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Sylvester's School For Girls
Chapter Two
Sue Sylvester's philosophy in life was to be the best and in her opinion she was the best at everything she does. She attributed her success to her Aunt Silvia. Silvia was the strongest and most ambitious woman Sue had ever met and she doubts that she would ever meet another woman like her again.
Sue's parents were away on private business a lot when she was younger so her Aunt Silvia practically raised her. Silvia made Sue the person she was today, she was the head mistress at Sylvester's School For Girls and just like the rest of the Sylvester women, Sue attended the family school.
Silvia taught Sue everything she knew and trained her so that she could take over the role of headmistress once Silvia retired. It was fifteen years later when Silvia finally resigned her post as head of the school that Sue took over. It was an easy transition since Silvia and Sue were so similar and shared the same beliefs of how the school should be run.
The school itself began life as a castle. It was built two hundred and thirty six years ago and was designed by Salvador Teoni, an Italian architect. The castle was commissioned by Henry Sylvester and took nearly two years before it was finished. Since then the Sylvester's had occupied the castle as their family home.
It was a over a hundred years later when Sue's great grandmother Elizabeth had decided to found the school on the castle grounds. Elizabeth had the same philosophy as Sue but she took it one step further. She believed that she could bring out the best in anyone and everyone, that's why she founded Sylvester's School For Girls.
The school aimed to provide the best education so that each girl got the best start in life and fulfilled their potential. The reputation of the school quickly grew and soon became one of the best schools in America.
Sue came from a long line of strong, ambitious women and it was a history that she was proud of. It was a history she long to continue.
Carlos Lopez drives his car up the long winding road, that's lined by large trees at each side. It causes a feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world, which is exactly what Santana is going to be when she arrives at the school. Carlos turns the car left down a small narrow road and soon reaches the large black gates with the words 'Sylvester's School For Girls' emblazoned on them in gold. Carlos rolls down his car window so he can press the small telecom button that is situated on the right hand side of the gates and waits for a response.
"Please state you're name and the reason you are here."
"My name is Carlos Lopez. My wife and I are here to drop off my daughter Santana Lopez, she's a new student."
"Please head to the main building" the voice from the machine replies as the large gates open.
Carlos puts the car into gear and drives up the long gravel path leading to the school. As the school comes into view Santana is surprised by the size of it. The building is built in red brick with large, white sash windows. The lower part of the building is covered with a mix of green and red ivy that gives the building character.
Carlos parks outside of the monstrous school where two people were waiting for them. Carlos and Maribel get out of the car but Santana is a bit more reluctant.
"Mr and Mrs Lopez. I'm Becky Jackson, Sue's assistant" the short blonde girl greets before turning to the man she's stood with.
"Thomas take Miss Lopez's bags upstairs whilst I show our guest to Miss Sylvester's office."
Once Santana eventually gets out of the car, she and her parents follow Becky through the large oak main door. They are greeted by the sight of a beautiful grand staircase that leads upstairs. Becky leads the group up the mahogany staircase and then through a long hallway.
The wall of the hallway is lined with photographs of women, each photo has a small plaque with the women's name; they were all Sylvesters. It doesn't take long until they arrive at a large office. There is a desk to one side that has a desk-sign saying 'Becky Jackson' with the word Secretary beneath it.
At the other side of the room there is a large wooden door with a name plate that reads; 'Sue Sylvester, Headmistress.'
Becky walks over to her desk, sits on her chair and presses her intercom.
"Miss Sylvester, I have Mr and Mrs Lopez and their daughter here for you" she says.
"Thanks Becky" a strong voice replies through the machine.
A few moments later the large door opens and out steps Sue Sylvester.
"You're Santana I presume. It was a pleasure meeting you Mr and Mrs Lopez but Santana and I can take it from here."
"You don't want to talk to us about our daughter attending your school?" Maribel asks.
