Diamond Names (ON HOLD//EDITING)

One

Julia Castle groaned loudly in exasperation as she flopped down on top of her mother's bed, her wild orange hair flying in her face as she landed.

"Really, I don't understand what all the fuss is about all of a sudden," a voice came from the other room.

Julia sighed and closed her eyes. "This is all so stupid," she muttered. 

"You loved it here when you visited - talked about it for days," Emory pointed out. She glided into the room then, her sleek, dark brown hair wound into tight curls. She looked flawless, as always. "What makes you think this will be any different?"

Julia didn't expect her to understand, but still appreciated her efforts.

"Sit up, please, will you?" her mother said unexpectedly before sauntering back into the bathroom. "Try not to wrinkle your blazer."

Sighing again, Julia obliged. She straightened the starchy uniform skirt hugging her hips. "I was thirteen when I shadowed, and the concept was still new to me," she retorted, following her mother and standing in the bathroom. "And now that I think about it, I really detest the idea of a boarding school. It's basically sending your kids off to college four years earlier, and I, for one, don't want to live even remotely close to my more immature classmates," she finished breathlessly.

"Listen to you," Emory laughed. "First of all, if you think I'm letting you miss the first day of school because you're nervous, then you are sadly mistaken." She fastened a string of pearls around her neck. "And I offered to have you stay here for the year, but you decided to apply for a dorm."

Julia groaned again, regretting her initial decision. It was hard enough to transfer into a new school as a sophomore, and living with her mother would be much less stressful than sharing a room with a total stranger. So many things could go wrong today...

Her palms started shaking and her stomach churned. "I think I'm going to be sick," she whispered.

"What was that?" her mother asked.

"Nothing," Julia replied quickly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Okay..." Julia could hear the skepticism in Emory's voice. She just wanted to get to campus and start the day; maybe then the sickening feeling would finally go away...

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The house was only about fifteen minutes away from campus, but the drive seemed to take an eternity. Julia pressed her lips into a tight line and watched as palm trees flew past the window, trying to focus on anything other than her violently churning stomach. 

Her mother rested a hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure you're okay?" she asked.

Julia nodded slightly, still not saying a word.

"Do you have any water?"

Julia held up a plastic bottle by means of answering.

Emory grabbed her daughter's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.  "You'll be fine."

The car, at long last, turned into the parking lot. The sun shone down on a marquis on the front lawn; Keaton Academy glittered in the light.

A second, very strong wave of nausea swept over Julia. I don't think I can do this, she thought. She took a sip from her water bottle in an attempt to calm herself down.

"Ready?"

Julia stepped out of the car and onto the concrete, her feet starting to sweat from inside her black flats. She tried to walk confidently, although rather slowly. Her mother slid on a pair of sunglasses and walked beside her. "Now remember, when you carry the Castle name-"

"I also hold a legacy," Julia answered, almost robotically. She had heard this phrase almost a thousand times before. It was like a subtle way to scold her, to remind her of her place in society. Of course, to Julia, it had become more of reminder not to do anything careless that could tarnish her mother's pristine reputation at Keaton, but she wouldn't dare say such a thing out loud. Instead, she smiled and continued walking.

She turned around for reassurance and found her mother walking in the opposite direction.

"The gym is this way," Julia hissed.

Emory turned around, confused. "I have a meeting with the sophomore teachers at ten."

Julia could feel all of the color draining from her face. This could not be happening. 

"But my orientation-"

Her mother sighed. "I know," she said sadly, "and I'm sorry I have to miss it. You're in my English class though, so I'll see you then, okay? I love you." She hugged her gingerly and in a flash, she had left.

Julia slowly walked into the front doors, pale, nauseated, and alone. "Always maintain a confident persona," she muttered, quoting yet another near-famous catchphrase. "You'll be fine, Julia, just calm down..."

Author's Note:

So here's the first rewritten chapter! Basically the same as before, but switched around a bit. 

I identify with Julia in this first chapter so much because I can't stand doing something alone. I have mild anxiety, and I start to feel nauseous if I don't have somebody nearby to calm me down. Plus, wouldn't you hate having to start your first day of school all over again all by yourself? 

I'll try to update whenever I can! Sorry things are slow in this chapter, but don't worry, it'll pick up soon. Comment, vote, and follow! xxx

Song: Foundation by Years & Years