Pretty When We Fall

4 - Try Again, Owens

Scarlet Collins

The bus ride was barely twenty minutes, so I slumped into my seat, pulled my hoodie tight, and let the music drown out everything else. Right now, the bus contained ten people: four fourth-years, four fifth-years, Nick and myself as the representing sixth years.

I was so excited to get to my new room! I remembered that we had arranged to get ready for No. 1 in Meghan's dorm so quickly got onto the groupchat.

You: Guys i got HG! x

Emmy: Yes bitch!!!
We celebrating tn!!!

Meghan: Congrats! I'm so happy for you!

You: OMG Meg did u use a short word?!

Meghan: Yeah, Emmy is leaning over my shoulder.

Emmy: U get one drink on me
love ya

You: Aww ty x
U guys want to get ready in my new room instead of the dorms?

Meghan: Is that even a question?

Emmy: C u there boss bitch x

As I scanned over the text messages, the bus rounded the last corner before entering the gates of Harrowhill.

It used to be a some lord's castle - now it's where rich kids' parents send them when they don't want to raise them themselves. It's red dusty walls were set on a few acres of land with a forest to the far left side. Green climbing ivy coated the brick and old pointed windows were set with their colourful stained glass. Huge doorways were littered along the front of the school and thick wooden doors stood proudly.

The ten of us practically ran off of the bus with our night bags; the rest of our clothes were due to be picked up by the school tomorrow. All of us knew where the Student Board stayed - up the main stairs from the ground floor to the third floor, pass the upstairs library entrance and continue right until you see the curved walls of the Student Board dorms.

Inside the turret was the Student Board common room specifically for us, no visitors were really allowed in there. Just up the corridor were the prefect bedrooms which had a large bathroom next door. At the very end of the corridor opposite each other were two large wooden doors - the Authority Rooms. They were specially for the authoritarians - me!

I sprinted down the halls to the door with a small golden plaque that read the words 'Head Girl' in thin cursive writing. I fumbled with my key that I had received at the main entrance trying eagerly to open the door.

"Pass them here, so fucking impatient."

I felt a hand reach over my shoulder and snatch the keys out of my hands. Nick bumped me out of the way and easily unlocked the door. He looked at me expectantly, so I rolled my eyes at him.

No one likes a show-off. Dickhead.

I flung the door wide open and flopped myself on the bed. With my face pressed in the duvet of my new bed, I could only hear the muffled sound of Nick opening and shutting his door. Good riddance.

I rolled over onto my back and stretched my arms out. This was heaven. As I was taking my shoes off so as not to ruin the crisp white sheets, the girls came running in.

"Eee! It looks so good! Is that your study? Cute. And a private bathroom? I envy you!" Meghan ran around like an overexcited puppy.

"Yeah, go ahead Meg leave me with all the bags," huffed Emmy as she threw their night bags on my bed.

It was very clear to me that they had over packed as the bed dipped so much. I'm surprised none of the wooden slats under the bed had snapped as it was like they had packed their bags full of bricks.

"Excited to go and party?" Exclaimed Emmy to which Meghan and I wooed in response.

Emmy's portable speaker was blaring Childish Gambino and I was feeling hot and sexy. My hair was curling beautifully and my makeup - my makeup was so good I wish I never had to wash my face again!

Although it was only 4:36, we wanted to spend as much time getting ready - enjoy pre-drinks and hair curling. No. 1 actually starts closer to 11:00 so we had plenty time to munch on the food we had bought at the airport. While Emmy was stuffing her face with crisps, Meghan was desperately trying to do her eyeliner, "Please stop eating, I need you to be still."

"Bhu am Unry." Her voice came out muffled from having her mouth full as small bits flew out of her mouth.

Meghan retreated with the eyeliner and feverishly wiped her face. "God, Emmy! That's disgusting!"

I laughed at them and decided that I would try my dress on and see how I felt about it now that I was actually here. I pulled out the silk fabric and put it against my body.

I pulled the silk from my bag and paused. The straps looked... shorter? Or maybe they were just twisted? I shook it out-

Oh. No. Fucking. Way.

Half the dress was gone. I flipped the dress upside down and inspected the hem. The dress had been raggedly cut from where the thigh-high slit was all the way around.

"Um Scarlet, that's a bit showy for tonight," commented Meghan but when she saw the exasperation on my face she knew that something was wrong.

"He cut my fucking dress! Like, full horror movie massacre. Who does that?" I screamed.

This could not be happening. This was meant to be my 'fuck you, I'm flawless' entrance. And now I looked like I'd lost a duel with a raccoon and its tailor cousin. He did this on purpose. To ruin my first night back. To make me look stupid. This dress was meant to be my entrance. My statement. Now it looks like I had lost a fight to a pair of garden shears.

"Try it on and see how it looks. It might look hot as fuck." Emmy shrugged.

I slipped off to the bathroom and pulled the dress down on my figure and walked back over to the mirror to show the girls.

"Damn! Girl, what is that workout routine?" Emmy gasped pointing at how well the dress hugged my figure.

"My whole ass is on show, I can't wear this."

"But maybe you should." I turned to see Meghan had said that - excuse me?

"Nick cut it to ruin your night, might as well flaunt it in his face that it isn't working."

"Meg, that is the best idea you have ever had!" Emmy ran over to hug the life out of her.

"Scar, you have too!"

Make Nick feel like an idiot for trying to ruin my night? Genius. But I needed something extra. Something flashy. Something just a little bit insane.

An idea hit me - and I was all for it.

"Where's my phone?" I asked.

Emmy tossed it over without looking up.

I scrolled through my contacts, found the name, and hit dial.

"Hey, Thomas," I purred, sugar-sweet. "Feel like making an entrance with me tonight?"