The Story of us

Chapter One : The Red Card

CHAPTER ONE | THE RED CARD

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In the United Kingdom, there exists one name that is known by everyone, one logo that every child recognises, one conglomerate that drives the nation and possibly the rest of the world.

Meet Kensington co., the biggest, richest and most powerful corporation known to man. At its right hand is the school, founded by the CEO himself after making a heartfelt speech about building a school his own grandchildren could attend.

Built by the elite and for the elite, Kensington College is a legendary institution in education history. Less than one percent of the nation can afford to attend and yet everyone still tries their utmost to secure a place for their child because they know once you're in Kensington College, you're free-sailing for the rest of your life. In the end, though, only the country's cream of the crop are enrolled.

It was this school that was the envy of every other student in the nation, it was this school that boasted of swimming pools, tennis courts and gymnasiums, and it was to this school that I now exiled myself, a newly enrolled senior student on a musical scholarship. It was an action I took with utmost dread and apprehension, and had only taken out of love for my family. Ecstatic describes their state of being when they'd heard of my "Cinderella opportunity", one too magical to miss, and if there was anything I couldn't stand it would be disappointing them; quiet and resilient Dad, loving and hare-brained Mum, loyal James and sweet little Eleanor.

They were the reason why I found myself standing in the courtyard of Kensington College, struck dumb by the enormity and beauty of the school so far. And all I had done was walk through the gates.

I watched two girls stroll past the fountain, arms crossed and expressions lofty.

"So how was Vienna, Di?" one of them asked.

"Oh, boring," sighed the other girl. "Dad was in meetings the entire weekend, he left me alone to shop and explore. It was so unbelievably dull."

"That's too bad."

"Mmm, next time I'll tell Daddy to have his meetings some place I haven't been yet. Maybe an Asian city, like Seoul. I'm just so sick of these European countries, they're all the same after awhile."

I felt a slight jolt of shock as they walked by me. Had she just referred to her trip to Europe as boring? I'd never even travelled around the country, let alone overseas.

But this was Kensington College after all, school to the sons and daughters of aristocrats and wealthy businessmen. The gulf between my world and theirs was larger than massive, and I had arrived prepared for this. Right?

Right.

I inwardly sighed, bravely bracing myself for whatever may befall. Day one was just starting.

But even in that one moment of innocence before I got pulled into a world of corruption, manipulation and games, I had no idea just how prepared I would have to be to contend with the politics of Kensington College.

The main entrance hall was, of course, enormous and modern. Two zigzag staircases led to the upper floors and there were students everywhere - chatting, laughing, squealing, walking. A wave of apprehension hit me - I was the blushing, shy, awkward type, and to be transplanted to a prestigious school with a new set of people I faced with the same dread as poking a sleeping dragon in the eye - but I swallowed my nerves and went by quickly, hoping not to attract stares.