"What are we going to do, Christian? I'm worried about our daughter." Satine looked helplessly at her husband.

"Darling, frankly I don't see what the big deal is. Of course she should be punished but you need to calm down." Christian walked over to his wife and put his hands on her restless ones. "I think now should be the time you tell her the truth about your past and mine. Then she can learn from your mistakes."

"No, Christian. I can't tell my girls what I used to be! The only reason Clare knows is because she was to old to forget everything the Duke did to us. And you remember what happened when I told her. She wouldn't talk to me for a week and she only sort of understood what I did. I regret telling even her. This is one of those lies I have to keep." Seeing the grief in her eyes made Christian's heart feel sore. He put his arms around his disturbed wife and leaned her into him.

"So what do you want to do about it?" He asked in her ear. "School doesn't start for another month so we have until then to punish her." He said jokingly.

"School." Mused Satine. Then she sat upright. "Christian, I have an idea." ~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

"You're sending me to a boarding school?!" Shouted an enraged Adelaide.

"We don't know what else to do! We punish you but it never has any effect, and we hate to do this, but this was the last straw." Christian said sternly. It was two weeks after the night at the club. Christian and Satine had mailed an application to a boarding school up in England.

"I can't believe this! Arg!" Adelaide wasn't sure if she wanted to scream or cry. She sat on a chair close by and sighed. Anything would have been better then being sent to some stuffy boarding school where old women told you what to do how to act and taught boring things. Adelaide's thoughts were interrupted, when Mary knocked on the door.

"Mails here Sir!"

"Come on in Mary." She walked in and put the mail next to Christian and then walked back out.

"Ah it's the school." Christian opened the letter. Satine leaning over to read over his shoulder. Adelaide looked up to see her father frowning.

"There is a slight change in plans. It seems that they have no room left for two girls, but they run another school down in Paris, France." Christian looked at his wife as if to ask her for approval. He new Monmarte was not at all far from Paris.

"Well then I guess it's settled. Adelaide and Adele will go to Paris in two weeks." Said Satine.

"Adele is coming too?"

"Yes she is." Answered Christian.

"Can I be excused?" Adelaide asked.

"Yes you may." Said Satine. Adelaide got up from her chair and walked dismally to her room. "And Adelaide." She heard her name being called after her, and turned around. "You know we both love you. Think of this as more of a learning experience than punishment." Adelaide rolled her eyes at her mother and continued to walk to her room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adelaide's POV

"Adelaide wake up. You have to get ready. You're train leaves in an hour." I heard Mary call me from the depths of my sleep and I so wanted to hide under my covers for the rest of my life so I didn't have to go to this Boarding school.

"What time is it Mary?" I asked groggily.

"4:30 in the morning miss."

"Good god that's early!" I complained. "Why couldn't we take a later train?"

"I don't really know, but that's what it is. So I'd stop complaining and get your hide out of bed." I complied with this wish by sliding off the edge of my bed and onto the floor where I decided to lay there. "Very funny Adelaide. Now come on." I sighed and picked myself up from the floor. "Can you manage everythin' by yourself?" Asked Marry.

"Yes, I can. I'll be down in 15 minutes to eat." She looked at me with her arms crossed. "I promise I won't fall back asleep. Go on!" She gave me that doubtful look and then walked out and shut the door. I realize I had gotten a new traveling outfit, which was laid out, on my bed. I slipped off my nightgown and slipped into the petticoat and camisole. Next I put on my white stockings and then my skirt and blouse. Not sure what to do with the long straight hair that hung down my back, I quickly braided it and then put it up in a bun. I applied the teeniest bit of powder and rouge and declared myself ready. Thinking for a moment to see if I forgot anything, I remembered the book. I had yet to read any of it and the trip would be a long one. I walked over to my bed and lifted up the mattress where I had hid it. I then opened my traveling bag and stuck it deep inside. Now I was ready, and so I walked downstairs. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
I watched the scenery pass by in flashes of green grass and gray snow topped mountains, as we passed through the countryside of Switzerland. It had been a long two and a half weeks after going on train and boat and with nobody but my sister and father. How I longed for Kana and Roger. I couldn't even read the book for I was too afraid my father would catch me. And for whatever reason it seemed like they had hid this book from Adele and me.
I was glad that Bern was the last place to stop and switch trains. It led straight to Paris. My father said we would be there within a day. We had left Bern Switzerland nearly five hours ago. I felt drowsy and soon found myself fall asleep. I woke when my father nudged me.

