Also good news readers! I have written to chapter seven on this; so you all will be getting frequent updates! Haha for once I'm being responsible about my stories!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story line.
Part One
The Beginning of the End
"Dreams can be such dangerous things; they smolder on like a fire does, and sometimes consume us completely."
Arthur Golden
Have you ever felt like this is where you belong? That there is just something about being in this place that made you feel like you were home, your real home, true home; well this is mine. There is absolutely nothing better than being on the ocean, except for riding on a plane perhaps, riding waves letting the wind whip through your hair and having the thick salty air invading your nostrils. Vacationing on a cruise ship was literally my heaven, even if this year I would virtually alone.
Normally when we vacationed like this, I had Serena with me. She and I have been friends since before I can remember. Both of our mothers were like sisters to each other, so naturally when Serena and I were born we spent nearly every waking moment together. Serena attended boarding school with me in New York City, New York. Both of our parents, however, lived in Miami, Florida. I saw my parents maybe three times a year, always on Thanksgiving, Christmas and of course vacationing during part of summer.
My mother and I are not particularly close, seeing as her main goal for me in life is to marry well off to a rich man who would not embarrass the family. There were rules in my life, a set of concrete rules that must not ever be broken. These rules defined our family along with myself. There were serious consequences if those rules were ever broken. My parents love for me only runs as deep as the rules, it stops when I stop living by them.
Some people say that all of that is ridiculous and that we live in the twenty-first century, but seeing as most people in the United States live middle class, they have no idea what it means to survive in the world of upper class. The rules were there for a reason, and it wasn't just my family who had them. Every family had them.
The school that I attend with Serena was founded by my family ages ago. My bloodline runs deep as far as French royalty. The founders were on the run from the French Revolution when they immigrated to the US. They started the school in hopes of one day rebuilding the French dynasty. Only members of the Royal family, immediate and distant, could attend the school. There were six founders, Waldorf, Ratelle, Archibald, Vanderwoodson, Derrière, and Bass. Out of these six, Waldorf was a direct bloodline from Louis the sixteenth's brother. Five of the families decided only those of royal bloodline could attend the school, Bass, on the other hand, did not.
The Bass family disagreed and said that the school should allow those of French nobility to attend as well. Their thoughts on the matter were considered radical and dangerous. It was the beliefs that allowing those of lesser bloodlines attend, could jeopardize the school and they disagreed. The Bass family would not compromise and were later excommunicated from the group. They moved west and created their own school which later moved their headquarters to even more west known today as Los Angeles, California.
Both schools flourished immediately, and the history became lost. The boarding schools are now open to all, all who can afford it that is, and most do not even now how or why they were founded in the first place. I, on the other hand, very much do know mainly due to the fact that I come from the Waldorf family a directly line from the Royal family and Serena who comes from the Vanderwoodson family.
Serena and I are part of an elite group of the school, all parties making up the original five. While most people don't know our history, we're mainly known for our popularity. We are the main clique of the school and anybody who is a somebody wants in. Of course because we have complicated make-up system there are only very few of us. Serena has siblings, so all of her siblings are part of the group except one, which happens to be her twin brother Greg. He hates the high school caste system so he refuses any part of the group. The head of the group is Serena and one could say she was queen; I came second so I would be considered duchess. We don't call each other by title obviously, but there is a hierarchy system that everyone follows.
Naturally Serena and I are very close with or without titles. She is my best friend first and foremost before her position. I would trust her with anything. It is normally her that I bring along on my family trips given the fact that my parents only pay attention to themselves and I am left alone. I have only one other sibling, Eric who is my half-brother. He lives in France with our uncle and very rarely visits us in the States. Every summer we vacation in Europe partly to see him.
This time however, Serena couldn't come because of some family obligation she couldn't get herself out of. So, this time I'll be by myself. I am ok with being alone though, I like the quiet when I can get it.
The ship we are going on is a different one that I have ever seen, and quite large. But it doesn't matter because I love the ocean and being on an unfamiliar ship won't change anything.
I watch my mother yell at our driver for some unknown reason as I make my way up the steps. The man showing us to our suite, and my personal one, looks angry. He's probably annoyed with all the people yelling and shoving and treating him with absolutely no respect. Figures, he should know that being in this business would only reward him with such formalities.
We make our way inside the ship and I smile at the grandeur of it all. The color gold is everywhere and it somewhat reminds me of Titanic. I chuckle slightly to myself. Well hopefully we all won't die.
We finally get to our rooms and he hands me the key, and I step inside.
"Miss Waldorf, your luggage should be arriving in the next thirty minutes to an hour." He says.
"Thirty minutes to an hour, that's ridiculous!" My mother says with a frown.
"Mother, it's fine, really." I say.
"No, it really isn't! The service here is quite obsolete and we haven't even left port yet!" She continues.
The worker rolls his eyes discreetly as he turns back to my mother.
"I am so sorry miss, but there is nothing more I can do. Your luggage will be here shortly as well. If you have any questions, the number to call is on your desk." He replies politely giving me a nod and swiftly walking back down the hallway.
"Really, that is just…" my mother says then takes a deep breath. "Anyways, meet us at the restaurant tonight no later than six forty-five. Our dinner reservation is at seven, and I don't want you late." She finishes.
"Ok." I say as I am about to close the door.
Her hand stops the door and she rakes over my body with a disapproving eye.
"And try to wear something decent please. I don't want you embarrassing us with…" She says while motioning with her hand. "With whatever that is you are wearing. Really darling, would it kill you to just try?" She says.
"Fine Mother, I get it." I say as I roll my eyes and close the door.
Honestly, does she have to be so condescending all the time?
I walk over to the mirror to look at what she fussing about. I was wearing nice jean shorts with a loose, off the shoulder purple blouse. So it wasn't ***, but it was nice enough and comfortable.
