Snakes and Ladders

Chapter 4: Concealed Secrets

"Wait...so your saying the school ranks you by class from a royalty to wenches through materialistic means?" Emilia asked

After being frozen in shock for a good minute and a half she had finally snapped out of her stupor, wanting to know how the Five, including Tony ran the school.

Tony nodded "It's shallow I know, but it's been tradition for the past thirty years"

"I'm guessing tradition is vital in the school?"

"Yes it's key. But you also must know that not all five of us are jerks. Only really Eden and Tatum act like they have a stick up their arse" Tony joked

Emilia felt her lips curl up into a smile at his comment.

"Anyways I just wanted to inform you about the system before school started. After all, you do start this Monday"

"Yeah. Honestly at this point I wasn't expecting to be admitted to Queensburry Academy with how late I received my letter. Guess it must of been last minute" She mused.

Tony chortled, as if her last statement was hilarious. "No. That's definitely not it. They just wanted to scare you into thinking you weren't going to be accepted. You know, crush your hope, and then quickly perform a one eighty turn shocking the new student"

Emilia frowned deeply "That's horrible"

Tony looked apologetic, but not guilty. Another common cruel occurrence it seemed.

All of the sudden a ring echoed in Emilia's ears. She felt her pocket for her phone, but found that it was not the one currently ringing.

Tony gave her a rueful smile before pressing the answer button.

"Hello?"

Emilia silently watched as his expression changed from impassiveness to clear outrage, clenching his teeth in exasperation.

"Fine. I'll be there soon" He spat before ending the call, a present scowl on his pretty face.

"What's wrong?" Emilia asked

He looked remorsefully at her "I'm sorry I have to go. I-I have to attend to a family matter" he said discreetly, looking anxious.

"Oh. Okay yeah that's fine I guess it was nice meeting you. See you around yeah?" Emilia said awkwardly, not knowing exactly how to reply to his unanticipated departure.

"Likewise. If you ever need help don't hesitate to ask. If you'll excuse me" He said politely, before practically running out Emilia's front door in a hysterical rush.

"Well he was certainly interesting to say in the least" Lilac said speaking up for the first time in a while.

Emilia flicked her brown eyes over to her sister's similar ones. "Yeah. Hey when's mom and dad coming home?"

"Around six. I'll bet they'll be so proud when they learn that you got accepted to Queensburry Academy" she gushed.

Emilia smiled genuinely at her sister. She may be an overwhelming obnoxious shopping loving freak a majority of the time, but Lilac definitely had her good moments.

"So I was wondering..." Lilac started reluctantly

Emilia's mouth formed into a compressed line. "You thinking?" She clucked her tongue. "Never a good sign"

"Hey!" Lilac cried shoving her little sister good naturedly while Emilia giggled at her offended face.

"I'll have you know little miss know it all that I have a brilliant brain" She simpered "May I remind you of my acceptance into Harvard?" She asked a proud smile coming across her lips.

Emilia groaned. "Yes Lilac I've heard you talk about your acceptance letter for the past year. It would be pretty hard to forget with your constant bragging" She rolled her eyes.

Emilia had noticed that she did often did this action, but it was a habit she inherited from her grandma. And old habits die hard my friends.

"So honestly Li shut up" Emilia continued "No one wants to hear you talk about your glorious success again" She grumbled out.

Her sister just stared blankly at her "Okay meanie I won't start. But because of the disrespect you've shown towards me, now you have no choice in the thing I'm about to do"

Emilia squinted at her. "And what is that exactly?"

Lilac grinned evilly "A fashion show!" She squealed before flawlessly pulling Emilia off the couch, and dragging her to Lilac's room, despite Emilia's immediate protests.

Slamming the door, Lilac finally let go of her disgruntled looking sister, grabbing several bags from her dresser to the floor.

Lilac pulled out a beautiful off the shoulder red dress. The lace and detail absolutely exquisite. The main fabric was of the softest silks, the material complimenting the frills and frolicking decorating the bottom. From how luxurious this looked it made Emilia curious and worried at the same time.

After admiring the dress for a second more she launched into an interrogation with her older sister. "Okay first off how did you afford this? Cause I sure as hell know for a fact that mom wouldn't allow you to buy this expensive of a dress. It's designer for gods sake! You didn't rob a bank did you?" Emilia sputtered out firing question after question without a single breath of air.

"Woah Em calm down. I did not rob a bank, and I know that Mom wouldn't allow me to buy this" She bit her lip. "That's why I didn't buy it. Someone else did"

"Who?" Emilia asked mystified

Lilac sucked in a breath, nervously wringing her hands, which she only did in dire situations.

Lilac was rarely ever fretful. She was a young women who lived for the present. So to see her this torn up about something made Emilia extremely worried for her sister.

Just when Emilia thought Lilac wasn't about to reveal any more info she spoke up.

"Warren Vasiliou paid" she said looking up.

"....my new boyfriend"