"Adelaide were almost to Paris. You need to gather your things."

"What time is it?" I asked. It was dark that was for sure.

"It's about 12." He answered getting his own things.

"Really? I've been asleep that long?" I asked. He nodded. I got myself up rubbing my eyes and then got my things. I looked around for my sister and noticed she was deep asleep. She'd already gotten her things packed so she could sleep longer. Figures. She's the perfect one. I threw this thought aside because it never made me jealous before and it wasn't going to start now.
I was just shutting my bag when the train stopped. We were informed of the stop and where we were. When we were off the train, My father called for a cab. Adele and I just stood there in zoned out silence until one pulled over for us. He told him to head to the nearest Hotel. Once there, we need five men to carry all of our stuff up to our room, plus us. That night it took me a long time to sleep. It was weird sleeping on a bed that wasn't moving. And also I was excited. France! Paris, France no less. It was renowned for its artists. Painters, dancers, singers, and actors alike. Though I wasn't sure how I was going to experience all this while at some boring boarding school. Especially with a busybody sister who liked to get into my business. And we would most definitely be rooming together, which peeved me a great deal.

"St. Catherine's School for girls." Read Christian, "Well girls this looks like the right place."

"Oh joy." I said sarcastically.

"Why, Adelaide you don't sound the least bit pleased." Said Christian in mock shock.

"Oh on the contrary father. I am most pleased." I said, emphasizing my last words.

"Come on sister, cheer up. This school will give us many opportunities. And where's you're sense of adventure? I'm surprised of you. After all we are in Paris." She rather squeaked the last part, which annoyed me.

"Adele, its boarding school. There's no adventure to be found. I mean even in the name boarding school, they subliminally tell you it's going to be boring." I pointed out.

"Adele don't try to pick fights. Adelaide don't egg her on. I want you girls to be on your best behavior." Adele sounded aghast.

"Father! I wasn't trying to pick a fights, I was simply." but she was interrupted.

"I know what you were doing. Now you girls stop bickering. We don't want to scare the teachers on the first day." I snorted. I thought it might be fun.
My father rung the bell and a nun opened the door.

"Welcome to St. Catherine's." She smiled. "You must be the James girls. We've been expecting you, please come in."

"Thank you." My father replied to her gesture and we walked in. The room we found ourselves in was fairly large with a couple chairs. The nun lead us straight into an office, whether is was hers or not I was not sure. My father handed her some papers and she gave him some more to sign. Adele and I just stood still without talking.

"You girls have come at just the right time I think. You will have two weeks to get settled here until the next semester starts. Now if you would we shall take a tour of the place and I'll go over school rules."

The tour of the school was very boring. Meeting the teachers. boring. School rules. boring. I paid no attention whatsoever to her, at least Adele acted like she was listening. I was rather spacey and kept yawning. I was glad when we came to hour rooms we were staying in. I thanked god that I had a room to myself and Adele was in a different room across the hall. Our luggage had been brought up during the tour and each was put in its rightful room.

"I'll let you say your good bye's to your girls and someone will be up in about 10 minutes to take them to the park where the other girls are right now." She took her leave and walked down the wooden stairway.

"I'm going to miss you daddy." I said to him. And I really was. I felt my father and I had a better connection than my mother and I did.

"As will I." Added Adele.

"We'll be coming for Christmas and then you will spend the summers in India. So don't look so glum. You both only have another two years here before you're old enough to go to college or whatever you want to do with you're lives. But you're mother and I are very proud of both of you're accomplishments and we both love you very, very much." I wasn't really paying attention to this last part. Two years! Two years in this horrible place. I felt my frown deepen. I stared at the ground and hardly felt my father's kiss on my forehead. I did feel him hug me though, and I hugged him as hard as I could. Homesickness was already starting to take a hold of me. I felt my heart feel heavy, and an ache in my throat started.

