Double Trouble

Good Morning Sunshine

California's POV

I spent more than an hour in the bathroom (when I finally found it) after Val's horrid trick, scrubbing hard to get rid of the awful stench of wee.

When I finally got to bed though, I could still smell the urine dancing through my nostrils, but that was nothing compared to the frightfully loud snoring from Antie Poo-pants' direction.

It wasn't just loud, though. It was a thunderstorm, several bombs exploring and the screeches of braking tractors, all at once, in one room.

Seeing as though sleep was impossible, I considered the short list of ways to have fun in this dump.

1. Annoy Antie Poo-pants

2. Mess around with Val

Wow. It was a really short list. I occupied myself by making up creative ways of completing número uno, until my tiredness and the yawns that had been killing me all day finally overtook my mind.

*

The sun shone so brightly through my eyelids that the first thing I considered was a nuclear explosion.

I jumped out of bed. There's no time to lay about when the world is falling apart.

As I spun around crazily, searching for something useful to save the world with, a prim voice drawled, "You're finally up. Honestly, do you city slickers think this is an appropriate time to awaken?"

I slammed back to earth with a jolt. There was no nuclear explosion, and I was in a room with the most proper person I had ever met, who had rudely opened the curtains at 6am on a Friday morning.

"What the heck is wrong with you?!" I moaned at Ant, flopping face first back onto my bed. "Ugggh," I groaned into my pillow.

"California, if you don't arise immediately, you will be tardy. Tardiness is messiness, and I do not tolerate mess. Now get up, or I will leave you here." Ant scolded.

I don't know what she was aiming for, but the promise of her leaving me alone convinced me to stay in bed even more than the prospect of a ridiculous day at a batty boarding school.

Ant huffed loudly and stormed out, something she seemed very fond of. Although I hate to admit any similarities, it's something we have in common.

Just before she slammed the door, Ant shouted, "Breakfast's at 8."

I groaned again. Couldn't she just leave, without that absolutely cruel goodbye? Now I have to get up. Food is something I just can't miss.

When I got to the dining room, after a long search and an 'against the water saving rules' 9 minute shower, Ant was sitting at a table in the corner, whispering rapidly and angrily to a tall, thin girl who kept nodding enthusiastically.

I ignored their mad glances directed at me. My shower had put me in an incredibly good mood. Showers had always done that for me, since I was little.

I slid into the empty seat beside Val, and looked curiously at my empty white plate. It looked incredibly bland compared to the brightly coloured everything else.

"Where's the food?" I asked Val bluntly, as my stomach growled loudly.

Val laughed at me and my hungry tummy. I didn't see the funny bit. I had come here for food, and I expected it.

"We have to pray first. You know, say grace and all that." Val smiled.

This is no time for smiling, it is time for food.

My stomach growled again, and Matilda, Mrs Fernwick's daughter, who was sitting across from Val, laughed at me too.

I narrowed my eyes at her. She smiled even more. Annoyed, I crossed my arms and stared sullenly at the table.

"Good morning, all you beautiful girls!" Mrs Fernwick greeted us warmly, which was quite hard to understand considering that it was only five minutes past eight. Who has that sort of energy in the morning?

"Some of you may have met her, but we have a new student with us this year. California, love, would you please stand up?" She continued.

I stood quickly, meeting the eyes of every girl who stared at me.

"Thank you, Forni. Girls, I trust that you will try your best to make her feel welcome."

FORNI? She decided that it would be friendly and affectionate to refer to me as FORNI?!

"...grace, Forni?" Mrs Fernwick asked. My head snapped up when she mentioned my new nickname, but I hadn't heard whatever else she'd said.

"What?" I said.

"Could you please say grace, Forni? It would really make you feel more at home." Mrs Fernwick asked again.

It really wouldn't. We avoided religion at home, because of Jane's parents, so I didn't even know what to say.

I must have looked very disoriented, so Ant graciously volunteered herself. "Mrs Fernwick, California may not be up to the task this morning, as she didn't get up until long after the bell, so I shall take her place."

I rolled my eyes at her. She'd just told on me and sucked up to Mrs Fernwick in one sentence. I can not believe that girl.

"Really? Well, Forni, I'll need to see you after breakfast. Thank you Antoinette, whenever you're ready."

Ant cleared her throat and recited some prayer about thanks for food, ad we were allowed to finally be fed.

Thank God.

Breakfast was amazing. Perfectly cooked bacon, fruit, toast and your choice of topping, with sugary orange juice. I could get used to this.

I'd just finished moving my diced mango into a face when a bell clanged right behind me. I turned around to stare sullenly at the loud noise for ruining my peace.

Val didn't share my feelings. She grabbed my hand and pulled me up energetically.

"What is wrong with you, Val?" I whined.

"Cal! It's Friday! Do you even know what that means?" She said excitedly.

Considering I'd only been here a day, she was expecting a lot of me. Maybe she thought I had read the darn school's introduction booklet?

She dragged me unwillingly to her room, and we sat down on the bed.

"What?" I whined again.

"It's Friday!" She told me. I think I know that by now. "We have the last half of our classes with Princeton!"

"Who the heck is Princeton? The school cat?" I asked, annoyed.

"Princeton Academy, dear, ignorant Cal, is an all boys school down the road to which 90% of all the hot guys in the world seem to go. Okay?"

"Okay." I answered, like The Fault in Our Stars. " I understand now." A smile began to creep onto my face. Maybe this school isn't so bad after all.

Someone knocked loudly the door.

Without bothering to wait for an answer, Mrs Fernwick barged in, leaving the door wide open.

"Ah, Forni, I thought I'd find you here. I heard from a trusted source that you got up after the morning bell, and I'd just like to make sure you know that that's not allowed, dear. Since it's your first day, I'll let it pass, but please make sure it doesn't happen again. Go get ready for school, girls." Mrs Fernwick said, before bustling off.

"What a bitch." Val said. I gasped at her language, but secretly agreed with her.