The Climb

Chapter 2

I stare at my dad for a few seconds, my brain refusing to comprehend the statement he just made.

"Well?" My mum snaps me out if whatever trance I was in.

"You can't be serious." I can barely hear my own voice. The panic I'm feeling right now could be compared to a near death experience.

"Of course we are serious," replies my dad. "It's an exciting prospect and it will definitely open doors for you."

"He's right," my mum puts in. "You should be glad. Not everyone can get the opportunity to transfer to Ricochet Academy in their senior year but your amazing grades spoke for you and they'll be glad to have you?"

What us she talking about? Have I already been registered?

"They'll be glad to..."

"Have you," my mum completed my statement. "Isn't that great?"

Both my parents are looking at me expectantly.

"I can't change schools!" I blurt out, my voice regaining its strength. "My whole life us here, everything I've worked for."

My dad sighs. "Sweetheart, everything you've worked for up till this moment us an investment into your future, getting into your dream college. Yiu simply will not turn down this opportunity."

"But I have friends here," my heart us pounding amazingly fast. "I've built a community."

My mum rolls her eyes. "Anaya, don't be dramatic. If you can build a 'community' here I'm sure you can build one in Ricochet."

I mentally scoff. "You think it's that easy? You think I haven't laboured for the past three years to be where I am today?"

My mum shakes her head in exasperation and I know she's done with this conversation.

My dad speaks up. "Anaya, you're a smart girl, weigh the pros and cons."

I don't want to weigh anything!

"At this point, it's not even a choice," my mum interjects. "The admissions have been settled and the fees have been paid. We've been waiting giddily for you to return from school so we could tell you the good news only for you to react with this bratty outburst. How ungrateful can you be?" My mum gets up from the couch and storms off.

My dad doesn't say anything at first and neither do I.

He rubs his forehead like he always does when he's worried or agitated. "I hope you get acquainted to the idea quickly," he finally breaks the silence. "Because you'll be heading to Ricochet tomorrow."

###

That night, I lay in bed staring at my ceiling while my stomach rumbles incessantly. I refused dinner and I'm beginning to regret that decision.

I sigh and rise from my bed. I make my way to the kitchen downstairs in the dark. I don't want to turn on any of the lights and risk waking my parents or the servants but when I get to the kitchen, I'm surprised to discover the lights are already on.

And my mum is seated with her back to me. I can't see what she's doing. I mentally groan in frustration. I'm definitely not in the mood to talk to her right now.

I turn around and begin my journey back up the stairs before jumping at the sound if my mum's voice.

"Do you really intend to tiptoe your way back?"

I turn around slowly and her back is still to me.

She already knows that I'm here. I may as well get what I came for.

I walk to the fridge and I'm now standing in front of her. I can see she's scrolling through her phone. I grad a coke and take a seat in front of her.

She looks up at me. "You're seriously taking a cue in the middle if the night?"

"I'm hungry, mum." I reply, already opening it.

"So," mum continues. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

I nod silently, not wanting to remember that yesterday was my last day at my school.

"I know you're upset right now, Anaya, but trust me this will pay off in the long run." She reaches to squeeze my shoulder than leaves the kitchen, leaving me alone with my coke.

###

By 9am, all my suitcases are already being carried into the car. The school had a uniform but that didn't stop me from carrying a ton of clothes along.

It's been really hectic and I got into another fight with my parents because I didn't even know until this morning that it was a boarding school. I literally have zero boarding school experience.

I didn't call anyone to tell them I was changing schools. It's not like Beth or Anthony would truly care.

I assess myself in the full length mirror in my dressing room. My hair is braided nicely, I'm wearing a cute purple dress with my Louboutins. I may as well show up in style. No way will I be the weird new girl.

"Miss Anaya," Spencer calls from my bedroom door which I left ajar.

I walk out of my dressing room and exit my room, closing the door behind me. "Is everything ready, Spencer?" I address the butler.

He gives me a court nod. "Your presence will be missed, Miss Anaya."

I smile in return.

I wonder if he meant that. Probably not.

Spencer leads me down the staircase and out the front door where my parents are waiting.

"Ok, Amaya. You got this!" My mum hugs me while beaming and I smile despite myself. Her hugs always raise my spirits.

My dad hugs me too. "Make sure you call us once you're settled in."

"Ok, dad." I respond.

"All is ready." The driver announces.

"Bye." I wave.

"Bye sweetheart!"

I get into the car and the driver begins the journey.

Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.

My parents are always away, so, I'm used to their absence but I've never been away from home for more than a few weeks and that only happens when I travel.

I get my emotions under control and try to enjoy the ride.

Two hours later, we pull up in front of a ginormous gate, after driving on a lane between grass that goes on for miles on both sides for about 15 minutes.

The white gate has a symbol in the centre that I can't quite see from my place in the back.

The gate slowly opens by itself, probably sensing the car. The second I catch sight of the school, my mouth opens in shock. It is magnificent!

The school is mostly covered with red bricks and huge glass windows that are taller than me, I'm sure. The entrance door has to be at least seven feet tall and it gives me serious medieval castle vibes.

I step out if the car with trepidation and have to crane my neck to see the top of the building.

This is gonna be one helluva ride.

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