Time passed in a blink of an eye and soon my last three weeks of summer vacation were over.
It took me a week after the vampire attack for Gregory to let me sleep in my bedroom by myself. I told him that since I had to get on a set sleep schedule for school that we could come up with a compromise where he would escort me to my bedroom.
We would hang out with everybody from 6pm to 12am, he would escort me to my room, and I'd lock my door before bed. Then, I would get up at and be ready by 6am and he would walk me down to the main dining hall.
I would stay outside, with someone from my family or Maney accompanying me, to try to train my body to remain awake during school hours. After this, I would come inside and remain locked in my room until he came for me at 6pm and start the process over again.
It was a bit of a tedious schedule, but it helped him feel more secure about everything. Gregory had enough stress and responsibilities to deal with as the future clan leader and he did not need to add my safety to his never-ending list of obligations.
If I can help my best friend, even if it's just a little bit, then it would be all worth it.
So, here I am, dressed in my red plaid skirt with black pantyhose and a plain, white blouse with a plaid bowtie. I still needed to put on the matching red blazer with the school's crest embroidered on the left side. I just wanted to finish styling my hair before putting it on so there wouldn't be any loose hairs on it.
I wanted to leave a good first impression at my new school.
After checking over my selected hairstyle, a cute ballerina bun with a single braid wrapped around its base, I quickly rolled my lint roller over my blouse then blazer. Once everything seemed to be in order I slipped my blazer on and straightened my clothes in the mirror.
A knock on the door interrupted my excessive preening and I turned my attention to Gregory's voice on the other side.
"Lucy, are you ready to go?" He asked me, slightly muffled by the wooden barrier between us.
"Yeah, just a minute!" I called out, grabbing my bag and my shoes.
My parents had bought me two pairs of shoes to match my new uniform. They were both flat Mary-Janes with a gold buckle on the sides. The only difference between them was one was a red color and the other was black. I decided to go with the red pair today.
Flinging open my door, I was met with Gregory's shocked stare as I slipped my last shoe on.
"What? I don't look that bad do I?" I asked him, suddenly feeling self-conscious about my appearance. Certain shades of red don't look good with my skin complexion and I was nervous that the outfit made me look strange.
"No, no, you look…great—I was just, uh, surprised is all," He quickly reassured me, "I don't think that I've ever seen you in a skirt before."
I laughed at his astute observation.
"Well, that's because I've never worn a skirt around you before," I commented with a smile, "Did you want me to do a little twirl and model this semester's current fashion trend?"
I jokingly wiggled my eyebrows as I pulled at the knee-length skirt to exhibit it further.
Gregory chuckled at that.
"You're such a brat," he told me while throwing his arm over my shoulder, "Let's get you fed so I don't have to hear you talk anymore."
I elbowed him in the ribs before joining in on his laughter.
Today wasn't blood day, so the dining hall was empty except our two families sitting at their usual table.
"Oh, don't you just look adorable?" My mom cooed once she saw me.
"How far away is that all-boys school, again?" My dad grumbled with a scowl on his face.
"Oh, hush, your daughter looks adorable and we aren't having that conversation again," my mom admonished my dad while whacking his arm.
"Is it a conversation when one person remains silent while they are reprimanded by the other?" Tony asked with a knowing grin on his face.
I snickered at my brother's snarky attitude while my mom shot Tony a look.
"Are you excited about your first day?" My dad asked me.
"Eh…" I honestly replied before taking a bite of my toast.
"Oh, you'll have so much fun," my mom told me, "I had so much fun when I was your age! Going to things like club events, sports rallies, or to the mall to hang out with my friends…"
"Mom, have you met Lulu?" Tony asked our mother with raised eyebrows.
"Oh, hush, it's a different school setting, sure, but you'll make tons of new friends—"
"I have friends," I told my mom while motioning towards the Sackville-Baggs in the room.
"Friends your age," she amended while giving me a look.
I simply pointed at Gregory in response.
"Lucy, we've already discussed this—"
"I know, I know," I quickly yielded, "I'll get out of my head and make school friends based on similar interests and not who would be a good, future business ally…"
"Good, trust me—You'll have so much fun!" She joyfully told me before clapping her hands together in excitement.
I was worrying the hem of my dress beneath the table. Gregory noticed my distress and took hold of my hand before giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
I am so lucky to have a best friend like him.
The conversation soon shifted into how everyone's previous evening was and hearing the boys tell their tale of discovering a small cave on the property. They wanted to explore it tonight, but both parents were hesitant on letting them go. We didn't know if it was a stable cave or if there were any dangerous animals living within it.
However, both put on their best puppy dog eyes and eventually a compromise was made.
"You can only go if Gregory goes with you," Frederick finally declared.
"What?" Gregory asked while looking up from a video that I was showing him.
"Oh, that's a good idea!" I excitedly exclaimed.
