Emily
It's the night before I'm supposed to start school and I'm actually nervous. I know…it's ridiculous. I've never been nervous about something like this, but I've also never been in this sort of situation. At my high school in Detroit, all of the other kids were like me.
We all came from messed up families and shabby apartments. We all started drinking at age 12 and it was an accomplishment if you weren't injecting anything by 15. Hell, it was an accomplishment if you weren't injecting anything and pregnant by 15. I mean I was never into the whole drug thing. My dad kind of scared me off of that. But I knew plenty of people that were already on their way to becoming washed up shells of a person. It was almost expected of us. Teachers didn't bother talking about our future because it would be a miracle if half of us even made it to graduation.
But for the most part I fit in. Actually, the term blended in would be better. Sure I was typically taller than most other girls and I was the only girl with auburn hair in my class, but I always just faded into the background. It was too hard to try and relate to my peers. They asked too many questions. They made too many assumptions. And there was always a chance they could find out. Slut. The word made me cringe. I knew what they would all think about me.
I've been staying with Christian for a week, but we've hardly spoken since I walked out on dinner with his family. However, he's been trying to warm up to me with gifts. I guess he hasn't figured out that I'm a person who needs very little in life. A few days ago he gave me the iPhone 5s and seemed amazed when I told him I had never had a phone before. I still don't think he understands how poor I really was. We hardly ever even had electricity.
Ana and Mia have both been trying to make me feel at home, although Mia is a little bit much to handle. She likes to do my hair and put on so much make up that I hardly even look like myself. Today she came over and made me try on my uniform for school along with the other things she bought for "my first day."
"If I'm wearing a uniform why did you need to buy me anything else?" I asked her. She looked at me like I was insane.
"Emily, the uniform only insists that you wear the plaid skirt. You can wear whatever button down shirt you want, and not to mention all the different shoe options you have," she explained to me like I was from another planet. I guess in her world, I was.
Forty minutes later I had tried on button downs in every pastel color possible. They were all long sleeves of course. I was supposed to wear long sleeves and roll the sleeves up in the warmer weather. Once it got cooler out, the school cardigan would apparently "look really cute" with any of the shirts she bought for me. According to Mia, short sleeve button downs "are not a thing." Don't get me wrong, I appreciate it. It's all just a little bit much.
By the time she was done with me, I barely recognized my reflection in the mirror. I looked like…a prep school bitch.
"Oh my god!" Mia squealed, after she placed a white lacey headband in my hair. "You look exactly like Blair Waldorf!"
I just looked at her like she was insane.
Reynolds and I are silent on my ride to school. Apparently he is expected to drop me off and pick me up at school every day. How fun for him.
My eyes ache with exhaustion and I think it was around 4am when I finally drifted off to sleep last night. I tried to cover it up with expensive make up stocked up in the vanity but I don't know if I exactly did it right. Ana told me I looked okay when I came downstairs this morning but I think she might have just been trying to make me feel better. I don't feel okay.
Reynolds stops the car and hops out before I can open my door. I don't know why Christian insists they do that. I'm perfectly capable of opening my own car door. It makes me feel like a prisoner.
I stare at him hesitantly and I honestly feel like I might throw up. The school looks more like a mansion and I can see tons of people pulling up in their Mercedes. The front lawn and steps are filled with students in plaid and navy all hugging each other. I see girls in knee highs and designer shoes and boys in bow ties. Oh right. This is their first day of the year too. For some reason, that doesn't make me feel any better.
"I don't know if I can do this," I say, mostly to myself.
"Ms. Freedman, if you don't mind me saying, they can smell fear. Just walk up like you own the place. Your brother basically does," Reynolds whispers, extending his hand out for me to take. I'd be lying if I said he wasn't attractive. I know he's a great deal older than me, but I'm not blind.
I place my hand cautiously in his and nod and he helps me out of the car.
"Thank you," I smile at him and he gives me one back.
"Good luck," he says and practically pushes me towards the building.
From what I've been told, Carlyle Prep is a very small school. There are only about fifty kids per grade and I guess that would explain why everyone is starring at me. I'm the new kid. Solid.
