2

I spent the rest of my afternoon in my room settling in, getting to know my new surroundings. Jace spent the rest of his time watching a reality TV show. The kind of show I don't like at all. We haven't spoken since our little altercation.

It's almost 7 p.m., the day is coming to an end and I still haven't gone to find my schedule. It might be time, because classes start tomorrow.

So I decided to go to the manager's office. It's easy to spot the school's administration building, as it's the biggest one, made entirely of wood like the other buildings, but much more massive. All this was still unknown to me, this place looked like anything but a prestigious school.

- Hello, I'm new and I'm in second year, I would like to have my timetable, I say to the lady sitting behind a small ocher desk.

She seemed stressed and kept mumbling something, but I wasn't paying attention.

Having done my first class in Los Angeles, that made me new to the establishment. I don't really mind. I've never had a problem adapting to circumstances, no matter what.

- Hmm, what's your name girl? she asked, raising her head and giving me her best smile.

-Elena Collins.

- Collins..., repeated the lady, while tapping on the keys of her keyboard.

I must have been looking at her oddly, since she looked up at me for a moment before adding:

- I'm sorry if I'm a little stressed, but back to school is always hectic. All the students have to come see me for their schedules, so I don't have much time to breathe, she explained to me, looking sorry.

Not wanting to start a pointless conversation, I just nodded, letting her know that it was okay to be stressed.

"Ah, Collins, I found you..." the dark-haired woman exclaimed, twirling her co-workers as she passed. You have a brother, whose name is Lucky, and who is in first grade, right?

I didn't quite understand the purpose of this question, but answered anyway.

"Indeed," I answered shyly.

I've never been good at talking to adults I don't know. I still feel uncomfortable and oppressed, like what I say will impact how they view me. Just thinking about it is enough to realize how absurd it is, but it's always been a problem for me.

- He hasn't passed yet, if you see him let him know so that he comes, because the office closes at eight o'clock, she told me.

Again, I just nodded up and down.

- Here's your schedule, it's final. You have Wednesday free for any activity you would like to practice.

She looked up at me, then continued:

- We have archery, kayaking, climbing, mountain walking, you also have the indoor swimming pool, in short, you have plenty of activities like this... Welcome to Mystic High, she finished with a big smile.

I smile at his last sentence. It all sounded like something out of a Hollywood movie to me.

- Thank you very much, I thank her before leaving the office with a smile on my face.

I took a look at my schedule, which at first glance seems to be very busy all the same. But that didn't bother me. Studies are rarely a burden for me. The same cannot be said for Lucky.

Not looking where I was going, I suddenly bumped into a person. I didn't even have time to open my mouth to apologize when the girl spoke first.

- Oh sorry, sorry, sorry! she apologized as if she had just committed a serious mistake, which had the gift of making me smile.

- Don't worry, I wasn't looking where I was going, sorry.

The teenager quickly smiled again and held out his hand to me:

- I'm Bonnie Clark! she introduced herself with an air that was far too enthusiastic.

At first glance, Bonnie seemed to be very nice, and very friendly with people who push her around...

- Elena Collins, I replied all smiles to the brunette in front of me.

Her hair was brown, in a mid-length bob. Spectacles were placed on his head, giving him a studious look, which contrasted completely with his holey black pants.

- You went to get your schedule, I see, she said, indicating with her head the sheet of paper I was holding in my right hand.

- Oh yes, I had to go, classes start tomorrow, I smile.

- Don't tell me..., Bonnie sighed, rolling her eyes.

I sneered at his careless behavior.

- Are you coming tonight ? she asked me.

Confused, I frown.

- What are you talking about ?

- Bonfire! she exclaimed as if the answer was obvious. It's a party around a big fire for new and first-year students. Well, it's just an excuse to party.

- I just arrived, I don't really want to create any problems for myself, I admitted.

- The school is throwing this party, Bonnie declares instantly. The school has quite a lot of parties, in fact, it's more like traditions, each party has a meaning, but most people here don't know their meanings, they just want to have fun, explained the brunette in the pants holed.

This is rather surprising for a prestigious school. But again, this place never ceases to amaze me.