"Mrs Lopez as I said to your husband on the phone, I believe that I can bring out the best in any person. I am fully confidant that I can make your daughter into the best version of herself. We have room in our school and I'm willing to accept her. If you agree then there is nothing left for us to discuss."
"Of course we agree. We want Santana to improve herself and we believe that your school is the right place to do that" Maribel says.
"Then I guess we have nothing else to discuss."
"Thank you Miss Sylvester" Carlos says holding his hand out for Sue to shake.
Sue looks at it for a few seconds before grabbing the hand and shaking it firmly.
"Say goodbye to your daughter because when you return you'll have a completely new one" Sue says ending the handshake.
"Okay Mija, come and give your father a hug."
Santana walks over to her dad and wraps her arms around him.
"Just remember 'Tana that we're doing this for your own good. I'm going to miss you sweetheart."
"I'll miss you too. I love you Dad."
As soon as she pulls away from her father, Santana immediately feels herself being engulfed by another set of arms.
"Santana, my baby. I'm going to miss you so much."
"I'll miss you too Mom. I'll be okay I promise."
"I know you will. You're a strong girl Santana but sometimes you make irresponsible decisions. I'm hoping you being here will change that" Maribel says.
"I'll try my best Mom."
"I think we should go now Maribel" Carlos states.
"I love you sweetheart" Maribel says to her daughter, trying to keep the tears at bay.
"I love you too Mom."
"Thank you Miss Sylvester, take care of her" Maribel smiles.
As soon as her parents leave Sue escorts Santana into her office and offers her a seat at the other side of her desk.
"You have a caring family" Sue states, taking a seat in her own chair.
"Thanks."
"They care so much about you that they sought my help. I do not disappoint people Santana and I am not a liar. I told your parents that I will make you the best version of yourself and that is what I will do."
Sue pushes the button on the small intercom system sitting on her desk that connects her to her secretary.
"Becky. Can you please ask Miss Berry to come to my office."
"Yes, headmistress" Becky's voice replies.
Sue releases the intercom button and turns her attention back to Santana.
"This school is called Sylvester's School For Girls. It was founded by the great Elizabeth Sylvester. It proudly holds the Sylvester name and whilst you are a student at this school you represent that name. Sylvester's strife to be the best which means so do you" Sue explains.
"When your parents called me and explained your situation, I was intrigued. I get calls from parents all the time that have delinquent children but there was just something about you that made me know you would be a tough nut to crack. I like a challenge Santana and in this analogy I'm the nutcracker."
Sue's speech is interrupted by Becky's voice coming through the intercom system.
"Miss Berry is here."
"Send her in" Sue replies.
"Good afternoon, Miss Sylvester" Rachel greets.
"Rachel please take a seat next to our newest student."
Rachel makes her way over to the chair next to Santana and takes a seat.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Rachel Berry" she says holding out her hand, which Santana completely ignores and just replies with a quick; "Santana Lopez."
"The reason I asked you here Rachel, is to ask you to show our new arrival around. Rachel is our head girl and one of our top students" Sue explains.
"I would be honoured to show Miss Lopez around" Rachel says.
"One more thing Rachel. Santana will become your new roommate, since we have a space in dorm five. Now Rachel would you please take a seat outside as I have a few last words for Miss Lopez."
"Yes Miss Sylvester" Rachel politely replies.
As Rachel exits the room, Becky enters it carrying a black box. She walks over to Sue's and places it on her desk.
"Thank you Becky" Sue says.
Sue opens the box and starts pulling out objects one by one.
"One small bottle of vodka. One small bottle of tequila. Two Playboy magazines and one fake I.D. All of these items were confiscated from your luggage."
"You can't just go through my personal things" Santana yells.
"Yes I can. My school, my rules and as part of my rules I have items that are prohibited. That also includes cell phones. So you're going to have to hand that over too."
"I don't have my cell phone, it was already confiscated by my parents. They also took my car keys as punishment" Santana explains.
