone. I've read the reviews and I definitely see hints of two couples coming out in the lead (K/N and K/J).
(Kay: I really like those ideas and they will be in the running…)
I love the Dove idea, which never occurred to me. I wonder who else is coming into the picture. So far we have her dorm mates: Salma (Sal) Aynnar, Kalasin (Kally) Conte, and I do believe that Uline Hannalof is coming into the mix next chapter. Plus, there was an early appearance of Nealan (Neal) Queenscove.
(Kay: Don't give too much hints about next chapter, N.)
Here are some things we can count on happening in the next chapter:
- Kel's first day of classes and some pretty interesting stuff.
- Appearances by all her dorm mates (including Uline), Neal, Roald Conte, and some other characters from Tamora Pierce's stories.
(Kay: She ain't lying!)
That's all the hints she's willing to give out, so if you want more. Go on reviewing so she'll get the chapters out faster.
(Kay: Please do!)
This is the end of my commentary…see you next time!
(Kay: Bye!)