"It is?" All three boys asked me at the same time.
"Yep, Anna and I can have a bit of a girl's night and watch a historical romance together," I divulged to the table.
The little vampire girl and I haven't had much alone time since the attack; mostly because Gregory wouldn't let me out of his sight. And I was starting to miss my little sister.
"Oh, that sounds wonderful!" Anna happily cried out.
"Lucy, you can have your movie night only if you finish your homework and promise to be in bed by 12o'clock," my mom firmly stated.
I nodded my head in agreement, "No problem! I can do the majority of it during the free period after lunch and the rest once I get home."
"Alright, I guess you two get to go exploring then," Gregory informed our younger brothers with a smile on his face.
"Yes!" Rudolph and Tony shouted with a celebratory high-five.
"Oh, I actually have some flashlights and equipment you boys can use!" Maney informed the boys with excitement.
"Sweet, thanks Maney!" Tony thanked the lanky man.
"Oh anytime!" Maney acknowledged with a smile. He seemed so much happier now that he's found his place with our family and the clan.
I should really look into buying him a gift that would show him how much we appreciate all his hard work. Maybe a new electric saw or welding torch? Maney also liked novels about technology and fantasy…perhaps I should buy him some new books instead?
Oh, what the Hell, I'll just buy him one of each…
The man has gone through so much in his life and deserves to be spoiled.
I decided to look up some more gift ideas on my bus ride.
It was only a 30-minute drive to the school from the castle, but about a 60-minute bus ride. If I didn't need to take two buses to get there, then it would be a 30-minute drive.
The first bus took me from the castle to the village and the connecting bus took me from the village to the school. My parents offered to drive me to school, but I told them it made more sense for me to utilize the transportation available.
If I took them up on their offer then they would spend 30 minutes driving me to school and 30 minutes driving back to the castle. Then, they would spend another 30 minutes driving back to the school to pick me up and another 30 minutes driving back to the castle.
I didn't want to waste 2 hours of their day driving me back and forth to school.
After all, they did have a business to run.
They seemed to understand and accept my logic but told me that if I were ever running late then they would be on stand-by for me.
I love how supportive my parents are.
Truth be told, the headmistress was surprised when she heard how they were moving to a different country to support me. Most of her students' parents just dumped them off at the school.
The only reason why they had a bus to shuttle people between the school and the village was for the staff. Students who lived on their own were required to live in the dorms on campus. The only students who were allowed to live off campus were the ones living with a parent or guardian.
And as stated before, many of the parents weren't willing to relocate their lives for their offspring.
My parents are truly a wonderfully unique pair.
Finishing up my meal, I quickly drank the rest of my milk before standing up to take my dishes to the kitchen.
"Lucy, I have that sweetie," my mom lovingly scolded me, "Besides, I want to take some pictures of you before you go."
"Mom…" I groaned out.
"Oh, shush, just a couple with you next to my roses, please?" She begged me with her big blue eyes.
"You taught Tony the puppy dog eyes!" I accused while pointing my finger at her in mock horror.
"Don't know what you mean," She told me while shooing me towards the door, "Just let me put these in the sink and I'll meet you outside!"
I rolled my eyes before giving my dad a kiss on his cheek and waving good-bye to everyone else. They all wished me luck and told me to stay safe before I made my way to the castle entrance.
My hand reached for the latch on the front doors, when I felt somebody grab my arm. Turning around in alarm, I soon calmed down when I saw Gregory standing behind me.
"Trying to give me a heart attack?" I teased him with a smile.
He smiled back, but the grin didn't quite meet his eyes, "Do you have to go?"
"Gregory, we talked about this…"
"I know…it's just…"
"Just what?"
He let out a sigh before wrapping his arms around me, "I can't come save you during the daytime."
"Gregory, I'm going to school, not to war," I tried joking with him to lighten the mood.
A frown remained on his face.
"Look," I began telling him, "I told you the bus route. When I leave for the first bus at 7am, either Mr. Schneider or Mr. Fischer will be in the guard booth which is close by the bus stop. So, if anything happens, I'll run to the booth for help."
I began retelling him our plan of action for if I get into trouble.
"Then, when I get off the first bus and wait for the second bus, I will be surrounded by people, mostly staff at my school, and will have their assistance if any trouble arises. The same plan of action will take place returning home. There will be teachers and faculty nearby waiting for their connections to go home, and one of the security guards will be in the booth when I get home around 6pm…I'll be safe—I promise," I finished reassuring Gregory while giving him a final squeeze before pulling away to look at his face.
He seemed to really consider my words before giving me a hesitant nod.
"Just…promise me that you will use the anima resonare if you get into trouble," Gregory pleaded.
"What, no way!" I shouted in alarm.
"Lucy…" He growled out in warning.
