Joy.

Chapter 1 - I Prefer Lina

Chapter 1 - I Prefer Lina

No matter how many friends I was leaving behind, and no matter how many memories I was walking away from, I just couldn’t wait to move towns. It was like my brother read my mind and got kicked out of his school just because he saw that I was getting sick of everyone in this town. The drama, the lies and the secrets. I was getting sick of it all. So when the day came to pack up and drive to the small town Carrington which would be my new home, I didn’t hesitate to jump into the car without any goodbyes.

“Lina! wait up!” I heard a familiar voice, I quickly rolled my eyes before I saw her.

“Hey Rachel, what’s up?” I plastered a fake smile on my face. She reached out and hugged me tightly. Behind her I saw my group of friends smiling sadly and some crying.

“We are going to miss you so much, I can’t believe you only told us like a day ago!” Okay, I know what you are thinking. I told my group of friends I was leaving yesterday. My brother got kicked out two weeks before, and yeah, I may look like a bad friend but if I told them they would have done something stupid, like throw me a farewell party, and I definitely didn’t want that. They would invite everyone, people I hate, people I wanted to forget and people who meant nothing to me.

“Aw guys,” I looked behind me to see my family waiting in the car, “I have to go now, the ‘rents are waiting!” I hugged each and every one of them before stepping into the car. I rolled down my window and waved, “I’ll text you all!”

As we drove down the freeway I looked around the car. Mum was sleeping with her sunglasses on, her golden blonde hair was tied up into a bun. Dad was concentrating on the road and when his eyes caught mine in the rear view mirror he smiled. I looked beside me, George, my brother, had headphones in and the music blasting out loudly. The road was busy and I wished I could fly over the never ending stream of cars and into the new town already. I looked at my phone to see all the texts from my friends. Friends, if that’s what you would want to call them. They were just attention seeking bitches who only cared about themselves. I only hung out with them because the parties were fun and they were nice when they wanted to be. I went to an all girls school and my brother went to an all boys school, until he got kicked out for bashing up some dude. Hanging out with those girls gave me invites to the best and hottest parties.

Our parents were strict and religious, going to the right school and receiving the right education was a huge deal to them. They were so mad at George for getting kicked out, but nevertheless they still wanted him to have an education so they put both of us into Carrington’s best and finest boarding school. Yes, boarding school, mum and dad always wanted to go to America but the only way they could go, was without us and to make sure we would cope alright was to put us into a boarding school. It was a co-ed school, but they trusted me. As for George, well… They trusted that the teachers would do something.

“We’re here!” Dad said with a fake, cheery tone. I looked up to see stone walls and ancient gates.

“Dad, this looks like a freaking castle!” My brother spoke.

                                                                               ♡

“We will be back in 3 months, listen to your teachers and be good children,” Mum kissed my forehead and dad gave me a hug, “George we don’t want any calls from the school.”

“Mum and dad, trust me, I’ll behave and keep my ‘lovely’ sister safe,” George said in a teasing tone, mum scolded him while dad punched him playfully in the shoulder.

We said our goodbyes and my brother and I walked alone, back into the school principal’s office.

"Don’t stuff this up George, we need a good first impression!” I hissed in his ear. He gave me a massive smile and circled a halo above his head with his fingers.

“Ah, you must be Angelina and George Albert!” Mrs. Jepson gushed, “Welcome to Carrington College!”

“Hello Madam, but I prefer Lina,” I spoke up confidently as I shook her hand. She gave me a small smile before turning to my brother. My brother smiled widely at our new principal and pointed at the ball of fluff that was sitting on the red velvet couch.

“Hey Miss, I like your cat,” I cringed at the words. However Mrs. Jepson laughed and picked the grey cat up.

“His name is Fluffy, would you like to hold him?” My brother held the cat. I tried to hold a laugh in, she named her cat Fluffy? Of all names? That was the stupidest name I’ve ever heard, I quickly placed my hand on top of my mouth, but it was too late. A laugh had escaped. I earned a nasty glare from Mrs. Jepson.

She handed us a binder with many papers in it, “Lina your dorm room is 104 and George, yours is 88, your roommates will guide you around the school, they most likely would have the same core subjects as you.”

 We walked out of her office, George punched my shoulder, “What were you saying about first impressions?”

“Shut up!” I said as I pushed him. I looked at the huge binder in my hand, “What is this meant to be?”

“Rules, dress code, menus, formals, classes, extra curricular activities,” my brother listed. I looked at him in surprise, since when was my brother so smart?

“How did you know?” I asked him. He pointed to the front page as if it was the most obvious thing on the planet.

“There is something called a contents page,” he smirked, “Okay, boys are on the third floor, and you straight ahead. Be safe little sister!”

 He gave my head a small pat and went off up the stairs. I stood there for a second to process everything that was happening. I was actually at a new place, where nobody knew who I was, (besides my brother but he doesn’t count). As I walked down the corridor, all I saw was spotless cream carpet, walls and doors. I looked for the number of my dorm. Each door had a brass plate with the number.

“98, 99, 100, 102, 103,” I stop at the door, “104,” was this going to be the beginning of my new life. My finger touched the shiny gold handle and slowly turned it, plastering a huge smile on my face. I walked in the room to see a brunette, half-naked, making out with a boy. I turned back and shut the door as quickly as I could.