"I'll see you girls in a couple of months." He hugged and kissed us again and then walked down the stairs.

"I'm going to unpack." I said flatly. Adele nodded and we walked into our separate rooms. I shut the door behind me, and tried to swallow the tears in my throat. I hadn't realized how much I was going to miss home. And the next two years were going to be like this? The next two years my life was going to be boring. I could see that plain enough. Nothing exciting ever happens at a boarding school, it's not supposed to. We would take field trips to museums and see all of the famous artist's statues, painting, and the like, but that was it. The rest of the time would be devoted to studies and trying to figure out what to do with myself when I had free time. Though I hadn't met any of the girls yet I had a feeling I knew what they would be like. I pushed the thoughts from my head, not wanting to wallop in self-pity.
I looked on the queen-sized bed and saw my uniform. I looked at it with disgust. It was a navy blue dress that extended to the knees. It had short sleeves and had no decoration at all, except for the fairly large white sash. White stockings and a pair of navy blue shoes sat next to the dress.

I heard a knock at my door.

"Come in." I yelled.

"Good morning to you mademoiselle." Said a sweet voice, with a hint of a French accent. I turned around to see a lovely woman wearing a navy blue dress. The same fabric and color of our uniforms, only hers was cut more for a woman. She had short-cropped, golden curls and emerald green eyes. Her sweet nature could be seen by the sweet smile she had on her face and the grace with which she moved. "My name is mademoiselle Bellefort. But I have my students call me Ms. Gabriella. I do not like, would you say, being formal very much." Wow, so not all the woman who ran this establishment are stiffs. "I'm supposed to tell you to get dress in your uniform and then go over the schedule of the next two weeks, then were to were to meet the other girls at the park.
Every day, except Sundays, The girls wake up call is at 8:00. You have to be downstairs a half-hour later for breakfast at 8:30. From 9:00 to 10:00 we read a morning devotional and read a couple chapters out of the bible. We take all the girls out to get some exercise from 10:00 to 11:45. And then we go inside to wash up and eat at 12:00. From 12:00 till 2:00 we have quiet time. Where the girls can take naps, read books, study. and so on. 2:00 to 5:00 some girls have tutorials while the older girls are aloud to go into Paris with a chaperone. The younger girls have free time where they can visit each other in their rooms, go to the park and play games. At 5:00, we eat. At 5:30 we have a devotional and then we read a couple chapters out of the bible, and then we read a couple chapters out of the book of the month. At 7:30 every body take's their baths and gets ready for bed. Lights out at 9:00 for the younger girls 9:30 for the older.
That's about it, and there is a schedule on your dresser if you don't know what to do next. Take your time getting dressed, I'll be waiting outside the door." She offered another smile and then walked out of my room. I found that I liked her and so decided not to try her patients. I hastily undressed and threw my clothes on the bed. In less than five minutes the ugly uniform was on and my hair French braided.
My sister walked out of her room at the same time I walked out of mine.

"Ready girls?" We nodded in response, both feeling rather glum about being so far away from our homeland. Soon I felt my homesickness ebb away just by talking with Ms. Gabriella. She reminded me of an extraverted Clara. Clara was in London right now, at an art school. She was an excellent artist and her paintings were admired by anybody who saw them. She was quiet and shy. Despite the rest of my family's seemingly outgoing personality, Clara was just plain introverted. My mother said something had happened to her when she was young. It effected Clara emotionally for the rest of her life. She trusted only family and a few select friends. When Clara told mum and dad she wanted to go to England to study art they were thrilled and immediately found information about the best colleges and the best boarding houses and such for their eldest daughters welfare.

