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Chapter 2: The Old M-RI

It was a rainy day and when the bell rang, Robin felt how the tension vanished from her back and legs as she walked away from the entrance of Roslow. Her house was around twenty blocks away, which she had to walk since her grandparents didn't own a car. Someone called her from behind. She turned around confused and saw a red umbrella, and a girl beneath it.

"Joy," Robin said, slowing down the pace so her sister could reach her. The umbrella was red with the golden shield, just like her sweater. "Where did you get that?"

"There's one for each of us." Joy said and didn't seem to notice she wasn't sharing the umbrella with her sister. Robin was beginning to feel cold and, hating herself, slowly approached to stand closer of Joy. "I wonder why you didn't get one. But it looks..." She quickly glanced at Robin's outfit. "Looks like your uniform is made of special cloth... like of those that dry easily. My uniform's too sensitive, my teacher said, so we can't let it wet too much. It's quite expensive too."

Joy spoke naturally as they walked down the road. The sky was grey and white, and the cold wind dried Robin's throat when she wanted to speak. The silence that came next was useful to let her realize that Joy was too natural about the situation.

"Um, Joy?" Robin attempted a kind smile. "You... um,"

"Yes?" Joy turned to her as they walked.

"You... hasn't it crossed your mind... uh... haven't you wondered why... we were sent to different schools? Don't you think it's... strange?"

Joy frowned, thoughtful. Robin narrowed her eyes.

"Nopes, no."

"What? You mean, you knew...?"

"No, no," She shook her head with a tranquil smile, but Robin noticed she had pulled the umbrella closer to herself. "I first found it confusing, but then I understood. You see, an all-girls school isn't something you can just take in one day if you're not like me. It's easy for me to make girl friends... I believe our grandparents thought... I don't know, that you'd be more comfy in a place like the Emree."

"Em... ree?"

"M – RI. M.R.I. That's how the girls said your school's called." Joy shrugged. "There you can be with boys and girls... just like you, normal and peaceful, and be part of a school not so different from the ones you've assisted. You just wouldn't fit in my school. I've seen you around girls. You're too rough for them to like you, like a boy... but that's not bad! It's... original."

"Right," Robin actually had meant to talk about grandpa's money, but Joy was cleverly taking it to the other point. The fact that Robin sucked at socializing with unknown people. It hurt a little that Joy said it so coldly. But she was right, so what could she say against the truth?

"Our grandparents know us better than anyone." Joy added and Robin looked down. "Of course they knew where we'd fit better."

Again, the grandparents were having a strong discussion. They stopped when the girls arrived and grandpa simply walked upstairs on his own, without greeting any of them. Grandmother at once asked Robin to prepare the meal and asked Joy all about her first day. It had been a success, she had a group of girls that would be her friends, and all of them were rich with rich parents. Grandmother was ambitious and she was the kind of person who would invest her husband's lifetime savings to get a benefit from her favorite granddaughter's beauty. Robin finished serving the dishes on the table and rushed upstairs with a tray for her grandpa. She had tried not to be weak in front of him and this time wouldn't be the exception. Pulling her pride to her face once more, she entered the room.

"Pa!" Robin said cheerfully. Grandpa turned around as he sat on his bed and his eyes twinkled. "You can't go to sleep without dinner."

"I didn't sleep because I knew you were coming." He smiled back at her, but he had concerned eyes.