“This actually can’t be my life,” I muttered, picking up the blue-and-black-plaid skirt. I knew I had to wear a uniform, but this… It was damn clichéd.
And shorter than I expected. As I inspected the skirt, I wondered if it had been altered. I wouldn’t put it past Angie to take it upon herself to have my uniform tailored. She would see it as helping me fit in. I ignored the heels at the foot of the bed Macy had placed beside the uniform and went in search of my boots. No one could pay me to wear heels all day. Screw that shit.
I skipped breakfast, my stomach unable to handle food, and grabbed my bag. Carter was in the kitchen as I passed by on the way to the garage. He scowled in my direction. Unable to help myself, I offered him my usual morning one-finger salute.
“Sit and spin,” he yelled after me.
Ugh. Did we have to be linked, even if only by marriage?
Ten minutes later, I cruised the Lexus into the Academy student parking lot, guiding the car into one of the empty spots near the exit. It meant a longer walk to the building, but easier access on the way out. And I had a feeling I would want a quick getaway after ninth period.
I might hate the car, but it did blend in beside all the Land Rovers, Audis, Mercedes, and every other brand of luxury car. Not that I gave two shits about blending in.
Flipping down the overhead mirror, I took one last glimpse at my appearance, making sure there was nothing wedged in between my teeth or dried toothpaste on the side of my lips. I’d taken the extra time this morning to curl my hair, mostly because I didn’t get much sleep. My makeup was natural and light, just the way I liked it.
I grabbed my bag and braced myself for what was to come. As I got out of the car, I did a quick skirt adjustment and started across the parking lot. A handful of kids hung around their cars, talking and catching up. I focused my attention on the three-story brick building looming up ahead in a U-shape. The Academy was actually older than the public high school, and it showed in the school’s preserved charm. The grounds were gated and edged with tall, manicured hedges. All the windows were arched, and three gothic gables framed the front of the building, giving it the feel of a castle. The sidewalks were paved with bricks, leading up to the main entrance flanked by the school’s mascot—two stone gargoyles.
I had to admit the school itself was magnificent—a piece of history. Hell, I already felt smarter just gawking at it.
This wasn’t the first time I’d been to the Academy, but as someone who appreciated architecture, the beauty of the structure struck me every time. Public was in the same conference as the Academy and they often played against each other during homecoming games. It was a longstanding rivalry between the two schools. Seeing as I wasn’t into school spirit, I never cared much to get involved with the rivalry.
Inside, the marble floors shone spotlessly, reflecting the light from iron chandeliers that hung from the high ceilings. My combat boots thudded down the hall as I headed to my locker. During registration this summer, I’d scoped out the school’s layout, getting a general idea where my classes were.
Seeing everyone dressed nearly identically would take some getting used to. They all looked the same, properly made-up dolls. Like little fashion designers in the making, most of the girls put their own spin on the uniforms of plaid skirts and white blouses, the school crest embroidered on the right side just below the shoulder. The majority of the girls hiked up their skirts, showing off their legs before the knee socks. Others wore loose, thin ties around the neck, the top buttons of their blouses undone a little too low.
My locker was on the first floor near the school cafeteria, which was actually more like a mall food court. With only a few minutes to spare before first period started, I shoved my bag into the metal container and pulled out my laptop. All our textbooks were online. My arms were happy about that. No more lugging around fifteen-pound books to each class. Public couldn’t afford to mandate students purchase laptops. It wasn’t in their budget, but Academy students didn’t have such struggles.
I glanced at the time on my phone and groaned. According to the actual, honest-to-God map I received with my schedule, I had to go across campus for my English class. It would be like running the length of a football field to get there. Here was hoping I could pull off the it’s-my-first-day-of-school excuse if I was late.
It was impossible not to notice the glances I received or the whispers as I walked. I was the new girl. I only hoped the novelty wore off sooner rather than later. Word traveled fast.
I didn’t need to eavesdrop to know what they were murmuring about.She doesn’t belong here. She isn’t one of us—born into money. She’s nothing but trash.
They weren’t wrong.
I didn’t belong in this world, and I sure as hell didn’t want to be here.
One year, I told myself.One fucking year.
And then Elmwood Academy could kiss my poor ass.
The bell rang as I turned the corner into my first class, a little winded, a little sweaty, and the center of attention. Most everyone was already seated, and I took one of the only available spots, aware of everyone’s eyes on me.
The day continued in a similar fashion of scrambling to classes, avoiding everyone, and praying it would all just end. It was becoming clear that not a single nice person attended the Academy. Nothing but a bunch of stuck-up assholes who weren’t worth a second of my time.
The girls openly glared at me with hostility, and more than one guy had not-so-slyly asked for my digits. I lost track of the number of times I told someone to fuck off.
It was my nightmare made real.
And only the first day.
If this was any indication of how my year would go, I had so much to look forward to.
“Nice hair, freak,” a girl passing me in the hall snickered.
I contemplated grabbing a fistful of her bleached blonde locks and slamming her head into the wall. Perhaps it would knock some decency into her. “Shit, sorry. You scared the shit out of me. Did you trip and fall on your face?” I said over my shoulder and watched her cheeks turn red with anger.
If the color of my hair was the only thing they could think to use against me, then they definitely needed some lessons in bullying. The thought was enough to keep my fingers wrapped around my laptop as I headed to the cafeteria.