Chapter 1: Whistler High School For Girls

My parents had always reminded me to be thankful for the new life God has given me every morning.

But I can’t seem to have the ability to thank God right now, because today is the day that I’ll be leaving my house to go to a new school—worse, it’s a boarding school for girls. Well, it’s nothing new here in the UK to find parents sending their kids off to some boarding school. It’s just that, I never expected my parents to do it to me, their only daughter! I have lived my life for 17 years just fine in a normal school with my awesome friends, but they just had to ruin all of it, just because the principal of that school where my mum studied, came and urged her to let me go study there too.

I had always been a fan of freedom and chaos. So a boarding school isn’t just my cup of tea.

It was no secret that Whistler High School for Girls is one of the top schools in our country. Most students who graduate there can easily pass in Cambridge University—the uni where my mum and dad met. Yes, I am living with parents who are both academically blessed. Sometimes I wonder if I’m truly their child, knowing that I’m one lazy girl who doesn’t even study.

“It’s time to go, sweetheart,” my mum told me as she carries my other bag with her left hand and the other is resting on my cheek. I let out a soft sigh as I watched her and dad carry my things to the car that was sent by the school to help me get there since it was quite far from our house.

“This is actually nice, knowing that our girl isn’t going to have boys who would try to court her while she’s away since she’s going to an all girls school,” my dad commented, making my mum shoulder him on his side. I just shook my head before facing them both.

“I’ll miss you both. And no dad, I’m not bringing any drilla anytime soon,” I told them and that’s when they pulled me for a hug. I closed my eyes as I felt how warm they were. 

I’ll miss this. I’ll miss them. I’ll miss home.

“Time to go, darling,” mum reminded me, so I finally let go from the hug and went inside the car.

I waved at them one last time, as I try to memorize their faces in my head, knowing that I won’t be seeing them anytime soon once this vehicle starts moving.

I watch my mum's blonde hair and the way her eyes smile whenever she smiles too. My mum is really pretty, no wonder she was quite popular back in the days. She was almost perfect, not until she had me.

You see, my mom's white but she married an Asian who’s no other than my father. My father is a Chinese immigrant who was adopted by wealthy British people when he was a year old. He grew up here, and he’s really good looking too. No wonder my mum fell in love with him.

But many people would always ask my mum why she chose to marry my father. Some were clearly not a fan of who my mum decided to be her husband. They were all even saying that I’m pretty, if only I got my mum's blonde hair and if I wasn’t half Chinese.

I’m irritated every time I remember those conversations I had with some family friends whenever there’s a party. Maybe that’s why me and my friends were what we called ‘rebels', because this world is just too cruel. Sure, we had everything that others would want. But it’s just not enough, you know?

Sure, we have the wealth, the connections and the title. But some of my friends' parents aren’t really supportive and some are just always away. It was sad, and I’m just glad my parents aren’t entirely like that.

My father is the type who wouldn’t put his work first, he made sure to be there for me and my mum. And I’m glad they are my parents. They weren’t the type to show off, and act as if they’re better than most people just because they have money. I’m just happy they’re my parents.

I just hope I can make them happy by being their daughter. I heard from their friends that their kids my age have achieved so much in life, and I wanted that too.

I want to make my parents proud too. So despite not wanting to go far away from home, I still gave it a shot in hopes of making them happy.

“Ready to go, miss?” the driver asked, and I gave him a nod and so he started to drive. Drive away from what I call home.

The ride towards my new school was steady, but I could already feel boredom creeping in since from what I heard from my parents yesterday that it was a six hour drive. So, I just took my earpods and chose the right song to listen to while I try to make myself comfortable in my seat.

And not long after, I could feel my eyes already closing, and I tried to stay awake in order to see where we’re going, but that only made me drift to dreamland faster than I had intended.

I woke up to the sound of the car being parked. I thanked the driver for driving me here safely, and he just replied with a nod and a smile. Not wanting to stay any longer, I already got out of the car.

 I saw that it was already past 6. It was already blue hour, the sky and the clouds had this blue hue that made the trees look like they were just silhouettes, it kind of reminds me of the movie 'twilight' because of the colour blue. And as I observed the place,  I could feel my chest tightened once I saw the insides of the large gates of the school where I’ll be staying.

This is it. I thought to myself as I observed the place. I’m really staying here until I reach grade 13. Away from my parents, away from my friends, away from home.

I let out a deep sigh and tried to stop thinking about home. I need to be tough. I can’t let this feeling control me. I’m a strong girl, I can do this.

Not long after I went out, I was greeted by an old lady that I recognized as the principal of this school. And beside her was a girl who looked my age, she wasn’t looking at me so I didn’t get to see her face because she was looking at the principal.

