Rewrite The Stars

Chapter Three

“Good morning, darlings! Rise and shine!” Professor Dovey announced over the PA, waking her students. “The first event of the semester, the Evers Ball, is only two weeks away, and you’ve got a lot to learn.”

The girls greeted each other sluggishly as they sat up, Clover seemed to glare at the ceiling in annoyance from being woken up. Ivy stretched before she got dressed and ready for the day like the others, throwing an envious look at Clover who had managed to fall asleep.

~~~

Ivy sat in Beautification class bored waiting for it to begin. Ivy found makeup interesting but wasn’t the best at it, she could do a few simple things but not much. Hopefully this class could help her get better but she wasn’t sure how important makeup would be to her story.

“Psst.” Ivy heard from beside her. When she turned her head she noticed it was Agatha trying to get Kiko’s attention. “Who’s that? Dark. . . Dark hair.”

Ivy glanced out the window she was pointing out to see who she was talking about.

“Tristan.” Kiko replied, “I caught his rose. I hope he invites me to the Evers Ball. You have to get a boy to ask you, or you fail.”

“And you do not want to fail.” Another girl chimed in, “Three fails, and you’re expelled.”

“Wait, you mean they kick you out?” Agatha asked, almost joyfully.

“Uh. . . No. They actually turn you into something else.” Kiko admitted.

“Like a talking tea kettle or a mouse or something much worse.”

“I thought that was just a bunch of rumors.” Ivy spoke up, now appearing concerned.

“Wait, like forever? What?”

“Bring it down, girls. I am Professor Anemone, and I am here to show you how to become a truly powerful woman through beauty.” An Asian woman walked gracefully towards the front of the class. “A lady’s smile is a sword in the battle for life and for true love. So, pick up your mirrors and strike!”

The class opened their desks and picked up their hand mirrors, practicing their smiles. Ivy didn’t really see the point of it but used it as a time to which smile made her appear to be more convincing. It may not have been very Ever of her to do so but she didn’t really care all that much. Professor Anemone complimented a few of the girls’ smiles and when she got to Beatrix an eight point star appeared above her head.

“I’m sorry. This just feels so wrong. Smiling? That’s how you’re empowering us?” Agatha slammed her desk close and folded her hands on it.

“Smiling is a strict requirement for passing this course. So, show me your smile if you don’t want to fail.” Professor Anemone stood at the girl’s desk.

“My. . .smile?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Agatha lifted her mirror with her shoulders tense and her hands gripping the mirror tightly.

“I don’t feel safe.” Beatrix said before she and a few of her friends began to giggle.

“Shut up or I’ll give you a real reason to feel unsafe.” Ivy snapped glaring harshly at the blonde. She then turned to the Reader and gave her an encouraging smile, mouthing to her that she’s got this.

Agatha took a deep breath and lifted the mirror again before attempting to smile. Unfortunately, the smile was so strained that it looked as if she was baring her teeth to attack. Thunder rumbled and a dark cloud appeared above her head, flashing a capital ‘F’ in the center.