Chapter 2: A Plan

Waking up at 4 am has never been my doing. But I couldn’t seem to sleep more with the fact that I’m not in my room anymore and I have Amelia as my roommate who’s already taking a shower since we have classes today.

I watched as a bird tried to knock on our window, but immediately went away when it saw me looking at it. I shook my head as I tried to fix my appearance. Was the bird scared because of how I look? I let out a soft grunt before stretching my arms.

I took my phone, and texted both my parents that I was sorry for just updating them now that I’m already at my school. I was so tired yesterday that I dozed off immediately.

“You’re awake,” Amelia said as soon as she saw me. I wanted to reply to her sarcastically, but I was also afraid of what she would do to me if I ever tried to do mean things to her. So instead, I just gave her a nod and watched her now blow drying her blonde hair. She was already wearing her uniform, with a small badge on the left side, a sign that she’s one of the students in charge in our school.

“Get ready, I’ll show you where the cafeteria is so you can eat your breakfast,” she ordered when she saw me still laying on my bed, with my phone in my hand.

“And a reminder in case you’re not aware, no cell phones during class hours. If you’re caught using it, it would be deposited to an officer and you can only get it back when classes are over,” she said sternly so I mumbled a few curse words before finally getting up. If cell phones aren’t allowed during class hours, it means I can’t use my earpods to at least listen to music while a teacher is talking about a boring topic.

I hurriedly went to the bathroom and did what I had to. I made sure not to stay in the bathroom for too long, because I didn’t want to keep her waiting.

Afterwards, I went inside my walk-in closet and grimaced at the uniform they gave me. The skirt was a bit longer than what I wanted it to be. I let out a sigh, so much for trying to not keep her waiting. I took a scissor and did my magic by trying to fix my skirt.

After fixing my skirt, I wore it and smiled at the sight. It was a black pleat skirt that’s above the knees and it was partnered with a white knee socks and black school shoes. The coat was also colour black with a gold printed logo on the side, and white short sleeve shirts. You can actually either choose whether you’ll wear a short sleeve shirt or a long sleeve shirt. But when you wear short sleeve shirts, you’ll have to wear the coat, but that’s not the case with the long sleeve one. Oh, and I almost forgot. We also wear a black necktie to complete our uniform.

It was cute. But I’m just not used to wearing uniforms. And to think I’d have to wear these everyday is kind of boring.

“Finally,” Amelia said she looked bored and irritated but I ignored it and just took my bag so that we could finally go and have breakfast together.

When we were finally outside of our room, I saw how some heads turned to look at us. Some were giving curious glances, while some were looking at Amelia with pure admiration. Of course, she was sort of like the it girl here knowing that she’s the president.

Some greeted her a good morning, and I saw Amelia smiling at them. I scoffed at her reaction. How come she’s nice to the other girls, but not to me? Was it because of that one summer night at the bar? Or maybe this was sort of like a mask? Since she can’t go around and ignore them, knowing that she’s the one and only President of the Student Body.

I heard from my mum that it was hard to become the president of the student body here, because you had to make sure that the students love you in order to get their votes, and it was an honor to become the president, especially for your parents because it’s like you’re the best student here because of that title. And yes, my mum was once actually the president of the student body in this school. She was exactly like Amelia. Tall, Blonde and Beautiful. And of course, rich. They were alike. Now I’m curious if the school ever had someone who’s not Blonde to be the president?

I was cut off from my train of thoughts when Amelia called for me. I was too busy thinking about things that I didn’t notice that I was walking slowly. I walked faster to get near her and decided to just observe the place instead of thinking random thoughts that aren’t important.

I saw some students walking while chattering, some were holding their notebooks while walking, maybe there’s going to be a quiz and they had to review because they forgot to do it last night. While some were sitting on the grass in the soccer field. It was nice to actually go and sit there because of the lovely weather.

It wasn’t too sunny, cloudy or rainy. It was gloomy. Typical British Weather, where the clouds are gray and it makes you feel like you’re in an old film. This was the type of weather that I grew up with, and I love it.

It gives me this nostalgia, like a heavy feeling in my chest, but it didn’t hurt. Instead, it was a beautiful feeling.

“Here is the cafeteria. It’s not that far away from the dorm, so I hope you don’t get lost on your way here everyday,” Amelia told me, then she opened the door of the cafeteria. The cafeteria looked classy and elegant. The walls were made up of glass and of course, we can’t miss the chandeliers and the beautiful tiled floor.

But aside from all that, the cafeteria was also the place where I saw them for the very first time.

The group of girls who were different from everybody else. If some students had their skirts way below their knees, these girls just made theirs shorter, even shorter than mine! I even saw two girls who dyed their hair. One a bright pink, while the other had orange. While the other one has a lip piercing.

I felt ashamed, because I judged all the students here based on the rumours. I thought they were all good girls even appearance wise. But I guess, not all wanted to be like how the school wanted them to be.

“The food is free. Find a table and I’ll see you later in our room,” Amelia told me and immediately left to go to the centre table with other beautiful girls. Most of them have a badge on the left side of their coat, and I assumed that they might be from the student body too.