I pull out the piece of paper from my pocket with my locker number and frantically search the halls until I find it. Several people snicker at the fact that I clearly have no idea what I'm doing.
"So you're the famous Emily that we've all heard so much about," a voice says behind me. I turn and see a petite blonde girl with bright blue eyes starring back at me. She's probably one of the prettiest girls I've ever seen.
"Um, I'm definitely not the famous one," I say, laughing awkwardly.
The blonde shrugs as she looks me up and down. I guess I pass her judgment because she gives me a smile that makes me a little uneasy.
"I'm Madison Colfer. My father does some business with your brother. You are Christian Grey's sister, aren't you?" she asks, like this will determine if she will engage me in any further conversation.
"Um, yeah. He's my brother," I tell her, shrugging a little. I don't really know where she's going with this conversation.
"Oh my god! That's so sweet," Madison says forcefully, although her smile doesn't meet her eyes. I'm not really sure that anything I just said qualifies as being sweet. "You totally need to hang out with us."
"Oh, um, us?" I stammer. Why can't I speak like a normal human being? This girl is half a head shorter than me in her designer heels. That definitely isn't part of the dress code.
"Oh we call ourselves the Real Kids. I guess that sounds cheesy but we decided it in like seventh grade. You know, for the kids that actually pay their tuition and don't come here on scholarship," she says, like coming to a private school on scholarship is something dirty. If only she knew where I went to school before this.
"Well thank you, but I don't want to intrude-" I start, but Madison interrupts me.
"You won't be intruding!" she almost yells. Although she's all smiles, she says this like it's exactly what I'll be doing. If queen bee doesn't want me entering her social scene, then why invite me?
"Well…cool," I say awkwardly, hoping this conversation will end.
"Very cool," she says and I can basically see her roll her eyes as she walks away. What the fuck was that?
My classes are really small, which I think is supposed to be a good thing. But I still feel uncomfortable. All these kids are clearly friends. Well not all of them. I have been here for only two periods and I can already figure out the two main social circles. The Real Kids, which Madison blabbered on about, and then the Scholarship Kids. I guess some people crossover between the two groups, but it seems pretty set in stone.
I get to my third class of the day and I'm one of the first people in the room. I'm actually not dreading this class. It's Modern World History and it's something I actually enjoy. I guess growing up in a city allows you to appreciate all the different cultures.
"Hey Gorgeous," a voice says in my ear.
I jump a little bit as I see Jamie sit in the seat next to me.
"Oh, hi," I smile breathlessly. He's so effortlessly attractive that it actually hurts.
"Maddie said she met you," he says, looking at me apologetically.
"Maddie? Oh, she introduced herself as Madison. She seems sweet," I lie, because I can't really afford to make any enemies yet.
"Yeah, she's sweet alright. I think she's just jealous of you," Jamie says, starring into my eyes.
"What?" I gasp. Why anyone would ever be jealous of me I can't fathom.
"Yeah she's like the jealous crazy girlfriend type," he says, winking at me.
"Wait, she's your girlfriend?" I blurt. Smooth Emily. That was really nonchalant. He'll never know that you're into him. My subconscious is rolling her eyes at me. When did I turn into the girl that gets nervous while talking to boys.
"I mean technically," he says, starring at me again. And I suddenly feel uncomfortable. Who looks at a girl like that when they have a girlfriend? Especially when his girlfriend wouldn't hesitate to stab her stiletto heel through my esophagus.
Jamie's gaze is broken when someone roughly bumps his shoulder as they walk by.
"Watch where the fuck you're going Benson," Jamie yells across the class, getting laughter from his friends who are now filling the room. I recognize Nate from the coffee shop.
"Nah, I meant to do that Canters," the boy yells back from the front of the class. I see his face and I'm speechless. Mia was right, the boys at this school are a whole different breed.
His dirty blonde hair is cut short and his tan skin is a perfect contrast against his deep blue eyes. He stares at me for a second before rolling his eyes. Rude. For some reason I'm extremely offended.
"What's the matter Benson? Still pissed because your mom's on welfare?" Jamie yells out again.