"Growl at me all you want, but I am not calling you for help when its daylight out!" I hissed back, "You are hardheaded enough to get yourself fried trying to come to my rescue. I will not be the reason for my best friend's death!"
Understanding flashed in his eyes before he amended his earlier statement, "Very well…I can't fault you for your feelings of wanting to protect the one you care about. Then promise me this…you will stay alive and call me for help as soon as the sun sets, deal?"
I mulled over his words before nodding my head.
"Deal."
"Good," Gregory let out a sigh of relief before giving me one final hug, "On another note, I do hope you have fun."
"Eh, I'll try, but it's going to be pretty boring without you there," I admitted into his chest.
"Oh, really? You enjoy my company that much…you may be a masochist after all, Lucy," He teased me before pinching my sides and making me jump a little.
"Hey! No pinching!" I chided him while swatting his arm and pulling away, "Maybe I am a masochist…it's just—I don't know—I guess it's easier with you."
"What do you mean?" He asked me with a raise of his eyebrow.
"Well…it's kind of hard to explain…"
"Try your best," he patiently told me while taking a step back to lean against the door with me.
"I'm not very good at making friends—most people are put off by the way that I talk when I introduce myself and say that I sound like an old woman," I began telling him.
"You sounded normal to me when we first met," Gregory reassured me.
"You saved me when we first met and I barely spoke due to my crippling fear of heights," I drily reminded him.
"Eh…I've had worst reactions from mortals when they first meet a vampire."
I snorted at that.
"That's why I think it might be easier with you and everybody else…because you are vampires and don't know how a normal human is supposed to behave…" I finally admitted my fear, "People don't find a teenager constantly planning and rebuilding the future for her friends and family normal. They call it obsessive and, and creepy…"
"People are idiots," Gregory informed me, "They haven't spent centuries hiding away and wondering if they will live to see tomorrow…or if they should even bother with trying to see tomorrow…"
"Gregory…" I whispered in shock at his revelation.
"Surviving is not living, Lucy," he confided in me, "I don't think that I could ever be forced back into the dark after what you and your family have shown us."
"That's—that's not what I ever intended to happen," I quickly told him, "I wanted to let you all have a sense of normalcy, but-but I didn't want you to-to—"
"To have a taste of freedom and a fear that it would be ripped away?" Gregory eloquently supplied.
How long has he thought about this?
"I've thought about this since the night we first met," he told me, reading my thoughts.
"Are you sure you aren't a mind reader?" I jokingly asked him.
"Yes, I'm sure," he replied with a chuckle, "Lucy, the reason why I am telling you this is because you should understand that we already know that you are different from normal mortals."
My heart sank a little at this knowledge.
"That's why we all love you so much," Gregory told me while making me look in his eyes, "Those people that you met weren't grateful to your caring attitude—yes it's caring and not obsessive—and don't deserve your friendship."
I laughed at his term for my obsessive and clingy nature but appreciated it all the same.
"You will find mortal friends who are understanding and grateful, like we are, and you will also marvel at how 'easy' their friendship is…trust me, I am 426 years old and have been around the block a few times," he reassured me with a cocky grin.
Laughter erupted from my throat as I shook my head at him.
How was I so lucky to be blessed with a best friend like Gregory Sackville-Bagg?
"Thank you, Gregory, I really needed to hear that," I honestly told him.
"You're welcome…if you really want to show appreciation for my sage wisdom then I do have a couple of songs I wouldn't mind getting downloaded to my account," he pulled out his phone with a sly smile and waved the device in my face.
"I should have known that you wanted something when you started being nice to me," I said while elbowing him in the ribs.
"What? I am always nice to you."
"Oh my—do you kiss your mother with that lying mouth?"
He opened his mouth to retort, but my mom showed up with her camera phone ready.
She paused when she saw us by the front door.
A knowing grin spread across her face.
"Gregory, I promise you that Lucy will be safe on her way to school—we even cleared it with the headmistress with her having pepper spray on her person!" She happily exclaimed.
You can guess whose idea it was for the pepper spray that now jingled on my key chain.
"Yes, I know," Gregory politely replied to my mother, "I just tend to worry with how accident prone your daughter can be."
"I am not accident prone," I denied while smacking his arm once again.
"Lucy, don't hit your friend," my mom chided me with a stern look while Gregory sent me a smug one, "Oh, I almost forgot—Gregory, your father wants to talk to you about preparations for when Liesel goes into labor."
Liesel was a young vampire who was soul bonded to Isaiah and both were expecting their first child together. Everyone, including myself, was so excited about the baby's birth. My family and I were excited because, well…it's a baby, while the clan was excited about the first vampire birth to happen since Rudolph and Anna were born.
They were especially excited now since we have so many safeguards in place and blood rations available for rearing the vampire child.
Gregory acknowledged my mother before whispering to me, "Remember your promise."
