I know I apologize a lot for never uploading and I said I'd upload more during the summer, but I'm really sorry for making you wait for another update. To make it up to you guys though, I've done as many of you have requested and made a longer chapter! Tell me if it's a better length or if it still needs to be lengthend. Anyways, please enjoy chapter 5!
Ari's point of view
Durrand, whose name I had just learned, was driving Callum, Ella and I to Astor Park Prep Academy. I started reading my book, but my mind was wandering towards the incident with Easton. It's useless to worry about it, but I hope that he wouldn't tell anyone just as he said.
"Your father had a real passion for flying... I knew Steve better than anyone." Hearing about my father made me snap to my senses. My hands clench around my book, and the pages crinkle under the pressure. That man is dead to me, literally and figuratively. He abandoned our mother and if he hadn't then Ella and I's lives wouldn't have been so terrible.
Before I knew it, the car stopped. We have arrived. I get out of the car and attempt to calm my ragged breathing. "Headmaster Beringer is expecting us." I follow Callum as he leads us into the massive school. "Do you play any sports?"
He looks at Ella first, "Uh, no. I mean, I'm athletic, kind of. Dance, gymnastics, that stuff. But I'm not very good at sports."
"That's too bad. If you join a team or squad, you're exempt from taking the phys ed class. I'll ask if there's an opening on one of the cheerleading squads-you might be a good fit there." Callum then looks at me, "What about you, Ari?"
"I'm good at dancing and gymnastics too, but I don't like it. I spent too much time dancing. I like soccer, though I've never competed." I don't mention that running is the only way for me to clear my mind when my thoughts run wild.
"Okay, we'll get you on the track team." My only response was a nod. I follow the two in front of me, my eyes stay on the book as I walk but my brain doesn't absorb any of it. Silently, I inspected the high school. It was gorgeous, there was no denying it, but it felt too pristine. The building didn't have the energy of a regular high school, one where teenagers goof off and socialize with friends, no, it felt like a mix between an office building and a stage. I could practically feel the fake faces most put on, exchanging polite pleasantries out of obligation, never getting too personal, just enough to gain ties without sacrificing anything valuable.
I blinked once, twice. My book was on the ground and my body was being supported by two hands holding both my forearms. I followed the hands to find the school uniform for boys, then my eyes found a pair of brown eyes. "Are you okay?" He asked me, bringing me out of my stupor.
"Yes, I am alright. I'm sorry I ran into you, I wasn't looking where I was going." I stepped out of his hold and picked up my fallen book, dusting off the invisible dirt. Not waiting for a reply, I side-stepped the guy and made my way towards Callum and Ella who were entering the waiting room to the headmaster's office.
"Mr. Royal, it's lovely to see you here under positive circumstances for a change." The secretary looked like one of those nice but stern elderly ladies, her comment almost made me scoff, as if I would call this positive.
"Tell me about it. Is Francois ready for us?"
"He is. Go right in."
The secretary gestured towards the office, I smiled at her and spoke a quiet thank you, to which she replies with a gentle smile. Call me a goody-two-shoes but I like being on the staff's good side.
I sat in my seat silently listening to the conversation between Callum and the headmaster, I hadn't wanted to make a bad impression by speaking out of turn but I guess I should have kept my mouth shut when all eyes were on me. "I apologize, my sister and I hadn't discussed thoroughly being under Callum's care as it was sudden." I tried to sound as professional as possible. Honestly, I hadn't really cared but there was a small part of my brain nagging me about the ties I share with both my parents. Harper, O'Halloran, either way, was revolting to me but at least if we took on our father's last name it could be beneficial. We could slip under the radar, being a Harper and under Royal's roof was going to create rumors and unwanted attention. This way everyone would assume we are living with the Royal's because Steve had passed, yes it would create some rumors as to how we were related to him but that rumor would be better than being assumed as Callum's underage sex toy.
Ella looked at me like I had grown a second head, I resisted rolling my eyes at her loyalty towards our mother instead of the best way to survive this place. "So," the headmaster spoke with uncertainty, "would you two want to discuss and come to an agreement or would you two rather keep your preferences and be Ella Harper and Aristabelle O'Halloran?"
I stiffened, letting out a slight sigh. Damn Callum gave the headmaster my full name. Whatever, I'll just have to meet with all of my teachers before class and state I want to be called Ari. Knowing Ella and me, were both too stubborn to change our views. "If it isn't too much trouble but could you place our last names towards our preferences." The headmaster nodded his head and continued the meeting with Callum.
When the meeting finally ended, Ella and I were given our schedules. Callum talked to the headmaster about P.E. being a part of Ella's schedule, he must have something against the class or something if he wants both of us to be exempted from taking it. Headmaster Beringer shook my hand before telling Ella and me about the tour we would be taking when the guide showed up.
