La Luz

Chapter 1

Cover made by the amazingly talented A_M_Giovanni !

"Nickola! Wake up you're going to be late for your first day!"

I bolted awake to the sound of my mother banging on my door. The sun streamed in through my bedroom window, bathing the room in a yellow glow.

"Coming, mom!" I yelled and pulled my pyjama top over my head, replacing it with a button up white shirt and a grey v-neck sweater with a blue lining. I grabbed my tie off my desk chair and pulled it over my head. I shoved my skirt on and pulled it up so it was above my knees. I shoved on my worn high tops and grabbed my laptop, ramming it in my bag. I grabbed my phone, shoving my earplugs in. I picked up a hair tie from my dresser and pulled my thick brown hair into a high ponytail. I pulled the small tendrils of hair out of my necklace chain. I looked at it in the mirror and smiled. It was my most prized possession. I never went anywhere without it. "It" was a gold necklace with a small capital N in the centre. My father had given it to me on my tenth birthday. It was the one piece of jewellery I never took off.

I adjusted the necklace and grabbed my backpack, slinging it over my shoulder.

I opened the door and saw my mom about to knock for the second time. Her brown hair framed her angular face in light curls, her hazel eyes glowing in the morning sun. She was dressed in a smart and casual power suit, a gorgeous cream colour. Her heels were a soft white and she finished the outfit off with a diamond bracelet and diamond teardrop earrings. Her massive diamond wedding ring gleamed on her finger. My mother was the head designer for Chanel, meaning she had to look the part and got loads of free perks.

"Oh," she said and looked me up and down, "you're ready."

"Yep, and don't worry, I'll take the subway," I said cheerfully.

"But miel, we can get the driver to drop you."

"For God sakes, Mom, I am not showing up to school in a limo," I rolled my eyes at my mother's request. It was true my family had money, but I never used it. The limousine was mainly used by my parents, with me preferring to take the subway like all New Yorkers.

"Well, what's the point of having a driver if they won't drive you anywhere?" she said and smiled.

"I dunno, ask Dad. Where is he anyway?" I asked and grabbed my keys off the kitchen bench, my keychains jangling.

"He left early this morning, he said to tell you good morning," she said and opened the door, her diamond bracelet shifting with the movement. "Now hurry up and go, you don't want to be late for your first day. And please take that thing out," she chided and flicked my nose ring.

I batted her hand away and stepped out the door, waving to her as I walked down the hallway.

I slipped my earphones into my ears and turned on my music, my steps silent on the plush carpet.

I stood in the elevator, tapping my foot to the beat of my music as I waited for it to go down.

It made a dinging sound and the doors opened to the lobby. I waved to the receptionist and she smiled warmly at me.

"Stan," I said and nodded to the doorman.

"Hello, Miss Bronte," Stan said warmly.

"I've told you, Nicki is fine."

"Well, I am under an oath to speak to all my employers with respect."

I stopped. "Really?" I said.

Stan winked at me and I smiled.

"Have a good day, kiddo," he said and opened the door. I waved back to him and headed down the street.

A car zoomed by and I watched in excitement as a cop car chased after it. Crime's always around in Brooklyn.

I stopped at the stairs leading to the subway and took them two at a time. The train arrived just as my sneakers hit the platform and I raced towards it. I jumped on and the train took off.

It arrived at the station near my school in no time and I hopped out, skipping up the stairs. I joined the throng of people, moving in the direction of my new school. When I saw Park East High School looming, I pushed through the traffic of people.

I walked up to the front gates and avoided the wide eyes that watched me. I ignored the stares and held my head high, strolling into the school.

"That's Nickola Bronte," a student whispered.

More whispers followed and I speed walked into the building.

I stopped at the front desk and registered myself, grabbing my timetable and locker number and code.

I walked to my locker, trying to ignore the whispers. Everywhere I go, people whisper about me. About my family and their money. I unlocked my locker and shoved my books in, a little too forcefully than necessary.

I closed it and jumped when I'm met with a girl standing next to me.

"So you're new here, I presume," she said in a delightful French accent and smiled. The girl flicked a lock of dirty blonde hair over a shoulder and held out her hand. "I'm Marie."

I took it. "Nicki," I said. I refrained from using my last name. I'm sure she knows who I am already, I just didn't want to throw her off.

"You're very pretty," she observed. I blushed and smiled.

The bell rang and she checked her timetable, then mine.

"Awesome, we have Biology together," she said and grinned at me, launching into a rant about the famed Mr. Fitz and his hotness, somehow making the subject better. I smiled along with her and a happy feeling bloomed in my chest.

I think I'm going to like this school.