I had been thinking so long and so in depth about my sister I didn't even realize we were outside, nearing the park. Only when I felt beads of sweat on my forehead I came out of my thoughts and looked around. The park Ms. Gabriella was escorting us to, was actually owned by the boarding school and the church that sat right next to it. Though owned by the church it was for the public also. The park looked like any other park with trees, flowers, and bushes. Four fountains were found on the outer corners of the park and a very large fifth one found in the center. Girls ran around playing tag or hide and go seek or kickball. While others sat under the shade of the trees or played in the cooling waters of the fountains. The teachers sat on benches cooling themselves by waving their hands in front of their faces.

"Were here. You girl's go run along with the rest of them." She pushed us lightly along into the park. We walked together slowly, looking at all the children playing and screaming. Feeling rather intimidated, as most new students feel at a new school, we both sought out the nearest, empty bench and sat down. I fingered the hem of my dress nervously and Adele pulled on one of her dark brown curls. I felt stupid. This was stupid! Why should we just sit here and not have any fun just because were new and don't know anybody and don't want to send a bad first impression.. There were plenty of girls around.

"Come on Adele, were going to go meet some of these girls." I stood up and grabbed her hand.
"Adelaide. I don't really want TO!" The last word she ended up screaming for multiple reasons. First off, when I grabbed her hand and pulled her off the bench a ball came whizzing by. If it hadn't been for me, it would have been a direct hit. Secondly my foot slipped out from underneath me and I fell right my back, as Adele landed on her stomach. Thirdly, I met a boy.

"Would you like me to help you up?" I squinted my eyes in pain, and barely nodded my head. I couldn't have really gotten up by myself, it felt like every bone in my back was broken. "Thank you." I said once on my feet. I looked at the person who had helped me up and noticed he was a boy in a uniform as if he was at a boarding school too. I new it wasn't impossible that he went to a boarding school as well. There were all boy school's in Paris as well as all girl school's, but was there a boys school so close to ours? I then noticed then that a heard of boys had come to the park from the opposite direction. "You're welcome." He smiled at me. I felt my stomach lurch. He had a very, very sweet smile. I looked at him more closely. He had blonde, almost honey colored hair, beautiful bright blue eyes. And oh god that smile. I realized that as I was looking him over, he was looking me over. When we both realized we were looking each other over, awkwardness filled the situation.

"I didn't know there was a boy's school so close to our girl's school." I said trying anything to get his eyes off of me.
"You must be new then. Our boy's school is just about a block away from here. It's run by the same church. Allow me to introduce myself. My names James. And yours is.?"

"I'm Adelaide. And this is my sister Adele." She pointed to Adele who was trying furiously to get a hardly visibly grass stain out of her uniform. He nodded. "So do you boys come to this park regularly?" God stop staring at me.

"Yeah, we usually come about the same time you girls do. But listen we were just starting a game of kickball. wanna join?" Finally something to do.

"Of course." I smiled mischievously.

"You know how to play then?"

"Probably better than you." I boasted.

"Well in that case you're on my team. Because we suck and we need another good player." I raided my eyebrows at this.

"Then let's begin." But before I could walk off I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Adelaide you can't go join a bunch of boys in kickball. Do you know how un-lady like it is?"

"Adele I don't care about lady like. I want to have some fun. If you're going to be all prissy about this then go join the other girls who sit idly under a tree. I'm going to play some real kickball. "

"Adelaide, this isn't India! You can't just go run off with a bunch of boys in your dress!" I wasn't really listening I just walked away with James.

"Hey James did you get that ball? And who do have here?" I heard a boy yell.

"Guys, this is Adelaide, she's playing some kickball with us."

"A girl?" Asked another one of the guys in shock. I looked around seeing the rest of the guys look at me as if I was to delicate to play.

"Oh come on you all, she might not be all that bad." He winked at me and smiled.

"Jay I doubt she's ever thrown a ball in her life! Owe!" I had chucked the ball as hard as I could into the guy's head. He turned and looked at me. I made a fake gasp.

"I'm so sorry." I said trying to suppress a smile. James had his hand over his mouth getting ready to burst with laughter.

"Let's get started then!" James shouted to the rest of the boys.