"Very well."
"How will I call my parents?"
"We have phones that students can use after school hours. Rachel will show you them on your tour. Do you have any other questions?" Sue asks.
"I don't think so."
"Good, then that concludes our meeting. You can show yourself out, Rachel is waiting for you outside. Welcome to the school Santana."
"Yeah, thanks" Santana says as she gets out of the chair and heads for the door.
Santana finds Rachel sitting in the waiting room talking to Becky. She walks a little bit closer to them and they both turn to look at her.
"Are you ready to go?" Rachel asks.
"Yeah, let's get this thing over with."
"Okay. I'll see you later Becky."
"Whatever" Becky replies.
"I think we should start with the tour of the school grounds and then we can get your uniform before we head back to our dorm."
"Hold up. Uniform?" Santana asks stopping dead in her tracks.
"Yes we have a uniform code here at Sylvester's School For Girls."
"You aren't wearing a uniform right now" Santana points out as they continue walking down the hallway.
"That's because uniforms are required Monday through Friday and on weekends we can wear our own clothes" Rachel explains.
"Where are all the other girls?" Santana asks.
"Some will be around the school but most of them will be in the nearby town."
"Town?"
"Yes there's a town about a mile down the road. It has a few stores and restaurants, that's where most of the girls go during the weekend."
"Why aren't you there?" Santana asks.
"Miss Sylvester told me that you were arriving today and she asked me to show you around and I agreed. It is part of my duties as head girl after all" Rachel answers as she turns left down a hallway.
"So what did you do to get sent here?"
"What do you mean?"
"You must have pissed your parents off in some way."
"No I didn't and I find it insulting that you think I did. My parents wanted me to get the best education possible and this is the school that offers the best education in America. That is the only reason I am here. Not everyone is here because they are a degenerate."
"That's a fancy way of calling me a trouble maker, hobbit" Santana smirks.
"My name is Rachel."
"Okay, Frodo."
"You're a little infuriating, has anyone ever told you that?"
"All the time but don't worry you'll get used to it" Santana laughs.
"So this is the educational part of the school. This is where the classrooms, computers and the library are located. You'll be able to collect your schedule tomorrow morning from the office. I can take you there if you want and then I can show you to your first class" Rachel offers.
"Yeah, thanks. You could easily get lost in a place this big."
"Don't worry, you'll soon know your way around. Come on I'll show you the dining hall" Rachel says, leading Santana down another hallway.
"So how many girls do you share a dorm with?"
"Well including me there are five girls so you'll be the sixth. You'll be able to meet them later, they'll be back in the dorm after dinner."
"Are they nice?" Santana asks.
"I'll let you make your own mind up."
"That doesn't sound promising."
"Not everyone gets along with each other and I shouldn't give you a preconception, you need to make your own decision."
"Jesus, I was only asking if they were nice. You talk a lot, don't you. You don't do it in your sleep do you?" Santana asks.
"I don't know. I've never been told that I have but then again I've never had to share a room with anyone before."
"Well if you start talking in your sleep tonight then I'll definitely let you know, with a pillow to you face."
"Thanks but I think a more gentle approach would be necessary. So I thought we could take the scenic route to the dining hall" Rachel says as she opens the door that leads outside.
"The gymnasium and the pool are over there and that large gate down there leads to the town. The gates are opened on a Saturday morning and are closed Sunday evening" Rachel explains.
"So you're only allowed to leave on weekends?" Santana asks.
"Yes, you can only leave campus at weekends. During the week, after school hours are over you'll need that time for homework and dinner. Any free time you have you have are allowed free roam of the school. That is until curfew at nine o'clock, you aren't allowed to leave the dorm after then" Rachel explains.
"So this is the residential area of the school. This is where the dining hall and all the dormitories are. There are twenty dormitories, as I mentioned before there are six girls in each dorm and the bedrooms are in pairs."
