Disclaimer: I own what I own.

I'm surprised how fast I was able to write this chapter! I guess once I get into a writing mood I can't be stopped! I used a few phrases from Ella Enchanted though. Oh, well.

Let's all cheer for my reviewers! YAAAAAAAAAY! Thanks to dragonfirechick, sunlight, iceblossomgurl and DazzleQueen for such fabulous reviews! You all get lollipops!

Now on to Chapter 3

In only a few days, I had been accepted to Madame Edith's finishing school.

At first, mother and father had been reluctant to let me go, but Grand mother argued in my favor, listing how I would be able to help the inn with my accomplishments.

The matter was decided when I pointed out that Thomas had thoughtfully added enough KJ's for Mother to hire a servant girl to help her around the inn.

The days before my departure were filled with running errands and gathering all the things I would need. I couldn't believe how quickly the days past. It was soon time for me to leave.

I was packing my trunk in my room, being careful not to wrinkle them, when Mother entered.

"One more thing," she said, handing me a small bundle. "It's a going away present from your father and I."

"Oh Mother!" I gasped as soon as I had opened the package. "It's beautiful!"

I held up the loveliest dress I had ever seen. It was the lightest of blues, the graceful sleeves and low neckline edged with silver lining.

Mother smiled. "I couldn't have my daughter go to finishing school without being properly dressed."

"Thank you, Mother!" I cried, hugging her tightly

"I'll miss you," she whispered. She kissed me on the forehead, then stepped back with tears in her eyes

After a tearful goodbye with my family, I climbed into the coach and began the two-day journey to Jenn, the small village where my finish school was located.

I spent most of my time trying to get some sleep, since I had not slept the last few nights, having been filled with so much excitement.

I also spent my time wondering about finishing school. Would the other girls like me? Would I be able to learn enough so that Mother and Father would regret letting me go?

Finally, at sunset on my second day of travel, I arrived at the school. A tall, graceful woman came out to greet me.

"Welcome!" She curtsied. "I am Madame Edith, Headmistress of your new home."

"I'm pleased to meet you," I said also curtsying. "My name is Areida of Amonta."

"Ah, yes. We've been expecting you. We have just sat down to supper. Come along."

I followed Madame Edith into the ordinary, wooden house that was to be my home for the next few months.

"Young ladies," Madame Edith announced as we entered the dining room. "Here is a new friend for you."

At least twenty maidens rose and curtsied. Every one of them was wearing a pink gown and a yellow hair ribbon. They were all pretty and graceful.

I immediately felt out of place.

Madame Edith seated me beside a tall girl, sitting up impossibly straight, daintily sipping her soup.

"Hello," I said politely in Kyrrian, as a maid set a bowl of soup in front of me. "My name is Areida."

"You're from Ayortha?" The tall girl asked coolly.

"Yes," I said hesitantly, taken aback by her coldness.

"Are you rich?"

I couldn't believe she had just asked such an obviously rude question!

"No," I replied defensively. "My parents own an inn."

"Isn't that lovely," she said, narrowing her eyes. She turned her back on me and began conversing with the girl on her right.

I felt stung. Why would she treat me that way, just because my family wasn't rich?

I later learned the girl's name, Julia. She was the only child of a count and extremely rich. Unfortunately, I soon learned that most of the girls shared Julia's attitude. I found myself an outcast.

Even though the girls were unkind, I loved finishing school. I had always liked to learn, and coming here had cured that craving.

I had a special passion for sewing. I soon spent most of my free time in the garden, embroidering beautiful designs. I even sent Thomas one of these designs, as a sort of thank you.

Thomas and I had been exchanging letters the whole two months I had been at finishing school. I enjoyed reading his letters, mostly because they made laugh so often. But his letters also kept me from becoming too lonely.

But that soon ended. Near the middle of my third month at finishing, Thomas wrote, telling me he and his father would be leaving to tour the kingdom. He didn't know how long he would be gone.

All the girls at school teased me continually, about my accent and status. But in spite of all the teasing, I did not hate them. They were actually pushing me to be a better person.

That was my life. Mistress liked me, the girls didn't. It was that simple.

Yet I still hoped I could find a friend, someone I could confide in and laugh with. But no one at finishing school seemed to care the least about me.

Although I did not know it, that would soon change.

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