Girls of Edinburgh

Is it too late to turn back?

The two girls were left standing outside of the main office. Diana took one look at her sister and knew she didn't intend to make this easy, for anyone. When it came to Tilly's stubbornness and attitude, Diana had seen and dealt with numerous amounts, but she didn't feel like putting up with it at that moment. Of course she didn't want her mother to go across the world, but she accepted that it was for a good cause. Plus, it wasnt the stone age, the internet would still be a thing.

"Tilly.."

No response.

"Look, I can see why you're not pleased about this. But everything isn't always about you. And for God's sake it's not the end of the world. Don't make things harder than they have to be."

Matilda scoffed, offended that her usual caring sister was being this blunt. And now of all the times!

"Excuse me?"

Diana stared at her blankly.

"Please. Don't be dramatic."

Matilda, feeling quite cornered, retorted.

"I get it that YOU don't have a life, but don't expect me to react the same way to this you are. This last year of high school should be spent with the people I've been with for the past four years, instead I've been rooted up and dumped-

She looked around, an expression of scorn on her face,

"Here. All my friends, everything I've been involved in, my tutors, my college advisor, all I know is at home! Do you know how dismantling this is?? Have you any idea??"

Diana rolled her eyes.

"There is  now such a thing as the internet. You're acting like we're in Antarctica"

"We might as well be" Tilly fired back.

"Matilda, you're not only being dramatic, but selfish. You said it yourself, you're sixteen not five. How about acting like it?"

"You're telling me to grow up??" Tilly exclaimed incredulously. "You don't even need to be here! You WANTED to come because you actually have no idea or ambitions of what you want to do. You graduated last May, but here you are at a boarding school for high schoolers. It's pathetic."

Diana, feeling the sting of her sister's words, silently spun and went into the office.

Miss Jillian, who had been on the other side of the door listening, jumped as Diana came in.

"I take it your mother has left?" she smiled embarrassingly.

"Yes"

"Alright, I'll show you up."

On the way out, they met a sour faced Matilda, who had no choice but to follow.

The trio walked the school grounds in silence. Tall, four story towers were situated on each of the halls they passed. At the front of each hall was a plaque bearing its name.  "William Taylor", which housed the first years, then came "Mary Magdalene", for the second, "Duke of Edinburgh" housed the third, "Queen of Scots" the fourth, and slowing down, they came to a halt at "Ladies of Windsor", for the fifth.

"Here we are Matilda" Miss Jillian said cheerfully. I won't follow you in because I have to show your sister her hall and then run to William Taylor to deliver some extra uniforms. Just go straight in and Miss Kane will take it from there."

Tilly offered a pursed little smile and walked off, wordlessly.

The  remaining two, watched her enter the tall doors.