The Exclusives

Chestworth Academy

Chestworth Academy for the Literary Arts has been my dream since forever. It has an extremely selective program; only the most skilled writers with at least an A average can get in. After writing three essays, submitting a portfolio, and testin  g in, I received my welcome letter and a full-ride scholarship to the boarding school five months ago in March. Now it's almost August, and I still can't believe I'm an incoming Chestworth student.

After packing my stuff, I look at my phone. It's 7 AM and I have 16 unread messages and 5 missed calls from Nessa. Vanessa Vanderwalsh has been my best friend since birth. Our moms were both journalists and good friends in college, except Vanessa's mom became successful and married into wealth, whereas my mom did not. Despite her creditable lineage, Nessa's also top of her class, so it's no surprise that she'll also be attending Chestworth. I decide to return her call,

"ISABELLA!" How can she be so loud in the morning?

"What is it Nessa?"

"Finally you pick up, I've been trying to contact you all morning!!"

"Did something happen?" I ask.

"No, but I need to know when you're moving into the dorm because we're hosting a fundraising party tonight and you just have to attend! It's a good way to get to know some of our classmates." Party? As much as I love Nessa, I can never be as extroverted as she is. Nessa is the daughter of a multi-million dollar company; worlds away from what I'm used to. But somehow, we make our friendship work.

"My train leaves in a couple of hours. But do I have to attend? You know I don't do well at parties."

"Oh please, it's not a party, more of a social gathering for new students at my house. There will also be cute boys! You should come." I roll my eyes. Typical trifling Nessa.

"Fine" I sighed. It would do me some good to socialize with the other kids before I start school.

"YES! I have the perfect dress for you and everything! I have to go now, but see you soon!"

"Bye!" I hang up and smile. Living with Nessa may be more fun than I thought. A social event is good for me, I need to get out more. Unlike Nessa, I prefer the company of books over people.

I'm so nervous I can barely swallow my breakfast. I've always been close to my parents. I'm an only child, and I'm not exactly a social butterfly. I live in a small townhouse. My mother is a journalist and my father is a middle school English teacher. Naturally, books have been a part of my life since my parents both work in the English field. Dad helps load the car with all the luggage the moving van didn't take. Before I know it, I'm saying bye to my house, the only place I've ever lived, and get in the car. When we arrive at the train station, my parents say a tearful farewell to me. I've never been away from them for more than a few days. Most kids go to sleepaway camp, but my family doesn't have a lot of money to spend on those kinds of things. Despite nerves, I'm excited to spend time away from them. Pretty soon, I've gotten settled into a train compartment, and I'm on my way to start the next chapter of my life.

I open my book In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. I'm almost finished the story and /I love it. I'm engrossed in the story until I hear the compartment door open. A smooth gentle voice says,

"Is this seat taken?" I look up to see a boy with a sharp jaw and wavy black hair that falls over his brow.

"N-no." He sits across from me, his deep emerald eyes looking around the compartment. I try to appear uninterested in him and open my book once more. Thirty minutes later, I finish the book and set it onto the seat next to me.

Suddenly the boy speaks, "You a Capote fan?"

A little taken aback by his voice I reply "Not in particular. This is my first time reading his work."

He nods his sharp chin towards the book sitting next to me. "It's good, isn't it?"

"Yeah. I really liked it." Another awkward half-hour goes by. I pretend to be on my phone but really I'm stealing glances at the sharp jawed beauty across from me. That's when I see the logo on his backpack.

"You go to Chestworth?"

"Yeah. You?"

"Yes. I'm a year one."

"So am I! What are you in for?"

"Journalism and poetry."

"No way! I'm corporate writing and poetry!"

"Oh wow! We might be in the same classes!" Even though I barely know this handsome boy, I am glad to have someone in my poetry classes. We talk for the majority of the train ride. His name is Carson Miller and he's from Charlotte, North Carolina. His favorite book series is Harry Potter, surprisingly nerdy for his striking appearance. He's vegetarian and listens to Tyler the Creator. Our conversations were awkward if anything, but pleasant. I'm happy to have made an acquaintance besides Nessa.

We arrive at Chestworth in all its brick and glory. I say an awkward goodbye to Carson, gather my luggage, and head towards Nessa. She squeals when she sees me and gives me a big hug

"Izzy! I missed you so much! We are gonna have the BEST time here. I'm so excited!"

"Me too, this school is huge!"

"I know right! Here, let me help you with that." She takes my tote bag and leads me towards the stairs. The school is even bigger on the inside. It has marble floors and a glass overhang walkway. Students are filing through the door past the equally impressive courtyard to get to the dorm buildings.

"We're in Austen room four. Each dorm house is named after an author." as if the school wasn't grand enough, the dorms were beautiful. Each one consisted of two beds, a bathroom, two desks, a closet, and a dresser. Bigger than college dorms! Nessa and I unpacked and talked for the next couple of hours.

"When I was on the train I had a fun conversation with a guy who's in our year. He's incorporate writing and poetry."

"Ooooh, was he cute?" I blush at Nessa's remark. "OMG, he was cute! Admit it." She squeals.

"Okay, he was... attractive. But he's also smart and respectful."

"OMG, you should talk to him next time! What was his name?"

"His name was Carson? Carson Miller?" Nessa's jaw drops

"WHAT!?"

"Yeah...? Do you know him?"

"Carson Miller as in Chase Miller's brother!"

"And?"

"And you cannot, I repeat, absolutely not, get involved with the Millers."

"Why?"

"Have you not heard? Chase was the biggest troublemaker the school has ever seen! Drugs, parties, failing classes, STDs, you name it! The only reason he wasn't expelled is that their parents are filthy rich. Like, super-rich."

"So? Maybe Carson is different. He seemed fine to me."

"Izzy, your first lesson of Chestworth is to never, ever associate yourself with a Miller, they are nothing but trouble."