Path to Starry Pool (MAJOR EDITING)

Chapter One: A Rocky Start

A girl with long titanium blonde hair walked along a bright hallway, buzzing with chatter. This place was known as IceCreek High School, named after the student's small town they lived in. Everyone seemed to have someone by their side, even the freshmen were in large groups, their smiles bright. Except for one of them. This girl, named Astoria Beaufort, walked alone, with only the sound of her own breath comforting her.

The odd one out, some say of her. The one no bothers to notice, they say. They say falsely. Astoria was a kind-hearted person, who would die for anyone, even if they were a bully to her. She didn't care. She called it common sense, and she is right. Humans can be heartless creatures if they don't realize how or why they treat others so indifferently. Some say they are amazing people when really they are cruel, selfish creatures only lurking in the daylight for a chance at great power and respect.

As Astoria walked on down the hallway, a big group of girls behind her were a giggling mess. When Astoria turned to see what was so funny, she immediately regretted it. The girl she dreaded seeing was leading the group. Lola Colabera led the group, a tall slender girl with flowing curly black hair and equally dark eyes and pointed features. In fact, Astoria thought she looked a lot like a ferret. With a big mouth, that is.

Just as Astoria turned to run out of there, she was stopped as a hand grabbed hers. "Hey, brat!"

There, looming over Astoria, was the one and only Lola Colabera. "Hey, ferret. I'd love to talk, but I have to be somewhere."

"Where, by yourself?" Lola sneered, wearing her signature.

"No. I'll be with my mother," Astoria replied coolly and smacked Lola's hand away from hers. "And I'll be away from you. By the way, don't try to follow me home again. My mother said trash isn't allowed in our house."

With that said, Astoria strolled away while hearing Lola say to her friends, "She's just bragging that she is rich. At least I have friends!"

Friends that only like you because they are afraid to stand up for others. Just because of the fear that Lola will turn on them like she turned on me. On the first day, I never did anything. She just automatically hated me because of my mother's identity. Astoria thought, opening her locker and gently laying her books down. After she had finished putting her stuff in her locker, she closed it and walked outside. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself tightly.

"Mr. Scott!" Astoria shouted in distress as a black limo pulled into the curb of the sidewalk. "What are you doing here? Out in plain view?"

The front window rolled down as Astoria ran over to it, knocking on it. The man was balding, looking like a grandpa, but with sharp black sunglasses. He gave Astoria a sharp nod, opening the car door and standing up out of the car.

"Good afternoon, Miss Beaufort," The man said. "Mrs. Beaufort send me here to get you."

"But there is still another class I need to attend!" Astoria replied with pleading eyes, then shook her head and stood up straighter. "Good afternoon to you as well, Mr. Scott."

The corners of Mr. Scott's lips turned up slightly, sending waves of skin to crinkle together on his round cheeks. He bent down slightly to get down to Astoria's eye level, (which was surprising, seeing that Astoria was actually tall for her age of fifteen.) and patted her head with a gentle hand.

"Looks like we're finally getting somewhere with your behavior lessons," Mr. Scott smiled and stood back. "I can't help but say I am proud."

"Thanks. Now if my mother said she wanted me home, I'm not complaining!" Astoria grinned half-heartedly.

Mr. Scott nodded and stepped aside, opening the side door for Astoria. She nervously glanced around for any nosy students, then hopped in the limo and onto the seat. She gave Mr. Scott a thumbs up, and off they went down the road. As they passed by neighborhoods, Astoria's icy blue eyes followed the outside view, finding beauty in her surroundings.

Soon enough, they had reached the only mansion in IceCreek. Astoria personally didn't like living there; it was too big for her liking and it gave other kids excuses to talk about her. Mr. Scott pulled up around the sidewalk next to the house and stopped the limo, stepping out and opening Astoria's door. Astoria grinned at him and ran inside the house, swinging the door open and practically flying down on the couch. 

"Mrs. Beaufort said she was coming home at a quarter past five. Have a good day!" Mr. Scott said, waving to Astoria and walking back to the limo before closing the door quickly.

"So you brought me here just so that I have to wait two hours!?" Astoria called after him in shock, her face annoyed.

An hour past of Astoria sitting on the couch alone, watching television and glancing at the clock. She groaned in annoyance as she still had an hour and thirty minutes to wait. SHe got up and looked out the window, watching as a young man and a little girl play frisbee together across the street from the mansion. The ghost of a smile crossed her face. Her head snapped up from her daydream as the doorbell rang. I guess she's early! Astoria thought happily. 

Astoria walked over to the door and opened it slowly. Instead of a tall short-haired blonde woman, it was a short girl with wheat-colored hair and caramel brown eyes, and soft features that seemed to blend on her face like a sponge. The girl was hunched over, breathing deeply whilst holding the handle of a bright pink bike. 

"Um, hello?" Astoria said in confusion, bending down to look at the girl's face. "Are you okay?"

"N-Never better," The girl gasped, looking up from the ground and straightened up. "I think I broke my record for the fastest bike riding!"

Astoria stepped back due to shock a bit; this girl's voice was as high and adorable as mimiucha, a character in a new television show Astoria had been watching. Astoria leaned against the doorway, letting out a sigh of wonder.

"My goodness, you are adorable!" Astoria squealed, then quickly smacked a hand over her mouth. "I-I'm sorry! I can't believe I said that!"

"I'm not at all offended, don't worry! I'm flattered! My family calls me annoying, heh." Piper giggled, rubbing the back of her head. "Anyway, I'm Piper Connie. I came here to return something."

"I'm Astoria Beaufort," Astoria said, extending a hand to Piper. "By the way, should you be out here alone?"

"I'm sixteen!" Piper piped out with a wide grin. "Older than you!"

"What? Really?" Astoria said in shock.

"Anyways, here you go. This fell out of your backpack!" Piper said, digging around in her pocket and pulling something out.