As I watched Amelia walk away, I couldn’t help but feel a little sad, because this was my first day. I was hoping to have someone to at least guide me or like to eat breakfast with me. I didn’t want to look like a loner while eating.

But of course, I didn’t have a choice. I can’t force Amelia to come and eat with me. So, instead of being a dramatic bitch, I gathered all of my courage and went to the counter and ordered a meal. I grimaced once I finally had my meal, because it was time to finally find a table.

Every girl has a table with their friends, I didn’t even see one without any.

I’m really going to be the loser here. I thought to myself, as I started walking to an empty seat. But when I was about to reach it, someone went to me and gracefully took the tray I was holding. It was no other than the girl with the lip piercing. She looks Asian too, so I was really happy when I saw her.

“I can’t let a fellow Asian sit alone, a pretty one at that,” she said before giving me a wink. I chuckled at what she said before following her to the table of girls that caught my eyes. And one thing I could describe them is that they are all pretty.

Well, all women are pretty. But they were just in some next level of pretty. Or was I being bias, because they remind me of my friends back home?

“New recruit. The new girl. Again, Eun?” the black girl with the orange hair said while eating her breakfast. She wasn’t even looking at me, because she was busy watching something on her phone.

“What? She’s cute, and from what I heard she’s miss president's roommate!” The girl called 'Eun' said excitedly, before sitting on the Black girl's lap and giving her a peck on the lips. Well, that was surprising.

“If you don’t want to be in the detention room again, can you please stop with all the public display of affection?” a girl with dark brown eyes and black hair ordered the two. She looks beautiful with her morena skin and her cute nose.

“I’m terribly sorry for them. Hi! I’m Zoe and I’m from Thailand. I moved here two years ago with my mum, and yes I’m sorry if the lip piercing is a bit shiny,” she said, but she doesn’t look sorry at all which made me like her immediately. I smiled at her and offered my hand for a handshake.

“I’m Victoria Olivia Kingstein, but you can call me Tori, and no it doesn’t bother me at all. It actually looks good on you,” I told her and I was shocked with what she did next. Zoe gave me a big hug while saying 'we found a new recruit'

Eun then joined the hug and I was shocked when she gave me a kiss on the cheek, making me shove both of them away. What’s with Eun and her kissing habit?

“I’m open to poly relationships. Jada, can we have her?” Eun asked her girlfriend, making me choke on my own saliva because of what she just said.

Jada fixed her orange coloured hair, before pulling Eun by the waist towards her. That move made me smile, because they were cute. While I saw the two other girls with me masking an expression of disgust because of what Jada did.

“Stop joking, Eun. You’re scaring the new girl,” Jada told her girlfriend, making Eun pout.

“Enough, okay? Breakfast is almost over and we still haven’t talked to her about what we’ll be doing to at least stop the school's discrimination against us,” the girl with the morena skin said as she puts her book and glasses down.

I watch with adoration at her flawless face. I couldn’t even spot a single pore! She is so beautiful.

“My name’s Hailey Gomez. But my friends call me Lily and I’m a Filipina. I grew up here in this school. And you’re Victoria Kingstein, right?” she asked, so I gave her a nod.

“But you can call me Tori,” I told her, and she gave me a smile before giving a sign to Zoe to start talking.

“Okay, I know this will surprise you. But we decided to have you as our newest member to our plan in ending the school’s discrimination among us. There are a lot of students like us, but since we’re the ones who are graduating, the role was passed down to us in order to end this cycle,” Zoe told me, gone was the playful aura. She was serious this time.

I looked around, and saw that everybody has their own world, so I was sure nobody was listening to Zoe as she spoke about this plan of theirs.

“Why me?” I asked, genuinely confused. I’m the new girl, I didn’t had enough experience here to prove that there’s discrimination.

“Like I said, every time a group gets out of here, the roles will be passed down to a new generation. And this time, it is passed onto us. I know this is all new to you, but we chose you to be part of us because of your mum too.” This time, it was Jada who was explaining.

“My mum?”

“She was part of this before, she was even the leader. I know it’s weird because she was the only blonde girl in the group back then, but I don’t know what she said or how she did it, but everybody just loves her. And during her time as the president, the discrimination was not as bad as it is right now. It’s actually weird that you transferred here, when it’s your last year in high school,” Lily said as she wore her glasses again.

“What if her mum had this planned all along?” Eun interrupted, and that made me think. What if mum had this planned?

“Yeah, and from what I heard from the student council, they were all afraid of you, because they thought you'd be like your mum, you know? But then I heard them making fun of you cause you’re biracial,” Jada said, a sour expression on her face. Like the mere mention of the student council just doesn’t sit right with her. She looks like she’s disgusted by them.

“Yeah, I’m half Chinese since my mum married my dad who’s Chinese. What’s funny about it though? I get it that they’re privileged to be white, but seriously. What’s wrong with me being half Asian?” I asked, clearly irritated at the mindset of others.