I smiled in return before nodding my head in agreement.
I'll stay safe.
He smiled before flying off to find his father.
When I turned my attention back towards my mom, she had a devious grin on her face.
"…What?" I hesitantly asked her.
"Oh nothing…Just wondering when you grew up so much is all…" she vaguely replied before leading me outside to her rose garden.
Why are parents so weird?
Pushing my thoughts from my mind, I quickly posed for her pictures before telling her it was 7am and I needed to start heading to school. She pouted at me before conceding and letting me walk towards the bus stop.
Parents are just weird…
It was only a 10- minute bus ride from the castle to the village. Looking at the bus app on my phone, I calculated that it would be another 10 or 15 minutes before the connecting bus arrived.
I decided to take the time to look up good gift ideas for Maney. It wasn't long before the bus arrived and the shopping cart on the delivery app I was using was full of appreciation gifts. Pulling out my bus pass, I climbed onto the bus, scanned my card, and took my seat. I was going to return to my phone to finalize the purchases when a dash of red caught my eye.
It was a girl around my age wearing the same school uniform. She had shoulder length black hair, that was hurriedly pinned back in a half ponytail and miniature clips. The clips were all different colors and had a clashing color coordination with her uniform. Said uniform seemed to be a size too big for her and slightly faded. It appeared as though she didn't care about her appearance.
I realized that I was staring in shock at the fact that one of my schoolmates was riding the bus with me, and it could be misconstrued as being rude. She, thankfully, also seemed shocked by the sight of me, but quickly got ahold of herself and took a seat at the front of the bus.
Darn, I was hoping she would sit closer to me so that I could ask her a few questions…
From the looks of it, she has had the school uniform for a while so she might know the ins and outs of the cliques so that I can better plan my campaign for class treasurer.
Mom said that she wanted me to make friends based off interests, but it doesn't mean that I can't also make some associates and allies to further my goal of a successful school experience.
Hopefully, I will see her later on and can introduce myself properly.
One thing is for certain, my future bus rides just got really interesting…
I had been able to finalize my purchases and had requested them to be gift wrapped before being sent in the mail. My gift-wrapping skills were appalling, and I would be embarrassed if anyone witnessed such a tragic display of inadequacy.
Tony, of course, found my weakness to be hysterical and enjoyed when Christmas time came around. Because every year I would be adamant about improving my skills and every year I would pay my little brother to fix the mess I would make of the gifts.
He called it his Christmas bonus.
Of course, with his gifts, I would at least tape in a brown box, so that he wouldn't know what he was receiving. But that smug grin on his face when everyone would gush about how pretty my presents looked always pissed me off.
But, I digress, Maney's pre-wrapped presents were in the mail and would arrive this Thursday for him. I couldn't wait to see the look on my goofy, adopted uncle's face when he opened his gifts!
A small smile made its way to my face as I walked through the halls of the renovated castle. There was a lot of history in these halls and I could tell that the school held tradition in the highest regard.
I still had about an hour left until classes began and decide to look at the bulletin board near the offices. There were pamphlets with all the available clubs and after-school volunteer work. My eyes quickly scanned the selection before landing on brochures for chess club and student council. Taking one of each I slid the packets in my bag before heading to the direction of my homeroom.
I timed myself arriving there in 8 minutes and decided to walk to the inner courtyard to read through my newly acquired pamphlets. It turns out that chess club meetings were held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Weekly student council meetings were held on Wednesdays unless duties demanded extra weekend meetings. The student council campaigning would begin the second week of August and the elections would be held the first week of September. It didn't give me much time to make a lasting impression on my peers, but I was determined.
Everything else in regard to joining the two clubs at the same time sounded perfect. Especially when I read that the matches for the Chess Club were held during the week, so there was no chance of a match interfering with a weekend meeting.
Now, to put my best foot forward and become a member of the student council.
My mom had reassured me that if I didn't win this year then there would always be next year. She said that people may not vote for me because they don't know me now. But if I go to every meeting as an unelected official and help out with projects then I would surely win the next year.
That is a nice Plan B, however, I'm still going to give it my all to become more than just a pawn in the student council. I can follow direction just fine, but I still want to be able to give direction and be a key member in deciding future plans.
Well, no matter what happens, I'm going to take my mother's advice and give it my all.
My phone's timer rang out and interrupted me from my current thoughts. It was 30 minutes until class time. I collected my belongings and began my trek back towards my classroom. There were a few students already sitting down and I saw an opening in the center aisle of the second row.
Perfect.
Taking a seat, I hung up my bag on the hooks attached to the desk and pulled out my supplies. Since the first class was homeroom, I only pulled out my planner and a couple of pens with my 5-subject notebook. Once that was in order, I made sure that my phone was turned off and tucked away in the front pocket.
I had taped my schedule to the inside of my notebook and was going through it when I saw a familiar head filled with clashing clips walk through the doorway.
