The De Niles

School?

"I have to what?" Astrid questioned.

Her father took a seat on her bed. Patting a spot beside him, she took the hint and sat down next to him.

"You have to go to school." He says.

Shaking her head, she replies, "I don't have too...I could he homeschooled. We have the money..." She trailed off the last bit.

He chuckled.

Woke up after just a few hours and she's already refusing him.

Petting her head, he smiles slightly, "It's best for you."

Rolling her deep green eyes, she argued, "Daddy, I don't see why I should go to school. I was asleep for like, forever-"

"A year Astrid." He corrected.

Blinking, she continued on, "That's forever when you're my age! And what am I even supposed to do? I've never been to school before. I've always stayed home, with you."

Looking down at her feet, she mumbled, "I'm scared."

Tears fell.

Astrid's never left home before. The furthest she's left the palace was just the backyard.

What is she supposed to suspect from the outside world? Sunshine and rainbows? Please, she's always read stories on how going outside is dangerous. Then again, it might have just been something her father got her to do so she would run off and get lost. Even so, the terrible things she's read about, heard about, it's all horrifying-not in a good way. And the normies? She's read them in magazines, and her father's told her stories. Nefera and Cleo would say somethings about it to her as well.

Feeling a pat on her head, the voice of her father comforted her, "You'll be fine. Cleo will be there with you. I could ask her to look out for you."

Sniffling, she glanced up, "Really daddy?"

"Of course." No one would be able to see it due to the mummy bandages covering her fathers face, but his lips twitched into a smile.

Hearing a knock of the door, Cleo peaked her head.

A large smile graced her beautiful features. Eyes full of excitement.

Taking a closer look, Nefera was behind her, trying to hold her back.

"Way to go Cleo! You got us caught." Nefera exclaimed with a huff.

Rolling her eyes, Cleo came running in with a smile.

"So I heard that Astrid will be attending monster high?" The cheeky smile on her face made Ramses deadpan,

"You girls really need to learn not to scoop in on private conversations."

The younger sibling laughed. 'No one's changed.' She thought with a smile.

Ignoring her father's annoyed tone, Cleo took a seat on the other side of her younger sibling, "I promise I will be there for you. Just don't get in my spotlight."

Nodding, Astrid let out a laugh, "Yes Queen Cleo."

Hearing heels bang against the flooring, her green eyes looked up at the eldest sibling.

Nefera stood before her, looking all smug. "If I was still in high school, I'd look after you. But since Cleo is taking that role, I'll be your big sister at home. Cleo can just be some student looking after my precious little sister."

"Ugh! Nefera!" Cleo exclaimed.

Astrid laughed nervously as her sisters got in yet another argument.

"Do you think you can handle it? School."

"I'll try my best daddy." She smiled at her father. Though, she was still panicking.