The Elites

17 | reign

Chapter XVII: Reign

Dear Ms Lowell,

I regret to inform you that your daughter, Candace, has been slipping in her academic grades and attendance. Since her last formal exam during the beginning of the year, Candace has dropped dramatically in grades.

As an intelligent student, I wish to not dismiss her from Harrington, but her attendance and grades must improve. I am also concerned that she has been focusing primarily on her social status rather than her education.

I think it's best to set up a meeting to consider other options as I fear that if behaviour continues, she will be letting down her future severely. If possible, please email me back as soon as possible.

Best Regards,
Mrs Ashton
Principal
Harrington Preparatory

***

TO CELESTE, I was an ant. Tiny, fragile, breakable. She had the world in the palm of her hands. At least, that was what everyone assumed. It was actually Bentley that pulled the strings, Celeste was the puppet to his mastermind game. He manipulated, lied and deceived everyone and anyone because that was who he was — Bentley Harrington. I found her in an empty classroom; she was leaning against the far end table, nails slowly rhythmically tapping against the wooden surface.

I have never seen her with a bare face, nor did I think I ever will. Naked and exposed, she stood in front of me. I noticed the circles under her eyes — she looked as if she hadn't slept. Her hair was braided in single plait, green coloured eyes studied the ground as if there was something interesting.

"I don't know why I complied," she began the second the door closed behind me. "Why I allowed you to weasel your way into our group? I must admit that it was foolish on my half, but you... You were foolish to believe that you could trust someone here."

Languidly, she looked up, tormenting me with jade eyes, a rarity. Cocking her head to the side, her forehead creased when she frowned.

"I would've thought she'd taught you that. Scarlett always knew she couldn't trust anyone at Harrington, not even herself. Power is everything and our poor Red could not get enough of it."

"Power makes you sick, evil. You guys are twisted. The people here are afraid of you, afraid of this manipulative power you have over them," My insults meant nothing to her. There was a ghost of a smile playing on her lips.

"You're probably right," she stated. "But why make them love you, when they can fear you?"

"I know everything, Celeste," I threatened. "Everything. Your dirty little secrets are going to come out. You won't control Harrington anymore."

She observed me, studying my movements, my expressions, every inch of me did not go unnoticed by her. Celeste Leon looked exhausted, she looked like she didn't want to be standing in front of me, it was unmissable. Her shoulders were pushed back, she held her head high, emitting power and royalty, but the crown she bared was heavy and stained with blood. Eyes glanced away from me, she looked distant and lost.

"I wonder if you knew about her secrets, Candace? Would you look at her the same way?"

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"I don't understand why you have this image of her being an angel," she sighed. "She was anything but. Truth be said, she fit in perfectly with us."