No way.
Sure, enough it was the same girl from the bus ride this morning. She seemed shocked to see me as well but took a seat in the front row closest to the window on the left side.
Darn it.
Seriously though, I showered and washed my hair this morning, so I know that I don't stink. Maybe I don't seem approachable? This is seriously starting to get frustrating.
Stupid Gregory, 'oh you'll make friends easily', yeah right!
"Is this seat taken?" I heard a voice ask me.
I turned my attention towards a petite girl with brown highlighted hair that was styled in a chic short bob. She had warm hazel eyes and a heart shaped face. I would definitely assume she was the daughter of a model with her genetic makeup.
Time to turn on the charm.
"Oh, no, you're good," I informed her with a smile, "Hi, my name is Lucretia Thompson."
I held out my hand in greeting.
Her smile widened as she sat down next to me.
Alright, so far so good.
"Hi, it's nice to meet you," she replied back before shaking my hand, "My name is Simone Hart."
Definitely a daughter of a model. I quickly racked my brain before coming up with an answer.
"Hart…you're not related to Saundra Hart the model turned fashion mogul, are you?" I asked her, already knowing the answer, "Sorry if that's a bit brash, but you look exactly like her when she was younger."
She laughed at my flattery.
Good, at least I'm making some kind of progress.
I thought all this to myself while keeping my 'smile' plastered onto my face.
"Oh, my goodness, my mother will be so happy to hear that people still remember her from her modeling days," Simone gushed.
"How could anyone not know about Saundra Hart and her amazing climb to the top of fashion?" I gushed back with her, "I must say that I love your mother's recent work with floral designs—so many people wrote off the look, but your family gave life to such a fresh look."
I decided to include her into my compliments.
Hopefully, my roundabout way of complimenting Simone would help me in the future.
"Oh, stop, you'll make be blush," she told me with a laugh, "So, what is it that your parents do?
"Oh, this and that…" I told her, not wanting to overshadow her own mother's success.
"Oh, come on, you know all about my mother—it's only fair that I know something about yours," Simone told me with a glint in her eyes.
Oh, she was good.
She was looking to further her family's business as well with connections made at school.
I like this girl.
"My mom and dad are Dorothea and Robert Thompson," I finally divulged, "They are the founders and current CEOs of Mountain Enterprises.
Simone became slightly slack-jawed at my announcement before regaining her composure. I could see the wheels turning in her head with future plans.
"Oh, wow…" she trailed off before fixing her mask back on her face, "That is quite remarkable, Lucretia. I am so happy that we met—I believe that we are going to be the best of friends."
"I couldn't agree with you more, Simone," I informed the brown-haired girl with a smile, "Oh, by the way, I absolutely love your yellow gold Coco Crush ring."
Simone's smile grew even larger at the mention of her accessory.
She held up her dainty hand to the light and wiggled her fingers
"Don't you, though?" Simone happily sighed, "Mother gave it to me as a present for completing my first year with acceptable marks."
Yes, I was right!
Simone will be a perfect informant about the school's groups and people.
"Oh, first year?" I commented off- handedly, "So you must have a lot of friends here already."
This piqued her interest.
"Hmmm…I guess you could say that…" she had a sly smirk on her face as she waited for my next move.
"That must be nice to already have an established friend group that you sit with at lunch or enjoy shared club activities with…" I trailed off trying to gauge her reaction.
I couldn't tell if she was amused or not…she was an extremely calculative person.
"I see…and have you thought of joining any clubs?" Simone asked me.
"Well, I was considering the chess club—"
"Oh, I bet you are excellent at that," she commented with a smirk.
"I like to consider myself a decent player," I humbly told her with a wry smile.
She laughed at that, "And are there any other clubs that you were considering?"
Man, she is smarter than she looks.
Definitely want Simone on my team.
I considered lying about wanting to join the student council in case a friend of hers wanted to be the class treasurer, or, worst cast, she wanted to be the current class treasurer.
But decided to answer her truthfully.
With how intuitive this girl is, it was best not to take any chances of getting caught in a lie.
"I was also considering the student council," I finally revealed to her.
Her eyebrows shot up into her bangs.
"Oh? That's quite…audacious of you with it being your first year here," she commented with no ill will.
"That's what my mother said as well," I told her with a smile.
"But you are still going to run for an official position anyway," she bluntly stated with a hint of respect in her voice.
I wanted to play coy and ask her what she meant but felt as though that would be insulting to a woman of her obvious intelligence.
"Yes, I do," I plainly replied with a determined look in my eye.
"Hmmm…what position are you going to run for?" Simone asked, weighing her next move.
"I would like to become the class treasurer," I answered honestly.
"Not the class president?" She asked me with a sly smirk.
