The Academy 2

3

Nicola's POV

I was sitting on one of the cobblestone walls while I read the history chapter. It was really boring, but I at least had to semi understand the topic that was discussed today. Zara and I would soon have to get together so that we could work on our new project. The teacher had decided to keep the groups the same, meaning that Zara was stuck with me again. She acted like she was annoyed, but I think she secretly likes me.

"Boo!"

I screeched and fell off the wall. Much to my shock, I was rescued by two arms. Alicia giggled as she placed me back in my previous spot. She then sat next to me and pulled her knees up to her chest, as she stared at me with a grin. I narrowed my eyes at her, but that did nothing to break her facade.

"Meanie!"

"What has you so distracted?" She ignored my comment and reached for my textbook. Her eyes quickly scanned over the topics before she let out a hum. "I assume this is the thing that Zara's been bitching about."

"Ya, round 2 for our project begins soon. Watcha doin here?" She grimaced at my informality. I often did that to tease her about her formal way of speaking.

"Can't I just want to see my beautiful petite amie?" I crossed my arms at her. "Fine. I'm going on a business trip and want to know if you'd like to accompany us?"

"Who's us? And where are you going?"

"My sisters and I. And I think Japan. I wasn't really paying attention to Tamsin this morning. What do you say?" I couldn't really say no to her pleading eyes, so I nodded with a smile. "Yay! Let's go since we're already late."

"Wait! Like now?" She nodded. "But I haven't packed."

"Don't worry. Our staff has packed for us. My sisters should already be on the flight that we are extremely late for. If we don't leave now, then the entire flight will consist of Tamsin's complaints." She dragged me to an awaiting Bentley.

X

"Remind me why she's on this trip with us again." Tamsin exaggeratedly asked.

"Because it's a girls' trip and mom wanted us to bring the girl that-"

"Z!" Gemma cut her sister off. "It's 2021. Don't assume people's gender!" Zara looked about done with Gemma's antics. "Do you identify as a female?" Gemma asked which resulted in me slowly nodding. "Alrighty then! Carry away and you now have permission to address her using female pronouns!"

"I'm really happy you could come with us." Alicia turned to me.

"That makes one of us." Tamsin muttered.

"Weeeeeeeell, it's not like I had much of a choice." I awkwardly laughed.

"You're right. You didn't. Mother wanted us to assess the alleged 'gold digger' our sister is dating." Zara explained.

"Gold digger?" I turned to Alicia who awkwardly plead the fifth and averted her gaze.

"Z, that wasn't nice!" Gemma gently slapped her shoulder.

"But it's the truth." She countered.

"She's just trying to get under your skin. Ignore her." Ali advised me.

"We all do." Tamsin chimed from the back.

"So how long is the flight to Japan?" I tried to shift the conversation.

"Japan? I thought we were going to Singapore?" Gemma was confused.

"Nah, we're going to Beijing." Zara scrolled through her phone.