Sun and Star Academy: Book 1: Sun Kingdom

Chapter 1: Sun And Star Academy

Kareena Summers

Maleah Summers

Rachel

Mr. Grey

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Kareena woke from her sleep; she stared outside from the backseat, as the car drove past trees, trees and more trees. Sunlight was scarcely seen through the branches. “Are we lost?”

“No sweetheart. This is all part of the academy, we already passed the first gate, so just a little further and we’ll be at the main gate” her father replied

Kareena yawned her disapproval, “Sun and Star Academy...it doesn’t even sound like a school of performing arts” she thought

This was the academy her parents had gone to, where her sister went to...where her sister now even works, and thanks to that same sister, Kareena missed the orientation and selection processes. She was going to be the new kid, great. The house she was given was Sun and she was not looking forward to it, truth be told- she wasn’t looking forward to any of it. She dreaded leaving the car with each passing second (and tree). She didn’t want to attend a place where the rest of her family had been so popular because she wasn’t the same as them, and she wanted to choose her own path. But here she was, not knowing anyone, not being familiar with anything

Kareena frowned upon the memory that just came to her, “Honey, Maleah says it’s a waste for you to go...She insisted you be placed in Sun and you have been, aren’t you excited!” her mother said to her a week ago. At the time Kareena smiled and nodded, why bother saying anything at all, her sister was the golden child of the house, where as she felt like the black sheep, or was it dark horse, either way. You get the point

The car began to slow down, Kareena’s thoughts slowed as well. The academy was now in their sights. It was pretty medieval looking. “A castle? Really?” Kareena asked

“The rest of the academy isn’t like this, there are more modern bits behind this, but you’ll see for yourself” her mother smiled as though remembering her good times here

The iron gates rattled and then opened for them to drive through. Once in, the grey towers of the castle and the high walls both towered over them, looming all around. Kareena got out of the car and took in some of the air of her new home whilst her dad unloaded her bags

“Mom! Dad!” came an all too familiar voice from the castle steps, it was her elder sister, or more appropriately ‘Miss Summers’ since she’d be one of her lecturers

Her parents hugged Maleah tightly whilst Kareena did what she always did, compared herself. Maleah had their moms radiant blonde hair and both mom and dad's sparkly blue eyes where as Kareena took her dads jet black hair and as for her eye colour, it was a mixture of grey and black... "It just means you're unique sweetheart!" Kareena remembered her parents saying at a younger age when she noticed the difference she had from them with her eye colour. There was no clear resemblance between the sisters

“I’m so glad you’re finally here” Maleah said, making her way over to hug her little sister

Kareena wished she could return the warmth her sister gave off but all she managed was a smile

Maleah said her goodbyes to her parents and took a few of Kareena’s bags inside

“Your sister will take great care of you...Eat properly, please and stay safe. We’ll be waiting for a call from you. We love you honey” her mother said whilst embracing her, a bit too tightly

Her father hugged her and smiled, “You’ll be amazing”

One last hug from the mother, a few waves and then they were on their way. Kareena stared after them, if she used all her effort, she could reach the gate before it closed...but it would be of no use. She gathered herself, as well as the rest of her stuff and made her way inside

“I have a feeling you’ll fall in love with this place, just as I did” Maleah beamed, “It’s truly magical”

Her words seem to echo on for some time, Kareena gazed at everything, it was incredible, she had to give it that

“Kareena!”

Her trance was broken, Maleah stared at her with a smile, “Did you hear what I said?”

Kareena shook her head and laughed

“Did you go through the rule book and prospectus?”

Once again, a shake of the head

“Please go through it, once you’ve settled in. It’s really important”

They began to walk together, Maleah calling out what was what the whole time, “So most of the classes take place in the main building and just past the courtyard, you’ll find the routes to either house...Kareena, you’re not listening again”

“Sorry...”

Maleah laughed, “Just go through the prospectus, there should be an academy map with it with everything you need, keep it!”

“Miss Summers...a word if I may?” the chancellor called out

Both sisters turned around and Maleah nodded

“That’s the Chancellor, Mr. Grey” Maleah whispered to her sister, who in turn nodded her greeting

Another girl who was walking by was addressed by Maleah, “Rachel! Could you show Kareena here to her room"

Rachel approached, initially she looked startled at the sight of Kareena but she immediately changed expressions and smiled, her hair was a shade of orange and red and somehow as bright as a sunrise and her emerald green eyes sparkled as her smile widened, “Hi, I’m Rachel, obviously”

Kareena smiled as politely as she could

“So you’re in Sun House...Good to know!” Rachel said with a smile that seemed to contain secrets

“How’d you know?” Kareena asked

Rachel pointed at the key Kareena was fumbling with, “You either get a sun or star key chain, you’ve got sun”

Kareena nodded whilst staring at the key chain with her key, feeling completely embarrassed

“We’re in the same house...what’s your room number?”

Kareena shrugged, adding stupid to the list of things she was feeling

Rachel smiled and took the key, she turned the key chain over and looked at it, “107...follow me”