The wind howled as the students arrived through the gates, hustling and bustling down the corridors. Friends greeted each other with a hug or a playful fistbump, catching up on old memories. Timid newcomers stood in the middle of the crowds, books clutched tightly to their chests as they watched the proud seniors smirking at them. Before long, the first bell of the school year rung, a high-pitched shriek. The students gathered together and ran down the halls, except an occasional slowcoach or chatterbox gossiping away to her friends. But even the chattiest of the schoolgirls did not hesitate to run for class.
The sounds gradually diminished, and no one was left in the corridors anymore. Everyone vanished away into the enclosed space of their classroom, ready to make a good first impression on the teachers. No one noticed the silhouette of a short girl with two pigtails bouncing into the building.
"Hmm, why is nobody here?" she wondered to herself, marvelling at the sleek black linoleum floors and spotless marble walls that lined the colossal size of the lobby. She studied the strong metal doors that scattered along those walls, and her eyes glossed over the room numbers, engraved in golden plaques beside the doors. She breathed deeply, taking in her luxurious surroundings, thinking about how to impress her teachers, and what friends she would have.
Everyone at home told her that life at Crystal High wouldn't be easy. To start off, paying for Kimi's education here was detrimental to the financial stability of her father. As someone who was born in the downtown slums, finally relocating to a rundown apartment with her family, Kimi wasn't used to an environment as posh as this. Neither did she know how to behave. People warned her that she'd be out of place, the "poor girl" amongst elites of the city, who had come to Crystal High with a reputation, a profound legacy of prestige to continue. Kimi reflected on her past, feeling proud that she stood in the halls of her dream school. She checked her tattered watch, just to make sure she was truly early. Upon it reading "8:00am", she sighed of relief and stood tall, waiting for the bell to ring. What she did not know was that the gates were closed at eight o'clock in the morning, and that her old watch was forty-five minutes behind.
"YOU OVER THERE!" A deep, thundering voice echoed through the silent halls. Kimi shuddered.
In scary situations, Kimi was fond of talking to herself, as she had no other friends. "Kimi, what did you do now!" she whispered under her breath, her heart pounding.
She turned , and then looked forward again.
Just then, what looked like the same voice rang through her ears, but this time accompanied by the slow click clack of high heels. She saw a figure pacing the halls solemnly. Curious, she ran up to to the unfamiliar person, and tapped her on the shoulder. The figure turned, and raised an eyebrow. It was a slender, pale old woman with a black bobcut standing in front of her, staring the girl coldly in the eye.
"Ah yes, I was looking for you," she whispered. "Have you not read the school rules, young lady?" "MY OFFICE, NOW!" she growled.
Kimi followed the arrogant woman to a large white room with a modern glass desk. The lady sat down in a huge chair, leaning forward to look the victim of her office in the eye. She adjusted the glistening ruby ring on her left hand, and pointed to a golden plaque on the wall. Kimi's eyes followed.
"This is our school protocol, you see!" "Can you not read that any student that arrives late will have detention in my office?" the lady scolded. Kimi looked her in the eye.
"I'm early, old lady!" Kimi remarked, almost a little too loudly.
"Lower your tone, as it is not a way to talk to your principal," "And it's not "old lady", I prefer to be called Mrs. Daphne." she muttered in a stern voice.
"Yes, Mrs. Daphne," said Kimi.
"Better," "And no, you're not early, but rather horribly late." the principal stated.
Kimi could not handle the embarassment, and her reality to be the exact opposite of her expectations. All the girl could do to save herself was to glue herself to the seat and nod uncomfortably as Mrs. Daphne confirmed her information, which hinted at her family's plight.
"A shame you've got detention on the first day of school," Mrs. Daphne chuckled. "It'll be much fun to see how you'll get on here." She smirked, angering Kimi to the core.
"It will be fun indeed." Kimi replied, and flashed a wink.
YOU ARE READING
Crystal High- Work in progress.
General FictionEveryone at home told Kimi that life at Crystal High wouldn't be easy. To start off, paying for her education there was detrimental to the financial stability of her father. As someone who was born in the downtown slums, finally relocating to a rund...