I flipped my head over and gave my long, dark hair a shake. I had it in loose curls down my back. It was perfect beach hair. After all, it was going to get pretty windy and my hair would just get messed up anyways.
After sitting in my room for a while, I decided to go exploring. I grabbed my Gucci purse and walked out.
The halls were long and windy; I was starting to feel slightly overwhelmed. I had never been on this particular ship so trying to find my way around was proving to be difficult. I went down one hallway, then the next, and then somehow wound up at the same spot I was before. Irritated, as I turned to go down a different hallway, I was run over and found myself on the floor.
I looked up in total irritation at the idiot who clearly needed glasses.
"Are you blind?" I say harshly.
Immediately, my eyes are met with the most handsome guy I have ever seen. His dark hair fell into his as he laughed quietly. His smile though immediately turned somewhat to a frown at my comment.
"No, but I'm guessing you are." He says while holding out a hand to me.
"What?" I reply incredously as I take his hand standing up. "I'm blind? Well you're the idiot who wasn't watching where you were going!"
He smirks at my statement and takes a step back.
"No, I believe you are mistaken." He says as he then starts to circle me. "You see, it was I that was minding my business when some clumsy, airhead so rudely ran into to me."
The nerve of this guy! I feel my cheeks go hot as my frustrations build.
"What, embarrassed are we now? Well, maybe you should pay attention where you're walking next time." He continues dauntingly.
I slowly turn around to face and put my hands on my hips.
"No! I am not embarrassed; this is me getting really angry." I reply.
We stare each other down and finally I decide that I've had enough of him.
"You know what; I don't have to deal with your idiocy. So if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be." I spit out as I push him slightly out of my way.
"Excuse you!" He yells after me.
I just wave him off as I stalk down more hallways. It's now that I realize that I still have no idea just where I'm at.
This is absolutely great!
I give a huff and wave down a lady walking my direction. She quickly looks up at me. I give my perfect innocent smile and walk casually up to her.
"Hi, I'm new to this particular ship and I'm not sure how to get to the main deck. If you could help me, it would be much appreciated." I say sweetly.
"Oh of course Dear! Just go down this hallway and take a right. There you should see some elevators that will take you anywhere you need to go." She says with a smile.
"Thank-you so much." I say as I make my way past her.
I finally reach the elevator and go to the main deck. As soon as I step outside, the wind hits me and I feel a smile creep up to my lips. Honestly, there's just nothing like the ocean wind on your face. I walk to the railway and notice that the ship has already begun to move and the dolphins are swimming alongside the ship.
I put my head on the railing inhaling the salty air as the ships continues to move forward. I stay that way for a while just thinking about the past school year and the upcoming one. It's funny how the time goes. It seems like only yesterday when Serena and I were playing dress up and make-believe games. The world was so small then, it was less complicated. There was a huge part of me that longed to have that back. To belong to a world where you didn't know a broken heart could exist, or that money came with a price. To belong to a world where you could run, play, dance, be free. I missed that world.
It was exhausting trying to be perfect all the time. There were so many rules and regulations and standards you were expected to uphold.
I gave a sigh to my thoughts then looked at my cell. Thirty minutes had already gone by while I was thinking and my mother will be very angry if I didn't get changed fast enough for dinner. I started to make my way back to the room and luckily knew where I was going this time.
As I walked in, I noticed that my luggage had arrived and I quickly put it on the bed to find an outfit. I settled on a high-waisted, black skirt with a red satin blouse. I slipped into a pair of black pumps and touched up my make-up and left.
As I walking down the hall, I noticed a figure walking behind me. I turned slightly as noticed it was him. I inwardly groan as I throw my head back.
"Well look who's here, the idiot who nearly killed me." I say as I walk.
I hear a chuckle behind me and I sneer at his no humorous laugh.
"Still on that now? Not my fault you're in denial of being blind and clumsy." He says.
I immediately turn and wind up being in his face. Startled, I back up slightly before retorting.
"I will have you know that I am not clumsy." I say. "Or blind for that matter." I finish as I push him back.
"Always so physical." He says with a smirk.
I roll my eyes somewhat at his comment.
"Oh just shut up." I quip as I turn from him.
I hear him laugh behind me.
"Find something amusing." I say.
"Actually yes, yes I do as a matter of fact." He says as he catches up to me.
I ignore him and keep walking hoping that maybe he'll take a hint.
"What? Aren't you going to ask me what it is?" He says in mock sad voice.
"No, because then I would have to care." I reply rolling my eyes.
He laughs again. I can feel myself getting more irritated by the minute. The idiot just needs to leave me alone.
"This way princess." He says nudging my shoulder.
I immediately turn around and put a finger to his chest.
"Do. Not. Call. Me. Princess." I demand as I poke him aggressively.
He smirks to himself then grabs my finger.
"Again, chill with all the abuse. If you want to play dirty all you had to do was ask." He says with a twinkle in his eye.
"You're disgusting." I say as we both get on the elevator.
"Well then, you obviously are attracted to disgusting because from the moment we've met you can't keep your hands off me." He says.
"Ha, as if I would even give you the time of day let alone do anything like that with you." I say as the elevator rings and the doors open.
I walk off the elevator but turn around to face him.
"Oh and just so we're clear, I would rather shove needles in my eyes." I say heatedly.
"Whatever you say princess." He replies with a smirk.
I turn around with a nasty expression on my face.
"Ugh! That is so disgusting." I say as I reach the restaurant.
I look down at my cell and see that it's six-fifty and I am greeted with a very unhappy mother. She opens her mouth so say something but I immediately cut her off.
"Not now Mother." I say as I walk past her following our hostess to our seats.