- The school is not afraid that all this will degenerate? I asked very confused by this new revelation.

Mom never told me about school parties.

- Come to the fire and I'll explain.

She crossed her arms under her chest, determined.

I hesitated for a moment. Everyone will be at this party, which is organized by the school. Not going would be stupid of me, and then it's a good opportunity to make friends.

- Ok, I'm coming, but I have no idea where it's going.

- Come and knock on chalet forty-eight, it's my chalet. We'll go together, so I'll show you where it is, she suggested.

- All right, let's do it like this! I smile at him.

She smiled back and said hello before leaving.

Remembering that I had to tell Lucky to get her schedule, I walked to her cabin.

- Lucky! I called from behind the door, banging my fists.

I wouldn't want to be late for the fire tonight.

- I go ! I heard behind the door.

A few seconds later, the door opened on a young boy with red hair. He seemed to be waking up from a nap, as his eyes were still sleepy and he seemed genuinely confused by his surroundings.

- Hey hi, my name is Elena Collins, is my brother Lucky Collins here? He's blond, tall - moreover probably taller than me - which I don't understand by the way! I mean he's younger than me, he should be smaller right? Then I understand, he's a boy - anyway, we're getting away from the subject - you see my brother is airheaded and I always have to get behind him, that's why I'd like to ask him to go get his schedule since the office closes at eight o'clock, I say with onedeals, without even taking the time to breathe.

I didn't have much time to worry about my brother's schedule, because all I cared about tonight was making friends at the bonfire.

The young boy didn't move an inch throughout my tirade, he looked at me with an air that was still just as - tired before finally opening his mouth:

- Lucky, there's a crazy blonde at the door asking for you! cried the redhead.

I frowned at his insult, but said nothing and waited for my brother to decide to appear. Which he does shortly after.

- Don't worry Tim, she's just my sister, Lucky said smirking.

- Ha. Ha. Ha, very funny, I say not amused at all.

Tim retired without a word, leaving Lucky to take his place by the door.

- What does your presence here mean to me, dear sister, he said ironically.

- Didn't you forget to pick up your schedule at the office? I say, knowing full well that he has well and truly forgotten.

- Nah, I haven't forgotten, I'll go tomorrow morning, he informs me, leaning against the entrance to his chalet and crossing his arms over his chest, looking confident and superior.

Lucky has always been a rebellious child. When he was little, he already did as he pleased, which had the gift of driving my aunts and my mother crazy.

I remember one memory in particular. It was when Lucky was 7 years old, during a harsh winter. The whole family was gathered for the holidays. My grandparents, my aunts, my uncles, my cousins, everyone was present. The days before Christmas were the longest. All the adults go about their business, while us children tried to occupy ourselves as best we could in order to wait for the arrival of - time awaited Santa Claus. My aunts and my mother had found knitting as an occupation, while the men of the family busied themselves with keeping the wood fire going in the fireplace.

I remember asking Aunt Petunia to teach me how to knit, which was much harder than I expected. While I was struggling to knit what was supposed to be a scarf, Aunt Petunia had decided to make a sweater for my brother, because according to her - this kid gets dirty faster than white shoes. After long hours of working on her sweater, Aunt Petunia proudly presented the sweater to Lucky. The little boy only frowns before taking the sweater, turning around and throwing it at the fire, Uncle Jon, look I saved the fire, he had exclaimed in front of the wide eyes of the whole family . Needless to say, Lucky had a bad night afterwards.

- No Lucky, out of the question. Classes start tomorrow morning, you must have your schedule! I annoyed.

I thought Lucky would have made it right for once. I was wrong.

- Well, I would go before class, he replied annoyed in turn.

I know how much he doesn't like me telling him what to do, but mom asked me to watch over him, and I plan to keep my promise.

- Lucky, be serious, I sighed. Dad and mom wouldn't appreciate it if you put so little willpower on the first day when class hasn't even started.

We've only just arrived and I'm tired of arguing with my little brother.

He glared at me, and tried to close the door, but I was faster and blocked it with my foot.

Seeing that I was annoying her, I let it go and changed the subject.

- Are you going to this party the school is throwing tonight? I asked.