"No, I—it's hard to explain, but I enjoy running things from the sidelines. Let somebody else take the credit, but I like to be the one in control of everything," I admitted to her.
She seemed quite for a moment.
Trying to gauge whether I told her the truth or a lie.
Simone finally broke out in a smile.
"Hmmm…this is interesting, indeed," she finally said with a cat-like smile, "I'm actually best friends with the previous class president."
Oh? She's right this is interesting.
I nodded my head to acknowledge that I was still listening.
"My friend is actually running for class president again this year. She's running unopposed of course. She's the type that people are afraid to challenge, anyway, she's told me that the previous class treasurer was considering running for office again…But, they don't think she'll make the cut…"
Simone looked in my direction and saw that she had my captivated attention.
"The word through the grapevine is that many of the council members weren't impressed by her…inadequate skillset and are hoping to avoid any future 'shortcomings.' I'm sure if there was a person who showed up out of the blue and presented a proficient knowledge of finances, they would gain the group's full support. Maybe even help said person with introductions to the right people," she finished telling her tale with a calculating grin, "Of course, this is pure rumor and speculation."
"Oh, of course," I agreed with a grin, "Say Simone…do you eat lunch with this best friend and company?"
"Well, as a matter of fact, I do!" She exclaimed in excitement, "And it's only fair that since you are new to the school, and I am the first person that you've met, that I introduce you to my friends at lunch."
"Only fair," I agreed.
"Wonderful, we'll walk to lunch together," Simone said with a tone of finality.
"I can't wait," I said, barely containing my excitement, "I am so happy to have met you this morning, Simone."
"As am I," she replied just as the teacher walked through the door.
This morning has been very fruitful to my future plans.
I can't wait for lunch time.
Morning classes passed by without a hitch and I was quite impressed by my teachers' curriculum. There were a couple of courses that I ended up testing higher at and was sent to a different classroom to receive college level education. The two courses that I would be taught today were Calculus I and Organic Chemistry I.
I noticed clip girl, whose name turned out to be Adelaide, and a handful of other students were sent to the room with me. The other girls were older than Adelaide and me, which made me question if Adelaide was like me.
A tested genius on the intelligence scale.
Or was she an extremely hard worker and clawed her way to the top?
I wasn't sure which one it was, but one thing was for certain, I wanted to become friends with her.
Either scenario painted her in a flattering light. If she was a genius, then she understood that it wasn't all rainbows and gumdrops. And if it turned out that she was a hard worker, then I wanted the girl with that kind of determination on my side.
I just had to figure out a plan to approach her without coming off as…weird. Which was easier said than done.
Simone came naturally to me and introduced herself first. She then made it easier when she turned our interaction into a business deal. Business deals I can handle. Lasting friendships…I'm a bit of an amateur on.
Anyway, I'm supposed to return to the side classroom tomorrow for Physics I.
Our schedules alternate in order to prepare us for a college setting. The first 6 courses, called Block 1, are held for 1 hour on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The remaining 4 courses, called Block 2, are held for 1.5 hours on Tuesday and Thursday. This schedule gives us a 15-minute homeroom that is used for attendance, a 45-minute lunch, and a 60-minute break to either study or stretch our legs.
The headmistress is a firm believer in well-rounded young ladies of society and tries to incorporate a lengthy free time to encourage spectacular academic performance.
Or at least, that's what it says on the brochure.
They don't have us move from our seats in homeroom, unless it's to use the restroom, and have the teachers come to us. As stated before, the only reason why Adelaide and I moved classrooms was because we tested out of high school level and needed to be taught college level academics in a different classroom.
I will have to admit, Adelaide seemed surprised as well that I was keeping up with her in our shared higher education.
I wonder why…
Regardless, I was having fun with the diversity of my school and the educational challenges it provided me.
"So…are you some kind of genius?" Simone asked me as we walked to the cafeteria.
I knew it was only a matter of time before my departure from the classroom was brought up by my new associate.
"I've…tested relatively high on the intelligence spectrum," I commented nonchalantly, really not wanting to divulge anymore information on the subject.
Simone, thankfully, picked up the hint and started talking business with me.
We discussed the stock market and things we've invested in. Not surprisingly we shared a lot of the same insights on our bonds.
"Oh my gosh, you sold your stock on their company too?" Simone excitedly asked as we made our way to her table with our trays.
"Oh, definitely," I confided, "There was just something nagging me in the back of my head about that company—"
"Right?" Simone agreed, "My mother thought I was insane for basing my actions on a hunch, but when that scandal came out and he had to shut down all those factories…"
"Don't you hate to see that happen," I carried on with her, "I mean, the man causes a huge fiasco in his own company, but it's the working-class citizen that pays for it. As CEOs we have to hold ourselves to a higher standard, not just for our companies, but also for our employees."
