"Hmmm," Anna mumbled, holding up a green laced top and looking in her mirror. It was a nice shirt, but would Christophe like it?
No, she decided, it clashed with her eyes.
Anna had been at The Schola for four months and the entire time she had been treated like royalty. She had her own room with blue trimming and could order whatever she wanted at any time. So far, Anna had been sticking to the basic stuff, not wanting to go overboard. Who knew how much money this place actually had? Besides, her mother had always warned her not to take things for granted. Anna had everything she needed.
Everything, that is, besides a certain blue eyed boy who was determined to play hard to get. At least, that was the only explanation Anna had for the way he acted. Really, she was the only girl in a school filled with boys. How could he not want her? And yet, he seemed determined to remain merely friends with her. She saw him nearly every day for sparing practice and although they were close, Christophe rarely returned her flirts and refused to make a move himself.
Suddenly, Anna remembered last night: Christophe and her had had a long training session that had ran late. He had dismissed her guard and walked her to her room himself. Anna had practically glowed with pleasure. They had stood outside her door for a bit, talking about her classes. Anna couldn't help but giggle to herself, recalling how she had yawned and he had made her go to bed. He promised he would see her during breakfast the next morning. And then, right before he said goodnight, he kissed her! Yes, it was only on the cheek. But still, this was major progress.
She continued to rummage through her drawers until she pulled out a scoop necked red top to wear with her black pants.
Perfect, she thought. Christophe would not be able to keep his eyes off her. Red was truly her color.
She sauntered down to the cafeteria with a renewed determination to make Christophe fall head over heels in love with her.
She passed through the hallways that had recently become her home. It still hurt when she thought of her mother and her old home, but her life was so busy now that it was easy to focus on other things. Sure, the classes were boring unless they involved Christophe, but at least it was something to do.
All of sudden, Anna stopped walking. She heard voices around the corner. And not just any voices, but a girl's voice.
Anna moved more quietly, fearing the worst, and was able to poke her head around the corner to see who it was.
Her heart stopped.
There, sitting in the same chairs that she sat in on her first day, was a girl with dark, wavy hair and a mouse-like face. The girl was sobbing. Gross, I definitely did not cry like that on my first day. But that wasn't the scary part. No, the worst was the boy sitting next to her who had his arm around her. The boy who had been the only thing on Anna's mind ever since she arrived at this place.
Christophe.
Anna stumbled back. No, no, no, no. This could not be happening. The way Christophe was looking at that girl, it was like, like... He had never looked at her like that! Clearly, the girl was another svetocha. There could be no other explanation for why she was here. Which meant that Anna would no longer be the only girl around all these boys.
And now the hurt was transforming into rage. Rage at the stupid girl in the chair who just decided to enter Anna's life and destroy everything!
Anna snapped. She had lost her home and her mother. She was not about to lose the one thing she still cared about.
Well, it looks like someone will have to teach this girl just how things are going to work around here. Anna's mother had always told her that she was special. That she was powerful. Looks like it was time to put that power to use.
Anna turned around and took a different path toward the cafeteria, swaying her hips perhaps a little more than usual. The other girl was so drab. With Anna's fiery hair and pointed features, there was really no competition. Whatever, Anna would make sure there was no way anyone would like that girl over her.
She entered the cafeteria and was about to move towards her usually spot in the corner where she ate alone when she noticed something that had barely registered before. Anna was always so focused on getting Christophe's attention that she hadn't realized how many of the other boys never took their eyes off her.
Two can play this game, Anna thought and she changed her course towards a table filled with attractive djamphir boys.
"Hey, boys," she said in her most pretty voice. "Mind if I take a seat?"
They practically fell over themselves to make room for her. She could definitely get used to this.
"Oh darn," she whined, "I just sat down and I completely forget to get some breakfast! You," she pointed to the boy sitting across from her, only slightly aware that she was acting ditzy and snobby, "be a doll and go get it for me, please?" She batted her eyes and gave her sweetest smile.
He was up in a flash, nodding and looking extremely pleased.
Anna ate with them, laughed with them and flipped her hair as much as she could. Still, there was no sign of Christophe or the annoying girl. Frustrated, she stood and left. Her guard soon fell into step behind her.
"Is there anything we can get for you, Anna?" Bruce asked.
"No-," she started but faltered. If I'm going to do this I have got to do it all the way, she thought.
"Actually, there is. Do me a favor and call me Milady from now on, alright? I am svetocha and deserve to be treated with some respect."
"Yes, of course, uh Milady," he replied.
Anna smirked and walked away.