To Be a Princess

→chapter two

"Ophelia, could you please leave for now, I need to speak to Leo" Cassandra sighed.

"Well um, sure." she asked.

As she closed the door, she briefly heard Cassandra lower her voice to say something.

"Why did Mother send you? She promised father she'd let me attend here on my own unless something happened. I'm not some princess in need of saving," she hissed.

Ophelia shook her head and decided not to eavesdrop. It was obviously something she didn't need to hear, so she strolled to her own room across the dorm living room. 

Both her suitcases were lying next to the large pink bed at the centre of the room. She guessed they had been brought up here when she had been told to leave them in the carriage cargo.

Looking around at the large room, she suddenly felt overwhelmed at all the events that had happened since she'd arrived and jumped on the bed, exhaling deeply. Staring at the ceiling, she closed her blue eyes and let herself collect her thoughts.

"I can't believe I'm really at Royale High," she said in awe. She still couldn't get rid of the feeling that she was somehow inferior to all the students she had passed in the hallways. Even though she was going to be student, everyone else had some sort of status in society. Whether it be they were children of rich parents or the child of some Duke or Dutchess. Hell, she wouldn't be surprised if there were a few children of royalty walking the same halls as her. Everyone except her belonged here, she'd just passed some exam to let her be the only commoner to go to an expensive school for free. "This is such a joke. I shouldn't even be here."

Then she remembered her mother's warm smile when she'd read her the acceptance letter. It was one of the first time she'd ever had hope for at least one of her daughter's to be given the chance to fulfil her dreams after years of debt that left them ruined. Life was easier now, but Opi's acceptance letter lifted the huge burden of guilt from her mother's shoulders. 

She opened her eyes a short while later. Making up her mind, she decided not to doubt herself anymore.

"I have to do this for Mum, no matter what," she whispered to herself.

There was a knock at the door. Quickly, she scrambled off her bed and went to open it.

"Hey, Ophelia! Or do you want to be called something else?" Leo said, his smile greeting her.

"Opi is fine."

"Well anyway, Opi, Cass and I were just wondering if you wanted to come with us to check out the school café and see what kinda stuff they have."

"LEO! I never agreed to that," shouted an annoyed voice from inside her own room.

"Oh come on Cassie, don't be so boring, don't you want to get to know your roommate?"

"I already told you, stop acting oblivious. I know what you're getting at," Cassie said.

"You need to stop worrying, I'd know if she were Char-" he quickly stopped himself in his tracks. "I mean, I can tell when someone looks like they'd be a good friend."

"Um, sorry if this is a stupid question, but are you guys friends or something? I still don't get why he was in your room."

"Or something," Leo grinned mischievously.

Cassie walked out of her room rolling her eyes.

"Leo lives to torture me every day of my life."

"Stop being such a drama queen," he teased. "Anyway, what do you both say about that café?"

"Sure, sounds fun," Ophelia replied.

Cassie looked at Ophelia carefully, almost glaring at her with her amber eyes.

"I guess, but if I get bored, I'm leaving."

"Awesome! Let's go!"

"Hold on, I just need to go change."

"There's no time for that Opi, what if there's a long line there by the time we arrive?" Leo said, dragging her by the arm.

"Alright, fine."

Walking back down the stairs, the trio managed to find their way to the café mentioned by Leo. It was a small, cute corner of the first-floor lounge area, and a small line was waiting outside it. Ophelia could almost taste chocolate oozing in her mouth from all the wonderful smells coming from it. She knew she'd enjoy it.

"Woah, this is so cool," Leo exclaimed.

When it was finally their turn in line, a short, probably middle-aged, woman greeted them.

"What will it be, dears?" she asked brightly, the corners of her eyes wrinkling from her smile.

"Just a coffee for me,"

"Same here," said Cassie.

"I think I'll have a hot chocolate," Ophelia shrugged.

She rummaged in the pocket of her jacket, bringing out some coins to pay for her drink, when Leo blocked her hand and placed a note on the counter.

"Don't worry, I'll pay,"

"No, it's fine, I can pay for myself," Ophelia said anxiously."

"Really, it's fine, I don't mind," he said genuinely.

That's right. Most people attending this school had to have more money than they could spend if their parents could afford such a school. She sighed.

"Thanks."

"No worries!"

Once the lady returned, they all grabbed their drinks and started walking away to find a seat, Ophelia tailing behind the other two.

"Wow, this place is pretty full for the first day, right?" Leo exclaimed.

Cassie stayed silent.

"Yeah, it's kinda surprising."

Suddenly, the world lurched forward as one of her feet caught on the other, and she tripped. Stopping her fall with her hands on the ground, she looked up in horror to find the remains of her hot chocolate on the arm of a very pissed Cassie.

"Ah, dammit!" she said, clutching her arm that had probably been scalded by the drink.

"I'm s-sorry!" she panicked.

"What the hell, did you do that on purpose?" she accused.

"Cass!" Leo scolded, his eyes darting from Ophelia to Cassie.

"Shut up Leo, just get me to the nurse. Gah, it hurts."

"Cassie, I mean it, I really didn't mean to do it," she said worriedly.

"Screw it, I couldn't care less," she snapped, before following Leo away from the café.

She really screwed up, didn't she. How was she supposed to make friends with people if she was out here tripping on her own feet and spilling hot chocolate on someone who already seemed to be judging her with just one glare. She could feel the dozens of pairs of eyes staring down at her, so she didn't dare look up in fear of looking back at them.

"I'm a mess," she mumbled to herself.

"Uh, are you okay by any chance?"

She lifted her head to meet whoever had just spoken, realizing she was still on the ground. Quickly standing up to make less of a fool of herself, she met the gaze of a girl staring at her with her blue eyes.

"Oh um, no? Yes? Oh, I don't know," she finally said.

"Well, I'm May, but are you sure you're not hurt? That looked like a nasty fall," the stranger asked.

"Well, I, I-" 

Finally, she couldn't help it anymore, and she burst into tears.

"Oh dear."