"Oh my—yes! Preaching to the choir," Simone told me with a laugh before noticing the group of girls staring at us, "Oh, oops, where are my manners! Girls, this is Lucretia Thompson—she's new here and is—"
"The daughter of Dorothea and Robert Thompson, CEOs of Mountain Enterprises," a girl with long, sleek red hair and brown eyes finished for Simone, "It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Evelyn Winters."
"Evelyn here is our class president," Simone told me off-handedly with a smirk on her face.
Evelyn raised her perfectly manicured eyebrow in suspicion at her best friend's flippant remark.
"It's wonderful to meet you, Evelyn," I told the formidable woman while shaking her hand, "I heard that you are a force not to be reckoned with."
She seemed to preen at my flattery before giving her best friend a smile.
"Am I to assume that this line of flattery from you and Simone's not-so-innocent statement is because you wish to join the student council?" Evelyn asked me.
The other two girls seemed to bristle at the thought.
Better state the position that I am after before I make any enemies.
"Yes, I would like to become the class treasurer," both girls seemed to calm down after my statement, "I believe the experience would help further my future goals."
"And what are your future goals, Lucretia?" Evelyn inquired.
"World domination," I joked trying to lighten the mood.
It worked because all four girls chuckled at my response.
"No, but all joking aside, my goals are to go to school and become a corporate lawyer," I honestly told the four.
"Then why do you need to learn finances?" One of the girls with dirty blonde hair asked me with a tilt of her head.
"I like having first hand knowledge of what I am looking at," I replied, "Sure I can hire an expert to look over documents for me, but I'd rather be able to look at something for myself and not have to take another person's word for it."
"You don't trust your experts?" Evelyn asked in suspicion.
"Experts can be bought with the right price," I bluntly answered, "If I am going to protect my business and the people I care about, then I need to know that I am personally making the best choice available."
"You do realize that you have to get elected to be part of the council," Evelyn finally told me, "We don't have the power to select who we want."
"Of course," I confidently explained, "I just thought it best to introduce myself to my future colleagues."
Evelyn's eyebrows shot up into her hairline at my bold statement.
"You seem pretty confident for a new student," she commented with a hint of admiration in her voice.
"More determined than anything," I conceded with a small smile.
Evelyn sat staring at me for a while, her chin resting on the back of her hand.
Finally, she said three simple words that made my day, "I like you."
Upon hearing their fearless leader's approval, the other two girls decided to introduce themselves. The girl with the long dirty blonde hair was Bethany, while the girl with the shoulder length, dyed platinum blonde hair was Daniella.
Both girls were average looking and pretty but wore expensive designer watches and earrings. I debated complimenting them on their jewelry but decided to wait before overusing the flattery card.
We had gotten into a comfortable conversation about business and finances. All of which seemed to impress Evelyn, when Adelaide walked by us carrying a sack lunch to the table in the far corner.
"Oh, God, how much you want to bet that her lunch stinks up the cafeteria again?" Daniella snidely remarked, causing me to tense up.
Oh, no.
"I would, but my daddy always taught me to never gamble money on a lost cause," Bethany cruelly joked back.
Crap, don't tell me…
"Ugh, it's not as though its bad enough that we have to see her in that eyesore of a uniform that is clearly from last year, but we have to smell her disgusting leftovers too?" Daniella griped to Bethany who nodded her head in agreement.
Did I just associate myself with the freaking mean girls of the school?!
"I heard she rides the bus with the teachers and staff," Bethany whispered conspiratorially to her friend, "No wonder all of them pity her so much."
Daniella opened her mouth to respond, but I cut her off.
"I ride the bus," I informed the group trying to control my anger.
"Uh—I'm sorry what did you—"
"I ride the bus," I reiterated my claim, staring both girls down, "I take the first bus from my home, which is about a 10 to 15 minute ride to the village. From there, I wait about 15 minutes for the connecting bus then take the second bus to the school which takes about 30 to 35 minutes. All in all, it's a 60-minute ride to and from school."
"But, you're rich…why—" Daniella began asking before I cut her off.
"Because time is money," I harshly explained, "If my parents were to drive me back and forth to school that would waste 2 hours of their day. Two hours that could have been focusing on expanding and growing our empire. That kind of waste should not be tolerated in my eyes. Anyone foolish enough to look down upon saving time or money because they are 'rich' should have their head examined."
Elections be damned.
I do not abide bullying.
Both girls seemed shocked at my outburst. Simone suggested that they go to the dessert line and grab some milkshakes. They eagerly jumped at the chance to get away from me.
I know that I really messed that up, but I couldn't bring myself to care.
"Can't stand bullying, huh?" Evelyn asked me from across the table when it was just the two of us left.
"That obvious?" I weakly asked with a small smile.
"It's admirable," she told me before giving me a stern look, "Stupid, but admirable."
"I messed that up, didn't I?" I asked her, already knowing the answer.