When she did appear, I found myself very ticked off. "I'm Savannah Montgomery, yes those Montgomerys." I can see Ella's confused face, and it made me want to laugh not at her but at Savannah because even if she thinks we should know who she is related to it shouldn't matter because she herself is not famous. Unfortunately, I did know who she was related to. "Your uniforms will be shipped to your house this weekend. The skirt's non-negotiable, but there are ways around the hem length." She winks and smooths out her skirt, they barely reach her lower thighs and yet other girls; skirts are at their knees.
I wasn't going to say anything since I hadn't planned on shortening my skirt, but Ella could keep her mouth shut, as usual. "What, blow the teachers, get a shorter skirt allowance?" I roll my eyes at her behavior, how does she not understand the term blending in.
Savannah laughs slightly, it's obviously forced. "Um, no. Just slip a hundie to Beringer if one of the teachers complains, and he looks the other way. Anyway, let me show you around." I follow behind Ella, who's slightly behind Savannah. Her finger points to each door as we pass them, "Classroom, classroom, ladies' room. So Callum Royal is your legal guardian?- classroom, classroom, junior faculty lounge- How did that happen?"
"He knew our father." I looked at Ella as she looked at me. Her voice was strained.
"Callum's business partner, right? My parents were at his funeral." We all pass through a set of doors, "Freshman classrooms. You won't be spending much time here. Sophmore classes are in the east wing." Gee, must be nice to have a school with a wing, "So you're living with the Royals, huh?"
Ella and I simultaneously say yes, but I continue speaking while Ella doesn't, "It's only until we graduate next year." Savannah only hums in response as we pass what I assume was the locker area, then we reach the outdoors. Even the pathway is set to look like a fairytale threw up all over it. Savannah points far off at another building. "That's the junior wing. All your classes will be in there. Except for PE- the gyms on the south lawn." I scoff in my head for the hundredth time, seriously how does a high school dedicate a wing to separate grade levels? "You meet the boys yet?" Savannah stops, causing Ella to stop, which causes me to stop. She sizes Ella and me up, one at a time.
I don't respond, I technically met four out of five, but I only remember the leader and Easton, seeing as the leader basically threatened me this morning.
"Yep, wasn't too impressed." Ella retorts.
Savannah gives a short laugh at my twin, "You're in the minority then. The first thing you need to know about Astor- the Royals run this place, Eleanor."
"Ella." My twin tries to correct her.
Savannah waves her hand, "Whatever. They make the rules. They enforce them."
"And you follow them like good little sheep."
"If you don't, then the four years you spend here will be miserable."
"Well, I don't give a damn about their rules. I might live in their house, but I don't know them, and I don't want to know them. I'm just here to get my diploma."
"All right, I guess it's time for another lesson about Astor. The only reason I'm being so nice to you right now is that Reed hasn't issued the Royal decree yet."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning all it takes is one word from him and you'll be nothing here. Insignificant. Invisible. Or worse."
"Is this supposed to scare me?"
"No. It's just the truth. We've been waiting for you to show up. We were warned, and we've been told to stand down until otherwise ordered."
"By who? Reed? The king of Astor Park? Gee, I'm trembling in my panties."
"They haven't reached a decision about you- either of you." For the first time since Ella and Savannah's dispute, they acknowledge me, well Savannah does. She looks at me with a stone face. "They will soon, though. I've known you for five minutes and I can already tell you what their decision will be. Women have a sixth sense. It doesn't take us long to know what we're dealing with."
"No, it doesn't."
They stare down each other for a few seconds, before Savannah's eyes me. "You sure are quiet, Alice."
I don't bother to correct her about my name, "That's because I don't feel the need to cower at your petty threats. Despite what you think, I can handle myself and don't need your helpful tips." I stress the word helpful to assure my sarcasm is delivered. "Now, why don't you resume the tour. You are our guide, you know."
Savannah flips her hair and smirks, "Come on then, Eleanor, Alice. Let me show you the football stadium. It's state-of-the-art, you know."
The tour wraps up and I'm ready to get out of this crazy expensive school. Savannah and Ella talk more about what I like to call 'school politics'. She made a comment about stripping, but I ignored it, choosing to read my book instead. That was until I heard Savannah say the most accurate thing since the tour started, "-my suggestion is to take advantage of everything the Royal name offers you, even if it means taking it by force." Maybe with Savannah's statement, I could get Ella to change her last name to O'Halloran as well.
My joy was short-lived, as a car door slams and a woman, who looks like a plastic doll, approaches us. "Hello... um..."
Savannah whispers something to Ella before leaving, glad to know I'm not included in the secrecy, sarcasm was practically dripping from my head.
"You two must be Elaine and Allie, I'm Brooke, Callum's friend. I'm here to take you shopping." She claps her hands together, excitement ringing as she said the word shopping.
"I'm Ella and this is Ari." My twin corrects Brooke.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I'm so terrible with names." She doesn't really look all that sorry to me, but she smiles widely and states, "We're going to have so much fun today?"
Gee, I can't wait to go shopping, with someone, who I'm sure is one of those girls who takes hours in a single store. Goodie for Ella and I, I'm just beaming with joy.