Diamond Names (ON HOLD//EDITING)

Seven

A loud knock at the door woke Julia from her uneasy sleep. What time was it? She looked down beneath her and groaned. Eva still wasn't back yet. Was there some party going on that she didn't know about? Not that she would want to go, anyway.

The knock sounded again, filling the tiny bedroom. Julia climbed out of bed slowly, yawning. "I'm coming, I'm coming," she mumbled sleepily. She trudged to the door and opened it. "Where-"

There was nobody at the door. Julia peered around the corner of the hallway - nothing. Who had knocked? She looked down to find a white envelope sitting at her feet. "Huh?"

Curious, Julia picked up the letter and found, with surprise, that it was addressed to her in loopy cursive. But who would send a letter to her? It didn't look like her mother's handwriting. She closed the door and opened the envelope.

"Dear Julia Castle,

Congratulations! You've been chosen to participate in the Reject to Royal project! For the past two years, one "under-the-radar" student is given the chance to earn a multitude of popularity on campus under the direction of Keaton Academy's most powerful students.

Should you choose to accept, come to your first meeting this Friday, at Room 1262 in Brenway Hall. Bring your letter with you.

We hope to see you soon, Julia!"

The letter had no signature. Julia scoffed. Was this some kind of joke? No one on campus could possibly be this juvenile. Surely this was some sort of secret organization - there was no way the faculty would allow this sort of thing.

Julia scoffed, threw out the letter, and climbed back into bed.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"It was one of the weirdest things that's ever happened to me." Julia rested her chin in the palm of her hand as she finished her story. She popped a grape into her mouth as she waited for her friends' responses.

Miles and Eva awkwardly exchanged glances. "You know, that stuff has actually worked the past couple of years," Eva trailed off.

Miles nodded. "Yeah, several of the top students shot to the top of the hierarchy because of the Reject to Royal project."

Julia scoffed. "What are you guys saying? You want me to go for it?"

"Why not?" Miles shrugged. "If you want to have some kind of pull here, this is really the only way to do it."

Julia slammed her fist on the table, making several people look over at their table. "What if I don't want to have any popularity? I'm already the daughter of arguably the most famous teacher here; the last thing I want is more attention. If I mess up in even the slightest way, everybody on campus is going to know about it." She sighed.

Eva looked at Miles and shook her head, almost in defeat. "Well, ultimately it's up to you."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The rest of the day had gone by extremely slowly. Projects were due in several classes, including her mother's, who seemed happy that Julia actually paid attention. Needless to say, she was exhausted. Trudging back to her room, she unlocked the door, set down her book bag, and flopped down onto her bed.

Riccardo, her plush dolphin from SeaWorld, sat on top of her pillow. Julia pat the top of his head. "Hey, buddy," she said softly. If Eva were here, she'd probably make fun of her for talking to a stuffed animal, but Julia didn't care. She was alone, anyway. She picked up the dolphin in her arms, laid her head on her pillow, and fell fast asleep...

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Julia woke up in a flash. Was it another knock that woken her? Riccardo still sat in between her arms on the bed.

As she climbed out of her bunk, she looked at the clock. How was it 8:00 already? She had slept through dinner. The room was awkwardly silent. Maybe Eva was still out with Miles before lights out.

A knock sounded at the door again, which made Julia groan. What could it possibly be this time? She trudged to the door, and was surprised to see Miles staring back at her.

"Oh. Hey, Miles." Julia yawned. "Where's Eva? I thought she was with you."

Miles looked uncomfortable, nervous, even. "Yeah, she...she is," he said, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

Julia looked at him, confused. "Miles," she asked slowly, "is everything okay?"

He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Julia." He moved in a flash, his hands flying above Julia's head, and all of a sudden everything was dark.

Author's Note:

Cliffhanger. Muahahahahaha.

Here's where things are about to get interesting. Why is Miles kidnapping Julia? Where is he taking her? Remember the "flash" too - all of that will shortly be explained...

Song: DKLA by Troye Sivan