"A bit, yeah…Just compliment them on their jewelry or hair and they'll start to favor you again," Evelyn advised.
"Maybe I'll offer to help them with their homework," I commented trying to think of a plan that didn't stroke their oversized ego.
"You a masochist or something?" She jokingly asked me with a smirk.
"…Or something…" I muttered to myself.
Damn, I was doing so good.
"Quit beating yourself up," she told me while giving my arm a nudge from across the table, "You have a lot of spirit in you…you're going to lose your cool from time to time, especially surrounded by airheads like those two."
"Oh, God…there is more of them?" I asked her in fear.
"Oh, yeah, they're smart enough—they should be after being sent to all the right schools for years—however they lack that little voice in their head that tells them to shut the hell up," Evelyn joked.
"I was having such a good day…" I trailed off looking at her in defeat, "I received a fun and challenging education during my class time. I even met like-minded people like you and Simone—"
"You think Simone is like-minded?" Evelyn interrupted me with a curious look.
"…You're her best friend, don't you know how intuitive she is?" I asked her, slightly taken aback.
"Oh I've noticed, but other people take one look at her pretty face, her chic style, and fancy jewelry and assume that she's some rich girl looking for her 'Mrs. Degree'," Evelyn informed me with a sneer on her face.
"I thought we covered that I don't judge people on how they dress…?" I reminded her in confusion.
Evelyn snickered at that.
"I just thought you had a soft spot for the impoverished class," she told me with a grin.
I blinked at her in confusion before connecting the dots.
"That's why she was on the bus with me…she's the scholarship student that the headmistress was bragging about," I finally replied, feeling like a proper idiot for not thinking of it earlier.
Evelyn laughed again at my slow uptake on the situation.
"I am so happy that Simone brought you to me," she told me with a smile, "It's refreshing to have a brilliant mind be simple at the same time."
"Gregory says that I am the smartest idiot he knows," I reminisced with a fond smile.
"Gregory?" She asked with a smirk.
Crap.
Way to go, Lucy.
"Yeah, he's a childhood friend of the family," I easily lied, remembering the story that we settled on, "Both our families have been friends for years. We finally decided to stop talking about it and move next door to them. It made it easier to rationalize such a transition when I was accepted to the academy here."
"Wow, must be some group of friends if you guys moved to a whole different country to be near them," Evelyn commented with a fond smile on her face.
"They are truly the greatest people that I have ever had the fortune of knowing," I honestly told her.
"Awww…so does this Gregory go to the all-boys school up the road…?" She asked me with a devious smirk.
"No, his family is extremely traditional, and they are taught at home by tutors," I told her.
"They?"
"He has a little brother and sister."
"Nice family size…How about you do you have any siblings?" Evelyn asked me in curiosity.
"Only a little brother named Tony," I easily responded, "And you? Do you have any siblings?"
She smiled before saying, "Just one…and you've already met her."
My heart sank…please don't be either Bethany or Daniella.
"Oh, my gosh," Evelyn laughed at me, "We are going to have to work on your poker face—it is not Bethany or Daniella."
Oh, thank goodness.
But then that would mean…
"Simone?"
"Yep," she told me with a smile, "She's only my sister through marriage, but she's the greatest friend a girl could ask for."
Oh, a stepsister….
"That's right…Her mom married a businessman that helped further her fashion empire," I mumbled, remembering that bit of information.
You only heard stories about Saundra Hart and her success in the magazines. It rarely ever mentioned her husband.
"Yeah, that's my dad, Charles Winters," Evelyn told me with a smile.
Huh, interesting…
"…What would you say if I told you that I could make you class treasurer?" Evelyn hypothetically asked me.
I blinked in surprise at her sudden change of subject before smiling at her.
"I would say thanks, but no thanks."
"Really? I thought you were determined to win?"
"Oh, I am determined to win…on my own merit and skillset," I frankly told her, "The reason why I took this opportunity to meet you and your group was to begin branching out and putting my name in the conversation. The faster that I become known as a credible player, the better my chances of winning are."
Evelyn stared at me for a while again before declaring, "I knew I liked you for a reason."
We finished our meals in a comfortable silence.
I wasn't sure if this was the start of a good friendship, but it was definitely the beginning of a beautiful alliance.
AN: Wow! Seriously, thank you ALL for your amazing support and feedback. I love reading your reviews and hearing how much you are enjoying my story!
I just wanted to give you guys a heads up that I am going to start a series of one-shots told in different character's POV about different events happening in the chapters. It'll be reoccurring themes that will further expand different parts of the plot like who's eyes were watching Gregory and Lucy in Chapter 11 and things of that nature. :)
I will try to have the first couple of chapters up this Wednesday, but will continue posting the chapters of the main storyline until then.
Happy reading!
And thank you all again for your lovely reviews and encouragement!
Lots of love!