I notice a pair of black four-inch heels have been set out beside the uniform, clearly intended for me to wear along with a pair of white knee-high socks. Yeah, that’s not happening unless I want to break a leg or have the whole school see my underwear. No thanks. I have the perfect pair of red and black Converse that will go with the uniform and save me from never-ending embarrassment.
With everything sorted, there is nothing left to do but climb into bed and wonder what tomorrow and the rest of my time here will bring me. Hopefully, the kids at school won't be so bad. The only experience I have with any of this is what I've seen in teenage movies and TV shows – God, I hope they aren’t based on reality.
Chapter 5
The blaring of my alarm wakes me up at six a.m. School in America starts at eight o’clock instead of the nine I'm used to. What is wrong with this country? Don't they like to lie in? I would usually only be awake this early if I was working in the café before school started, otherwise you couldn’t expect to see me out of bed before eight a.m. during the week.
It doesn’t help that I barely slept last night with everything that has happened, and everything that’s to come today, going through my mind. I don’t know what to expect, but I have to be prepared for anything.
With one last deep breath, I throw back the covers and climb out of bed and into the enormous shower. I've never had such a relaxing shower, or smelt so damn good, in my entire life, and it works wonders for waking me up. If only it could calm my nerves as well.
Thirty minutes later I'm showered, dried, and standing in front of my mirror in my new uniform. I have to say, the pleated skirt and fitted shirt fit me perfectly. It shows off my long thin legs and curvy hips. Usually, I worry that I'm too thin, thanks to a lifetime of not being able to afford enough food, but it would seem form-fitting clothes is what has been missing from my life.
The only thing is that I look like I belong in some high-end high school porn movie, or at least I would if I had donned the high heels. I’ve never felt so sexualized by a piece of clothing. Is that all the girls here represent – an outdated sex symbol? I’m sure as hell more than just a piece of meat to be gawked over and man-handled.
After doing my makeup, ignoring half of the stuff on my make-up table - I've never worn blusher or highlighter in my life. Heck, most of the time I didn’t have money to spare on any make-up at all, so some basic foundation, mascara, and lipstick is plenty for me – I stuff my feet in my Converse. Feeling like I have my armour in place, I'm ready to face the day.
Leaving the safety of my room, I wander back through the house towards the kitchen, hoping I don’t run into Robert. I don’t want to have to deal with his bullshit this early in the morning.
I successfully find my way to the kitchen without any wrong turns. Yay me! Small wins and all that. Finding myself alone, I have the time to take it in properly. The kitchen is a beautiful, large, open-plan room with whitewashed cabinets and a large island in the middle of the room. Off to the side, in front of a set of patio doors that open out into the back garden, is a cute breakfast nook where I can imagine happy family meals of pancakes and laughter. Not this family, but other, normal, loving families.
Turning my attention back to my need for coffee this morning, I hunt through the cupboards until I find a to-go mug so I can drink it on the way to school. There is a fancy coffee machine in the corner of the kitchen but one look at it, with its numerous buttons and functions, tells me I won’t be able to work out how to use it in the next five minutes before I have to leave. Turning to search the cupboards for some instant coffee, I notice some steeping in a pot and pour myself a cup of that. Adding a decent amount of milk, I take my coffee and head towards the foyer and out the front door where there is a car already waiting for me.
The driver from yesterday - I should really learn his name if he's going to be driving me to and from school every day - is sitting in the driver’s seat of a different car than the one I arrived in yesterday. Today’s car is a huge black 4×4 type thing. I think it’s a Chevrolet, but I don’t know much about the different makes and models of American cars. The car is massive though. It looks like something I imagine state officials ride around in, accompanied by their many bodyguards. Definitely a bit much for little ol’ me.
"Morning," I say to the driver as I climb into the backseat, giving him a welcoming smile, not only to be polite but knowing that I can do with all the help I can get in this new reality I’ve found myself in. If I can get Thomas and the driver to warm up to me and help me out a little, it could come in handy at some point.
Showing me his sunny disposition, the driver chooses to ignore me, starting the car and heading down the driveway. Yeah, I didn’t think it would be that easy with him but I’m a persistent person, I’ll wear him down, eventually. Either that or I’ll piss him off so immensely he drives me deep into the forest, murders me, and buries my body where no one will ever find it.
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Twenty minutes later, we drive through the gates of the school, pulling up in a parking area outside the main building that makes up the front of the school that was showcased all over the brochure in my room. The building is even more impressive in real life, and a lot more intimidating.
Looking around, I can see several incredibly expensive cars sitting in the parking lot. I only recognise a few of the car decals, namely the Ferraris and Lamborghinis, but it’s clear that there are many other one of a kind supercars present.
Boys and girls are standing in groups around the cars, sitting on the school steps and nearby benches. They look nothing like the kids from my old school. Everywhere I look, I can see money oozing out of the pores of these kids. From their designer school bags and shoes, to the diamond earrings and tennis bracelets, and the perfectly styled hair and professionally done make-up, everything screams money. I can already tell I’m going to stand out like a sore thumb. I have nothing in common with these people, there is no way I can fit in with them, regardless of what my father might want me to do.
Some of the students nearby look my way as I climb out of the car and head towards the main building. I can feel people’s eyes on the back of my head and hear them gossiping to each other as I walk by. I wouldn't say I'm a self-conscious person, but I feel very self-aware right now. Wrangling my nerves under control, I take a deep breath and give myself a mental pep talk not to show these rich assholes any signs of weakness. Holding my head high, I stride up the steps and into the building towards the office, outwardly emanating as much confidence as I can muster.
The inside of the building is as gorgeous as the outside. They have maintained much of what I imagine is the original architecture, with lots of wood everywhere and slate floors. The entrance hall is two stories high, with a stained-glass window in the roof allowing coloured light to filter down and reflect off the walls. It’s stunning.
Seeing a sign indicating that the school office is down a hallway on the right, I head in that direction. I step through a door into a smaller room with windows along the right wall offering a view of the car park and the students who are still milling around outside, enjoying their last minutes of freedom before the bell rings.