𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚋𝚎? {𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚘𝚗}

'ᴄᴀʀᴘᴇ ᴅɪᴇᴍ,

With the most dramatic bell chime I've heard, my day at Welton started.

The boys caused a ruckus. I could hear the noises from inside my room. I kept fidgeting with my skirt - it matched my brown hair and eyes - and father had approved it. He insisted I wear it to impress my teachers by looking smart. My cream blouse was picked by my mother. She said it would make me look like a proper lady.

Did I really need clothes to prove that I'm smart and a lady? I huffed and fixed my pendant. It was the only thing I wore because I wanted to. Neil had given it to me on my birthday.

A sun. He said it was to signify how I brought light to everyone's life.

I would much rather bring light to his - if he would just open the curtains. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was losing him, slowly but surely. Welton was a way to get closer to my brother again.

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Mr. McAllister weaved through the roaring boys. I would never understand how they were so excited about school. When he saw me, he gave me a silent nod and stood in front of me - acting as a shield.

"Slow down boys, slow down you horrible phalanx of pubescence." I chuckled, and he gave me a smile pulling me through the boys safely to my next class.

Chemistry was every bit as tough as Charlie made it out to be. Especially with a teacher as demanding as the one we had. We were already assigned projects on the first day.

I wasn't so much as a bad student, just a laid-back one. So when Charlie stared at me gaping at the work, I was more than happy to encourage the distraction.

"I can help you."

"I have Meeks for that." He replied and I deflated. I didn't offer help so much to actually help him but more to feel included in this hectic environment.

The boy behind me overheard us and swooped in. "I would definitely need some help, if the offer extends, that is."

"Go sweat somewhere else, Lennox." Charlie shot back. "She's new, she'll need help - not give it."

I frowned. I didn't like that he handled the situation for me, especially when I'm in desperate need for friends. Mostly, I was offended that he thought I'd need help.

"Join us in the study group." He stated.

"No, thank you. I'm not getting anywhere near Cameron and I'm plenty capable of my own studying."

"Fiesty." He laughed and lowered his voice. "I obviously need your help, but the whole school doesn't need to know that. Especially with a father like yours."

I raised an eyebrow. Who knew he was capable of being considerate?

"With a reputation like mine, these creeps are bound to assume we're doing anything but studying." He smirked. "Not that I mind, but I'd like you to be alive the next day."

There he is.

I didn't speak after that but he kept going. Annoyed as I was, I was still grateful because he never let me feel alienated the whole time.

He kissed my hand when we had to go our separate ways for the next class. I made a show of wiping my hand with my skirt.

"If you want a kiss there, you can just ask." He smirked and leaned in.

"As if," I shoved him back and he just laughed.

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