“There she is! Welcome, Miss Kingstein!” the principal greeted, a smile on her lips as she watched me get closer to them.

“How was your ride?” she asked, and I only told her that it was tiring, and her once smiling face contorted into concern and worry. She clapped her hands like it was a signal and the girl beside her was fast enough to ask what she could do to help.

“I’ll be doing a small orientation for Miss Kingstein tomorrow morning. For now, please guide her to her room, President Amelia,” the principal told the girl that’s now looking at me with her eyes wide because of shock, and I’m sure I am masking her expression right this very moment. But the Principal doesn’t seem to take notice of our behaviour.

“Miss Kingstein, meet Amelia Williams. She is the school's student body President and has been constantly an A student. Amelia, meet Victoria Kingstein. The daughter of one of our school's student body presidents too, Isla Kingstein,” the principal happily introduced us to one another, and I gulped when Amelia extended her arm for a handshake. I did too and my heart felt like it would come out of my chest as I felt how warm her hands are. It was sort of like a deja vu, knowing that I had constant dreams of her ever since that day happened.

“Nice to meet you, Victoria,” she said, a polite smile on her face. I never really liked being called 'Victoria' at all, but it felt nice to hear her say my name. And her voice, goddamn! I wouldn’t mind hearing her talk all day.

“A pleasure to meet you too, Amelia,” I replied, masking a smile on my face because the principal is watching us. But deep down I can feel my insides going wild because of this encounter.

It was weird and crazy to meet the girl who I met last summer in a bar when me and my friends decided to be rebels. It was that night where I realized that maybe. . .

I’m not as straight as what my parents thought of me.

And all that confusion was because of a girl with blonde hair, deep dimples showing every time she’s laughing and those pair of blue eyes I wouldn’t hesitate to get lost in.

It was no other than her, Amelia Williams.

She was a straight A student, the president of the student body. So why on earth was she in that bar? Isn’t she supposed to be perfect, like what everybody says? I mean, I just didn’t expect her to be in that bar while still being the school model here, knowing all too well that this school doesn’t like their students going into bars, drinking, and smoking.

Whistler High School For Girls.

It was as beautiful as what I thought it would be. Even at night, it was beautiful. This school’s structure was like the ones where you saw Harry Potter and his friends go to school in. It screams wealth and it kind of intimidates me, knowing that I’ll be a new student here, especially since I'm half Chinese.

I’m not denying that indeed our family is well-off, we’re part of the high class families. But my parents don't like showing off, and have always been trying to make me feel like I’m not alone.

I’m kind of scared, because what if they see me as sort of a freak? I heard rumours of girls who go here and from what I heard,  most of them are the typical good girls, the ones who are very independent and don't really have a room for imperfections. It was also because the school raised them to be like that, so I really couldn’t blame them. And it’s what most of the elite parents would want their daughters to be.

Smart and Independent.

Huh. Could never be me.

“Victoria.” I heard my guide call my name, as we made a stop in front of a white door.

“Stop calling me that,” I told her, trying to hide my frustration but failed miserably. I’m indeed frustrated from being called by that name.

“What do you want me to call you then?” she asked, and I could hear how tired she was just from the tone she used, so instead of continuing this topic I just told her to kindly open the door so that I can finally rest.

When we were finally inside, I was shocked to see two beds inside. Both are neat, but the one near the window looks like someone owns it. I ignored it, and tried to look around. It was also beautiful. There’s a chandelier in the middle, a flat screen TV and a maroon coloured sofa near the door, a bathroom and a mini kitchen, I even saw a mini refrigerator.

It was so pretty and it also reminded me of my room back home. I frowned at the thought. I shouldn’t think of home while I’m here, or else I’ll end up crying like the cry baby I am.

“Who sleeps in that bed? I wasn’t informed that I’ll be having a roommate,” I asked her as I plop down on my bed.

Amelia removed her hair tie, and I stopped myself from gaping when I saw how beautiful her blonde hair is and how she looks prettier with her down.

“I forgot to inform you, but I’m your roommate. Welcome to Whistler High, Victoria,” Amelia said nonchalantly before proceeding to take her bathrobe from a closet near her bed and entering the bathroom.

Bloody Hell!

Amelia Williams is my roommate! How am I supposed to react to this shocking information? And she’s a girl, so it’s alright to have her as my roommate. I shouldn’t be freaking out, right?

This is all because of that one summer night's fault! I shouldn’t have encouraged my friends to go and experience underage drinking at a local bar. If it weren’t for that, then I wouldn’t have met her.

And maybe, I wouldn’t be so confused right now.