The Crow that Wears the Crown

Chapter 2

Rook's place had been at the back of the class since the day she had started at this school. As much as teachers had tried to move her forward to draw some sort of engagement from her, she had refused. Eventually they chalked her up as a lost cause, often pretending she wasn't there. It suited her just fine, it wasn't as if she was attending school to actually learn.

She was leant back in her chair listening to the idle chatter of the fellow Crows she shared her class with. Despite this she hadn't heard a single thing they had said. Her attention drawn to the small light-haired girl stood at the front of the class. Sybille Lockhart, the fresh meat in town, she stood with vigour, but Rook could see straight through her façade.

"Settle down class!" The teacher announced. A man in his mid-thirties, but you wouldn't think it looking at him now. Like most teachers at this school, the years of corralling the students had taken their toll. Even now the class didn't settle till he slammed his hand on the desk. Half the class jumped to attention while the others sluggishly moved to their desks.

"We have a new student today," the teacher continued, "Her family just moved here from the city." The class was a murmur of excitement. Like most kids who grew up in an isolated town, many dreamt of living the high city life. "Quiet!" The teacher snapped again, "Why don't you introduce yourself?" He finished slumping down in his seat taking a sip from a coffee flask, which many assumed contained more than just coffee.

"My name is Sybille Lockhart, but I prefer Sy." It was simple and to the point and if any other new student had introduced themselves in such away then the class wouldn't have spared a second glance. But Sy was not like other new kids, her families name held a weight even a town like Lawrence recognised. The class murmured again.

"She's just as pretty as the pictures in the newsletters."

"Her family is like super rich."

Of course, Rook knew who Sy was long before they had met in the hallway, but she had to admit meeting her in person was certainly different. It was like seeing a celebrity, just by looking at them you knew there was something special almost unreal about them.

"You can take the empty seat over there." The teacher motioned towards the back of the class where Rook herself was sat. A desk that had been left unoccupied since she had claimed her place behind it. She watched waiting to see how the new girl would react.

Sy looked at Rook, for only a moment, but long enough for catch her hesitation. Rook grinned as the other girl looked away and walked to the empty seat, settling at her desk with her back to Rook. It wasn't until the teacher started talking again that Rook finally took her eyes off Sy.

After the teacher had taken attendance and went down the list of morning announcements which most students gave very little attention to, he finally moved on to the topic that had the school buzzing since the year began.

"As we all are aware we are holding a school festival during the spring term," the class came back to life, "Calm down and let me finish," he sighed, "I'll be announcing partners today, who will work together to prepare an activity, which will need to be approved by the festival committee."

It was safe to say Rook was not as thrilled as her fellow classmates for the coming spring event, tuning out the sounds of the room.

The teacher was pulling names at random to be placed in partnerships together. A mixed reaction from the class as names were listed off one by one. It wasn't until one name was called that her interest re-sparked.

"And lastly Sybille Lockhart will be paired with," the teacher paused sighing deeply and Rook knew exactly why. "Rook... We can put you with another group..." the teacher began saying, an option given to most students who were unfortunate enough to be partnered with a Crow.