He opens the front door and sighs in turn.

- Yeah, I'm going with Tim, he replied blasé of our conversation.

- Fine, I'm going too, I informed him.

He gave me a huge fake smile.

- Awesome ! he cried in a high pitched voice, shaking his hands from left to right, like a hysterical girl would.

I was well aware that he was deliberately mocking me, but I got used to it over time.

He slammed the door for me once and for all, ending our conversation for good.

I have learned to ignore my brother's remarks, because I know very well that he loves me, just as I love him. He's only in a phase where he may need his big sister less than he needed a few years ago.

Remembering tonight's event, I ran to my cabin to change. Tonight is a golden opportunity to make new friends.

When I entered the cabin, I was relieved to find that Jace was not there. So I headed to my dressing room, which is still tidy since this morning.

After a few minutes face to face with my dressing room, I finally opted for a very simple little black dress, with thin straps. I accompanied the little dress with my denim jacket, far too wide for my shoulders.

I put on very light makeup, tied my hair in a high ponytail, and headed for Bonnie's cabin without even looking at myself in the mirror. I'm so looking forward to it.

The second I knocked, the wooden door opened to reveal a smiling Bonnie.

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- Oh yes ! If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I'm always on time, I smile, winking at him.

She raised her eyebrows and let out a laugh.

- Come in, please, Bonnie invited me inside her cabin.

When I let my eyes wander inside the chalet, I noticed that the arrangement of the furniture was noticeably similar to mine.

- My roommate is already gone, she informs me, heading to her room, me on her heels.

She was barefoot and closing her playsuit was not yet closed, I conclude that she was not ready yet.

- Still not ready, I see, I pointed out, sitting on her bed while she looked for her shoes in her dressing room, much more messy than mine.

- Elena Collins, if there's one thing you should know about me (she turned to me) it's that I'm never on time! she laughed, repeating the sentence I said to her earlier.

She somehow tried to get her heels on, which was fun to watch. She was not wearing high heels, simple black pumps that had their effect.

- Oh, good to know, I say, amused.

- I am ready ! she exclaimed, spinning around.

- Perfect, let's go!

I was so impatient!

From what I've seen of Bonnie so far, she seems to me to be a very nice girl, and full of pep. And I really see no reason not to become her friend.

She led me to the place of the bonfire, which was near a river, at the edge of the forest. The path to get there was treacherous and I had to stop myself from laughing several times when Bonnie threatened to trip over rocks or pieces of wood.

After walking for a few minutes, I discovered a small square, full of people. The bonfire sat enthroned in the middle while music accompanied the flames of it in their dances.

- Come on, let's sit down, Bonnie tugged my arm.

We tried our hand on a tree trunk placed on the ground especially for the occasion. A small group of people sat next to us, but I paid no attention to them.

- Hello, Jess! I heard Bonnie greet someone.

She was chatting with a girl with long brown hair, she was holding a drink in her hand and looked like she didn't want to be there, given the expression on her face.

- Jess, this is Elena, Bonnie pointed at me quickly. Elena, this is Jessica, introduced Bonnie still sitting next to me.

- Pleased to meet you, I said shyly.

She nodded and replied:

- Delighted, his tone was monotonous, making his words unbelievable.

- Bonnie, I have to go see Kol, Jess didn't give her friend time to answer, she was already far away in the crowd.

- Who is Kol? I asked, suddenly curious.

- A friend of ours, she replied before taking a sip from her glass which contained a soda.

- How long have you and your friends been here?

- My friends and I haven't left each other since college, our parents became friends by dint of rubbing shoulders and they decided to send us all here, began the brunette. Our parents are pretty cool about it, and to answer your question I've been here since middle school.

She ends her sentence with a wink. Something she does often, I noticed.

- Oh, so you must know a lot of people here.

- Most people here have known each other for a long time. They went to school together since they were little, Bonnie explained to me. I'll introduce you to the group tomorrow, you'll see they're really cool, Bonnie tells me, taking a big sip from her glass this time.

- I can't wait to meet them, I say sincerely.

I liked the idea of ​​meeting Bonnie's friends. If they were as cool as she said, I might like them.

