Cigarette, daydream and poetry ( A DPS fanfiction ) Charlie x OC

Margaret

Margaret never missed an opportunity to have fun, which annoyed those around her who couldn't help but repeat that she was "ruining her potential" or "not showing any seriousness." These venomous tongues got even more irritated when the young girl announced her perfect results and the glowing compliments she received every day from her teachers and peers.

The young girl was not lacking in charm; her long brown hair framed her sweet angelic face adorned with two crystal-colored eyes and a smile that made even the most resistant boys fall for her. When she spoke, everyone in the room would fall silent to listen to her sweet, melodious voice. She smelled of vanilla by day, of rose by night. Confident yet shy, each of her laughs left her admirers breathless. No one dared to reproach her for being talkative because people delighted in her words, and no one could blame her for anything because she never made a mistake, and if she did, she was forgiven at the first sight of her regret-filled eyes. Margaret was one of those girls who were envied without jealousy, loved without weariness, and hated without passion.

This year, Margaret had spent her summer flirting with boys and joking with her friends. Every day, she found a way to brighten the day of everyone she saw. Everyone loved her, everyone except herself. While she smiled and laughed during the day, at night, she would look at herself in the mirror and lose her smile, crying silently so that no one could hear and hating herself, thinking she was too arrogant. She didn't work hard enough, she was never pretty enough or kind enough. Every little detail that made people envy her, she hated them. She was her own worst critic, unable to see the beauty and charm that everyone else saw in her.

Love played a big part in her life, though she never maintained a serious relationship. For some reason she didn't know, she would end up getting bored with the people she loved. Perhaps she didn't dare show them her flaws because most people thought they didn't exist, but Margaret knew them well and refused to show them. Despite her friendly and charming demeanor, as soon as gestures went beyond thought, she would panic and push the boy touching her body away, afraid of disappointing him. Her fear of intimacy was something she couldn't understand, and it left her feeling even more isolated and misunderstood.

Margaret had a twin, Neil Perry, whom she loved with all her heart, and the feeling was obviously mutual. If there was one person's opinion that mattered to Margaret, it was Neil's. The two young people supported and loved each other unconditionally. Neil had always had an interest in theater, and his sister was the only one in the family to support him, but their parents were very strict about their education and didn't want Neil to stray far from his studies. They believed that a career in theater was unrealistic and impractical, and they pressured Neil to focus on more "serious" pursuits.

As for Margaret, she lived partly for books, poetry, and the expression of feelings on a piece of paper. She could love romance novels but also the most intricate detective novels. She had devoured all the Sherlock Holmes books and reread "Pride and Prejudice" more than ten times, like any girl her age, as well as "The Great Gatsby," which held a special place in her heart. She couldn't help but marvel at the words or verses of these authors or poets; they meant more to her than her surroundings because a part of her soul resided forever in these works. Her love for literature was a refuge from the pressures of her daily life, a place where she could lose herself and forget her insecurities.

The twins had a mutual friend, Charlie Dalton. The Perry and Dalton families were very close and spent most of their holidays together. Neil and Charlie studied at the same high school and were best friends; they understood each other about their parents and their obligations to them. But Margaret and Charlie's relationship was different; they had been bickering since childhood and insulted each other humorously whenever they met. Over time, their interactions changed, and they began to flirt to annoy each other. Neil observed their exchanges with the greatest attention and humor, knowing full well that behind their sarcasm lay a deep affection they didn't dare express. Their playful banter was a source of amusement for Neil, who saw through their façade and recognized the genuine bond they shared.

Throughout the summer, Margaret's parents sent dozens of letters for her to be accepted at Welton. They weren't wealthy, and Margaret's school was far from Neil's, which wasn't very practical for the family. Moreover, their father feared that his daughter would make poor choices at her less strict or less reputable school, so he wanted to place her at Welton. He knew she would be the only girl, but he insisted in his letters that she be monitored constantly. He believed that the strict environment of Welton would keep Margaret in line and prevent her from straying from the path they had set for her.

And that's how Margaret was admitted to Welton. She was initially shocked and then angry; she refused to leave her friends and her school, but her brother promised to introduce her to all his friends and assured her she wouldn't be alone. After some thought, she decided that being surrounded by boys all day wasn't the worst thing in the world... then she thought it might be. The last weeks of summer were boring as she stayed in her room listening to music on old record players and reading books by Oscar Wilde and Jane Austen.

Then the fateful day of the new school year arrived, and she had to face the harsh reality: she would have to spend a year surrounded by boys. Being the only girl, she knew she would attract many different looks; some would be surprised, innocent, desirous, hateful, or even loving. She didn't know what to feel about it. But as she got lost in her thoughts, the minutes seemed to speed up, and her stomach tightened as she observed her room, which she had to leave for a long time. She packed her bags with a heavy heart, wondering what the future held for her at Welton.

She hoped to survive in that horrible place called Welton. The thought of being constantly scrutinized and judged by her peers filled her with dread. Yet, she clung to the hope that Neil and Charlie would be there to support her. As she boarded the train to Welton, she took one last look at her home, promising herself that no matter what happened, she would find a way to make the best of her situation. She would find a way to be happy, even if it meant challenging the strict rules and expectations that awaited her.