“They didn’t let me join Math Contests ever since I was a kid, just because I’m a Filipina. They said it would put the school down to have me as their representative,” Lily said.

“I can’t run for any position in the student council just because I’m Black. And if only you heard every insult they would give me every time I would ask if I could join their parties. But that was when I was new here, I was so naïve back then,” Jada said, whispering the last parts as she puts her head down.

“That’s why we need you to be part of our group to finally put an end to this. We need you, Tori,” Eun told me, before giving me a hopeful smile.

I let out a deep sigh before looking at their faces with hopeful smiles plastered on their lips. I’m just a new girl, and to think this group has a certain hatred towards the student council is scary, because I had a tiny crush on no other than the President of the student council.

But whatever, I’ll have to agree because the discrimination against these girls needs to stop.

Breakfast was over and I was even called by the Principal for a little bit of orientation. And after, I was sent to my classroom.

Being the new girl is hard. Especially when you had to introduce yourself in front of class.

As soon as I entered the classroom, I saw some girls looking at me and the teacher who’s smiling at me after she ordered me to introduce myself. It would’ve been easy if only I’m not classmates with Amelia in this subject. She wasn’t paying attention to me, but her presence alone intimidates the hell out of me.

“Hi! My name is 17 years old.”

Laughter then was heard inside our classroom because of my stupidity. I was never shy to talk nor did I even experience having errors in introducing myself ever, so why did it happen now? Now when Amelia is right here, sitting and smiling— wait, she’s smiling?

The irritation I felt for myself a while ago faded when I saw that what I did made her smile. I just laughed along with my classmates, even my teacher cracked a smile because of my weird introduction.

“Okay, that was a joke. I’m Victoria Olivia Kingstein and I’m 17 years old. You can call me Tori and fun fact, my mum actually graduated from this school and was once even the student council president,” I said, and even gave a bow. Some clapped their hands while some just gave me an impressed look. Of course, who wouldn’t be impressed if you have a mum who’s a graduate here and was even a past president in this school? That’s why it’s true that having the role of a president in this school is something to be proud of.

“Okay, you may now all ask her questions,” our teacher told them, and I just let out a sigh. I hope there wouldn’t be stupid questions, because I wouldn’t hesitate to throw hands at anybody, except for Amelia of course.

“Why didn’t you study here earlier?” a girl asked, her hand raised so I smiled at her.

“Because I didn’t want to,” I answered, and she grimaced at my response but didn’t say anything else.

“Where are you from?” another girl asked, making me stare at her blankly. Is she even serious with her question? Of course I’m from the UK!

“You decide,” I told her sarcastically, masking a smile but immediately rolled my eyes when she seemed offended with how I answered her.

“Madam, she’s not answering our questions correctly!” she said loudly, And I fought the urge to go and strangle her, but I stopped myself knowing all too well that my parents would not like to have their daughter called by the Principal on her first day.

“Please answer them properly, Miss Kingstein,” our teacher told me, and she was being patient. I can see that, but I am not in the mood to answer petty questions like this.

“As long as I get to ask her back,” I suggested. The teacher looked at me incredulously but didn’t say anything else.

“I’m from the UK. I grew up here,” I answered the girl.

“No, what I mean is, what’s your ethnicity. We can all see your Biracial, so what Asian are you?” she asked, and this time my eyes turned into slits. Does she have to ask me that?

“I’m half Chinese.”

“What’s hi in Chinese then?” she asked one more time. And believe me when I say that I was so close to choking her because of her useless questions. Was it really necessary for her to ask me that?

“It’s Nĭ hǎo.”

“No, you’re wrong. It’s Dàjiā hǎo. Go and learn Chinese. I’m better than you, all thanks to Ni Hao Kai-lan,” she interrupted, making me frown at her accent. She really has the guts to tell me that I was wrong when I can speak Chinese fluently since I’m literally half Chinese. I even fought the urge to roll my eyes to my classmates who laughed at her joke.

I wanted to go easy on her, but if this is what she wants, then she’ll get it the hard way.

“What’s your ethnicity then?” I asked her back, an eyebrow raised. I didn’t even care anymore even if our teacher's there.

“Oh, I’m half Spanish and Brazilian,” she said proudly, and some girls even cheered for her. I gave her a smirk before asking her the question she asked me a while ago.

“What’s hi in Spanish then?” I asked her, before giving her a confused look to mask my intention. She chuckled before answering me.

“It’s so easy, even a kid knows what it is. It’s Hola,” she answered confidently, but I immediately walked towards her and shushed her mouth using my finger which worked perfectly. Almost every girl inside this classroom squealed because of what I did.

“No, sweetheart. You pronounced it wrong,” I told her, a mocking smile on my face to make her feel what she made me feel a while ago.

“What? I’m literally half Spanish! I know I’m correct!” She insisted, but I shut her up again before speaking once more.

“No, you’re wrong. Go and learn how to say Spanish words correctly with the help of Dora the explorer, entenderlo?” I told her before patting her cheek softly and picking out a seat. But before sitting, I chose to take a look at Amelia. And I was glad I did, because she was smiling proudly and was looking back at me too.