- So, she put her glass on the ground, who do you share your chalet with? Bonnie asked.

"Jace Moonhood," I sighed, thinking back to this morning's event.

At my answer, Bonnie nearly choked. She coughed several times before taking a deep breath and exclaiming:

-Jace Moonhood?!

- Are you OK ? I asked, concerned above all.

- JACE MOONHOOD! she repeated, much louder.

A few people turned to us, but quickly resumed their conversations.

- Lower your voice ! I laughed. Do you know Jace?

- You should rather ask, who doesn't know him, she said giving me a suspicious look.

Her eyes were wide as if she had just learned that Harry Potter was real.

I didn't know what to say after that, so I remained silent, wondering what Jace could have done to provoke such a reaction from Bonnie.

- Jace, she tried to find her words. Jace is like... it's like Chuck Bass, but cuter. Everyone knows him. Everyone dreams of being by his side, of being among his friends!

I was amused by the dramatic look Bonnie put on and the reference she used, but I was also very confused about what she was telling me.

- His family has a very good reputation thanks to their money, his father is also one of the investors of this school. His parents are divorced. I've never spoken to him, but I know he's not very nice to anyone who isn't in his group. Sometimes he even gets mad at one of his friends for no reason. Everyone knows Jace Moonhood, but no one really knows who he is. He's quite mysterious, Bonnie said, apparently knowledgeable about him.

- I must admit that I have trouble understanding your reaction, I say, taking a sip of my soda.

- Elena, you share your cabin with Jace Moonhood! Not only is his name known here, but also in high society all over the world.

I chuckled at this information.

- He is arrogant and disrespectful. When I visited the chalet with my mother he was adorable and the moment she left he became haughty and he made it clear to me that he didn't want me here, I explained calmly.

- It's not a secret, Jace is arrogant, she nodded to support this evidence. But he's also incredibly adorable, she added. Have you seen his eyes? Oh and then his tattoos, huh?

"Bonnie, you're getting carried away," I stopped her.

"Sorry..." she apologized, smiling shyly.

- You like it, huh? I asked seeing the way Bonnie was talking about this arrogant rich man.

Bonnie's cheeks tinged slightly and her hands kept playing between them.

- Maybe, she giggled nervously.

- At first glance, I don't think this Jace is a good person..., (I sighed), but if you have a crush on him, it doesn't hurt to try your luck, I tried to reassure the brunette.

Bonnie grimaced and her enthusiasm from a few minutes ago seemed to have evaporated. His face was much more closed and his eyes were much less alive.

- Impossible, she breathed. He is in a relationship with Hailey. This girl is almost as rich as him, and she has a modeling career all mapped out.

Bonnie mumbled, staring at her drink.

I felt sorry for my new friend. This Jace doesn't deserve such a nice girl to be in love with him.

That's the problem with rich kids, they never realize the harm they can do outside of their little luxury bubble. For them, all is well in the best of worlds. But wealth is just a facade that makes the world a lot better than it really is. When that facade falls, then the harsh reality will hit and maybe he will realize how much certain actions can hurt.

I was about to comment on how much of an idiot this Jace sounded like, but Bonnie's expression next to me made me swallow my words. His gaze was fixed in the distance, on something, or rather someone.

It didn't take long for me to notice Jace, hand in hand with a tall, tanned brunette, who I assumed was Hailey. She was dressed in designer clothes and a bag. Bag, which is only from Balmain.

A crowd of people quickly formed around them, but Jace only greeted certain people, who I assumed were his famous friends.

- Life is so unfair, Bonnie sighed next to me, her eyes fixed on the perfect couple.

I would always have a grudge against arrogant people like Jace. It's not hard to see that he can have anything he wants, and that alone is enough to make me dislike people like him.

Maybe it's just jealousy. Maybe I'd like to have life as easy as people like her. But in no way do I want to be like him. Rich people, at least most of them, are dangerous people. They use the social rank that their money gives them in order to impose themselves above the others.

It is simply unfair. Wealth should not define hierarchy. And hierarchy should not exist, at least in education.

The secret with these kind of people is that they are far too careless and always end up making the mistake of too many