From the chains, I will break free

Chapter 3: The Platinum Dorm

I looked around in delight. Despite it being a tower, there was large and spacious. There were comfortable couches, a nice rug, chandeliers, and windows overlooking the courtyard of Crystal Falls. 

"If you're wondering, the bedrooms are upstairs," Renya poked my cheek. "I and Sophie already claimed our rooms, so your room is the one with the black and silver door. Your name is carved on a nameplate hung on your door, so you can't miss it."

I hurried up the stairs and walked towards the black door with silver carvings, and my name 'Daphne Silver' hung there. I pushed the door open and gasped. Inside, there was a canopy bed that was soft and plushy. There was a white arched window, giving me a view of the soccer field. There was a small black armchair, a white desk, a black rolling chair, a white chest of drawers, a black closet, a small black shelf and a furry white rug covering the ground. It was pretty plain, but my things would be sent over soon. In the meantime, I stepped into the bathroom. There was a gleaming mirror in front of the marble sink, a heated toilet, and a large bathtub. 

"Daphne! Your stuff is here!" I hurried down the stairs and saw my luggage and my other belongings.

 "We'll give you some time to settle in," Renya smiled. "Me and Sophie are going to get in some sewing practice, but we'll go and get your uniform and pass it to you when you're, okay?"

"Okay!" I chirped as I hauled my things to my room. I started arranging my things, placing photographs on the chest of drawers, placing down my accessories and the little makeup I own, putting my clothes into my closet, taking out my books and just arranging everything. Once I was done, I tucked my suitcase into the empty space in my closet. I went down to the living room and saw Sophie and Renya embroidering a piece of cloth. They looked up and saw me.

"Hey, girl!" Sophie smiled. "Ready to go check out your uniform?"

"Yup!" I do wish that we could wear freestyle, though." 

Renya just smiled and passed me the uniform. I looked at it. "It's... very girly-looking."

"That's the point," Sophie rolled her eyes. 

I changed into the uniform and stared at myself. The skirt was baby pink ending just after her knees. The blouse was polka-dotted, but though she looked pretty good, I didn't like how much of a girl she looked like. I've always preferred to wear shirts over blouses and shorts over skirts.

As I stared at myself with mixed feelings, a loud ring sounded. "That's the dinner bell," Renya said, quickly changing into her uniform. As I was about to go down, Sophie stopped me. "Daphne, you can't wear that."

I glanced down at my white sneakers. "Why not? They're clean."

Renya shook her head. "Here, girls are only allowed to wear the school shoes or pink pair of ladies shoes."

"Ladies shoes? But ladies can wear sneakers!"

Sophie sighed, patting my arm. "Daphne, around here, there's a certain way things are done. Boys have to work out and stuff, and girls have to dress up and look pretty. Apart from the actual education, which is fair, boys are taught how to be proper men, and girls are taught how to be proper women."

I let out a huff and changed my shoes into the white ones that were with my uniform. "I'm starting to dislike this place."

"Come on, don't be like that," Renya nudged me. "You might actually enjoy it!"

I sighed as I was dragged down the tower by Sophie and Renya, and for the first time since I arrived, I didn't see Crystal Falls as a wonderous, glamourous school, but as a school where men and women are forced into being what the world wants.