"I guess you're lucky that you get me as a roommate, Berry."
"It's Rachel and we'll see" Rachel teases.
Santana laughs at the smaller girl, as Rachel leads her through a large wooden door. It seems that she's not as uptight as Santana first thought.
"So this is the dining hall. You'll get to see it in operation in a few hours. If you want snacks, the best thing to do is buy them on the weekend when you get chance to go to the town. There are plenty of stores there and then you can keep them in your room for during the week. If you want we might have enough time after the tour for me to take you there so you can get a few supplies."
"You really go the extra mile don't you?" Santana asks.
"I just believe that if I can offer someone help, then I should. As the head girl it's my responsibility to welcome new students and to make them feel at home."
"Yeah well I wish I was at home instead of being stuck here."
"Don't worry, you'll soon get used to being here."
"Hopefully I won't have to" Santana mumbles.
"So next we'll pick up your uniform."
Rachel leads Santana down a few more hallways before they end up outside the laundry room. Rachel opens the door and is greeted by an elderly lady.
"Good afternoon Eileen" Rachel greets.
"Hello Rachel dear. What can I do for you?"
"This is Santana Lopez, she's a new student her so we're in need of a school uniform."
"Okay, I just need your sizes and then I can sort you out."
Santana tells Eileen the sizes she needs and before she knows it the elderly woman leaves and returns with a clothes carrier.
"These should last you all week. We collect laundry Saturday morning and you can pick it up Sunday afternoons. I have yours here too Rachel" Eileen explains.
"Thank you Eileen" Rachel smiles.
Santana smiles too as she also thanks Eileen. She gets her laundry and cooking done for her, maybe this school wasn't going to be so bad after all.
"Our tour is nearly over Santana. I only have to take you to the dormitory now. I'll see you next week Eileen."
"Goodbye girls" Eileen waves as Santana and Rachel exit the room.
It has been a long day for Santana. She had been shown around the whole school and then after a quick stop at the dorm, she had taken a trip to the local village with Rachel and got herself a couple of supplies for the week.
She had spent the next few hours unpacking her clothes and adding a few touches to her side of the bedroom she shares with Rachel. She hasn't really met any of the other girls she shares a dorm with, since after dinner she came straight back to the bedroom she shares with Rachel.
Santana's chilling on her bed thinking about her first day at the boarding school. It wasn't too bad but she isn't sure what to expect tomorrow when she starts classes. She starts to think about home and slips her cell phone out of her secret hiding place located in her bra.
She scrolls through her contacts until she finds Puck's number. She presses the call button and waits for him to answer.
"Hey San. How's the school?"
"It's okay. The head teacher's a little crazy plus she took away my alcohol and playboys."
"You're in an all girls school, you shouldn't need magazines. Are there any hot girls there?"
"There are so many girls here, I'm like a kid in a candy store. My roommate is pretty hot too but it's cancelled out by her annoying loud mouth. She looks like one of those types you know a lady on the streets but a freak in the sheets."
"Excuse me Santana but I am here" Rachel says.
Santana was hoping for some privacy when she made the call but Rachel had been sitting across from her, reading on her bed since she got back from dinner so she really didn't have any other choice but to call Puck whilst she was there.
"Rachel hasn't anyone ever told you it's rude to eaves drop?" Santana asks an none impressed Rachel.
"Okay now she's giving me a death glare. I'll talk to you later Puckerman" Santana says ending the call.
"You do know that cell phones are prohibited items at this school."
"I know and I'm sorry but this is the longest I've ever been away from my parents and I like to feel safe knowing I can call them whenever I want. Please don't tell anyone."
"You're breaking school rules Santana but I'll let it slide for now since you're worried about being here."
"Thank you."
Santana can't believe that Rachel actually fell for that, although having a naïve roommate might come in handy further down the line.
"I've had a long day so I'm going to sleep. Night Hobbit" Santana says.
"Good night Santana and it's Rachel."