Life is already complicated enough for 12 year-old Summer Patefield when she is selected to attend Green Valley Tennis Academy for the next 8 years to play and excel at tennis. Green Valley is well known around the world for producing the most excel...
"Girls, I hope you understand that we have chosen you out of talent. Eugenie, your whole family has gone through the application process of Green Valley and has made it for generations, so naturally we think you have what it takes to become an outstanding tennis player. And Summer, I'll need to talk to you in private about your situation," Headmaster Bergamine said.
"Uh, alright," I said, really confused. Firstly, I was already confused why I was chosen for this school. And now Headmaster needs to 'talk to me in private about my situation'? What the heck?
"We are here," the driver said in his British accent. Since Green Valley is in England, basically we have to deal with speaking english. And I just cannot speak english. Genie has a tint of British accent in her, because she used to live in London before her parents passed away.
Oh right, you're probably wondering how I got here. By plane, obviously. Then cab. And now here I am, walking.
Headmaster walked ahead of us, while Genie and I trailed along, so interested and overwhelmed by all the new territory being exposed to us. I mean, the furthest I've ever went was past the Eden Orphanage gates!
"Genie! I'm like so freaked out!" I whispered-screamed into her ear, while we walked past a couple of old vintage stores.
"Get used to it! We'll be doing it for the next 8 years!!" she whisper-shouted back, jumping with excitement.
"Girls!" Headmaster suddenly said, "I need you to know that this is your first year at Green Valley, so you'll be joined with a number of different students that are also attending for their first year. After the first year is over, you are supposed to go back to your local home, but if you two don't want to go back to the orphanage, you are welcome to stay here. A bunch of other kids stay here, as well. Some teachers stay, and the maids live here so they can help you out if you need it. Eugenie, that is what your sister has been doing,"
"Oh! That's awesome! Summer, you?" she asked.
"Um, yeah! I think that would be fun!" I answered.
"Great then. I'll get you two started by filling out your over-summer stay forms, and I'll just need your signatures later on," he said.
"Okay," we both replied.
"Thank the lord, man. I cannot imagine going back to the horrid place," I told Genie.
"Oh my god! Who is that?" she suddenly said, changing the topic.
"Who's who?" I asked, looking around.
"That guy over there! He's so..."
"Oh, no. We haven't even been in the country for more than 6 hours and you already have a crush on somebody. Seriously, Gene?" I laughed, rolling my eyes. That is SUCH a Genie move.
"Oh, c'mon. You like him too,"
"WHOA, WHOA! I do NOT like him! Eugenie Wylson! Jesus Christ. I swear I won't like somebody if I haven't even seen the left side of their face yet," I said, nudging her.
"He probably has a symmetrical face," she said.
"What if he doesn't?" I laughed.
"Girls, welcome to Green Valley Tennis Academy," Headmaster Bergamine said, as he opened the huge gates, which gave us a full view of the academy.
At first glance, I was sure my eyeballs had fallen out of my sockets. This place was HUGE! And gorgeous! I was sure Eugenie felt the same way, because her jaw dropped for a solid 10 seconds.
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This is where I'd be spending the next 8 years of my life! WOW!
~🥀~
"What would you like?" the lunch lady asked.
"Um, I'll have whatever!" I answered, not knowing what to have for lunch.
"Alright, then. Does chicken broth and vegetables sound good?" she asked, smiling.
"Uh, I mean, yes miss, It sounds wonderful, thank you," I said, so happily. Today was the happiest day of my life.
- - -
"Hi, I'm Ingrid Wylson, I'm going to be your buddy for your first year at GVTA. As your buddy, I'll introduce you to clubs, help you out when you're having trouble with schoolwork or organization, or if you need someone to talk to, I'll always be here for you. I'm an 8ter, which just basically means this is my last year here. Only 8ters can be buddies, but so can 1ers! You're a 1er, and you're my buddy. I'm your buddy, you're my buddy. Heh! Okay, anyway, enough talk for me, and introduce yourself!" she said. I couldn't believe that my buddy, out of 100 people, was Ingrid Wylson, Eugenie's sister!
"Okay! Well my name is Summer Patefield. I'm 12 years old. I come from a small town off of Iceland," I said.
"Iceland?! I only know one other person from Iceland here, and that's me!" she said in shock.
"Of course it would be you. You're Eugenie's sister," I said.
"Eugenie? Eugen- you mean Eugenie Wylson?!" she jumped up.
"Yes, -- Inga. Eugenie Wylson. I'm her best friend. And she's missed you a lot. Why didn't you come back to Iceland and visit her?" I asked.
"This is far too much for me to handle! Holy moly! Is she here?" she asked.
"Who, Genie? Oh, of course she's here! And she's dying to see you! Come on!" I shouted, as I took her hand and lead her to Eugenie's room.
- - -
"Genie, it's me!" I shouted as I knocked on her door violently, "I have a special guess so be polite!"
"Oh, c'mon, Summer. I'm never polite. Especially since-- OH! OH MY! Are you Ingrid?" she screamed.
"Yeah, hi Eugeni-"
"I hate you! How could you leave me there and pretend that I wasn't existent anymore?
"WHA- Eugenie is that really you?" Inga asked, startled.
"Yes, it's really me, and the question should be 'is that really you', because when mom and dad were forced to be killed, the last thing they said to you was to take good care of yourself and me," Eugenie cried, "well, yes, you certainly did a splendid job of taking care of yourself, but you treated me like hell by leaving me in the middle of the night, not even saying goodbye, and not ever coming back to visit me while I was in torture! Would you care to explain that, you monster?!"
"Eugenie, I can explain everything. Just give me more time. This is the first time I've seen you in years and you're screaming at me!" she cried.
"I don't have time! Tell me why you left me now!" she yelled.