"Oh shit!" Nate laughs and I suddenly feel like vomiting all over again. Who says that? God I hate rich people.
"Jamie," I scold, and he looks at my like I'm being ridiculous. I don't even know him and I'm embarrassed by what he just said.
"Alright Canters, not only is that still not true, but it's still not funny. I'll see you at practice," the boy in the front says before turning around.
At lunch Jamie invites me to sit with his friends. As much as he creeps me out, I'm in desperate need of a place to sit. I choose a seat as far away from his as possible and sit next to Madison and her group of loyal blondes. They literally all look alike. And not a single one of them is friendly.
"Who is that boy?" I ask her, motioning across the cafeteria where the beautiful boy from my class sits. Who am I becoming? I tell myself that I'm only interested because he rolled his eyes at me. I mean who does he think he is?
"Matt Benson? Don't even bother with him. He thinks he's hot shit because he's like this amazing soccer player. Which I mean he is, look at him. But he totally stole Jamie's spot because Carlyle brought him in on like full scholarship. They do stuff like that all the time," Madison says, playing with the salad on her plate. I notice none of the girls around me actually eat their food.
"Is soccer a really big deal here?" I ask. One of Madison's friends, Charlotte I think, spits out her drink like I've just asked the dumbest question.
"Yeah. It's like the only thing here," Madison says while rolling her eyes. I really can't tell if this girl hates me or not.
The rest of the day passes by quickly and I find myself relieved when the final bell rings. I've never wanted to get out of a place so badly. I miss Diego. I miss my old school with the bad cafeteria food and the loud hallways. I miss when people weren't trying to be my friend so they could stab me in my sleep.
When I'm almost to my locker someone grabs my arm. Madison is standing behind me dressed in a tight white v-neck and spandex shorts which cling to her perfect figure. Is she actually walking around the school like that?
"Emily! Aren't you trying out for cheer?" Madison asks, looking at me like I'm insane. Or just really stupid.
"I don't know if that's really my thing and-" I start, but once again Madison cuts me off.
"Ok Emily we need someone tall for the squad. You said you would do it at lunch today. I already told Coach Mason and she'll be pissed at me if I go back on my word. Come on," she says, gripping my hand. For some reason this cracks me up. This tiny girl is literally dragging me through the halls on a cheerleading mission.
I send a quick text to Christian.
I got talked into doing cheerleading try-outs…don't laugh! Tell Reynolds to pick me up at 4.
I can already see him rolling his eyes while reading my message.
Surprisingly, cheerleading is almost fun. I mean, if I was the type of person that had fun I'd probably be enjoying myself. Coach Mason is blonde and bubbly and she actually seems to enjoy her job. What is with every girl here being a blonde?
I walk out of the locker room and notice that the hallways are basically empty. I guess everyone else has gone home. Things like this make me extremely uneasy. I can almost feel his eyes on the back of my neck before he says my name.
"Emily," Jamie says behind me, yet again causing me to jump. Why is he always following me? Why doesn't he go bother his girlfriend?
"Hi," I say awkwardly, not slowing my pace.
"You're doing cheerleading?" he asks, while looking me up and down. Something about this feels very wrong. I've seen that look before. I try to swallow the lump in my throat before I get sick.
"Yeah, I'm actually in a rush now though," I say, turning the corner quickly. I collide with someone and fall back to the ground.
"Watch it," he snaps, but reached out his hand.
I take it before I look up and I'm paralyzed by his blue eyes. Matt Benson, the boy from my class. I get up and shake him off of me before scowling.
"You're the one that knocked me over," I snap. How dare this random boy speak to me this way.
"She's a little bit out of your league, Benson," Jamie says, draping his arm around my shoulder. I freeze instantly and then step away. I can't be touched there. Matt looks at me for a second and I see a look of sympathy cross his eyes. I despise that look.
"Leave her alone Canters, you've creeped enough girls out at this school," Matt says. He nods at me once before he turns and continues down the hall.
"Don't touch me," I mutter, before I stomp down the hall too.
There's definitely something wrong with the people at this school. It's going to be a long school year.